RS4 beats M3, Autocar 18 July

I can't quite see where all this "diluting" of the M3 is taking place; it is still a very high performance version of the 3series. The dilution happened at the E30 to E36 (from homologation special to high performance coupe/saloon) but since then it seems to have evolved nicely.

I would imagine that BMW is under considerable pressure to produce a very good car when developing each new generation of M3; they have to be exceptional cars and it seems to me that they have yet again succeeded. I haven't read the Autocar test but in all other tests I've seen the reviewers seem suitably impressed.

I also think that it is overly cynical to suggest that the M3 is a marketing exercise. BMW make cars and as such market cars but the M3 (and all the other M-division cars) are very important elements in maintaining BMW's status as driver orientated cars. It is important for the marketing of BMW as a brand but they are extremely well conceived cars nonetheless.

I think Audi missed the mark with the A5; coupe's should have some excitement about them. The A5 is a large two door saloon with soft lines and that peculiarly "dopey" front that all the current Audi's wear.

Long live the M3.

Disagree, the BMW marketing machine is pulling another master stroke..... diluting the M3 to appeal to a bigger market and then bringing out a less is more, that includes more £, M3  i.e. a CSL/CS model for those that want a more driver orientated model.

Think they've been watching the Stuttgart boy's very closely over the decade or so, or have they always been doing that with the M3?

E30 M3 SE retailed at £35000 back in 1990 a 911 was on £10k ish more, and a SE was £8k ish more than a regualr M3....... History repeating itself?..... well apart from actually going racing with them.

Edit: Is the V10 RS 6 even available as anything but estate? I have only seen them as estates (usually black!).