This thread has been very helpful.. One thing that makes this site great is the huge wealth of knowledge you guys have, and I love hearing your opinions.. I think I've decided on the car I want. The E90 330 makes the most sense.. Perfect size, easy to park, better mileage, safe, extremely reliable, and so on.
I took the liberty of doing a build-your-own on the BMW website and this is what I'm looking at.
2006 (or 2007, by the time I get it) 330i
6-speed manual
Either Sparkling Graphite or Mystic Blue
Gray leather interior
Poplar wood
-Probably the sport package.. I haven't decided.
-Premium package
-Cold weather package
-Navigation/iDrive
-Comfort Access
-Satellite radio
-Rear PDC

The 3 just seems like a natural choice.. Every day, I get into my E46 and I enjoy driving it as much as I did the day I got it. Would I love an A4 or E500 as much? I don't think so. My 3 has over 101,000 miles on it and it still runs and drives like it did when I first got it. I've had only one problem with it, about 50,000 miles ago. My ignition coils arched, and the car broke down in my driveway. It was towed to the dealer, and the service there is great.. They had it fixed by the time I got out of school. I love my BMWs and I'm going to stick with them.

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