have to agree, 
  
they might not be pretty like a sports car, but for pure driving pleasure and ability the E39 m3 is a stonking car nearly bought one a while back. was still on my list until i saw the older M5 which has possibly swayed me as a future XKR replacement, as i have fallen in love with V8's   
  
  
E39 is a 5 Series and the V8 M5.  E36 M3s are cheap and quick!