I just call those things “one of the $30,000 things”
Interesting thread... When I was in the market for a new car, I knew I wanted a convertible and I wanted something with 4 seats and 300 or more hp. Budget was to a greater extent not really a consideration (for the most part). It was more important for me to get what I REALLY wanted. I took weeks and drove as many cars as I could that fit this classification. Not many there, that’s for sure! It came down to simply the M3, Audi S4 and the Mustang. For me, build quality was DEFINITELY a consideration. That being said, there were more similarities than differences between the vehicles. (btw the S4 impressed me FAR more than the M3... that Quattro with the V8 torque roasted the M3...) Yes, under the hood you could really see aesthetic differences, better presentation, better organization, cleaner etc. in the Euro cars... Inside there was a little more of the same... better leather, not much cheap plastic etc... Outside; real canvas top, smoother fit into the body...
I kept driving and looking at all three. It was a TOUGH decision. I really liked the quality difference in the M3 and S4, but I was suprised that the gap was not as wide as I had expected, and more importantly the feel BEHIND THE WHEEL was similar. (I was lucky enough to get to take the Mustang by myself, and the M3 and S4 had cool salesmen that let me take both cars up to 100mph and through lots of twists and turns.) Yes, the Mustang was cruder, more raw... but still the gap was not huge. What it came down to for me was that the $30,000 price difference was too great to justify these more subtle differences. Yes it is a bit painful to run my hands over my “leather” seats but hey, I just say that that is “one of the $30,000 things...” and I feel a bit better.
You know, that is something like a $300 a month difference in car payments that I can enjoy myself with EVERY month for years! I also know that with the Mustang I can tune it or change it in any way that I want. New wheels? no problem. Really hate the seats? reupholster or replace them... In addition, I can drive the Mustang and not be afraid to break it. I can afford the repairs. Bolt a supercharger on an M3 and see how that will affect your maintenance costs... (especially since that may very well preclude BMW mechanics from even working on your car.) Any way you slice it I am coming out WAY ahead... Plus, you cannot beat the 05 for looks!