Times have changed. That 3.3L inline 6 was hardly stressed. the S54 engine is nearly at the maximum engine output for N/A engine.

There is a good reason why BMW PTG is using 4.0L V8 instead of the 3.2L inline 6. They've gotten just about everything they can out of that engine.

I still would and will buy a M3 with out a second thought. In fact I plan on buying a used E46 M3 with SMG in two or three years. This should not deter people from buying BMW. Maybe the M3 but it has hardly detered people from still buying the M3.