But the reality is that no one is building the equivalent of the E46 M3 these days so it isn't as if BMW is falling behind the competition.
I'm pretty sure Cadillac benchmarked the E46 when developing the ATS, and the ATS-V benchmarked the E46 M3. Phenomenal chassis and balance, steering feedback, compact (tight) size - the ATS hit their mark in a lot of areas. But the Caddy is a lot heavier, and obviously no inline 6...
I think the bigger reason BMW can get away with building "the good-to-really-good driving machine" these days is not that no one else is building "ultimate" driver's cars - but that the market has simply moved away from such vehicles. The vast majority of consumers just don't care if BMW doesn't outhandle the comparable Caddy, or has lifeless steering, or is overweight.
However - I'm not sure how BMW's marketing is going to go in the future - they can only play on "the ultimate driving machine" for so long before it becomes a parody...
tell that to Alfa - they are about to slap BMW et al upside the head with their ultimate driving machine - the Giulia QV. Just watch, it will be praised as a revelation in driving dynamics - M3s of old....but journalists will still pew pew over the reliability concerns.
Hopefully the Alfa will be able to go around the lap without losing any parts
oh it will, just wait. it will stay together, and it will kick the M3, C63, etc. butt
plus, wake up, it isn't 1977 anymore
I could go on about Alfa's legendary engine reliability [electrics and interior not so much admittedly] or that my 20 year old Alfa has yet to majorly go wrong outside of maintenance items...but I have said all that before and besides, all that wont change your view one single bit.
hopefully you will have to eat those words after the car is released...Alfa deserves a win after so long...