I'm planning on getting the e90 M3 as a birthday present to myself. Either the 39th or 40th ('09 or '10) depending on my patience and college savings balances
:p .
When it comes time to make the decision, I'm probably gping to do a "seat of the pants" comparison. Whichever fells better to drive - or if I sit in one car and hate the feeling of sitting in the car - that's where I'll make the key decision. The M is my first choice because I've alsways wanted an M3.
I'll probably never drive a Volvo because of the way I don't like the "karma" of their products when I sit in them. I really didn't like the XC90 - but that's not important right now...