I always thought the M5 was the big touring horse of a BMW and the M3 was the small quick car, but now...
I guess its more of competition than anything, the new Lexus IS has 400hp I believe, Audi RS4 has a tonne as well. Isn't this M3 rumoured to weigh 1600kg? Imagine the tires you'll go through if you drive it sportingly at all.
The little Colin Chapman inside me dies a little bit everytime I see a car get "improved" by adding a bigger engine, more weight, more electronics...