I like M3s (had 2) but save your money and buy a 335/340 and chip it......they will literally run down an M3!

They didn't ever change much on the E9X M3. 2008 had the older style infotainment system CCC, I would stay away from that system, its old and slow. The newer version is CIC, and is easily identified by the idrive controller in the center console. If its only got 1 button (menu) its the older CCC. Newer style has a cluster of buttons surrounding the idrive controller. 2009+ should be CIC.

They have been mostly good, sans a few bad seeds. The more expensive variant if anything were to fail, would be the DCT trans. version of the car. 335/340 VS. the M3 main driving difference is the suspension. Everything is different, even the subframe bushings etc. Power wise, you really have to spin the M3 up above 5k to get it moving. Small displacement, high RPM engine. Where as the 335/340 with just software pull pretty good from 2500.

Drive a couple variants and go from there. If you find yourself interested in a particular car, I can take a quick look at warranty history and dig around a little. I just need last 7 of the VIN.

What year 335 /340 would you look for?
I don't want a manual trans. Nothing against manual but I just don't want to have to shift it all of the time.

So the 340 is the newest variant in the current F3X chasssis, has the B58 engine which is totally new and different. Those are DCT trans and very fun car, but pricey as that model was introduced in 2016. The oldest 335s are the N54 engine (06-09), fairly stout but getting up there in miles at this point, and they can def. cost some $$$ if injectors, etc are original. 2010 E9X chassis will be the later N55 engine, which is a single twin scroll turbo as opposed to the twin turbo N54. 2010-13 is facelifted with the N55 and I would stick with those cars. There are also some other model variants like the 335IS, That is a face lifted 3 series, with the older N54 engine, and a dual clutch trans, and host of other small upgrades. Very fun car IMO.

My suggestion for the price range would be for a 335IS, or 2010+ E9x with the N55. The difference in those two cars, will be the transmission. Both "automatics" but the IS version has the dual clutch trans. Also the IS version is rear wheel drive only.

Not the car but we currently have an 13 X5 w the 5.0 turbo motor. Has the M package but just not the Twin turbo I guess.
This thing is about the fastest veh I have owned. I can only imagine how bad the M would be alone shove it in a car.