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I've not driven the 1M (not fortunate enough nor would I want to be a tire kicker). But had a brief fling with a N55 135i a few years ago. It's pretty good coupe. Fast although the sensation is not the same as the RX8. Less visceral. i picked the single twin power turbo model over the N54 twin turbo due to reliability concerns. Unfortunately it was a DCT and not a manual. Flicking the pedals was a cool novelty that wore off after a few months, I mainly drove it like an automatic. In the end, I decided to continue to keep my RX8 and sold the 135i because the 8's driving experience is just incomparable. Screaming at 9k rpm still gets me excited despite it being slower than the 135i straight line wise. Driving dynamics of he 8 is just more thrilling. Money from the 135i went towards a rare manual Pontiac Solstice GXP which was just as quick but with open top experience.
To tie a bow on this, I ended up going with an RX-8, and I couldn't be happier. @speed7 was tremendously helpful in tracking down a few solid options, and I ended up pulling the trigger on a white '09 GT out of Washington. One owner, housewife, who babied it. Babied it a bit too much if I'm honest, as it has low compression that I'm 99.999999% sure is due to carbon build up, corroborated by the ho-lee wow spark plugs. It's very very clean, and I've been replacing pretty much anything that shows any sign of wear to make it like-new. I'm deviating from stock only by way of an aftermarket radio with wireless CarPlay (should have the install done in the next day or two depending on how much time I can carve out in the evenings).
On the way to the grocery store w/ 2yo several weeks ago.
One of my criteria was the back seat for said 2yo, and this thing delivers! It's easier to get her in her carseat in the RX-8 than it is in the Jeep. Wife often rides in the back seat with 2yo, and she said the back seat in the RX-8 is more comfortable, and may even have more room. I'm pretty consistently getting 21 mpg, which is a bit surprising from what I read from others and given that the engine is so tired, but I guess that's altitude for you.
Congratulations! I have a white 8 when my kids were young and we all have fond memories of road trips and car club events in that car. Once your daughter is out of the car seat she will love the way the back seat feels. Something about the how the deep seat interacts with the center console is magical for kids.
