RELATED TO THIS TOPIC BUT - not concerning the *new* M3. I sat a buddy's 1997 M3 over the weekend and I'll be honest guys - I've never driven a car this good before. Sure, after 44k miles, a perfect maintenance record and almost no abuse (if my poser friend has EVER found the floorboard with the go-pedal I'd be surprised) the rattles and rough idle were big-time surprises, as were some creaks and groans. But I HAVE to tell you all - I've driven NOTHING that comes close in terms of balance, handling, power and driveability as this car. The C32 I test-drove as new crashed over everything and skipped harder than this used bimmer. This car was sooo good and easy to drive fast. Nail third at 50mph, grab fourth at redline and in almost no time flat you're at 110. Power everywhere. Turn-in is so dialed you could apex over a dime in the road at eighty. Brakes so good (though heavy and hard to use smoothly when cold) you could go deeeeep into corners. And amazingly predictable handling. And I didn't even come close to using the potential of this car. It DANCES. AMG had (and may have) work to do, but it truly is the combination of all the assets that bring the M3 together. Problem is, I can't picture how a sports coupe could be much better (maybe more power?). Then again, I spend my days in a 190...

- a big MBZ fan but...