5 Big Honkin' V8s

The 2009 M3 does everything well when pushed. Precise handling is top of the list. But there's one thing keeping it in fifth place: the engine, which is, well, too good.

At 4.0 liters, it's the smallest and most efficient of these five. It's sophisticated, silky, and screams semi-silently to 8300 rpm, as if unstressed. It sounds like a beautiful BMW inline six on steroids. Clearly, none of these things are bad; it's just that pipes are a factor here. Visceral matters.

We looked visceral up: dealing with crude emotions. Yes, our emotions are cruder than the engine – and also the optional transmission, again best of these five. It's a new Getrag 7-speed automated manual twin-clutch, with no less than 11 modes; in its fastest mode it's impeccable, a vast improvement over the prior SMG sequential-manual gearbox. Settle for a sedan and knock nearly 10 grand off the above price.