Get the M3.

My buddy got an M340i and I got an F82 M4.

As nice as the m340i is, i gotta say they drive completely differently. And ofc, the M4 drives way better.

Manual. Makes driving fun in every way. I dont mind traffic or hills at all with hill hold on my manual F82. I daily it and never thought once that I wish I got the DCT.

But autos are def faster and more convenient. I like the manual also bc it forces you to pay attention while driving, so it keeps me more alert. In autos on long drives, id find myself feeling sleepy very quickly lol.