Me too. Again a big BMW fan. For just doing daily driving duties I'd have to take a C63 estate. If this were bigger saloons I'd be all over an Alpina B10 touring though.

C63. It has the biggest and best engine.

I voted ISF - picked mine up yesterday!!! Holy mother its rapid. I came from a C55 AMG and it puts that to shame. Gearbox is amazing and yes 8 gears is a lot to choose from, however only really used 8th on the motorway. Ive done a full tank now and averaged 22.9 after quite a bit of 'enthusiastic' driving.

I went for the ISF as I wanted the reliability but the c63 was out of my ££, and I imagine the MPG is hilarious.

Which ever one you get I don't think you'll be dissapointed.

Heart: C63
Head: IS-F

New 3-series' have an enormous blindspot in the alarm system, it allows thieves to pinch your car pretty much undetected. I wrote off an M3 for this reason and went for a 997 Carrera instead - although with your choices I'd be going for the C63. Gorgeous engine note and I'm told very easy to drive. The IS-F is a good car too, no denying, but I think it's lacking in substance somewhat; especially when you examine the exhausts. Those fancy twin-stacked exhausts are just covers over a standard pea shooter.

Either the C63 or the Lex are decent, I'd just advise against the BMW. I've owned an M3 and a 1-series and while I loved them both (and it pains me to say it), the lax attitude BMW has shown to the huge security issue that lets people steal their cars means I'd steer clear of them.

The C63 seems to be winning the heart battle quite easily, just on exhaust note alone.

My advice would be to try all of them, at length if possible. Just don't try the 63 first as it is very easy to be seduced by the exhaust note alone (as I was).

All 3 are fantastic, uber quick, well equipped vehicles. It all depends on what you want out of the vehicle.

If you want a manual or the pick of the 'auto' boxes then the M is the way to go. I've got the torque converter auto in my 63 (not the MCT in the latest models) and it's a good box but far from perfect in some respects. It is fantastic for woofling around town during the commute and really comes alive in manual mode however it lacks the ultimate control given by a manual/dct/etc. The shifts are fast enough and you get a fantastic antisocial blip on downchanges but it just lacks that 'edge'. With a manual box I think it would be nigh on the perfect car (for my requirements anyway).

The engine is epic. Torque everywhere and it rips to the recline. It doing it's best work between 2k-4k rpm is absolute tosh. It's loud too. Very. So it can stick out like a sore thumb when you're putting your foot down - something to bear in mind. Traction is pretty poor too - 600nm through 9 inch rears does not work too well - especially in the wet. Which the uk is.

The seats are fabulous. Boot space
generous. Back seat accommodation
average (although much better than the
IS, which is cramped).

Mpg is ok. It's a 6l v8. You're not buying it for mpg. Reliability so far excellent.

The m3 has the better gearboxes. A perhaps more charcterful engine as it needs to be worked a little harder. Has far better traction - less torque and bigger rear boots. Seats IMO aren't as good. The alarm issue would worry me

The IS looks great IMO except for the awful tailpipes. Will fly under the radar far more effectively than the M or the 63. Sounds fantastic. Handles well.

And breathe.......... Not sure if any of that was useful. I'm prob teaching you how to suck eggs. You just need to work out what you want. They are all awesome sports sedans. For me the torque converter with paddles, epic front seats and engine sound to die for sold the 63 before it turned a wheel. However I do miss that ultimate control s manual gearbox would give.

Its nice to have options. Let us know
what u decide.

Regards

Doxster

C63.

i think he means "decided against and M3" rather then "wrapped it around a tree and bought a 911"

I'm a big BMW fun, but the problem with these three is they're all so good. The ISF appeals in a big way because i've only seen one on the road. Whereas M3's and to a lesser extent C63's are ten a penny.