Its arguably the best handling car in the world! Just look at any of its magazine comparisons! 50/50 weight distribution!Out handles Ferrari F-355!Monster acceleration! Kicks any wannabe sport cars butt! EG.AUDI S4, Mercedes C43, Saab Viggen! Say goodbye to all these guys! haha! Yet, Very luxurious interior!

Its too fast! drives people nuts! People complain that they only see the back of the car!

The car that sets the highest standard! Nobody can seem to keep up!
This is the car for everyone! BEST CAR I HAVE EVER DRIVEN!
After driving this car, no other car will do!

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Audi S4, MB C43, Saab viggen
No comparison... totally different class!

Brakes
Handling
Mid RPM range acceleration
Comfortable seats designed for aggressive driving
Made for tight road courses

Some squeaks from the driver's side door
Some rattles from the dash
Front rotors warped at 30k miles
Trunk leak that was fixed under warranty
Mediocre stereo, but who cares about the stereo in a car like this

This car is a lot of fun. I drive it everyday to work and the ride is always exciting. The brakes are excellent and the car literally handles like it's on rails. The overall ride is firm, but hardly objectionable.

Some may feel that the engine does not provide enough torque down low and that may be a legitimate complaint, however the power found over 3000 RPM's is very satisfying.

My car has suffered from rattles that the dealer has not been able to cure. My front rotors were shot after 30k miles, but I'm told that's unusual. The leaky trunk was annoying and inexcusable, but the dealer did fix it and everything seems OK for now.

If you enjoy driving and don't want to spend more than 50k this is your choice, especially if you want something of a backseat and trunk.

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1989 911
1996 Corvette

Wolf in sheeps clothing. Wide power band in every gear of five speed. Best handling car I have ever encountered. Corners like it is on rails. Very forgiving. If pushed around corners so hard that it breaks loose, (hard to do) it does so in a very controlled way that is easy to recover. Fit and finish is of the highest order. Very smooth manual transmission.

BMW could shorten the throw on the shifter. Could use a little more "rumble" from the exhaust (it's a guy thing).

I had the M3 for three years and it was the finest car that I ever owned, and when I get the roadster out of my system I know that I will go back to one. If you want a true sports car, with a solid racing heritage, then the M3 is the only choice.

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M Roadster. The M Roadster has the same power and transmission but it does not have the suspension. M3 is a much superior car. Quality control on the M3 was an order of magnitude better than the Roadster.
Mercedes Benz SLK 320. MB SLK 320 has great looks and an automatic hard top convertible that is a joy. The SLK is a true four season roadster. Because it is a roadster it is more fun to cruise in than the M3. When it comes to performance though, the M3 will outdo virtually any roadster made.

The car has many great points. Acceleration, braking, cornering to name a few. I look forward to long road trips on this car. I have made some tasteful DINAN upgrades (exhaust, performance software) which have added torque, HP, and removed the top speed governor. The M3 performs incredible at high speeds. The car is safe, reliable, and has great seats that have wonderful support. BMW has made a car that will continue to set the standard in the automotive industry for years to come.

The dealer charges ridiculous amounts for labor.

I would recommend this car to any one who wants a fun, safe, reliable car with universal appeal. The car is meant to be driven fast and hard. It doesn't skip a beat and the engine thermostat needle never makes it past the middle. Unbelievable car/ value.

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Porsche 944- great all around car, slow, unreliable BMW 318ic: lacks power, BMW 635CSI= cruiser, classic, not as sporty/fast

OK the M3 is THE BEST sports car, in its class or in any other class. Compare it to whatever you want, Ferrari, Porsche, Audi, it doesn't matter. The M3 is THE BEST. BRAKES, HANDLING, ACCELERATION, TOP SPEED!! Need I say more?

None, don't be stupid we're talking about an M3.

