i do not particularly like the e36 as much as the 30 and 46, but it is still an m3. knowing that the acura, like it's honda brother, are much easier to repair and as everyone says, "lasts forever" i would still have to say that it would be worth it to keep the m3. even if it is an automatic. i understand the want for a manual, since my car has an auto and i want a manual so badly, but i see it like this, with the price of lower 20's for the type S, and the popularity of the intergra before the rsx you know that everyone and their brother is going to have that car. i dont know about anyone else but i see a lot of bimmers around, but not a lot of M series. and when i see when i know it is an M before i ever see the M badge. to me that makes it a very special car. not a lot of people in this forum have M's but i am sure not too many would mind to drive one.
also i think the m3 has the m52 engine which does not require service until 100,000 except for fluids and filters. and that m3 is higher in class and newer in age then my e30 325i, and mine has a sport selection on the tranny that does not perform too terribly, i am sure that m3 does much better then my old bimmer. plus, just looking at the the powerplants the me i believe has 240hp and the type s has 200 or so. but i guess you more concerned with the tranny.
i do not mean to offend anyone or anything, i just prefer all bimmers to anything else!