Sound of the engine, raw power, even with the heavier convertible + hard top it's still fast. Handling is great, never had so much fun with a car before.

The interior is a bit outdated. The new 3 series looks better inside. Trunk room is very limited, especially with the cd changer, fits only 1 suitcase.

The GS might be faster, but it's too boring to drive. Can't hardly hear the engine or feel the road. One test drive with the bimmer convinced me there is nothing else out there that compares with this ultimate driving machine, in this price range anyway.

$45600

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88 Maxima, 97 Maxima SE, 98 GS400

This car is awsome. the 98 model is better than the 99 but you have to get some options so you will have a great car.

NONE

i paid $55,000 for this cap and it is worth every penny. i use this car only 7 months of the season because i have hummer that is use in the winter.

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'99 Porche 911 turbo

- Very, very fast
- Near faultless handling
- Practical
- Long 6th gear for motorway and good fuel economy
- Hard suspension but good ride (how did they do that?)

- Steering could be slightly quicker.

I paid £29,900 (UK pounds sterling) 6 months ago. This was higher than average in the UK but the dealer gave me an excellent trade-in for my M5 so I didn't argue about the price.

I firmly believe that this is the perfect, every-day supercar. I drive 70 miles every day in it and am always comfortable. It is unbelievably quick (for all those US folks reading ... it has 321bhp, not 240bhp). Forget 0-60, this car will do 30-70 in 4.4s ... that's quicker than the following; Audi RS2, Subaru Impreza WRX STi 4, Jaguar XKR, Ferrari 348. Others may argue that a Subaru Impreza Turbo is a better everyday car but that is simply not the case ... the quality, refinement and (in some cases) performance gaps are huge.

The overall handling is outstanding. It's very difficult to get the back end out in the dry and relatively hard in the wet, which gives the driver plenty of confidence. Composure and adjustability mid-bend are outstanding. The turn-in is not as sharp as it could be but perfectly adequate nonetheless. It goes without saying that there is bags of grip; far more than most drivers would ever manage to exceed in the dry.

On the whole, I would recommend this car to enthusiats and weekend racers alike; enthusiasts because the stock car is track-ready but with plenty of scope for upgrading, weekend racers because it is also such a good car for everyday commuting and weekend country lane blasting. Perfect.

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BMW E34 M5 (3.8)

-Handling is among the very best, if not the best, available at any price
-Comunicative, precise steering
-Power and a flat torque curve which provides '60s musclecar type acceleration
-Brakes
-Scheduled maintenance for first 3 years included in purchase price

-Needs a 6th gear for highway cruising
-For $40,000, cruise control & power seats should be
standard.
-Adjustable steering wheel not available
-Interior a little cramped for those over 6 ft. and for adults in the back seat

The M3 provides superb levels of performance with a comfortable cabin and much greater utility than a two seat sports car would provide. I paid $41,500 for an option-laden version and, as a member of the BMW Car Club of America, received a $1,000 rebate for a net price of $40,500. Some feel BMW service costs are high (and I would have to agree) but the 3 years of free scheduled maintenance mitigates this somewhat. This is my third BMW and they have all been more reliable and trouble-free than Toyota and Honda products I have owned. The M3 and the 1997 328iS it replaced are the two best cars I have owned in 30 years of driving, and third place isn't even close. The 3 series is that good. I can't wait to see how good the new M3, due in the fall of 2000, is going to be. For someone who wants world-class levels of performance at a reasonable price and doesn't need large amounts of interior room, I can't recommend an M3 too highly.

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1997 BMW 328iS, 1984 Mazda RX-7

This is truly the "Ultimate Driving Machine". The best handling car I've ever owned in my 35 years of owning many different makes and models. This is the only car I've owned that I feel compelled to drive because it's such a rush to get behind the wheel. Everything about this car works in harmony; the powerful torquey straight six engine, the smooth five speed transmission, the firm, tight suspension, and the awesome brakes. This car is bred for the track and that is where I drive it. It is fast and handles like it's on rails. It's also an acceptable daily drive.

The only weakness in this car is the driver!! This is not the car for the faint of heart.

A fun machine that will do more than you have the nerve to do. I paid $32K for the car with 22K miles on the odo. I've driven the car for two years, 30K miles, and numerous high speed driving events. The car is bullet proof but consumes tires and brake pads at a rapid rate - could be the way I drive!

