RB5SCOTT

Looking at getting an 04 M3 for the mrs but she wants a convertable

Has anyone driven both? Does the convertable shape up that well against the coupe. 200kg heavier with no roof must make a bit of difference to the driveability!

Thanks
Scott

simplesteve

Scott

I drove both before deciding on the coupe... which is what I'd have probably gone for anyhow. Performance wise very similar... maybe the coupe I drove seemed to pull a bit better at the top end but then again it had been recently serviced whereas the convertible was due one. The biggest difference is in the handling... the convertible is nowwhere near as stable and taught as the coupe and you can find this out on road driving. Bearing in mind I like to do a trackday or two, the only choice for me was the coupe. I think your choice depends on what you want, or the wife wants, to do with the car.

Steve

spectrum48k

My coupe is due to be sold in March after 3 years of happy ownership. A friend had the converible, but I couldn't live with all the squeaks, scuttle shakes and the inferior handling. There's less room in the back too.

To be fair I find that with all convertibles - I'd only buy one if they were originally only deisgned to be one from scratch eg. Porsche Boxster, etc...

Of course, if you're a vain ****** who can put up with the above, get the convetible!

RB5SCOTT

Thats exactly what i think and said i would never buy a convertable over a coupe as you give away far too much, but i just can't persuade the mrs but as it will be mainly her's i suppose she better have what she wants

Is the handling really that bad (compared to coupe)? Can i still drift it if i wanted to take it out for a blast

I second the squeaks, the one i test drove sounded alwful and not something i would expect from a car that cost 50 grand when new!

simplesteve

Scott

I wouldn't say the handling of the convertible is that bad or awful compared to the coupe, but driven fairly hard on the road you can feel the difference and lack of composure in the chassis. When I drove both when I was deciding, I pretty much drove the two back to back... and down the same back road, which is bumpy in places, the traction control was kicking in more out of second and third gear corners in the convertible than in the coupe. I also found it less stable on the brakes - it seemed to move around a lot more. Still driftable though as it has the same 340 odd horsepower!

Steve

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

I am sure its wonderful the Cabrio, but whenever I see one I always think that the owner has completely missed the point, I am sure BMW only make it to pander to those who just buy the top of the range regardless and want it without a roof. I suppose its no worse than on road off roaders.

RB5SCOTT

Thanks Steve, some helpful views

Jacko, i know what you mean but you know how these women love a convertable

astraboy

tin top everytime.
astraboy.

Fantom

Surely your wife is not bothered if she can go round the corner 0.2 seconds faster? She just wants to have her hair blowing in the wind while she pootles round showing off her new car. Let her have what she wants and claim lots of brownie points for later redemption

Steve

RB5SCOTT

Yeah but i will be driving it too, driving a Navara gets boring after a while! mind you the brownie points are working already, sod it, she can have the convertable

sti-04!!

I had a 330d Cab & tbh in the present climate i would rather have that than the M3 Cab. Get it DMS'd & in the real world it would keep up with the petrol powered M3.

spectrum48k

RB5SCOTT, one thing you definitely want to check out is the SMG box. I don't know a single woman who like the manual as they typically have quite heavy clutches.

Wouldn't bother with a 330d unless you're too tight to put up with the M3's 24mpg around the doors. Besides, the M3 is far better looking & sounding.

RB5SCOTT

Just stuck a deposit down on this http://dealerservices.autotrader.co....=8434&pageid=1 (top of page)

04 SMG with lots of extras

EDIT...Its not on there now, cos i've bought it