[budrichard]

I have had my own M3 for about 20 years and used them earlier than that. Other than being superb cameras for low light with almost silent shutter, coming from a Nikon F background with FTn thru-the-lens finder, the M3 was slooooow to use. It has not gotton any faster over the years.
The M6 0.85 Classic i purchased was certainly faster and easier to use. The M7 I purchased 2 years ago was/is the best of the lot. Shutter detent is not a factor and I simply have never noticed it. The ability to react to fast changing conditions with only having to focus is a superb attribute. The ability to 'lock' the exposure with the shutter release is great. The speed with the Motor M outclasses any other M. I like the combination so much that I just purchased another M7. The M8 is a flawed product that eventually will be supplanted by another model. It's a lot of money to spend for a digital product with a short product lifetime.
But the final analysis and decision is yours. You really need to use each camera and make your own decision and not let anyone make that decision for you. Good luck.-Dick