My neighbor across the street just bought a new M3, and I had to check it out. First impressions were that it looks MUCH better in person than in pics (it's titanium silver metallic w/ black leather interior) and that the engine sounded wicked as it was approaching me.

I went for a test drive, and it's amazingly quiet and comfortable for its performance. Lots of really nice detail touches throughout the interior, too. Carlos then let me behind the wheel. First thing I did was stall it taking off...oops, it has a much different feeling clutch than the S2k. The handling felt great in low speed cornering, but wow, it feels so big after driving my stook! Also, the steering wheel doesn't tilt down nearly far enough. Brakes felt really powerful, w/ a a very light touch needed to stop hard. I didn't really get on it, but it felt great, w/ torque reminiscent of a C5 Vette. The shifter felt really sloppy compared to mine.

Overall, it's an incredible car that I'd love to own if I needed more practicality than the S2k offers! It seems to have all the performance of his old C5 w/ sedan-like comfort, quiet, and refinement.

 

I just test drove my friend's silver/black tonight, first time behind the wheel. I swear this thing is getting faster the more miles it has on it. I've been in the passenger seat several times since he's gotten it, but tonight it felt explosively fast with the sport button on. It pulled like a frickin freight train.

The wait is killing me!

 

amen.
it's much harder to reach the limits of this car than it is with the s2000...