Who's waiting for the cabrio?

[13eastie]

My dealer has called me to come in and spec my coupe. In the long term I'd like the convertible next summer.

Is anyone else planning to wait?

Does anyone know what the prospects would be of taking a negligable financial hit owning a coupe for a few months while ordering another cabrio enabling me to swap next year?

Also, I'm perfectly happy with MT, but does anyone think the forthcoming dual clutch will affect the future value of manual versions? What happened with the E46?

[1198r]

If you sold the coupe privately i'm sure you would not lose too much money - if any - assuming BMW does not flood the market....

Regarding the SMG - on the E46 - when I bought one, I found that the dealers were trying to off-load the SMG onto me at a cheaper price than the manual. Admittedly, this was when SMG had been on car for a year and that it became better. However, as the dual clutch will be new, it's likely the same scenario will occur, so it should not affect the value of your manual.

I have ordered my car with manual.

Have fun deciding though

[JEllis]

I have never been a fan of the heavier less rigid cabrio M3's...

Jason

[fueledbymetal]

I would prefer the cabrio, but $60k is about the most I can realistically spend, so I don't think I'll be able to afford it.

[BMW //MPOWER]

Me!!

[E36325is]

Originally Posted by JEllis

I have never been a fan of the heavier less rigid cabrio M3's...

Jason

Same here cannot stand 200 extra kilos, (will be close to 1,900kg!!!! ) too much penalty in terms of handling and acceleration, I'd get a 335 cabrio instead of a M3 cabrio.

[Alumac]

Originally Posted by E36325is

Same here cannot stand 200 extra kilos, (will be close to 1,900kg!!!! ) too much penalty in terms of handling and acceleration, I'd get a 335 cabrio instead of a M3 cabrio.

I think the same. I never understood why anyone would pay the performance premium of an M3 and get a soft top.

Personally I'd get an 335 cab w/M-sport.

[13eastie]

Doing most of my driving in central London, I suspect that opportunities to bemoan the reduced performance of the cabrio will be few and far between! There will be plenty of times I might like to have the top down though... (especially one that looks as stupid as the CFRP one - definitely needs painting).

If one were to start out with the intention of buying a convertible, the premium paid to get the M3 rather than the 335i is surely justified in the same way as for the coupé?

A nice dilemma to have anyway...

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by Alumac

I think the same. I never understood why anyone would pay the performance premium of an M3 and get a soft top.

Because an E46 M3 cab will simply destroy any non-M E46 3 series. And by destroy I mean decimate. I've driven a ZHP and it feels slowwww after driving my M3. Sure its not cheap for the cab - but if you want a convertible that doesn't get embarassed by Nissan Maxima, then you have to pony up.

But of course that was then. And this is now.

And for the E93 M3 there's big problems. Problem one is that the E93 will probably approach 4000lbs which is just too heavy. Its like M6 heavy. Second problem is that there is the E93 335i sitting there just a PROceed away from 380+hp and M3 besting acceleration. And its probably 20 grand cheaper.

What to do?

I am waiting. If the M3 cab defies all predictions and somehow comes in at around 3800lbs then I will think about getting one - but used, not new, as $60k is my limit for a car.

The thing with the 335i, tho, is the lack of LSD. That's the single biggest distraction I have when switching between my wife's car and mine. In fact, its way, way more noticeable than the extra 200lbs of weight my car carries. This can be fixed with an aftermarket diff but, but I would definitely want to test one out first because I hear the Quaife still goes open on a wheel lift, and that's not hard to do on a twisty vert.

[Robert]

Not me. Cabrio is for girls

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by bobbo

Not me. Cabrio is for girls

LMFAO - this from someone with a *** name like "bobbo".

And now this thread will slowly degrade into a flamewar where bobbo by the gay clown tries to pass off his comment for everything other than what it is - pure ego-pumping ignorance. Ah the trials and tribulations of the jealous internet toughguys.

[13eastie]

Originally Posted by bobbo

Not me. Cabrio is for girls

Hahaha, yes of course - the only way to guarantee the masculinity of your BMW is to ensure it is equipped with a roof at all times...

[JEllis]

Because an E46 M3 cab will simply destroy any non-M E46 3 series. And by destroy I mean decimate. I've driven a ZHP and it feels slowwww after driving my M3. Sure its not cheap for the cab - but if you want a convertible that doesn't get embarassed by Nissan Maxima, then you have to pony up.

But its still the slowest M car.

The thing with the 335i, tho, is the lack of LSD. That's the single biggest distraction I have when switching between my wife's car and mine. In fact, its way, way more noticeable than the extra 200lbs of weight my car carries. This can be fixed with an aftermarket diff but, but I would definitely want to test one out first because I hear the Quaife still goes open on a wheel lift, and that's not hard to do on a twisty vert.

Do you track/drag your car regularly..if not then you are not going to notice the lack of a rear diff in real world spirited driving.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by JEllis

But its still the slowest M car.

Probably true but I don't care, since its still faster than most cars on the road including many, many BMWs. If I wanted the fastest car on the road for my money I would not even consider BMW. I'd be looking at an EVO or a Mustang or something else that offered more bang for the buck.

Do you track/drag your car regularly..if not then you are not going to notice the lack of a rear diff in real world spirited driving.

Ah, but I can and do notice it. I especially notice it in my wife's car when I pitch the car into 90 degree turn at high speed (60mph+) in second gear. Still fun as hell tho.

[Robert]

Originally Posted by 13eastie

Hahaha, yes of course - the only way to guarantee the masculinity of your BMW is to ensure it is equipped with a roof at all times...

Absolutely. I dont need to look fabulous

[Robert]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

LMFAO - this from someone with a *** name like "bobbo".

And now this thread will slowly degrade into a flamewar where bobbo by the gay clown tries to pass off his comment for everything other than what it is - pure ego-pumping ignorance. Ah the trials and tribulations of the jealous internet toughguys.

Wow, you pretty much nailed it yourself. There was no ego involved because it was a joke. And talk about egos, wow, amazing, all these profanity and trash talking, nice! Touchy feelings. Have a cookie.

Have a good day.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by bobbo

Wow, you pretty much nailed it yourself. There was no ego involved because it was a joke. And talk about egos, wow, amazing, all these profanity and trash talking, nice! Touchy feelings. Have a cookie.

Have a good day.

Hmmm, it almost sounds like you are serious. I guess you missed my smilie.

But I do think I was on target about you trying to pass the post off as everything but what it was. So I guess we'll just have to disagree on that.

Cheers

[Robert]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

Hmmm, it almost sounds like you are serious. I guess you missed my smilie.

But I do think I was on target about you trying to pass the post off as everything but what it was. So I guess we'll just have to disagree on that.

Cheers

I was being goofy as I usually am in life. I didn't mean anything else. Sorry for the confusion.

[Alumac]

Originally Posted by bobbo

I was being goofy as I usually am in life. I didn't mean anything else. Sorry for the confusion.

He drives an M3 convertible. Of course he's sensitive.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by Alumac

He drives an M3 convertible. Of course he's sensitive.

Its all good

But for the record I would not be caught dead in an A3. Can you say Chickmobile!

[Alumac]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

Its all good

But for the record I would not be caught dead in an A3. Can you say Chickmobile!

Funny, considering I am a chick. Grats!

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by Alumac

Funny, considering I am a chick. Grats!

Ok then prove it. Make me a chicken pot pie.