Power with balance and great handling.
Fast. Room for 4

Brakes are good, but not as good as Porsche's
Shifter could be better.
Minor defects from factory

I am just in love with this car!
It is the best car I've ever owned. Every drive is a joy!
I really think it is the best car below $50,000.
The new one 2001 will have more power.
There is a great M3 Internet community where I can always get help and support

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BMW 328, Audi A4, S4, Nissan 300ZX, Mits. 3000GT, Boxster

Balance, handling, acceleration, brakes, reliability and durability, very good value considering performance, number of seats, and trunk size.

Dealers, water-bourne paint (as of 1996 MY), broken shock mounts, bad crankshaft sensors (finally recalled and redesigned), limited ability to increase HP without forced induction.

Best car I've ever owned and I've tried just about everything!!! Also, the most reliable and trouble free. Cheaper to maintain then any of the Japenese or other European cars I've had. I drive it hard, maintain it like a fanatic and it still looks and drives like new after 50k miles. Great utility for those who only can own one car, with it's decent back seat for shorter trips and a decent sized trunk with fold down seats. I've carried many long items home from Home Depot (before I got a truck). I constantly have second thoughts about replacing it with the new one when it comes out.

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'92 BMW 325is, '95 Corvette, '88 Supra Turbo

Power
Handling
Fun to drive
On Board Computer

Reliability
Ergonomics are not great.
Shifter is very notchy with long throws.
No tilt or telescope wheel.
Stock Michelin's cannot be used in snow.
Styling - too much like 3-series.
Cruise control is an option !?!
'Yuppie' label synonymous with BMW

Great fun to drive, but when you spend this much money on a car, you expect more from it. Even though I've only had it for a short time, I had to put a lot of $$$ into it, not to mention my insurance doubled. The radiator and all its parts were replaced and yet it still leaks fluid. I guess owning an Acura for 7 years spoiled me. I recommend the M3, but only if you can afford it and don't mind going to the shop now and then.

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Acura Integra - much more reliable/affordable - but not as powerful.
Toyota Supra

Unparralleled handling, fairly powerful, impresses people, good stereo (great on the new ones)

Expensive parts, power difference between the european version, screwy cup holders

I got this car when I turned 18 and didn't know too much about cars, so unfortunately I got a 4 door with an automatic. It's still a pretty fun car, handles great and is powerful enough to take pretty much any other unmodified car you're likely to encounter in every day driving. I also hear the 4 doors are more sought after in the pre-owned market, so maybe I'll get a good deal when I trade up for the new 333 hp one, if it ever comes out.

Everything about this car is a awsome. The power, braking, steering, and handling in general. Not only does it perform well, it also is the best looking car that I have ever laid eyes on. I don't know about quality issues but the car i bought had 40000 miles on it and it runs like it just rolled off the factory line in Germany.

Keyless entry and in-dash cd should be standard on a car that cost 45,000 new.

This is a car for a driving enthusiast and anyone else who just wants a great car short of going out and buying a Ferrari or Porche. This is by far the best car I've ever owned in my life.

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96' Dodge Itrepid(Not even same league)
99' Ford Explorer(So many recalls and problems that I just couldn't stand it any more.)

Smooth, refined power, quick, and very responsive. The handling is phenomenal. Great overall car - it can be an everyday car or take it to the track and take on all the 4-banger imports.

Needs a sixth gear for highway cruising.

Highly recommend this fast car for overall performance.

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None

Duh, handling. Linear power, smooth, steering, looks, engineering, shifting.

Dealers. Top-end power, uses oil, lack of headroom, seating position, can be "too perfect", dealers.

Purchased mid year 1996 with every option except the auto transmission and luxury package. Garaged and not driven in the winter or in rain. 12,000 total miles and probably not even broken in yet. (The criminals at Competition BMW, Greenwich damaged all four forged wheels with their impact wrench in 1997, admitted the damage, but refused to do anything about it. Has completely ruined the car/experience for me overall - hence the low miles - and looking forward to exchanging it for another non-BMW sports car.)

Strengths and Weaknesses

To beat a dead horse, the handling is spectacular. Whether hurtling down a winding road at 80-100mph or carving serious twisty bits at half that speed, the handling is magnificent. Sophisticated suspension is not upset by even bad bumps mid-corner. The most balanced car I have ever driven. Combine this with super communitive steering and it makes it very easy to modulate between oversteer and understeer. The proverbial, "glued to the road" also applies. For a fun test, find a big, safe, empty parking lot some Sunday morning and TRY to upset an M3. Do really stupid stuff like snap throttle mid corner or even jam on the brakes mid power slide. It's all uneventful. The M3's strength, poise and balance make for graceful recoveries evertime. It won't change the laws of physics but that's about all it wont do.

The power is creamy smooth (with just the right snarl sound as the tach spins) and super linear. Generally this is good and the opporsite of many turbo engines. Even if you are dogg'n it (say 2,500 rpm) and need power, now, to exit a low speed corner the straight six delivers heaps of it. Touque everywhere. Need to pass in fifth, no need to downshift, just put your right foot into it and go. But, I'd like a bit more madness at the top. From about 6,000 rpm to redline I'd love a little surge of power instead of just more rpms and flat power.

This M3's shifting matches the rest of the car. Mechanical feeling, positive, smooth, accurate. Every gear change is a joy. Sliding the shifter or releasing the "just right" clutch. The engine is so smooth that I, for one, do not care there is no 6th gear. With the absurd U.S. speed limits, fifth keeps the engine in a nice sweet spot.

