Welcome to the board.
Many things will obviously depend on your funds and priorities. Your basic choices in the E46 category are the 325, 330, and the M3 convertables.
One good news, if you are going to wait until later in the year, is that BMW starts the new model years in October; so you can get a MY2003 in late 2002 and there are always some sort of minor improvements here and there. Check out Euro Delivery, it is a very good option. It reduces the prices (except M cars) and allows you to have a great vacation in Europe with your new car.
As for your choices, not that I have a CiC, it is some what difficult to choose, I am sure many will give you their opinion.
The 325 is a very fine car with enough power for most who value open air motoring more than performance with significant savings over the 330 CiC. However, if performance is as important, then the 330 is a good option with enough grunt for 99% of situations in daily driving and with few minor additional cosmetic options as well; but at probably $5,000 more. The 330 CiC draws the cost all the way up to almost an M3 coupe; which makes choosing a little more difficult. Of course, if the purpose is really a drop-top more than anything else, then M3 coupe is not a factor at all. As for the M3 convertable, you would be looking at around $60K price depending on options including taxes. Many consider that rediculous as the M3 is very performance oriented, and a convertable body does not fit that picture too well with flexing of the body and stiff suspension setup, but obviously a personal issue.
In short, you will have to drive each one of them, provided they are within your reach, and determine the most important factors for you. Majority of sales of convertables are with 325s, few 330s and even fewer M3s. M3 also will make you wait a little longer than the other two 3 series; probably 3 to 4 months longer.
Good luck.
Many things will obviously depend on your funds and priorities. Your basic choices in the E46 category are the 325, 330, and the M3 convertables.
One good news, if you are going to wait until later in the year, is that BMW starts the new model years in October; so you can get a MY2003 in late 2002 and there are always some sort of minor improvements here and there. Check out Euro Delivery, it is a very good option. It reduces the prices (except M cars) and allows you to have a great vacation in Europe with your new car.
As for your choices, not that I have a CiC, it is some what difficult to choose, I am sure many will give you their opinion.
The 325 is a very fine car with enough power for most who value open air motoring more than performance with significant savings over the 330 CiC. However, if performance is as important, then the 330 is a good option with enough grunt for 99% of situations in daily driving and with few minor additional cosmetic options as well; but at probably $5,000 more. The 330 CiC draws the cost all the way up to almost an M3 coupe; which makes choosing a little more difficult. Of course, if the purpose is really a drop-top more than anything else, then M3 coupe is not a factor at all. As for the M3 convertable, you would be looking at around $60K price depending on options including taxes. Many consider that rediculous as the M3 is very performance oriented, and a convertable body does not fit that picture too well with flexing of the body and stiff suspension setup, but obviously a personal issue.
In short, you will have to drive each one of them, provided they are within your reach, and determine the most important factors for you. Majority of sales of convertables are with 325s, few 330s and even fewer M3s. M3 also will make you wait a little longer than the other two 3 series; probably 3 to 4 months longer.
Good luck.
