The period between 2007 and 2013 was an odd time in the automotive world. American companies received a big government bailout, Pontiac was still making cars, and the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport became the fastest cars on Earth, all in those six short years. In fact, the only thing enthusiasts could rely upon was the knowledge that BMW would continue to make great cars.

In 2007, BMW released the E92 generation M3, an M-car that deserves praise but hasn't remained exceptionally desirable in its years after production ended. Regardless, the E92 M3 was a hit among journalists at the time and even made Car And Driver's 2012 "10 Best Cars" list. But by 2012, the M3 had already been on that list for 20 years in a row.

Car And Driver's John Roe wrote at the time, "You don't notice the seats, the steering, the suspension, or the brakes because everything feels natural. Everything feels right." He added that no other car company at the time could knock down BMW as the top dog. Whether that is true now could be up for question because of certain players; *cough, cough* Porsche.

But either way, the E92 had the hearts of many over a decade ago, and it had just as many dedicated rivals to go along with them. Here's the best competition the E92 M3 faced back in the day.

S-197 Ford Mustang Boss 302

Boss 302
Via: BringATrailer

Like the name "M3", "Boss 302" also carries some serious cache in the automotive world. First produced in 1969, the Boss 302 nameplate offered the best of what Ford had to offer besides its Le Mans-winning Ford GT, a car regular shmucks couldn't get their hands on.

The Boss 302 was a handling revelation both in its inaugural 1969 model year as well as its 2012 sophomore edition. The 2012 Boss 302 was no slouch in the power department either. Its 302 cubic inch V8 could pump out 444 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque, leaving the M3 in the figurative rearview mirror.

BMW E92 M3
Via: BringATrailer

The E92's 4.0-liter V8 made a potent 414 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. And while both metrics are less than the Mustang's, the BMW certainly had it beat in revs. That 414 hp was made at 8,300 rpm, a whole 800 more than the 302's 7,500 rpm redline.

The M3 refused to flinch at the fire-spitting American pony back in 2012, as it went from zero to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds to the Mustang's 4.8. The M3 also crossed the quarter-mile quicker than the Boss 302, putting up a 12.1-second time at 120mph as opposed to the Mustang's 12.9-second run at 112 mph.

Related: Here's Why We Love The 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302

Porsche 911 Carrera GTS (997)

Porsche Carrera GTS
Via: BringATrailer

You may be questioning this next car as a competitor citing the price difference between the Carrera GTS's $104,050 and the M3's $60,100 original MSRPs. But if MotorTrend can fairly compare a Camaro SS to a BMW M4, then we can do a Porsche and the M3.

The Carrera GTS was, believe it or not, the middle-ground 911 of its time.

Making 402 bhp or approximately 407 American horsepower, the GTS was very quick and capable, yet only a taste of what Porsche had to offer. The more expensive 997 Turbo S made a herculean 522 hp and an equally impressive 516 lb-ft of torque.

BMW E92 M3
Via: BringATrailer

The GTS, though more expensive, was a fair match to the BMW in performance and subjective tests, as the Porsche could get from zero to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds to the M3's 4.1. Apparently, dollars don't equate to drag race wins.

Both cars were exceptionally fast in objective testing; however, the road test is where Porsche always edges out its opponent. Even if the E92 M3 had a fluid-feeling road presence, the 911's were just unbeatable, as most 911s are nowadays.

The GTS was also quicker around the track. According to fastestlaps.com, the 911 GTS was consistently one to two seconds faster around most tracks. A substantial margin.

Related: Here's Why Porsche Uses Flat Engines

2011 Chevrolet Corvette

C6 Corvette
Via: BringATrailer

The C6 Corvette is not only a treasured piece of Americana but has always been a serious performer. The 2011 base model Corvette produced 436 hp and 424 lb-ft of torque, putting it above both the M3's output numbers.

At $49,045 base, the 2011 Corvette was undoubtedly the M3's biggest bang-for-your-buck rival other than the Boss 302. However, what the BMW lacks in affordability, it makes up in quality against the Corvette. Some 215,000 C6s were made at the Chevy Bowling Green plant versus the relatively small 40,000 E92 M3s that were produced. The difference in quality can be directly correlated to their production numbers and sales prices.

The Corvette, while not as luxurious as the M3, comes the closest in terms of zero to 60 numbers. The Vette's 6.2-liter naturally-aspirated V8 propels it to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds, nearly tying the M3's 4.1 second time.

In an all-out race, though, the Corvette would technically be able to reach 185 mph, crushing the E92's electronically limited 155 mph top speed. Funny how the German car loses to the American car in an autobahn race.