I completely agree. There was such a great understated luxury about this and the final-generation Acura CL Type-S. Both were legitimate competitors to BMW of the era (in a Japanese way). I still would love something like this today.

Thank you, Tyler. This is extremely well-put and well-reasoned. It's very refreshing to read!

Yawn. This was phoned in. If I want a gorgeous interior and power (if not speed) I see no reason on earth other than blind patriotism to choose this over an S80.

I just can’t decide to let my M235i go for this (I love it) or just Dinan it. There doesn’t seem to be a huge advantage to going in the ///M2 direction but I just hate to feel like I’m missing out on BMW’s best! It’s the perfect companion to my long roof soI don't even care about the practicality delta

That's BMW tradition, friend. My 235 has that (working) but my 325 wagon has it (not working) because I didn't get the Bluetooth. Stupid, but at least consistent!

It's a camaro. They know their market.

I would totally agree if Mazda would get off their asses and give us a real engine option. That wheezy 4 cylinder isn't cutting it. The first-gen had a 220 bhp optional six!

It'll definitely outdrag my E46!

Came here for this! Agree 100%.

Are the really other track cars the size of a challenger?!

Fine. Substitute the way better-performing Mustang which is also retro-muscle. My point still stands.

Because a sedan is better suited to this with 4 doors and there are other coupes that you could fit in with no problems with similar/better performance. It's just not great packaging.

You could also do that in a 335i or 435i coupe with better performance to boot. This is all about packaging and style over substance.

Sorry, but unless you’re morbidly obese this isn’t “useful in everyday life.” It’s needlessly big compared to its competitors and other mass-market coupes and that’s mostly because of nostalgic design and poor packaging.

I'm normally picky about this, but I let my girlfriend borrow my E46 today. Sensitive subject for sure!

Honestly I love my M235i and it’s definitely a sexy car in my eyes, but it will never really have the timeless beauty that my E46 does. The E46 is less aggressive, sure, but the hood is so well-proportioned by comparison and the whole car seem so low and “right.” My girlfriend was wondering why my daily-driver wagon…

The 4 cylinder N/A with the sport package was a great car to drive. I never had one, but I drove one a bit and it reminded me a lot of my E46 325i. Mazda benchmarked BMW for these cars apparently and it showed. This is a steal for a version that's admittedly less refined and pretty (to my eyes) but with a lot of…

My garage is a pretty good yardstick and I think you’re spot-on. I do wonder sometimes if the E46 wasn't the happy medium. Sure it's not as raw as the E30 but its a more liveable car and it's still livelier than the F22 (as much as I love its seductiveness and power).

I always liked my GTIs but they weren’t really doing it 100% for me. When I got this I can’t help but turn and look every time I walk away from it. Even when it’s next to my E46 or my (departed E30).