If you think the M5 is a pig, you haven't driven one at the BMW performance center. The car is simply awesome in acceleration, braking, slalom, skid pad.. you name it. I owned a 95 M3 which is great from a handling standpoint, but in my opinion an 8 beats a 6 any day of the week, and the M5 is even a practical car in terms of comfort & storage, (especially with the fold-down rear seat option). The new M3 is apt to be incredible, but it's still a small, uncomfortable hairy vehicle with limited practicality. I could afford one, but I like the M5 because it has everything I want.