[Just_me]

http://motortrend.com/roadtest....html

Bottom line? The Competition Package is probably the best four grand you could spend on an M3. I'd also spring the extra 2400 bucks for the SMG sequential tranny, not just because you can go soooo much deeper into corners, left foot hard on the brake pedal and fanning the steering-wheel-mounted paddleshifter like a gunslinger, but also because the regular six-speed stick shifter is a tad too long in the throw and notchy across the gate.

It's the last of the line and one of the most entertaining. You can feel the CSL ghosts in this machine. And, man, it feels good.

 

[Bart B]

Great article and great pictures. The original CSL really looks fantastic. Always had a soft spot the 3.0 CSL. Hope the M3 will be as much a classic in 30 years.

 

[Cameron Hauck]

I've had the oportunity to drive a 05 M3 comp. and a base model M3. My favorite part of the comp. was the tighter steering ratio, it made for a very racey feel which I honestly think the base M3 lacks. The comp. that I drove also had a 4.10 rear diff that the owner had installed which really made the power band a lot more interesting.:M5launch:

 

[vndkshn]

I should be picking mine up in SC next week, will be interesting to see how it feels compared to the M5....