 Moved to this car from a 1991 E30 M3 and very pleased with the GT car performance and agility of the 3rd generation of this vehicle. I thought the E36 was lacking in horsepower where the E46 does not.  It's practically a race car in it's stock form and not much room for adding more in bolt on improvements.  If you can't keep up on the maintenance on this car yourself look to spend a lot at the dealer or private shop.  If you want the sexy glamor of a 911 buy one of those, if you want to carry four passengers and walk around a 911 buy this.  Suggest getting a rare color other wise it just looks like another 3 series, mine is in Laguna Seca Blue and I get tons of complements on the color...