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      10-09-2011, 10:08 AM   #1
tbonem3
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plz help me decide e92 or e93 one last time

hi all,
based on the following opinion i have gathered about the e92 and e93 from the forums, research and other opinions, please let me know which way is more practical for me, before i pull the trigger on the m3 in a few weeks. i know it's my decision at the end, but looking for good advise and especially those people who bought one but regretted getting the other..

e92

1. this will be my first m3, and i always though M3s should be coupes or racing cars rather than convertibles,

2. i kinda agree with others that if one wants a convertible, then they should get a 328i or 335i, z4, etc, and leave the M3 for its intended racing, light weight, rigid body, 2 door, etc.

3. the e92 has more truck space, which for me with a family and 2 kids, I need the truck space

4. the e92 back seats are more angled backwards, which could be more comfortable for longer trips for rear passengers or kids

5. if i go with e92, I will probably go with a sunroof, but not 100% sure lol all my previous Bimmers had sunroof and it's a nice feature

6. i like the shape of arching shape of the e92 from the back better than the e93

7. e92 will probably have less mechanical failures in the future vs e93, like leaking hard top, hard top opening/closing issues, etc

8. e93 weights 400 LB more..although i will probably never track my M3 ( but I shouldn't say never)..so not sure if the 400 extra pounds will be noticeable when cornering, driving aggressive, racing another car off a red light, etc..

E93

1. I feel like I don't want to miss out, and i don;t want to buy an expensive luxury sports car and not be able to put the top down and enjoy the wind and joy of driving,,,where i can have best of both worlds, an M3 and a convertible at same time

2. since I am currently working int he middle east, i am looking to ordering and using the M3 here for a couple years perhaps, and then shipping it back to the DC area. The middle east has harsh weather and sand storms, etc..so if i get the e93 over here, most likely the e93 hard top will stay up from April - September. From October - March is when the weather is nicer, and less sand storms, and I can have the top down..but even on nice weather days, the dust in this region is much more than North America or Europe, and I would have to clean the car around the clock I feel..

3. But I am really will be getting the e93 here temporary and looking it forward to enjoying it more in the states when I go back.

4.is there such thing as best of both worlds as getting a sports car and a convertible in one? and therefore the e93 is better than e92 in that sense?

5. e93 truck is very small from what i heave heard and seen. would this be an issue even for putting weekly groceries in the back?

6. i can see myself in a convertible, but also not sure how i will get used to it with top down and people looking at you all the time, either envying you, being jealous, or just weird looks, etc. i am not trying to show off, just want to enjoy the car and the drive.

my brother has an e46 3 series convertible in the DC area, and he told me he doesn't put the top down that much, but he still enjoys his convertible. and c of course it's not a hard top. and i noticed some people prefer the cloth top convertible because it doesn't take up much space in the truck?

I know once that M3 arrives, I will enjoy it and be happy with whatever I have ordered, even if I still have some second thoughts, I will just live with it.

sorry for jumping all over the place with this, but i look forward for some of your opinions in making this decision and getting the last V8 2012 M3s. thnxs
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      10-09-2011, 10:20 AM   #2
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I have a 2011 e93 and I love it. It is beautiful and fast and I would not be concerned about the difference in weight or trunk space. IMHO there is little difference in trunk space between my M3 and 335d when the partition is up.

You need to decide if you want a fun car or a practical car. There is always the option of having 2 cars-an M3 weekend car and a cpo pos as your daily driver.

KP
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      10-09-2011, 10:41 AM   #3
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It seems a lot of the arguments around e92 or e93 focus around the e93 not being a "real" M3, because of the extra weight, less rigidity, etc. I think that's BS, but fine, let's say it's accurate.

So what? Simply decide if you want a really fast convertible, or a really fast coupe. You'll be able to feel the difference only under very specific circumstances (e.g. track), and even then most people probably can't.

So I'd say choose the e93 (and I did ) because it's a coupe - and then the top comes down.

In answer to some of your key questions:

The trunk is definitely on the small side, but so far the only thing I can't fit has been a bike frame. About $200 in groceries fits just fine with some care (with the top up).

Mechanically they're under the same warranty. Assuming you have access to a BMW dealer, service issues shouldn't be a problem. I've had a problem with my top, so it's possible that they do go out of adjustment eventually - others should also speak up tho.

And finally, who cares if people can see you? Wind in the hair while driving is fantastic, the top has been down on mine more than it's been up.

Both are great cars, you'll be in good shape either way.

Cheers
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      10-09-2011, 10:44 AM   #4
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E92 all the way
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      10-09-2011, 11:47 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by franc View Post
...2. i kinda agree with others that if one wants a convertible, then they should get a 328i or 335i, z4, etc, and leave the M3 for its intended racing, light weight, rigid body, 2 door, etc.
Anyone who thinks that, as long as you're not on a track or pushing the limits, driving a 328, 335 or Z4 is essentially the same experience as an M3 has no appreciation for the vast differences among these cars in everyday driving. I owned a 2008 stage 3 Dinan-modded 335i E90 before trading up to the E93 M3, and there is an extreme difference in driving pleasure in favor of the M3--even at everyday speeds on everyday roads, and even with the top up. A totally different animal.

