M1(A1 onwards) seems to be pretty robust modern Western tank without particular good or bad characteristics. It isn't Wunderwaffe as proclaimed after 1991 war, it's opponents were merely pathetic. One may question, though, if US Army and USMC were equipped with diesel-engined tanks that Operation Desert Storm would have been a true blitzkrieg due to faster advance. Also, how many days less it would have taken to Baghdad in 2003?
Well, the Marines were by and large equipped with M-60s during Desert Storm, and they made a fine show of themselves against an Iraqi mechanized brigade armed with T-55s in Kuwait.
The British were driving Challenger 1s in Desert Storm and Challenger 2s in 2003, both with diesels. Neither tank had any problem keeping up with the Abrams, though I don't think it would've been any faster.
The French were operating AMX-30s, while the Egyptians and Syrians that made up the bulk of Arab Corps were operating T-62s and T-72s.
I think that's the large question here: after the ground war in 1991 started, they ripped the Iraqi Army to shreds in a matter of days. It couldn't have
been any faster.
Having said that, it's always been my (oft stated) opinion that while the Challenger 2 is the best tank in the world, the only reason it is is because it's basically an M1 with a normal engine.
That jet-engine derivative requires a circus of people to keep it running, which is why countries like Saudi Arabia and Kuwait are the only ones who've bought it. Why Egypt has bought it as well, I'm not sure. Perhaps they're willing to sink more money into it than I thought they had.
But for the money you have to pay to the M1, it's an amazing vehicle. I don't think there's another tank that can beat it.