The value gap versus the E30 M3

The single most-discussed theme: commenters believe the 16v is unjustly cheaper than the contemporary E30 M3, blaming the M3's more aggressive looks and stronger racing image rather than any deficiency of the Mercedes. Production figures are cited (roughly 19,000 16vs to ~5,000 E30 M3s) to argue the pricing is backwards, and buyers repeatedly call clean cars 'undervalued' relative to the BMW.