It's a sweet tone: a small little bell echoing through the cockpit of the 2008 BMW M3.

The problem was I didn't know what it meant. Bings, bongs, and little beeps always mean something, and usually it's something wrong: check your seat belt; your door is ajar; the engine is about to explode. I didn't know what this particular unobtrusive bing meant in the greater scheme of warning signals, so I took my foot off the accelerator and looked over the sleek black leather dashboard.

Not a sign, but wow, the M3 is sweet.

Some cars can impress with their performance, others with their posh touches and cool technology; the M3 manages both. It has to with so many other high-end sports sedans vying for the No. 1 spot with American racers. The Audi RS4, Lexus IS F and C63 AMG all beat the M3 in one area or another -- but none offer as complete a package.

The C63 AMG offers more luxury (and power) than the M3 in terms of comfort and quiet ride. The RS4 can outperform the M3 in extreme cornering and in bad weather. But that's not taking anything away from the M3, which wins the triathlon of fun, sporty and luxurious without taking first in any of the events.

Of course, with any of these cars, you'll need more than $50,000 available just to be given a free cup of coffee at the dealership. The M3 sedan starts at $55,875, which includes shipping and a $1,300 gas guzzler tax or the same amount my 401(k) lost while you're reading this.

All that money won't buy you great gas mileage. The M3 hits 14 miles per gallon in the city and 20 mpg on the highway. Then again, if you have the cash for this car, you're more concerned with performance and leather-wrapped exclusivity than gas mileage.


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M

I disagree. There are other areas where the M3 is better han the rest than just 'overall'. Like handling and track performance.

Yea, what?????

I was saying they DON'T beat the M3 all in one area or another. Not in areas like handling and track performance.
The article says they do.

Where do I read this?

Was just gonna say that,Klier calm down man

"But that's not taking anything away from the M3, which wins the triathlon of fun, sporty and luxurious without taking first in any of the events"

Who would have thought that 10 years ago

Seriously, some people here appear not to be able to read sometimes

One more, but this time I highlight another part, and not the one Just_Me bolded:

Quote:

"The Audi RS4, Lexus IS F and C63 AMG all beat the M3 in one area or another -- but none offer as complete a package."

I read and read and read it again but I dont find anything saying the others are better on the track.