I would recommend the CLE
without hesitation. A close friend has both the Leica CL and the Hexar, but there really is no comparison. The CLE is the most advanced Leica film camera ever. True, it's not built like an M, but then that was not the brief.
On lens, the Rokkor 40 is well suited to the camera but equally I wouldn't rule out a Voigtl�nder 40. The true star of the M-Rokkor line up is undoubtedly the 28 - a true sleeper of a lens if ever there was one.
Your reliability question is very interesting. Why would you ask? I know why... because t'internet is awash with tales of them being "too electronic" etc etc. Well, I have yet to hear of a single real world example of a CLE failure. I stockpiled a couple of XD-7s in case (lots of shared electronics), but honestly I don't know why I bothered, the CLE is going great and has seen off many a digicam for reliability :)
Now read this:
http://www.kenrockwell.com/leica/cle.htm
Let us know how you get on!