Wanted E46 M3. Decided they were too expensive to buy and maintain. Decided the MR2 at 1/3 the price was sportier, more interesting and only missing some comfort and practicality. And I suppose class.
So for 2/3 the price of an M3 I picked up a 2000 CLK55. While M-division make BMWs faster but more fragile, everything AMG did to the CLK made it more reliable than a standard MB.
Whereas I ruled out SMG M3s, I can live with the auto (still the worst thing about the car other than it's incredible lack of LSD) because it's the only choice and I'm keeping the MR2 anyway.