Now I offer up an unusual weakness: the car is almost too perfect. Yes, the handling is second to none but the limits are so damn high it is hard to enjoy them anywhere but on a race track. Don't get me wrong, a curved on-ramp to the Merrit Parkway can be a rush but this car is the most fun when driven at 10 tenths. I have driven many cars on road course race tracks and none shines like an M3. Other than some brake fade, a stock M3 in astounding in how good it is. But in the real world a Mazda Miata is more fun most days. Unless I drive a long way to some isolated roads, my everyday Subaru RS is more fun - and fun in any kind of weather.

Perhaps my example is still not fully broken in but my oil consumption is excessive - a quart every 1000 miles reminds me of a '85 Plymouth Horizon. Germans are big, so generally I fit ok in the car but headroom is tight and while the manual seats are great for holding one in, I can never get quite comfortable - maybe an adjustable steering wheel would have solved this? I do not need to rehash the cost of service and parts (knew this going in) but I find the combination of outrageous prices and arrogance (and in the case of Competition BMW - malice) unacceptable.

Regarding looks, I think the E36 M3 is just about the most handsome coupe ever. They simply got the size and shape right. It just looks so tight, muscular, simple, and unique. Form following function - very German. While I ordered a spoiler for mine (functional at very high speeds) I think it looks better without. The engineering continues to delight me. Besides the brilliant mechanicals things like having the sunroof and all windows open yet not a drop of spray comes in from the windsheild washers. The rear belts, with their built in guides stay tidy is a nice touch. Even the battery overflow drains onto the ground so the unseen but structual metal is never damaged.

All and all quite a car. If not for the oil usage, I'd give the CAR five stars. Until the Subaru WRX came out I'd have given the M3 four stars for value but with the Corvette and now the WRX I give 3 stars for value. And the dealers get 0 stars.

BRILLIANT CAR + A CRIMINAL DEALER = NEVER AGAIN

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Corvette, Viper, Subaru RS, many other older sports cars

Engine, amazing for its size,Brakes,suspention. Very nice sound system, great seats. Overall a fantastic car.( love the exaust note )Great value for the price.Very stable at speed.

Soft clearcoat,current lack of service manuals. The wait for the car, but I guess it is a necessary evil.

,The car is fantastic! We purchased this car for my wife as her primary driver,and she and I both love it. The suspention is nothing short of incredible. I really like the DSC system as the light will blink far before the limit of the car is reached, thus kind of telling you how hard you may drive before getting into trouble. The brakes are fantastic! They rival some of the race cars I have driven. No fade and pedal feel is excellent.The steering is a little soft but my wife loves it, especially around town. The gearbox shifts well,but the throws could be a little closer. Clutch is a tad grabby but great when driving agressively. The motor is a work of art. I have built race engines for a living for the past 18 years and do not impress quickly, but this engine is amazing to say the least. Torque and power are everywhere and it pulls like a demon right to the 8000 rpm redline. (ok , I still think about 75 more HP would be nice but I am a power junkie). Ride quality is very nice for a sporty car but most people would think it firm. Fit and finish are excellent on the interior,but the paint work could stand a little help. Some very very minor orange peel, and the clearcoat is very soft, it may harden in time however. Overall we really love the car and my hat goes off to BMW for building such a machine. Also as you read this please remember that I am about the most pickey machinist you ever met and have driven about everything that has a engine in it. I also believe most people who are not performance type drivers would be more happy with the 330 or 540.
,

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Porsche 930, Viper, SL 500, GT 500 kr, Cuda 440-6, 560 SL, new sports cars are better than old sports cars.

As stated above accelleration, looks, handling, tight cockpit feel.

?

This car is a jewel to behold. Often immitated never duplicated the bmw m3. I've owned many cars in my life time. Honda's, acura, saab, porsche, chrysler (I was in high school never again),volvo, vw, toyota, but this is probably the best car I have ever owned. I Rate this car a 10 on looks a 10 on accelleration and a 10 handling, interior 8. The interior has a tight cockpit type feel like my porsche but the steering is softer. Handling is like a dream in this car. I do things I wouldn't do in my honda or toyota in this car. You will smile around curves car handles exceptional. Outside skirts and trim are fitting for this car. Everytime I look at it I marvel at its design. Kind of like a mona lisa you keep staring and staring at something so simple yet beautiful.

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Porsche 944 turbo 1988. Similar type accelleration. Less maintenance problems. Bimmer owners witch and complain about maintenance on these cars try owning a porsche. I think this car handles better. The porsche would give it a good race. + with turbo you can modify the engine for pennies and get dramatic hp gain. S4 -? It looks like an a4 (fox in sheeps clothing sleeper look doesn't excite me. Build quality suspect on audis. s4 would be a good 2nd choice, {Acura Gs-R, Subaru Wxr, exclipse, Baby benz's,} If you have the money why bother with those? I am not including Porsche 911, Corvettes, Rx-7's, or toyota supras those are sports cars this is a sports sedan. Best daily commuter of the bunch.

p.s. The owners of m3's will bring up specifics about their car and explain it in detail. Poss owners (i.e mythical owners) will write rubbish and then end it by saying I would rather buy a mustang. Are you insane?

Handling/cornering is just unbelievable.
I like the stereo.

Seats are VERY uncomfortable for a large person.
Much noisier than my 328is was and 5th gear should be an overdrive like the 328is had (or add a 6th gear for long trips).

Very tight handling. Probably the best I've ever driven. Great power. Very close ratio transmission. Nice HK stereo. Exciting to drive.
Nothing else I drive seems to measure up to this. I've been driving everything because the lease is up in 6 months......so far this is the hands down winner. A true drivers car and far more of a sports car than most 2 seaters.

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My 1996 328is was a smoother more comfortable car but not as quick and dynamic and tight. I miss the comfort and great gas mileage on long trips.
240Z was my old all-time favorite - this is as good for today as the Z was for 1974.
Mazda Miata was fun but too tight a fit for a big guy.