[JRF]

well, I had two STI's before catching the BMW bug. Like the STI's, my E92 is fairly analog. Steering on both is great. The same could not be said about my M2.

also like the STI, you really need to work the upper end of E92's revband to get the most of it. don't expect low-end torque....which you have probably already learned to live with.

in terms of the car itself, the E92 is so much more refined and it will not be nearly as raw a driving experience as your built STI. you really need to drive the M3 and decide for yourself before you make the move because despite some parallels, it really is apples and oranges.