i would say the vert will have more appeal cause the m package and 54k mi!!!!!
and isn't the vert version of the 328 not that common in itself?? i don't know e36's...
both sound real nice but i think i may go for the hardtop just cause that's 3k saved right there to buy the mtech kit and do other mods as well to it!!
it sounds to me like you're leaning towards the vert though.
either way it'll be sweet