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1994 BMW 325iS, 1988 Honda Prelude

BMW claims to manufacture "The Ultimate Driving Machine". They hit the nail on the head with the M3. To own one is to know that it is perfectly balanced. To speak of the handling, speed, style, and other individual characteristics of this car would be to take credit away from that which makes it so amazing... that this car blends these individual characteristics into a potent and dream-come-true concoction ready to deliver pure driving bliss.

Maintenance is a pain in the ass. It is expensive and frequent.

The M3 is a tremendous value. The quality of this vehicle compared to other vehicles in the same price range is excellent. I don't know anyone who has one that is not VERY happy with it.

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Just the M3

Versatility: The M3 is the most versatile car I have ever owned. The M feels most at home on a twisting road

The minor weaknesses that come to mind can also be associated with other top performance autos: tire wear and price, insurance cost, and constant glares from envious drivers of American sports cars. Also, some would say that for the money ($46,025) the M3 should come with a longer list of standard equipment, and I tend to agree.

Top notch performer in every category. There are few autos in any price range that the BMW M3 can not out perform. From the engine to the brakes, the steering to the clutch, the trunk to the lights, the M3 is a world class sportscar that few car nuts would argue with

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List of previous cars driven or owned:
'97 Corvette, '96 Z28, '89 Supra, '88 911, '99 boxster, '99 Corvette, '93 RX-7 tt.

Amazing overall balance. The designers of this car have their fundamentals straight. Even the interior ergonomics affirm this as the dash is angled toward the driver (a hallmark stamp of all BMWs). This car is about the art of driving. It has excellent acceleration, handling, and braking. You can push this vehicle, and it does not lose its composure. Try the new Michelin Pilot SX tires -- they're a great match. Also, this is not a flashy sports car that screams "look at me," which I consider to be a bonus. Some might feel, in fact, that it looks too similar to the 318 line. However, you're less apt to flag the attention of the Highway Patrol in this car, than you'd be in a C5 Vette. Also, this is a practical car. I can fold down the rear seats and have relatively enormous carrying capacity for a sports car. This is a car that you can drive every day with little hassle. Overall, the M3 is technologically sophisticated, subtle yet competent, highly refined, and fairly priced.

Starting with important things first: the M3 begs for a 6th gear. First gear is great for racing, but on a practical day to day level, you must shift to second sooner than with other cars or else you'll be revving very high.

Maintenance is very expensive, and dealers are, in my experience, not the most accomodating or responsive to customer needs. Their prices are high, and they charge ridiculous rates to fix even the smallest of problems. If you buy this car, be mentally prepared for this, and you won't be as aggravated. Consider it a hidden cost of ownership.

The front air dam is LOW. If you own this car for any length of time, you'll probably at least partially rip off the front air dam at least once (by pulling into a parking space all the way, or on a slope in a parking garage). And you guessed it...repairs are not cheap.

The radio reception is sub-standard. The speakers are only average (unless you opt for the optional Harmon Kardan system which is much better). Though there is a "weather-band" feature that automatically tunes into local weather stations which is helpful.

The air conditioner in any Honda works more effectively. The M3s computer display and red-colored lights look great (especially at night), but on a hot day, they don't cool the car as fast as you'd like.

You can sit and read about the pros and cons of this car, but it won't do the driving experience justice. BMWs, and the M series in particular, have an intangible quality to them that translates into something just short of magic when driving. Car magazine can rate handling, braking, acceleration, etc., but overall there is an over-riding subjective element that inspires confidence when driving. And that's what it's all about for many BMW drivers: enjoying the art of driving.

beautiful car aggresive look great handeling.

very unreliable has been back at the dealership a dozen times for diffrent problems .rear end problems transmission problems air condition problems breaks and so on.

will never buy a bmw again

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bmw 325

Balance. This car does everything well. In a face-off in a Car & Driver test, the M-3 sedan outcornered the Corvette, Viper, Acura, Ferrari, and two other similar cars. The convertible is nearly free of cowl shake. To move the top takes a single finger. You can raise the top from the outside with the key... same for the windows.

The convertible is a tad heavy for its size due to body strengthening. As a result, it's a full second slower to 60 than either the sedan or coupe. You might want to wait for the new M3 since it'll have 350hp rather than the current 240. Imagine that much horsepower in a car that's rated by the U.S. government as a sub-compact.

There are three ways to accelerate in a car: straight ahead, left, and right. No other car excels as well in all three.