hardtop convertible

[e93 jonesy]

Originally Posted by NickMiamiM3

this.

hhehe... exactly! I didn't buy the car to track or race... that stuff is all behind me... I bought the car as a nice cruiser... a take it easy ride... it's nice on the eyes and sounds great... for a hardtop drop top it's quick enough...

I'm old... speed kills... if I was a youngin' I would have bought a mustang and modded the hell out of it... oops did I say that out loud... LOL!!!

[NickMiamiM3]

Originally Posted by e93 jonesy

hhehe... exactly! I didn't buy the car to track or race... that stuff is all behind me... I bought the car as a nice cruiser... a take it easy ride... it's nice on the eyes and sounds great... for a hardtop drop top it's quick enough...

I'm old... speed kills... if I was a youngin' I would have bought a mustang and modded the hell out of it... oops did I say that out loud... LOL!!!

its the best of both worlds and is still plenty fast.

[VMcV3y]

Originally Posted by GrahamDobbins

In my honest opinion I'm not a big fan of the E93. Takes away the sportiness and I feel it is much harder to make look good. Not trying to stir anything up, I would just definitely take the coupe or sedan. Every time I see an E93 out I just don't see it as a sports car.

Thanks for this.

If you would like to join the big leagues of people with a negative opinion of the E93, then please add: "The E93 was an afterthought at BMW." Once you write that, then I'll sell my car because it's surely a piece o' crap.

Seriously, I see you've posted a few softer replies on this since the original op-ed piece; but really, the OP's original questions didn't ask anything about people's opinions on the E93 style.

On the other side, it is rare that anyone on the forum writes something about a E90/E92 which is then followed-on by an E93-owner that writes, "Wow, that E90 doesn't look nearly as good as the convertible. It's just not my thing."

It's just amusing that on many E93-oriented postings someone has to jump in with their negative opinion on the body/performance of the car in a wholly one-directional target. I cannot figure out why that happens.

It's a good thing they make multiple versions of the car, so all of us can be happy.

And I DO track my E93. (just two days ago, as a matter of fact.)

- V

.

[wildwestm3]

I love the e93. I also love the people that like to point out the lack of performance. Really? Here is the deal, most of the naysayers don't have the skills to recognize one iota of difference on any track. I'll give an advantage to a professional driver pushing the car to its ultimate limits, but that is not representative of the majority of people that love to voice their opinion about the verts. Most of those people never have and never will see a track and even if they did wouldn't push the car hard enough or have the skills to say, "man, I'm glad I had the the coupe for that run!" I'll meet you coupe guys at the track...lets see if there is a huge difference. If you stomp my times, maybe I'll give up my top down fun...



Does that suspension look like it is sub-par to you?

[VMcV3y]

In the meantime...a joke for us to maintain good nature:

# # #
Husband to Police Officer: I lost my wife. She went shopping and hasn't come back yet.

Police: What is her height?

Husband: I never checked.

Police: Slim or healthy?

Husband: Not slim...can be healthy.

Police: Eye color?

Husband: Never noticed.

Police: Hair color?

Husband: That changes according to season.

Police: What was she wearing?

Husband: Not sure whether it was a dress or a suit.

Police: Was your wife driving?

Husband: Yes.

Police: Color of the car?

Husband: A LeMans Blue Metallic BMW M3 Cabriolet with 414 HP naturally-aspirated V8 DOHC 244 cu in. teamed with a double-clutch transmission and Drivelogic that transfers engine power to the road without the slightest disruption to traction force. And it has Xenon adaptive headlights, a three-phase adjustable suspension, and ....

Husband pauses...

Husband continues: and it has a thin scratch on the left front door.

Husband begins to cry tears.

Police: Don't worry sir. We'll find your car.




.

[wildwestm3]

^^^

[VMcV3y]

Originally Posted by wildwestm3

I love the e93. <snipped>

<image snipped>

Does that suspension look like it is sub-par to you?

+1

Oh, did you knock down all of those cones?

(I kid, I kid.)

- V

.

[MiamiE93Vert]

Since we are on the subject, add me to the list of E93 owners that track the car. At this point, I am a beginner at the track, so with the car full bolt on and with a BBK I have more than enough car to enjoy the day and I have no complaints with the car. I am confined to the beginner/intermediate groups but that is my skill level anyway. As my skills improve or if I can spend more time at the track, I can always get a track dedicated car. It is unfortunate that the car is heavy, because with the extra frame support the car is actually very tight at the track. An added plus is I get to drive home with the top down afterward .

[Doctor J]

I just drove my M3 convertible from Vancouver Canada to San Francisco and back

Amazing road trip car!!! Driving the PCH with the top down and open road is heavenly

Wouldn't have been the same experience at all with a conventional M3

[riverflyer]

Wow, thanks guys, both for the humor and the info. Great thread and food for thought. Personally, I am not looking for a sports car and would be comparing the e93 to SL or California and considering performance, practicality, fun and cost, both of car and to maintain. E93 shows up well imo.

I am a bit suprised it adds 400lbs...guess that must include chasis stiffening components as well as top mechanism.
thanks again and keep response coming

[STooK]

I bought my e93 for several reasons. The main reason is I love open top motoring. The wind in the hair, the sun in my face, loud trucks driving next to me that makes me go deaf, I love everything about it. However, there is something else that makes it a MUST to get the e9x M3 in a vert is its engine, the S65. With the top down and your foot all the way down there is a glorious sound under the hood that is intoxicating. Paired with the right exhaust, I'm sure it's even better but I'm still saving up for that. The e9x will be remembered for its soundtrack and you can't fully appreciate it in a e90/92.

