I've put about 60K miles on my '98 M3 over the last 3 years. Stock for stock, the M will KILL an S30 in darn near any performance category. It's been one of the better cars I've owned. BUT... it's pretty boring and, while it does generate a lot of grip, you always feel like you're forcing it. It doesn't have that anxious "play play play" feel that you get in an lightly modded S30. In my opinion its a darn good car, but it's not nearly as fun as some cars. Heck, my winter beater is an '88 Civic with stud-less snow tires mounted all year long... and it's more FUN to drive