Preface: I have owned / driven most of those examples.
I would go with the Volvo S40 / V50 T5. It is basically a really fancy Focus (in a good way). The suspension is not overly complicated, but it is effective, great brakes, etc. We had our 2005 S40 T5 from 30k miles (I think) to 175k miles. Very much highway driving but original clutch, injectors, turbo, etc. Only things replaced were a fuel rail pressure sensor (did it myself, $30 and 10 minutes) and a fuel pump under warranty / recall, also half shafts and wheel bearings. No big deal.
No switches every broke, no weird interior wear like I see / have experienced with German cars, and the # of computers are limited (I think I read the 335i has 32 modules...).
I would highly advise a stick, we drove a V50 T5 loaner with an automatic and it dampened the driving experience by at least 80%. No kidding.