I looked at all the cars around $45,000 when looking for my next car last spring.
The Evo won my heart. With modifications any car can be made to be a performer. But I love the "wtf is that" factor that comes with the Evo. Everyone on here obviously knows what it is when spotted, but people still ask me every now and then "what is that?". A guy in a new M3 rolled up next to me in the Fall and was looking at my car up and down, then told me "sweet car man". I think a base model X looks pretty crappy, though. To me my car looks perfect, but it's far from done.
But I'm 20. Big wings, racing seats, and tons of JDM aftermarket parts makes me happy. I don't know what makes you happy. Downside is the interior. I don't care about it, but the BMW is much better in that aspect, as well as paint quality probably.