I agree with Chucky.(more long) (archive)

I have a cic and knew there would be more road
noise, but as it turns out, driving back roads
it's not road noise that is so unpleasant. It's
having to listen to the rattles the clutch makes
in 1st and 2nd when I push or let it out. It's the
thunk it makes when shifting in the low gears. It's the high-pitched whine from the instrument panel every time it hits 3500 rpm's. It's the drum beating sound I hear every time I let off of the gas. Oh, and last week driving a nice long fun road home at 60-65 mph, it starts to misfire and slows to a crawl. I had the car towed to the dealer. They said it shows misfire in all of the cylinders, but they don't know why. Now, I have to wait till it happens again, then drive to the nearest BMW so they can check it while it is happening. That will be one long, slow drive. As far as the clutch noise, they say it is normal.
I know you said you are considering the coupe, but
test drive the 330 convertible with the top down so you will be able to hear everything. Press the clutch in and out while driving slow in 1st gear, see if the noise will bother you. Just do a long test drive in a quite area and listen to the car. There are not a lot of great convertibles out there with a clutch, but there are a lot of other great coupes.
I like my dealer, they are very nice. The problems with my car is it is a BMW. The reason I
still read this board is, everyday I wake up and hope the someone on the board will have had one of
my problems but had it fixed, so I can too. And I still dream everyday that one day I'll wake up, get into my beautiful car and she'll run just half
as nice as she looks.
If you are not into seeing the dealer except for maintenance then stay with the japanese.

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