[HaloEye]

i have kind of changed my answer, i would be willing to get an M3 even though it is at the end of its life. Like someone else stated, it will probably be 2 years and 2 years is a long time. I think back to the e46 m3, would i like to drive that car today, hell yes. i am sure the next m3 will be great but so is this one. I am as well considering the m3 and will also test drive the 535i and c63.

[JOHNBMWM5]

I have the M3 E90 2010 model and it's a great drive, just ordered the european 550i M sport with lots of toys, as stated you can not really drive the M3 how it needs to be driven on public roads. The 550 i M sport you can.

[MBrown1003]

Originally Posted by johnbmw6

I have the M3 E90 2010 model and it's a great drive, just ordered the european 550i M sport with lots of toys, as stated you can not really drive the M3 how it needs to be driven on public roads. The 550 i M sport you can.

Check out my signature for my BMW history. On thing I miss in the E90 M3 is low-end torque.

John's right -- it's hard to really drive the car how it should be driven on public roads. Up to about 3k RPMs, you'll find youself wondering, "THIS is an ///M car??". Then it starts to get nice. The magic doesn't kick in until about 6k RPMs, with a nice induction roar and exhaust wail, but you can't get up there a lot.

On the other hand, I've test driven a 535i and 550i (slushboxes, both!), and came away saying, "There's no substitute for low-end torque!"

One other consideration is doors. From what I've read, the next gen M3 will be coupe only. If -- like me -- you prefer having four doors for your middle-aged and older friends, the current M3 may be your last shot at a high-performance sedan unless you can and are willing to spend M5 money.

[jeffhoff]

You're talking about 2 very different cars with similar price tags, the question is which one fits your lifestyle better.

For me the 550 fits my life better, more grown up and refined, where the M3 is still more the "boy racer" car. In my 20's I would have chosen the M3, now in my 40's the 550 is my choice.

[1HOT BMR]

No comparison between the two, they are so different. Buy the M3 only if you are going to track the car and you don't care about anything else. If you want to have a much better engine with loads of torque from 1800 rpm and up, a much smoother ride, a better steering feel, loads more space, and a much nicer and refined interior - then buy the 550i. It is just so much more car for the money. On the other hand, if you are young and you haven't owned an M car yet, perhaps the M3 would be a much more satisfying choice for you. Ultimate performance around a track is so unimportant to me but perhaps this is something you really value. In the end, only you can decide what is best for you.