Buying Advice Needed for '01 onwards M3 - SMG or Manual?

[philiphunter]

I have come to the decision to sell my S2 Elise for a car with more seats - and over 300hp

All I know about the M3 is that it comes with a manual or SMG box and also with options such as TV, Sat Nav and the like.

I want to spend no more than 20K and would prefer to buy from a trusted dealer.

I have looked around the net and found many available.

I would prefer one in black or anthracite but there don't seen to be many about for my price range, and I'd like the TV/Sat nav option.

Am I likely to get a car with average mileage and comms. pack option with FSH for this budget from a dealer?

Anything else I should look out for?
SMG or Manual (Does the SMG ever malfunction?)
Weren there any other options beside the comms. option?

[philiphunter]

I test drove a SMG M3 at the weekend and it was awesome.


The car was a '52 plate with 69k on the clock, FSH, sat nav/TV, 19" alloys, Xenon lights, and from a trusted garage for 20k.

Lovely car and a top price, just need to sell my car first.

In your opinion is this a good deal?