get the automatic if you got tiny balls
the m3 is the better overall car. i like the looks and wheels a lot better too. the only prob is there are 5 times as many bmws as mercedes on the road...at least around me. i have about 10 bmws within a square block of my house and only one benz
both cars are just as fast though. my friends c32 ran a 13.3 at the track...