Long awaited comparo: M4 VS Alfa Giulia QV VS C63S

[Paul-Bracq-BMW]

I've been waiting for this since the announcement of the Alfa Giulia QV. Here are the scans from the latest CAR UK magazine.

Enjoy the read and I think the 4-door sports car (even though they used an M4 for the comparo here) has a new major player! more competition makes for more choices for the consumer and better cars in the future!

A couple of notes: the Alfa tested here is a pre-production version. Only the Alfa and M3/4 are available in MT. The Alfa has an unrestricted speed limit... at 192mph!

[paliknight]

They're all really nice cars. It would be a tough decision between the F80 and C63. I dont have any knowledge nor experience with Alfa Romeo so I cant say much.

[Needsdecaf]

Really tired of the F8X Getting a bad rap for "spiky on the limit handling". Really. Not relevant!

I understand why some would prefer the C63. But no bad choice between those two. The Alfa? I haven't driven it. Henry Catchpole at Evo thought it was quite enjoyable, but I get the impression it's no match for the other two as a complete package, and the interior is decidedly a notch below. Good first effort, I think he said.

[M3Tooner]

What!? 3 track capable cars but no track battle? That would interest me a little more than this but thanks for sharing.

[minn19]

Didn't read it all, but I'm very surprised at the weight of the Giulia. That is quite a bit heavier than even the Merc.

[Agamemnon]

I would always worry about the Alfa breaking down and leaving me walking home. The fact that it will probably be sold and serviced by a Chrysler dealership is also off-putting. I have the BMW and love it. Would also be happy in the Mercedes. The ownership experience is an amalgam of a great driving experience, build quality, dependability, how you are treated by the dealership (sales and service), and the community of fans (M owners are passionate).

[F80Dreamer]

All around capabilities the M wins, engine/exhaust sound and interior the MB wins, the Alfa wins for the pure emotional side. All great cars in their own right...I just can't get used to the Alfa front end, it is just hideous

[KevinM]

Three great cars to be sure. I'm like a broken record, but...let's test the manuals. Oh, that's right, Mercedes doesn't offer one. And no one seems to like the MT in the Alfa due the the engine characteristics, which is sad to me.

So it's all good.

I would really like to drive the MT Alfa and compare it to the M3...

[ixse]

Originally Posted by Agamemnon

I would always worry about the Alfa breaking down and leaving me walking home. The fact that it will probably be sold and serviced by a Chrysler dealership is also off-putting. I have the BMW and love it. Would also be happy in the Mercedes. The ownership experience is an amalgam of a great driving experience, build quality, dependability, how you are treated by the dealership (sales and service), and the community of fans (M owners are passionate).

When i spoke to local alfa dealer, they are only having handful of mechanics being trained to work on giulia qv. You will specifically be assigned to single mechanic per dealer, so you can get to know him in personal basis as well. They are really going to try hard at this, so we shall see.

[landshark99]

I originally wanted the Alfa but it was taking to long to show up, which added to my fear of buying a first year car, so I am now the happy owner of a 16 M3

[trey100]

The M has been getting beat up lately which seems to be the trend. Starts off with a lot of praise upon release and then all the negatives show up later in the cycle. The Alfa didn't seem to get gushing praise so I'm betting it will get old fast with the car magazines.

[OutlawX3M]

Originally Posted by Agamemnon

I would always worry about the Alfa breaking down and leaving me walking home. The fact that it will probably be sold and serviced by a Chrysler dealership is also off-putting. I have the BMW and love it. Would also be happy in the Mercedes. The ownership experience is an amalgam of a great driving experience, build quality, dependability, how you are treated by the dealership (sales and service), and the community of fans (M owners are passionate).

Actually the Alfas share a showroom with Fiat for now. Not sure if the plan is to separate them in the future but it's not a Chrysler dealership per se.

Even if they were, what's your concern with your scenario? Chrysler Jeep Dodge and Ram live under one roof and that group sells SRT high performance vehicles. To do so a dealer spends $ for extra training and equipment for the right to sell and service SRTs like the Viper.

http://autoweek.com/article/car-news...sell-srt-viper

[SO17]

I like the idea of the Alfa but reliability concerns would make me nervous about actually buying one. If Alfa can make strides in that direction I'd certainly put it on my list of potential next cars. Time will tell....

[damnitBobby]

Good on Alfa for making a worthwhile contender. I still wouldn't buy one simply because I need a reliable 4 door car. Not to say it lacks reliability, but it sure hasn't proven itself yet.

I really want to like the C63. But I just can't get over the exterior looks. It just looks too curvy and melted. Other than that I think it's a great car also.

[chillindrdude]

Originally Posted by trey100

The M has been getting beat up lately which seems to be the trend. Starts off with a lot of praise upon release and then all the negatives show up later in the cycle. The Alfa didn't seem to get gushing praise so I'm betting it will get old fast with the car magazines.

perhaps this is the nature of the biz, or perhaps car are getting that much better.

i too, noticed, fairly universal praise of the F8x platform at launch, and now, universal panning.



it will be interesting to see what the automotive performance landscape brings in 22 months when my lease is up.

[DocWeatherington]

A fare review, but it has a few holes

[CaryTheLabelGuy]

These reviews are hilarious.

[CanAutM3]

The Brits just love hating on the M3/4 .

[bimmerj]

Waiting for the bench experts to weigh in

[chillindrdude]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

The Brits just love hating on the M3/4 .

is it because their cars keep breaking down all the time? or bland like their food?


I kid I kid

[mbiondo]

Originally Posted by CaryTheLabelGuy

These reviews are hilarious.

I agree. I just don't see how a Muscle-Car-Wannabe is even in this category. And I won't say what most have already said, which is so obvious: The Merc is simply hideous. Oooops, I said it. I agree that the Alfa is in the middle, but I would easily reverse #3 and #1. And, full disclosure, I don't even own an M4.

[CaryTheLabelGuy]

Originally Posted by mbiondo

I agree. I just don't see how a Muscle-Car-Wannabe is even in this category. And I won't say what most have already said, which is so obvious: The Merc is simply hideous. Oooops, I said it. I agree that the Alfa is in the middle, but I would easily reverse #3 and #1. And, full disclosure, I don't even own an M4.

Any idiot can see:

#1 M4 ZCP
#2 Alfa
#3 C63s