I love BMW but I would not buy an M3 (and I have a 3 series). As a practical matter, (in the USA) you are not going to have many opportunities to go all out in that car and really enjoy what it has to offer. So, in effect you spending a lot of money for something that you are not going to get to use. Better to get a regular 3 or a 3 with a DINAN upgrade and pocket the difference. You will still come out way ahead of buying a M3.
And don’t worry, the regular 3 has plenty of power. I used to drag race in mine and almost always won. I have gone 130mph in my 328ci.
I have driven the M3 and, yes, it is a super car, but in my view it makes more sense to get a 3 or 3 with a DINAN upgrade and use the difference to buy yourself another toy. Of course, if you literally have money
to burn and are a serious 'car guy' then go ahead and get the M3. It's certainly a handsome car!
You and Pluck have good points to bring up
that is why they (BMW) have created the 335iS as a link or stepping stone to the M3. It is tuned by The M Division, whereas the M3 is built by The M Division---a direct product. The 335iS uses a turbo'd Inline 6, and the M3 a high revving 4.0 liter V8. Curiously the Inline has more torque than the M3.
Actually XFactor, you must remember than many of us don't have the funds to get a Lambo Gallardo. But there is a reason why many people take the M3 as a track day weapon or why the 24 hour Nurburgring race has hordes of race prepped M3s and Porsche Turbos, and a reason why BMW M Division has a test facility at that track. And that is becuase it is, when prepared, one of the best track cars, for the racer and everyday enthusiast. Far more so than the hyper Exotic Gallardo (except for the Balboni Edition).
Pretty much the E30 set the standard, and what you have now is basically a Ferrari with 4 seats, trunk, lux goodies, for over 1/3 the price. In fact the current m3 coupe is faster than the Ferrari 360 Modena, one of the most beautiful Ferraris (V8 or V12).
But, this was a question on which one you'd get so you did answer that.
