BimmerGuy, I said new Mustang, not old one!!!
 

The old one was patheticly archaic and unrefined. The new one is a completely different and new platform, quite refined and contemporary, even given the live axle spec'd on the current models. And, the future upmarket versions will have independent rear suspension. That was designed in from the start.

I can't say anything about Ford passenger car reliability, but I leased a '98 F-150 truck and it was the most reliable vehicle I've ever had. In 63,000 miles the only repair was a replacing a tail light bulb that had burned out. Not bad. Better than the Honda Civic Si, Acura Integra GS-R, Porsche 944, Audi A4, and BMW 325is I've also owned.

I'm not trying to convince you to get a new Mustang, just giving the car its due.

^ To chime in, I believe the new Mustang is on a modified Lincoln LS platform so it should be a massive improvement over the 78 Fairmont, er Fox, platform.

Cmon, now, the X5 is a great SUV! I think you got a better deal than your ex.
Take your X5 out of the city to some picnic trails once in awhile.
Or of course you can sell it and still get an 8... but seriously, keep it, one of these days you will enjoy having an SUV.

Now back to the 3 series, I used to own a 2000 E46 325, then swapped it for an 2003 E46 M3 which I still keep... what do you want to compare? Exterior? Interior? Performance?
Exterior wise, hands down the RX8 is more stunning, even until now, the 8 still turns head, whereas a 3 series, even the M3, attracts nothing more than the occasional casual glance form onlookers... it just feels, boring. Interior wise, again the BM wins, hands down... especially these pre-Bangled models, they are built with the classic Bavarian precision, no rattles after 3 years, its the little things that Japanese makers ignore that usually catches you, you can put anything in a BMW glovebox and it stays there silently, whereas put a CD case in the 8s glovebox, you hear rattles in there.
Performance wise, they should be on par, even the 325 saloon is no slouch, but the 8 may feel alot more engaging, faster and precise, its feels "raw", sound is all over the place, tacho to 9000, and since its lighter you feel fast... the BMW has a great engine note of course, but its more refined, muted, Id say... even though you go as fast as the 8, you dont really feel it... well the only time the BMW would feel scarier than the 8 would be during launch, theres just no substitute for torque.

Now which one is better, tell you the truth, I dont know ;)
Hard choice, I think the 8 is a great car.
BUT since you seem to be quite attached to your 3, maybe you may want to look at the current M3, or a second hand M3... you get the same comfort and feel of your old 3 series, but with the added muscle and bachelor looks of a coupe... very fun car...
But if you want to look something different get the RX8... the freestyle door is a real attention getter.

i actually think the 8 is quieter inside. just the engine noise on an E46 M3 is loud enough for me. so many weatherstrip rattles on the E46s. not to mention window regulator problems. wind noise isn't as loud as the 8 though. both transmissions are pretty loud. neither of them really have any tire noise. i deal with a lot of E46s with water leaks coming from the sunroof drains. E46 sunroof shades tend to jam up. earlier E46 M3s had rod bearing re-calls...might wanna stay away from those. paint on the silver inner door handles would peel. that's all i can think of for now.

E46 M3 vs. RX8.....really hard decision. they are a little hard to compare.

IMHO, i think the E39 5 series and E53 X5 are the best BMW production cars made.

Well I'm probably going to get flamed for this, but I think you deserve an honest answer.

I have both a 2004 RX8 with the Touring package, and a 2004 325i with the sport package. The bimmer is quieter, smoother, and handles just as well, if not better. There is A LOT more body roll in my 8 than in the 325. But don't forget, this is a 325 with the sport package....bigger wheels, lower/stiffer suspension.

The 8 is easier to drive, it takes a lot less movement...i.e. clutch and shifter to drive the 8, the 5 speed on the bimmer feels like an incredibly long throw.

The 325 is certainly slower, but for everyday driving, it is much more comforatable.

I can't pick a favorite, they both have thier place and am glad that I don't have to choose between them!

How do you define 'handles better'--I have a lot of seat time in the 3 series Bimmer--but I don't know if I would say it handles better than an RX8.

The lack of body roll. The 8 will hold a line great, and feels supremely stable, but the body roll is pretty noticable. My 325 with the sport package has almost no body roll in comparison.

I think that both cars are deffinately in the same league when it comes to handling. The bimmer just feels better doing it.

the new E90 came into my work today...i will snap pictures of it. i personally don't like it.

My wife is strongly concidering trading in her 04 for the 06. I like that the 325 gets the engine from the last 330.

well...i only got a chance to glance at it today as it was coming off of the delivery truck. iDrive is becoming an option since so many out there are having trouble with it. the interior looks boring, the E46 has much better interior design. the dashboard is incredibly short, looks really weird. i'll try to get an many pictures as i can tomorrow, if i'm not busy with work

the new taillights look pretty snazz on the e90. Personally, without going into the long winded explanation of why, im just going to say yes, you'll be fine with the 8, my dad daily drove the rx8 to break it in and its a 6spd and he came from a tip audi b5 a6, and he was fine, he thought the rx8 was incredibly sound and comfortable for a "sports car".

I'd get the 8 over a bmw just to save on preventive maintenance costs.

Decisions, decisions
 

Actually, both the 325 and 330 get the same (new) block. The 325 has less complicated induction and a lower rev limit.

There's an AWFUL review of the new 330i on a British site (Pistonheads.com), with many errors in product description and some bad photographs, but some nice sniping afterwards by yours truly :-)

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/t...?f=72&t=172096

I drive two cars: 2001 530iSP and the 8MT/GT. I cannot decided which car I like more.

I have been disappointed about the latest BMW designs. Most people prefer the last generation 5-series (e39) to the current one not only the e39 is better looking but it also has better driving dynamics. I hope BMW does a better job on the new 3 than what they did with the 5 and 7.