Well its mainly a question of do you want to wait or not. The 330 is better but i dont know about waiting that long. You could get the 328 and in 1 years time you will be able to make it faster than 330s(if you have money).
If you drive them both there is a big difference--30hp/20+torque extra in 330-- but you should think about a 330i (like mine) cheaper to buy, cheaper to insure, but a little heavier which doesn't help on performance.
According to BMW when i bought my car ( 7/01 ) :
2001 330Ci 0-60: 6.1---1/4 mile: 14.6 manual
2001 330i 0-60: 6.4---1/4 mile: 14.8 manual
These are the numbers the dealership gave me when i was trying to decide whether to save myself $2500 by going with the sedan.
I ended up getting the 330i since all the 330s i see in my area are coupes and i could have (didn't) turn around and put the money i saved into the car and smoked any 330Ci.
But the coupe is just better
The reliability thing i wouldn't think there would be a diff and I really couldn't tell you major differences consiering my old 328 was E36.
Good luck on your 3