I download MP3s for free. And I will continue doing that. If the music I hear is good I'll buy it. If not, I won't buy it. It's up to the artist to make good enough music for me to buy.
@ krelmatrix
I wouldn't recommend 320kbps mp3s. VBR (variable bitrate) is much better than CBR (constat bitrate). 320kbps will be huge in MB. And I can assure you that you won't hear the slightest difference beteen VBR and a 320kbps CBR mp3 file. As most "mp3 releases" out there is in VBR. And there is a reason for that.
Altho, if you planning on burning it's a different story. I myself never burn any mp3s I download. I mean instead of buying the cd. I burn some CDs to have in the car but ye...