I paid $39,000 for this car. I paid in cash, so there was no lease or payments. Insurance rapes you though. But if youre buying an M3, you should have no problem with insurance, no matter what the price. THIS CAR IS WORTH EVERY PENNY. All these people here talk about M3's being expensive to maintain, and it's a buch of BS. If you cant afford a BMW, then dont get it. I can sit here and tell you all day about how good it is, but just GO DRIVE ONE. Than you will see. The best handling and driving car EVER. Trust me I've driven a lot of nice cars.

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Nothing compares to an M3, except the new M3 which will come out later this year (E46) with 330 HP. WOW, it makes me tingle all over.

Amazing car! Very versatile -- has great speed and handling and has room to bring 3 friends. great looking and no maintenance problems. fine in mid-atl winter, even trips to NE, with snow tires and traction control.

insurance can be high -- USAA treated it same as a 911, whereas State Farm was more reasonable -- shop around. comes without a few options that should be std given the price (in-dash cd, wireless entry, passthrough rear seats, sunroof)

Though I would have liked more options standard -- I kept options limited to fancy stereo/cd and sunroof which put me at $39k! I've put on 36k miles in 2 years and am still on original tires. I did buy snow tires and recommend them: michelin alpinas on momo wheels from tire rack for about $1k. A real classic of a car that I would buy again -- though if the hp increase on the new model boosts the base price much beyond $40k, I've got to say I might think twice.

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used to have '88 535is which I loved and drove 160k miles, and this is better. Compared with Boxter and 911, but no back seat in boxter (though I love its styling) and 911 has unusable back seat and is too expensive and flashy for me. Also tried m3 convertible, but found it too loud and did not like the auto transmission. Other car is a beetle turbo which I think is great value and low price, though its a different league.

Phenominal performer! The M3 is truly the ultimate driving machine. Extremely tight and responsive handling, smooth rapid acceleration of the automatic transmission is superb. Sweet styling and color combinations.

Very few. CD player (at least single play) should be standard equipment. I had the A/C unit fail under warranty, but other that that no problems.
Fast tire wear is to be expected from the soft Michelen Pilot Sx. Ride can be a little harsh, but BMW has struck an optimal ride/handling balance with the M3 that is as good as it gets.

Paid $41,300 w/ 4.9% BMW incentive lease program. I negotiated a great deal from a LB BMW. The M3 is the perfect 2/4 door sports car that fits like a glove. The thought of the new 320+ hp version sends chills down mein spine. Yet I hope to keep my 240 hp version for a while. I like having the convenience of a 4 door automatic (my 5 speed manual days are behind me know), and have not heard if BMW will introduce a 4 door in the U.S. If you have a passion for driving, catch one if you can.

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BMW 325is, Mercedes 280, BMW 540. All great cars, yet NO comparison. The M3's handling and swift acceleration and road feel is in a class by itself.

Great engine, a love the looks of it but...(see below), everything is awesome for the price!

Still thinking...

This is actually my uncle's car but I have used on numerous occasions, including an entire summer (best summer ever). It it amazing to drive for a sedan and has me complaining about my real car all the time. The only gripe I have from above is the styling was becoming outdated in '98. I have recently seen the new M3 with 330HP and new styling. That is much more up to date and curvy.

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not much similar that compare, miata or viper. BMW was the coolest. Viper was too fast and I hate American cars.

Acceleration, handling and braking! Very few cars can match. Can't wait for the 2001!

The stock Michelin pilot mxx3 suck. No faults worth mentioning except a touchy check engine light. Mechanically very sound.

97 m3/4. Paid extra for the luxury package(m-contour wheels,computer sunroof,rear wing)$45,000. There should have been more included in the package for the price. I would recommend this car to anyone who wants to feel like a superhero every time they drive it.

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93 talon tsi, 95 eclipse gsx, 99 eclipse gsx(too slow, bad brakes)
88 mustang 5.0 lx (enough said)
93 gmc typhoon (poopbox on wheels)

power,handling, are good, lable: BMW

look needs more curves, interior has a boaring "bmw" layout.
nothing compared to a camero SS, mustang Cobra, or Corvette

good car, but theres better for similar or lower prices

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None