To compare the 735i and the M3 is very much a case of comparing two these at completely opposite ends of the spectrum. They are are both BMWs (I've owned and driven quite a lot of them over the past 20 years!...lol) and in that sense all BMWs I have known have had the same general 'feel' ie they are all BMWs...A difficult thing to put into words but I'm sure others will agree?

However, having said this...The M3 is raw, wild, unyielding etc etc...it is a hooligan's car and you have to drive it like that...it makes you drive like that...It's not 'nice' to drive. You have to 'grab it by the scruff of the neck' and really 'drive it' to get anything out of it.....but God! when you do!...No other BMW I have ever owned/driven is as 'razor sharp'! The car is 'vicious'! It makes even me feel like a good racing driver. It is fast in a straightline....but that's not it's 'forte'..It feels like it can be throw around with such precision and even if you do make a mistake you can correct it so quickly! Having said that....The ride is harsh (esp on my 17" wheels and crappy UK roads!)...It's virtually impossible to drive at 30 mph in top gear etc etc...

(The other thing I forgot about the M3......they look fantastic!!! You can see the look on other road user's faces..they are either full of admiration and envy for the car...or they hate your guts for having such an overtly aggressive looking car but one that is clearly made by a 'quality' manufacturer...It puts a smile on your face either way.Even the ones who think you are driving an 'ordinary' E30 with some 'bodykit' stuck on make me smile...just because they have 'no idea'....lol....Y'know what I mean?

At the other end of the Spectrum seems to be the '7'....I've only just got it ( so I'm not that qualified to say yet?). But this car seems so 'serene'? Power available low-down, quiet, comfortable, beautiful but 'subdued' to look at, etc etc...( I once borrowed an E23 7.....I don't want to offend E23 owners.....but that really ranks high in my 'most disappointing BMW list'....along with the 628Csi....more another time lol!). The E32 is a completely different experience!

I have to say I gave the E32 735i a little 'boot' a long a straight, fast piece of Motorway this afternoon.....Compared to the M3...and more especially the M535i....it 'feels' slow!. Of course it isn't!....One can tell it isn't by how quickly one is suddenly overtaking all other cars. But it's quiet, smooth etc ( and of course it really isn't as fast as the other two cars) so that makes it 'seem' slower.

The M535i falls somewhere between the two! (Mine has the close ratio manual dogleg box). It actually isn't quite as fast as the M3 in a straightline on paper.....But it FEELS faster...lots of torque low-down. Hard..but not as Hard as the M3.....handling good....but nothing like the M3.....

In summary, I think the E32 is a proper 'grown up' car for people who are still 'serious' about their driving.....The M3 is a 'hooligan's car' for people who 'don't give a damn' (lol)......and the M535i falls somewhere betwen the two...It does neither as well as the other....but it does both better than either!

post some pics when you get a chance..you like
this car as much as your M3?..that is one of
the nicest early M3's I've seen..please send it
to me for my birthday.
Best Regards,
George
90 735il/145k

Just got a 1989 735iSE with genuine 26K miles on the clock and Full BMW Main Dealer Service History!!
Thanks again Stevie for picking it up for me!

Car is fantastic!Completely 'as new'! EVERYTHING works!Beautiful cars to drive!Worth every penny.

Stevie...Donnie came over this afternoon to take a look....even he was astounded!

Will post some pics soon.

Derin
E30 M3
E30 325i Touring
E28 M535i (must go now!...lol)
E32 735i !!!!