I enjoyed driving this 325ci, although not as much as the larger BMW 540i, because it was an honest car. It did not hide road irregularities, it did not pretend to be a racecar, and it responded to driver inputs in a way few cars in this price range can match.
On the other hand, I did not like the door handles that had to be pulled up and out at the same time. For a shorter person, the leverage required and the slipperiness of the painted handle make it a tiresome necessity. In addition, the long doors necessary for those in the backseat to ease entry, are very heavy and when parked on a hill require a considerable amount of muscle power. Even the reach to shut the door was extreme. I also found the large blind spot created by the convertible top's C pillar to be a hindrance when backing out of parking spaces.
Overall, a first rate vehicle, but I would rather have the 330ci and sacrifice the one mile less per gallon I would get on the highway for the extra 50 horsepower. As for competition, don't overlook the new Saab 9-3 convertible. It costs about $40,000, but offers an excellent ride, more spirited acceleration, and more room.
Young working woman's view: This car is fun. It is good looking, has enough room to take a couple of friends to the beach, and is just the right size to park. The only flaw I found was that we could never get over 23 mpg with the automatic transmission. You might want to check with BMW in your area because they are offering free three years scheduled maintenance to go with the four-year/50,000 mile warranty.
Family conference: If you need a convertible this one is worth considering. Please note, that its weaknesses are not without a cure, if you have the extra $6000 for the 330ci available.