There are drawbacks to the car but nothing major. With the top up the interior space is slightly smaller than e92 especially the rear. The trunk is big enough for a briefcase with the top down but with the top up, comparable to e92. Yes, it's heavier and slightly slower than a e90/2 but it's not like you are going from a Miata to a SL550. I drove a e92 M3 and honestly couldn't notice any difference.

In the end, I chose the e93 and I'm glad I did. I can cruise in a convertible on that perfect summer night, but be in a luxury coupe 22 seconds later. I also like the fact that you can lower all the windows like a MB CLK. For a small sacrifice you get so much more in return, I find it hard to beat the e93 as the most versatile sports car in its price range. OP, buy one and I promise you, you won't regret it!

[markymarc1979]

Originally Posted by riverflyer

Wow, thanks guys, both for the humor and the info. Great thread and food for thought. Personally, I am not looking for a sports car and would be comparing the e93 to SL or California and considering performance, practicality, fun and cost, both of car and to maintain. E93 shows up well imo.

I am a bit suprised it adds 400lbs...guess that must include chasis stiffening components as well as top mechanism.
thanks again and keep response coming

I love mine to death and to make up for the extra 400lbs, I threw an ESS-625 under the hood and it just melts the extra weight away!!!

[hpapad01]

+1

[dallas06m3]

I just got a 2009 M3 SSII with Bamboo w/extended leather. How do you keep yours so clean? Any protectant or special care you use? My car interior is perfect. I want to keep it that way. Especially after the black bird poop that appeared on the back seat. It cleaned right up, but it had stained I would have been very disappointed.

[Beemdog]

Originally Posted by dallas06m3

I just got a 2009 M3 SSII with Bamboo w/extended leather. How do you keep yours so clean? Any protectant or special care you use? My car interior is perfect. I want to keep it that way. Especially after the black bird poop that appeared on the back seat. It cleaned right up, but it had stained I would have been very disappointed.

Consider something like Cquartz leather coating (on Amazon at $22). See the detailing section on E90 post for all sorts of leather talk (hey now).

[dallas06m3]

Originally Posted by Beemdog

Consider something like Cquartz leather coating (on Amazon at $22). See the detailing section on E90 post for all sorts of leather talk (hey now).

Thanks for the reply and the suggestion Beemdog. Yeah, I almost jacked the thread! I'll go look at the detail section.

[mjposner]

I too love my E93, but I live in South Florida.

Can I ask teh E93 guys a favor? Look at this pic, what the heck is that blue wire, does not look stock to me. Mine is a second owner, so maybe something wired. I have left sub amp wiring in two cars....

[cdickgo]

Originally Posted by riverflyer

I did a search and did not find the info I was looking for. Can anyone tell me what years the hardtop convertible option was available for?
Does it increase weight? compromise chasis rigidity?
Any personal owner feedback?
thanks much

I posted this earlier but in the wrong section.

2008-2013 for the last generation M3. Its designation is E93. So if you want to search for specific convertible related threads, E93 is your best bet. (E90 sedan, E92 coupe). As others have stated there is in increase in weight due to the folding hard top. Every convertible compromises somewhat in rigidity compared to the coupe version. The top will flex, because its 3 pieces and isn't fixed to the windshield and rear end. I have owned an E93 for over 3 years now. I love being able to put the top down and hear the note the V8 spits out when you hit the go pedal. If you are worried about millisecond differences in 0-60 time, get the coupe. If you want the sun and wind in your hair and still have an M3, get the vert.

The only complaint I have about the car is that the gas tank is small for the thirsty V8.

[cdickgo]

Originally Posted by mjposner

I too love my E93, but I live in South Florida.

Can I ask teh E93 guys a favor? Look at this pic, what the heck is that blue wire, does not look stock to me. Mine is a second owner, so maybe something wired. I have left sub amp wiring in two cars....

It's definitely not stock. Just checked mine, no wire like that at all. Definitely aftermarket wiring.

[fuddman]

When the tops up, I prefer the E46 ragtop.
I think the cloth top visually blends well with the main body of the car and the overall appearance of the E46 ragtop cars are every bit as attractive as their coupe brothers and, to me, are actually better looking than the coupes.
Not so with the E93. The E93 top tries hard to simulate the sleek lines of the E92; but, it just doesn't make it - and it's obvious. The top of the E93 has this plopped on look about it that is just inescapable. Unlike the E46s, clearly, the design winner between the E93 and the E92 is the E92.
However, when the top goes down (and the windows are down) I prefer the E93 to the E46.
I've always wished they would have stuck with the cloth top.

[roastbeef]

if i had silly money, i would get a convertible for when i felt like the top down, but i just liked the carbon roof better. 400lbs is significant. i'm sure its noticeable.

[modkrazy]

Originally Posted by nicebraces

Not trying to stir things up either, but this doesn't look good to you?

That is undoubtedly a bad-ass looking car, but I would say agree with him that the coupe would look 10x better with the same mods. Not to mention the instinctive eye-rolling it induces in me to see $10K worth of lightweight racing wheels on a convertible. It confuses me that they make that wheel in 20" size.

The E93 looks better than the E90 for me, actually. If they had made the convertible top out of CF, too, the temptation may have been too much. Looks damn good regardless.

Originally Posted by wildwestm3

Does that suspension look like it is sub-par to you?

I may not best the times, but I would certainly knock fewer cones down.