Boz -
Equally Tony (E92fan) took me round donnington in his 335i, and fook me, he was driving it like your mate in the M3 seems to (or faster)
Speeds I could never dream of into corners, clipping apex's and curbs, controlling/fighting the drift on the way out of corners, using all the track and his car just went.
Flat into Craner curves made me want to puke, I was lifted out of my seat he dropped down them so fast.
He had an AP BBK too, so I had seatbelt marks on my chest from the ferocity of the brakes - any they
never faded.
You need to get someone to take you out in your own car by the sounds of it - you'll be suprised