While putting my order in a few days ago, my friend commented that the E90 330i should be like getting my 97 M3 sedan back. Upon further thought, I think the E90 will be an improvement. The M3 was 240 horse/236 torque, weighed about 3250 (?) and got about 22 MPG. My lease payments were about $560 (42 months). SO, the M3 was probably slightly quicker than the 330 will be (depending on the gearing), but not enough to notice, whereas the 330 will get better mileage, has more int. room, better audio, better HVAC, and will have fold-down rear seats (I have dogs!). I'm still pondering the leasing possibilities but the same payment range seems likely. Somehow it seems satisfying to think of the 330 as the luxury version of the late 90's M!!

God, I hope the sport tires wear better than the M's did.