I see the e36 doesn't get too many nods here, but i would definately suggest an e36 M3. I've had mine for 7 years now, adding 50k miles to it. I've had to replace only ONE item during that time, a camshaft sensor.
Sure i've done filters, suspension, cooling and brake maintenance as required. I haven't had any "parts falling off" as described by others. I've got a convertible, which after 11 years tend to have their own idiosyncracies. I've never had any other e36's, but I wouldn't bother with other models mainly cause the M3 prices are going way down as compared to a few years ago. The car is a blast to drive, the engine has a reputation for going strong-long, and the later years had more safety equipment, side airbags etc. "
Best-Handling Car Ever – at any Price" by Car and Driver in 1997
Lastly, in my opinion, styling wise it has the last remenents of the boxy 2002 style.
A low mileage example is ~80k nowadays. For a DD, i'd get the four door sedan to make life easier.
Drive one.