I have got the answer for you. This is my opinion and would like to just say that much. i don't want to impose this on others. First, place an order for 330ci. Which I will do in August when my brother buys my 323ci. ok, then upgrade the most important factor of a car- the driver. i will attend driving schools to learn how to drive my car to the max. Then put CAI, exhaust, chip on the 330ci. This should bring my time to 5.7 or so time. The M3 is going to be in 5.1 or lower range. The time difference is less than a second. Most of the M3 drivers are not gonna be an expert race car driver. So most of them will be pulling in, let's say 5.8, and with my knowledge I pull in 5.7. Guess what? i got them beaten. Sure some M3s will kick my butt then again there are cars on the road that will kick M3s butt in a heartbeat (Ferraris, Porches and even some hooked up Hondas) Aight, my philosophy is that you can't be number one in everything, do what makes you happy. In my case, a 330ci hooked up and some cash in my pocket for having fun is much more important than to buy a M3 for about $52 or so and still have to wait. Ahhh! All I got to say, no matter how happy i am, I am always gonna be envious of those whose got the M3. After all M3 has become almost an icon. On top of that what the hell is going on? Where is everyone getting so much money from. VOB in Maryland has over 110 on wait list. Geez, money must be no problem for the Washington area peps. ok now I must stop crying cuz I can't have an M3!!!