It’s pretty much the best car you can get for the money:
Quick even by today’s standards.
Handling that is still to this day the standard to be compared against.
Nice, comfortable interior that is both modern and classic, everything you’d need while driving is within finger-reach. Materials leave something to be desired, but from a design standpoint it’s phenomenal.
Great looks, not necessarily modern by today’s standards but still no eyesore by any means, many aftermarket body kits can be cued back to the styling of the E36 M3.
Gas mileage for a sports car is phenomenal, getting as much as 30mpg highway, expect low 20s around town tough.
Pretty much can’t be beat from a value standpoint.