The view espoused in #2, above, is a one-dimensional, narrow view of the reason(s) for owning a car. If you buy into it, then you should get the E92.

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      10-09-2011, 11:48 AM   #6
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E92, E90 and the 93 IMO, IN MY OPINION, is not a real M car and looks really ugly
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      10-09-2011, 11:54 AM   #7
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Personally, I hate the lines on the E93. It has the chrome trim where the roof folds...yuck. Just doesn't look as clean as a hard top, or E92.
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      10-09-2011, 12:04 PM   #8
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+1. Get the E92 Forsure
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      10-09-2011, 12:52 PM   #9
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thanks for the responses so far! lol..getting more confusing..

does an e92 with a sunroof count as a compromise lool
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      10-09-2011, 01:26 PM   #10
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If you get the E92, every time you see an E93 on a nice day with the top down, you are going to feel like you made a mistake.
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      10-09-2011, 01:36 PM   #11
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2011 E92 M3  [9.26]
never understood the allure of a convertible. seems like the novelty would wear off quickly, and you're left with extra weight and more parts to break. This has been debated numerous times.. so in short, i'd say e92
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      10-09-2011, 01:37 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by franc View Post
e92

1. this will be my first m3, and i always though M3s should be coupes or racing cars rather than convertibles,

2. i kinda agree with others that if one wants a convertible, then they should get a 328i or 335i, z4, etc, and leave the M3 for its intended racing, light weight, rigid body, 2 door, etc.

8. e93 weights 400 LB more..although i will probably never track my M3 ( but I shouldn't say never)..so not sure if the 400 extra pounds will be noticeable when cornering, driving aggressive, racing another car off a red light, etc..
M3 is not a race car.
M3 is not light weight.
It has decently rigid body.
400lbs is huge. I can tell the difference of having a passenger at the track.

Quote:
Originally Posted by franc View Post
3. the e92 has more truck space, which for me with a family and 2 kids, I need the truck space

4. the e92 back seats are more angled backwards, which could be more comfortable for longer trips for rear passengers or kids
I think E90 makes more sense for your case.

Quote:
Originally Posted by franc View Post
4.is there such thing as best of both worlds as getting a sports car and a convertible in one? and therefore the e93 is better than e92 in that sense?
No. It is actually worst of both worlds. You loose the rigidity and you have the massive weight of the metal roof. If the M3 had soft-top, than there would be more of an argument.
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      10-09-2011, 01:39 PM   #13
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I lived in DC for 10 years... and I am not surprised your brother almost never puts the top down! It's either cold and miserable, or too hot and disgustingly humid; the number of days of decent convertible weather is likely measured in weeks.

And even with that said, I moved to an area with a significantly better climate and STILL chose the e92 over the e93. I think they look significantly nicer (as well as the many other perks you mentioned), and the only time I regret not having a convertible is not wishing I had an e93, but wishing I had another car entirely.
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      10-09-2011, 01:44 PM   #14
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Get the cabriolet
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      10-09-2011, 02:03 PM   #15
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true about the DC weather...only get about 2 weeks of spring and 2 weeks of fall..the rest cold or nasty hot or humid..

i am waiting for someone with e92 to say get the e93 and someone with the e93 to say get the e92 i guess it won't really happen lol
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      10-09-2011, 02:26 PM   #16
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E92 all the way
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      10-09-2011, 03:08 PM   #17
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OP, from what I've read and learned from talking to people, those who want a convertible typically know without a doubt that they want a convertible, which is why they're willing to accept the extra cost and compromises, like rigidity, weight, ugly aluminum trim, having the "chopped-up" roof look when it's up, and a longer flat trunk lid with an extra seam to allow it to flip open backwards for the roof.

Your post is correct that there are merits to both sides and since you list a lot of good points about both I'm guessing that whichever one you choose your mind will convince you that you made the right decision rather than constantly saying "You should've gotten the other one", but given that it doesn't sound like you've got your heart 100% set on a cabrio, I say get the coupe. You'll save money and weight, increase rigidity and (somewhat) practicality, and have a car with much cleaner lines.
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      10-09-2011, 03:13 PM   #18
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Stay away from the E93. I drove one back-to-back with my E92, and it's amazing how much you feel the added weight.
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      10-09-2011, 03:20 PM   #19
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you like the look and performance of the e92 better. you admit you won't have the opportunity to put the top down on the e92 much because of your location. not to mention that the the e93 costs more. what exactly is holding you back? it seems like all your OWN logic is pointing you toward the e92.

pick up the e92. get it with the carbon fiber roof so you'll still have the enthusiast segment to re-sell it to when that day comes.... and never look back.

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      10-09-2011, 03:23 PM   #20
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good feedback all.
jphughan - I think you are reading my mind! good feedback and pretty close to what i feel..I think right now i am %60 coupe, %40 Vert.
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      10-09-2011, 03:29 PM   #21
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true that esquire, but was leaning toward sunroof if i pick up an e92...CF roof looks nice too..if i get a sunroof, would I defy the purpose or go against the norm?! thnxs
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      10-09-2011, 03:31 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jphughan View Post
OP, from what I've read and learned from talking to people, those who want a convertible typically know without a doubt that they want a convertible, which is why they're willing to accept the extra cost and compromises.
This is a good point, and likely correct for most e93 owners. I knew I wanted a vert.
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