Absolutely, fantastically, wonderfully mind-blowing engine. More punch on tip-in - both low-end and mid-range - than the M3's V8, and it sounds better, to boot. Big, angry, snarly, and crackly, just like you'd expect. Steering feel is a damn sight better than almost any other non-Black Series Mercedes I've driven, wheel control is sharp and impressively taut, and ride quality is a good bit better than it has a right to be given how well this thing hangs out on an on-ramp. (Better, even, than the sport-pack-equipped BMW 135i we had around last week. MUCH better.)