BMW M3: The Best of the Best
For power, performance, and near-perfect engineering, the new BMW M3 may well be worth the $17,000 premium over the regular 3 Series
"I've just test-driven the '08 M3 Coupe, the fourth generation of the M3, and I have to say BMW did a masterful job with it. The new M3 eclipses the 3 Series in dozens of small increments that add up to notably better handling. Whether the M3 is worth its premium price is another matter. The M3 Coupe starts at $58,575, including a $1,300 federal gas guzzler tax—which is 17 Gs more than the $41,575 starting price of the '08 335i Coupe. Personally, I'd probably bank the extra $22,500 and content myself with a BMW 228i, which is a bit slower and starts at a "mere" $36,075, but that's just me. If you want the crème de la crème in this class of BMW, pay up for the M3."
"Of course, the 3 Series Coupe and Sedan cost far less and are among the best cars I've ever driven. But if you've read this far, you probably want the best of the best, and that's the M3."
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