a few peopl might buy a M3 for a status symbol…but I would bet that most people buy an M3 because of what it offers and what the regular 3-series models do not. If they wanted to buy a BMW that was more expensive than the regular 3-series, they would go for a 5, 6 or 7 series instead…not a M3…because a M3 is too difficult to live with on a daily basis for most people…it’s very high strung and has a fairly harsh ride.
I didn’t buy my M3 because of status. I bought it because I wanted a car that I could use as a daily driver, was attractive, somewhat practical and luxurious and was capable of doing well at the track over a weekend. At the time (in 2002), no other car compared…plus, I’ve wanted one since 1987 when the e30 M3 was introduced.
You talk of status…I’ll never forget the Saturn I saw on the Parkway North a few years ago…it has Honda badges plastered all over it. Now that’s someone who is interested in status.
I also read in C&D that the M3 will get a V8 next year, to step it up from this turbo 3 series. Personally, all things being equal, I’d never buy an M3 now.
yes…the new M3 will get a high revving V8 engine which will be derived from the V10 found in the current M5 and M6. It should put out from 400-450HP.
For the people only interested in acheiving Cheaper HP or just can’t afford the M3, the 335i would definitely be the car…but the M3 will look different and offer a much different overall driving experience. Plus, no matter what you do to a turbo…you still can’t emulate the feeling of driving a very responsive naturally aspirated engine…turbos feel very artificial in the power delivery and will lag.