E90 or E93 M3?

[CalgaryX3]

Hello folks,

My wife and I have agreed on purchasing an E9X M3 to join our '07 E90 335i. We want to make our purchase before the demise of the wonderful N65 motor in the next gen M3. That said, we won't be ordering until January for an April '11 (ish) delivery date.

Now for my quandry; Do we purchase an E90 or an E93 M3? Here are my thoughts on each:

E90 Pros:
-The F3X M3 will not be offered in a sedan variant, and there are very few E90 M3s in my locality making the car that much more unique.
-The E90 M3 is a very practical option given that we have our first child on the way.
-The E90 M3 is almost $10K CDN less expensive than the E93
-The E90 has subjectively better styling than the E93 and it's awkward roof lines in my opinion
-The E90 is lighter in weight and better balanced, thereby enhancing the already rewarding driving experience.

E90 Con:
-We already have one sedan, and to have two seems a little odd/uneccessary according to my wife.
-I find the sunroof in the E90 to be quite small; not impressive for summer motoring in these northern parts!

Given that our M3 is going to be strictly a fair weather/summer car, here are my thoughts on the E93.

Pros:
-Top down motoring to maximize fair weather driving, and exhaust/engine note experience
-Nicer rear end styling (subjective of course).
-No charge for leather seating (Canadian market)
-Different body style than our E90 335i

Cons:
-Considerably more pricey than E90
-Heavier and less rigid, thereby detracting from driving experience
-Not a "real" M3 according to some M-purists. (Thereagain neither is the E90 for some).

Now I realize than many of my observations are purely subjective, but knowing what you know, and having owned these cars yourselves, which would you opt for? I have owned one convert. in the past ('01 S2000), and enjoyed the top down motoring experience thoroughly.

Thoughts? Comments?

Thanks in advance
Asif

[richardbb85]

e92............

but if it's only between sedan/conv, go conv if you can afford the extra cost

[M3maniac20]

M3 all the way. You already have the 335. Time for some fun.

[e1000]

This is really more of a preference question, so I think you guys need to sit down and make a decision. BTW, the M3 engine is S65 not N65.

[CalgaryX3]

Originally Posted by e1000

This is really more of a preference question, so I think you guys need to sit down and make a decision. BTW, the M3 engine is S65 not N65.

Oops....sorry...was thinking N54 (335).

You're right...we need to make a decision, and thankfully, we have time on our side.

Asif

[Buschy]

I had a e93 m3 vert and sold it and will be getting a E90 sedan now, My wife has a 335 sedan in white and my e90 M3 will be white sedan as well.. should be a nice his hers, having two sedans is not a con.

[yemenmocha]

1. Cons: you're understating the performance differences. The e93 weighs 133 lbs. more than the M5. It is into the 5's for 0-60, etc.

2. Too cold there for a convertible.

3. $$$ seems like a lot between the two cars.

4. Squeak/Rattle in convertible roof for the e93, though I haven't seen as many threads on it recently.

[CalgaryX3]

Originally Posted by buschy

I had a e93 m3 vert and sold it and will be getting a E90 sedan now, My wife has a 335 sedan in white and my e90 M3 will be white sedan as well.. should be a nice his hers, having two sedans is not a con.

Curiously, why did you sell your M3 'vert?

[CalgaryX3]

Originally Posted by yemenmocha

1. Cons: you're understating the performance differences. The e93 weighs 133 lbs. more than the M5. It is into the 5's for 0-60, etc.

2. Too cold there for a convertible.

3. $$$ seems like a lot between the two cars.

4. Squeak/Rattle in convertible roof for the e93, though I haven't seen as many threads on it recently.

Agreed, except for #2. We have some beautiful spring/summer/fall days, mornings and evenings where the E93 would be right at home. Calgary also gets lovely winter chinooks where the E93 would be a treat, but as I say, for us, it will be a summer car only.

A

[ching]

Do you need the backseat?

If not, get the m3 e90 sedan as the all-weather vehicle, and another vert (I personally like the new z4) for a summer vehicle.

I had a vert before my m3, and found that out and out pace was less important than the experience.

[tuco44]

Sedan all the way for me; but your choices may vary.

The sedan is lighter, looks better (IMO), costs less and less prone to rattles and body flexing.

Also, the sedan is rumored to be discontinued, so it may be your last shot at it.

YMMV.

[BMWMFAN27]

Like you have stated it is a second car for weekend and fair weather fun. For that nothing beats having a convertible. You do not need it to be practical, just fun and allow you to take advantage of the great summer weather. I live in Arizona where it is summer year round and hence i opted for the convertible. If you want the weather porn so to speak then I would opt for the vert. Plus nothing beats hearing that engine with the top down.

[Cdnrockies]

Originally Posted by CalgaryX3

Agreed, except for #2. We have some beautiful spring/summer/fall days, mornings and evenings where the E93 would be right at home. Calgary also gets lovely winter chinooks where the E93 would be a treat, but as I say, for us, it will be a summer car only.

A

If we have another summer like this one you'll never get the top down on the E93.

[Benfmd]

Originally Posted by yemenmocha

1. Cons: you're understating the performance differences. The e93 weighs 133 lbs. more than the M5. It is into the 5's for 0-60, etc.

2. Too cold there for a convertible.

3. $$$ seems like a lot between the two cars.

4. Squeak/Rattle in convertible roof for the e93, though I haven't seen as many threads on it recently.

You are wrong about the acceleration of the convertible. Car and Driver tested it at 4.6 sec 0-60:

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...essions_page_2

[CalgaryX3]

Thanks for all the replies folks. As you can see, and as anticipated, the responses are polarized. It's a very subjective decision I understand, so I'll have to make my decision wisely.

Thanks again.

Asif

[CalgaryX3]

Originally Posted by Cdnrockies

If we have another summer like this one you'll never get the top down on the E93.

Haha...true enough!

[Krozi]

E90

[andret]

I had the same dilemma recently. check out my post
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=363869

Ended up taking sensible option of E90. optioned almost everything for less than base E93.

[CalgaryX3]

Originally Posted by andret

I had the same dilemma recently. check out my post
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=363869

Ended up taking sensible option of E90. optioned almost everything for less than base E93.

An almost identical set of circumstances! Thanks for the link.

Asif

[Buschy]

Originally Posted by CalgaryX3

Curiously, why did you sell your M3 'vert?

I originally wanted the sedan, but a good deal on the vert came up in the exact color I wanted in my sedan. I thought it would be cool to have the vert and drop the top etc etc.
it was cool, but there was just something missing for me.

But I like sedans in general as well. I think almost all cars sedan variant looks better then the coupe.

I sold it cause I am getting the sedan. more doors, for the kids(who are rarely in the car anyway) and less of a show off car.

[graider]

e93 m3 all the way in your situation. you already have a sedan as your wife said, why not enjoy the top down experience to the fullest. don't let the weight crab scare you, the m3 vert is more than enough fast on the street and you won't get to it limit anywhere on the street.

i personally think the vert is up there with the coupe in the look department. imagine the v8 with some exaust and roof down. sedan/coupe can't match that experience.

[quality_sound]

I think this question will sum up my thoughts:
How useful will an E93 be after your child is born since a rear-facing car seat won't fit in the back seat?