Cars.com Faceoff: Audi S5, BMW M3, Lexus IS-F

Our expert reviewers begin with the assumption that the BMW M3 is the reigning heavyweight champion, the king, the Michael Jordan of high-performance luxury cars. Then David Thomas, Mike Hanley and Joe Wiesenfelder weigh in on whether or not two challengers to the crown have what it takes to top the M3. They'll take into consideration a host of factors, including engine performance, handling prowess and overall value. Check out this Cars.comparison to see if either the 2008 Audi S5 or the 2008 Lexus IS-F can beat out the M3.

Cars.comparison: Luxury Sports Cars (Cars.com)

Cars.com Reviews the 2008 BMW M3

In the video I shot for the new M3, I say something to the effect that I have the best job in the world because I get to drive cars like the M3. Let me make myself clear: I did not mean to rub that fact in anyone’s face. I was just trying to make a joke. In the video, it sure doesn’t sound that way.

So, did you know I have the best job in the world? Check out the full review to get my take on the all-new M3 and you’ll find out why. I had a manual sedan for a week here in town, and then was able to test a dual-clutch-equipped coupe on the track at Road America before trying out the convertible around the track in Elkhart Lake, Wis.

2008 BMW M3 Expert Review

Through Ian's Lens: 2008 BMW M3

From the outside, the 2008 BMW M3 sedan looks nearly identical to the regular BMW 3 Series sedan, except for a couple of flashy highlights. Different wheels, M3 badges, and a set of vents highlight the impeccable German design. But unlike any 3-Series or previous M3’s on the road, the 2008 looks as if it received some intriguing (and controversial) rhinoplasty. A large bump in the middle of the hood creates one of the most ferocious looking cars on the road. What some people may see as a blemish to the exterior design of the car, I see as a big beauty mark. The already mean fascia matched with aggressive wheels and dual vents on either side of the bump make this car look like one bad mother. But let’s be honest, I’d never own a white car unless I owned a chain of car washes. A full set of photos is below.

2008 BMW M3: Daddy Driven

Now that there’s a little Thomas in the house, the wife and I are no longer DINKs so the way I look at cars I’m reviewing has changed. The addition of a child seat alters the entire framing of how I view the cars in our driveway and how I live with them. I routinely am the one to drop the little guy off for daycare in the morning, and if the test car can’t handle our seat — or I mistakenly leave the extra base in a different test car — my wife is not too happy. That frames the debate: What cars can a dad get away with owning? Obviously a big sedan or SUV will get the job done, but what about the cars dads lust over?

The shiny, white 2008 BMW M3 sedan sure looks like it can handle the task. But does it pass the test?

2008 BMW M3 Convertible Priced at $65,725

Arriving as much of the U.S. awakens from a long, cold winter, the BMW M3 convertible is an ideal New York auto show debut to usher in the coming warmer months. Available this spring, the M3 convertible will start at $65,725 including the $775 destination charge and features a power-retractable hardtop and a 414-hp V-8 that can propel it from zero to 60 mph in as little as 5.1 seconds. Check out the gallery below of images from the show floor.

2008 BMW M3 Convertible

• Competes with: Audi RS 4 convertible
• Looks like: Someone wants their hair blow-dried very, very fast
• Drivetrain: 420-hp, 4.0-liter V-8 with dual-clutch transmission
• Hits dealerships: Late 2008

We’ve been anticipating the new BMW M3 since we took the previous generation around a track. Then we learned there would be both a sedan and coupe version of the M3. How could it get better than that for a performance enthusiast looking for a fun ride? Well, how about a hardtop convertible with nearly the same performance?

That’s what BMW has done with the BMW M3 convertible you see here. It’s only a fraction slower than the coupe, despite weighing more to accommodate the retractable hardtop.

Just like the regular 3 Series convertible, which debuted last year, this is also the first time an M has featured a retractable hardtop.

You can check out our posts on the previous M3s to get more specifics, but the convertible with its top down is surely the stunner of the group. Many more photos below.

BMW M3 Starts at $54,575

No surprise: 414 hp will cost you a pretty penny. BMW announced today that the M3 sedan will start at $54,575, while the coupe runs $57,275. Both cars hit dealerships in March. It wasn't immediately clear whether the prices included destination charge — two BMW spokesmen have yet to return our emails — but the prices reflect a premium of around $16,000 over the 300-hp 335i.

The mid-50s price falls close to at least one competitor, the $56,000 Lexus IS-F. The Mercedes C63 AMG and Cadillac CTS-V have not yet been priced. The current Audi RS 4 costs an eye-watering $66,910, but it's based on the outgoing A4. Is 55 large too much for the M? Weigh in below.

2008 BMW M3 Sedan is Coming

• Competes with: Audi RS 4, Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG
• Looks like: A baby M5
• Drivetrain: 414-hp, 4.0-liter V-8 with six-speed manual transmission
• Hits dealerships: Spring 2008

This spring is going to be a busy one at BMW dealerships. The new 1 Series will debut alongside two powerful versions of the 3 Series. The M3 coupe was announced earlier this year, and today we bring news of a sedan version of the M3. The sedan will feature the same 414-hp engine as the coupe, which is a bump of 15% over the last M3 while getting 8% better fuel economy. Yes, we’re throwing in practicality here. A sedan version of the M3 hasn’t been available since 2000.

BMW says the new M3 maintains a 50/50 weight distribution, using aluminum for components up front to achieve that vaunted balance.

The new M3 will also feature a memory setting for driving settings, much like you would find on many power seats. Instead of seating comfort, however, this MDrive will store preferences for dynamic stability control and modes for steering response, ride comfort and throttle response.

There’s no mention of 0-60 speed — we’re guessing “fast” will be a safe guess — nor price — we’re guessing “expensive” will be a safer guess — yet anticipation still abounds. Check out more photos below.

2008 BMW M3 Photo Gallery

We promised you more photos of the just-electronically-revealed BMW M3, and here they are. Well, you have to click the link below. We don’t have any new news on the model, but we find it interesting that BMW calls it the “BMW M3 Coupé.” Rumors are there will be a sedan and convertible version of the M3, but those are just rumors.

2008 BMW M3 Debuts Online

Here we are, the collective automotive press from all over the globe at the 2007 New York International Auto Show. It’s the perfect time and place to debut a new vehicle, especially since the show is lacking any “wow” unveilings. So what does BMW go and do? It drops the info on the new BMW M3 online only, while we sit and stew in the media room. 

If you didn’t read about the M3’s engine, go here now. What’s new?

• 0-60 time of 4.8 seconds.
• Six-speed manual with a double-plate clutch.
• Carbon-fiber reinforced roof.
• Four unique paint colors.

We’ll wrap our heads around the rest of the details later. For now, check out the photos below. We'll be adding to them for the next few hours.