Whelp...here goes.

While I don't "hate" your choice, you are aware that it is FWD, right?

The poster that suggested a 330ci as a better choice is spot on, on that one. RWD is far superior for performance driving than FWD, IMO. There's a reason Porsches, Ferraris and Lotus (Loti?) aren't FWD.

Now, as for the 3 series, it's much number than the 3 series' of the past in the steering feel and turn-in.

Given your choice and apparent budget, my choice would have been a 525i 5spm w/Sport-Premium package. Quality of paint and materials would have ben 4x over either the CL or the 3 Series. Performance would have been less, but handling would have been superb. And, whelp, the 5 oozes sex appeal.

 

how is the quality of paint and materials different between a 3-series and a 5-series???

1. are you implying that BMW uses different "quality" paints throughout their model line-up??

2. we had the same grade leather in our '00 3-series as my friend did in his '99 5-series!!

i believe you are mistaken with these aspects of your post.......please correct me if i'm wrong....