Chibo

I leased a 6spd competition pack car for a couple years. This was one of the weirdest feeling things about the car for me... the way it will walk a little bit sideways, kinda pause for a split section, then fully let go.

NSX7

CosmosMpower

Buy an Elise or 987.2 Cayman S if you need something more civilized

highwaystardoritos

I love my 09 M3 E90, DCT, both Engine and DCT tunes, test pipes, dyno'd at 380 on a hot day. Doing the exhaust mod soon, 10k miles on her so far in 8 months and she's been perfect.

HawkeyeGeoff

I know you dig the M3, but if you're a DIY/modification guy you should check out the 2009/2010 E90/E92 335i. The N54 is a hell of a motor when the maintenance has been performed. Add the M3 bits (front/rear control arms + subframe bushings) and IMO it ends up better than an M3 of that era. Plus....with just a few bolt ons and a tune it is significantly faster in a straight line than an M3 in NA form. Torque. And lots of it.

Chibo

They are probably easily one of the most expensive BMWs ever made to maintain though.

CosmosMpower

Yeah E9x M3 repairs aren't cheap, rod bearings go and you're out a motor, trans 8k, throttle actuators 1k a piece. Extended warranty all the way.

d1rtyc4r

Test drove an e90 a few years ago, had to be one of the most boring and overrated/overhyped cars. I had more fun driving a 135i.

white98ls

Mine has cost a small fraction of what my E39 M5 cost. Parts are $$ but it's generally much more reliable. Only things I've paid out of pocket for in 1.5yrs and 11k miles are rear tires and brake pads (the latter are cheap). I'll have to do rotors soon though which is $1,100/set, but at least that is only required every 50-75k.
He wants an MT, so I don't think trans is an issue. You can do the RBs for ~$2k (or not, if you have a warranty like me) and live worry-free about that - obviously not a trivial thing doing $2k in preventive maintenance but it's not like "I can't own this car because of this one fatal flaw" either.
Did you drive it hard? It can be a little sedate at normal speeds (it's a sedan after all) but feels better the harder you drive it. I could see a 135i being more fun on a test drive on normal public roads where you aren't pushing very close to the limit, due to its tidier dimensions, lighter weight, and extra torque.

basscase

An E9x M3 can be boring in the same sense that an S2000 can be boring. They can be kind of dull when driven at a modest pace, but they're thrilling when caned.

Assuming one drives somewhat responsibly and lives in a populated area, that makes them kind of an exercise in frustration in the real world. After most backroad drives in my S2000 or M3 I'd come home feeling unsatisfied.

After the S2000, I was dead-set on having at least one car that satisfies at 7/10ths. I found that quality in the 996.

Haven't driven a 135i but perhaps it's the same way. I test-drove an M235i, but it felt more like a mini grand-tourer than a "fun" car.