Here's my viewpoint...

I love cars that balance performance with luxury/comfort. The M3 seems to be a moderately inexpensive way to get a really really good balance...and I was pretty set on one until I drove it. It just didn't really fit me, and it seemed very tough for me to spend $10k or so on a BMW with 150,000 miles. Yes, they have some maintenance issues, but it's no big deal.

Drive one...if you like it, get it. But as for me, I'm saving up a bit more cash for a TL 6-speed or an AV6 6-speed...the M3 just wasn't my thing. Maybe I need to drive a better maintained/cared for example, but it just didn't feel right. Beautiful cars for sure though, and pretty damn fast. The exhaust note is amazing.