Once more into the breech, dear friends...!

So, I've seen this question on here a few times. The classic, E46 M3 or a 2007/8 335i.

I would be purchasing an automatic as I have a broken ankle currently (thank you IED...) and I've read on car sites that the SMG is a great tranny - though I do hear of reliability problems, especially on this forum. Gear sensors, pumps, etc. Not to mention they don't make it anymore.

My dilemma is I absolutely love the style of the E46 and have wanted to own one for years - especially an M badge E46.

However, 2006/5 is getting old and M variants are hard to come by. A newer E90 would be great, especially the 335i, but I also read of so many problems with reliability, especially on the turbos.

I would try to get a CPO since everyone says buying a Bimmer sans warranty is madness - another problem with the E46 M3.

I'm just not sure which would be the smarter decision - more parts for the M3, but problematic tranny and getting older. E90 with CPO warranty, but loads of problems with the turbo, etc.

If it makes a difference, my price range is up to around 28k and I would be paying in full.

Something like this, perhaps.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false

Or this.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false

I don't know about the "out of warranty" = madness.

Our 2004 X3 has been very good, post-warranty expiration. Of course, we had a lot of warranty work done on that car (steering rack, seat mat, accelerator pedal, window regulator, 2 sunroof cassettes. Of course, we only have 48,000 miles on the SUV but it's still a data point.

My 2003.5 M3 vert with SMG has also been very good, post-warranty expiration. Since the warranty expired, I have only had to have the passenger window regulator replaced. If you have the time and inclination, it a DIY but I had the dealership handle the replacement. Again, my experience may reflect low mileage as I only have 20,000 on that car.

There's a thread on e46fantics were SMG owners are posting up their experiences (good and bad) so that a more comprehensive sense of frequency of SMG issues can be assessed. It's worth a look.

Thank you - I'll head over there now.

You'll also find a lot more owners on www.m3forum.com

Thanks, I'll have a go.