You're all gonna shoot me for this, but I think it's a little understated. No question it's light years ahead of the e46 M3, but IMHO the e90/92 doesn't quite achieve the same aggressive stance and look as its predecessor, and it has gotten criticism for this. Although they're not considered to be in the same class, it's been paired up against the Audi R8 . . which by the way, the M3 pretty much held its own against it. But I think if it weren't for the huge price difference between them, BMW would have been in serious trouble. Just my take anyhow.