I briefly considered the same choice of E46 M3 vs 135i. I ended up with the 135i for a lot of the same reasons as others have stated.
For me, it was the fact that the 135i gave me free maintenance and a warranty where the M3 had neither. I also found that most of the M3's in my area were SMG cars and having just come from an 08 GTI w/ DSG I really wanted a 6MT.
I also drive a lot of miles every week so having the better gas mileage offered by the 135i is worth something.
I don't think you can go wrong with any BMW, especially between a 135i and an M3.
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