I have read too that once you get used to the SMG it’s great and you’ll love it. I drove a 530i SMG and thought it was weird to get used to. Didn’t really get to drive it long enough to really get it down though.
What year E46 is it? I would steer clear of the 01’s with their chronic engine grenade problems. I do really love the lines of the E46. E30 ///M>E46 ///M>E36 ///M.
I say do it if you can afford it.