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2009 BMW M3 vs. Its Competition
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Our expert editors build comparisons like this one to make it easy
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May 2, 2009
Loyalty counts heavily in this crowd, and the BMW M3's reputation brings a legion of fans with it.
This is a hotly contested field, and each of the three rivals has also been completely redesigned in the past year or two.
Lexus's IS-F has a 416-hp V-8 engine and eight-speed automatic transmission, which gives it a technical edge on the M3.
Then there’s the new Cadillac CTS-V, which might actually be the most fun to drive of these sedans, with especially communicative steering and great body control at the limits.
The Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG may be faster, but it doesn’t have the same frisky feel of the Cadillac or Lexus.
 2009 BMW M3Browse Used Listings |  2008 Lexus IS FBrowse Used Listings |  2008 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMGBrowse Used Listings |
|---|---|---|
| Quick Specs | ||
| Meta Rating | ||
It’s not cheap and it is kind of heavy, but the 2009 BMW M3 offers the kind of performance that brought Porsche 911s and Chevy Corvettes fame on the racetrack and on the streets. | The 2008 Lexus IS-F challenges the best from Germany, bringing 168-mph capability with an uber-high pricetag to boot. | The 2008 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG sports a fluid ride, spot-on handling, and shrieking power to make it the most accomplished C-Class ever built. |
| MSRP From | ||
| $54,850 | $56,000 | $53,800 |
| Gas Mileage | ||
| 13 MPG City / 20 MPG Hwy | 16 MPG City / 23 MPG Hwy | 12 MPG City / 19 MPG Hwy |
| Engine | ||
| Gas V8 | Gas V8 | Gas V6 |
| EPA Class | ||
| Compact | Sub-Compact | Compact |
| Style Name | ||
| 4-Door Sedan | 4-Door Sedan | 4-Door Sedan 6.3L AMG RWD |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Passenger Capacity | ||
| 4 | 4 | 5 |
| Passenger Doors | ||
| N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Body Style | ||
| 4 Door Sedan | 4 Door Sedan | 4 Door Sedan |
| Transmission | ||
| Manual | Automatic | Automatic |
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