Great write-up DXB. Very nice car indeed - I love the E46 M3.
However, I cant help thinking that you are "short changed" with this engine with not having so much low down grunt. I don’t doubt it’s a fantastic engine and a quick car, but driving it normally gives me the impression its just like driving a 2.0 engine until you floor it and all hell lets lose as opposed to "value for money" high torque engines where you get the power all through the rev range…..(I’m only talking metaphorically speaking here - not real cash
)