Anyone consider an M3 (or comparable) before the e70?

[steve]

Hi all,

I have a bit of a dilemma. I have been lusting after the new e92 M3 for quite some time now. The time is almost here for me to pull the trigger. Now, heres the issue.

I had an e46 M3 (Comp Package) that I loved, but just didn't drive that much. It was a 3rd car, so unless conditions were great (weather, parking, neighborhood, etc), it stayed home. Not the best situation for a car that costs so much. I ended up selling it in anticipation of getting the e92 M3.

The only other BMW that appeals to me right now is the e70 X5 with the 20's and the 4.8i. I absolutely LOVE how aggressive it looks with those wheels. IMO, it totally makes the truck.

Anyway, I would miss out on the 'true' sports car experience, and I LOVE shifting a manual 6 speed... so I would miss that too. On the other hand, I would have a vehicle that I drove more often, and I wouldn't need a 3rd car.... this would be our family SUV.

So... has ANYONE here been in a similar situation? I didn't want to post this over on the M3 forum because they would think I was crazy ... cross-shopping an M3 with an X5!

One other wrinkle... is the 2009 X5 going to have the 3.0 liter twin turbo gas engine? Would that truck perform almost as good as the 4.8 and get better mileage?

ugh... decisions, decisions... now made harder with 0.9 financing!!!

Any opinions welcome and appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

Steve in Wisconsin (oh yeah... there is that winter driving factor too!)