Why does one get a coupe instead of the convertible?

[VMcV3y]

When you have a carbon fiber roof, your head is not surrounded by scenery like this:

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[brisance]

Originally Posted by DiavelM3

I wouldn't consider the M3 a sports car but that's my opinion. I think cars(depending on the model) like Ferrari's, Porsche's, Lamborghini's etc. are considered sports cars.
The M3 is still one of the best cars in it's class, even after almost 5 yrs in production. No other car like Audi or Merc. have CF roof

The main reason I bought the coupe is because I love the CF roof! To the best of my knowledge, there isn't another car in it's class that has a cf roof like the M3. You'll have to get into the higher end sports car category to find another car with a cf roof. That makes it very unique!
Plus, it lowers the center of gravity and is about 400 lbs lighter than the Vert.
If I want a top down type of experience (open air), I just hop on my motorcycle and go for a ride

A little nitpicky here but the Evo 8 MR had a CF roof back in 2004. Yes, it lacks many creature comforts compared to the E92 and has four doors which makes it more comparable with the E90. But it's a great car with great mod potential.

[paradocs98]

Originally Posted by cpdp

I am asking because my next whip is most likely a M3...

If you refer to it as a "whip," you should definitely get the convertible. And put 22" wheels on it and install a $15,000 stereo system.

Kidding aside, though, convertibles can be fun. I had a Z4 as a loaner a few years ago and really enjoyed it. The M3 seems like too serious of a car to be a convertible, however.

[mdosu]

this:

[mdosu]

Originally Posted by paradocs98

If you refer to it as a "whip," you should definitely get the convertible. And put 22" wheels on it and install a $15,000 stereo system.

Kidding aside, though, convertibles can be fun. I had a Z4 as a loaner a few years ago and really enjoyed it. The M3 seems like too serious of a car to be a convertible, however.

with a "H"

[Porschefile]

^haha. @Vmvv3y: my scenery wouldn't look like that anyway might as well have the extra performance and rollover protection.

[SlamMan]

Drive the coupe with 3 of your friends in the car and you'll know what it's like to drive the vert. It's heavy as shit. It can't be that enjoyable over 40mph with the top down either. There's a reason I roll up the windows on the highway. The vert can't be better.

[Poleposition]

Youre so right. I never go over 40. Its such a horrible experience. The vert cant possibly be better than your window down experience in your 4 door. Those BMW engineers got everything right with the coupe and sedan but the mushrooms obviously kicked in strong when they got to the convertible.

[VMcV3y]

Originally Posted by Poleposition

Youre so right. I never go over 40. Its such a horrible experience. The vert cant possibly be better than your window down experience in your 4 door. Those BMW engineers got everything right with the coupe and sedan but the mushrooms obviously kicked in strong when they got to the convertible.

Oh, frak me. I thought the maximum speed was 30 mph for an E93. You mean I could have been going forty????



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[///Machine]

Oh…the AW-E92-CF-roof fanboyism in this forum…. Your car is great (arguably common), but there are other great cars out there. The E93 M3 is one of them and the E90 M3 is another. IMO all three are best in each class.

It’s great we have options and the vert/coupe/sedan decision comes down to preference/needs as opposed to better/worse analysis.

Now (and I’ve said it before), the E93 does expose you to other people’s eyes. So, look at yourself in the mirror and if you are NOT confident about how your whole package would look, then please DO NOT get an E93 - it dilutes our brand.

[dom_cmh]

Come on guys...the real question is not coupe vs vert...it's would you rather have a DCT or 6MT in it?

[weaksauce]

My car has been in the shop last two days and the loaner they gave me is a e93 335i. The top has been down 5 mins the entire time. I'm definitely not a convertible guy...

[Siciliano611]

Originally Posted by weaksauce

My car has been in the shop last two days and the loaner they gave me is a e93 335i. The top has been down 5 mins the entire time. I'd definitely not a convertible guy...

Your car has been in the shop 2 days? thats weaksauce breh

[weaksauce]

Ya, it is weaksauce, bra. They had to order a part. It was done this morning at around 10, but haven't had time to pick it up.

[understeer]

It is actually quieter (in terms of wind noise) and less windy in a convertible with the top down than it is in a coupe or sedan with the windows rolled down, particularly if you have the wind deflector.

On the highway I drive with the top up and the windows up but on a nice day the great roads we have in Berkshire County (Western Massachusetts) are perfect for top down cruising.


Route 2 Hairpin Turn
North Adams, Mass

[///Machine]

Originally Posted by understeer

It is actually quiter (in terms of wind noise) and less windy in a convertible with the top down than it is in a coupe or sedan with the windows rolled down, particularly if you have the wind deflector.

+1

And the fact that the angle in which the windshield connects to the body in the vert is much more acute than it is in the coupe, which provides smother air flow with top down.

[Rich_Jenkins]

Originally Posted by cpdp

Hi,

today I was wondering why most of you M3 owners decide for a coupe instead of a convertible? I see that the coupe has a CF roof, but on sunny days the convertible sure is more fun...and in winter it should not be a problem because the E93 has a hardtop...
So what are the advantages of the coupe?

I am asking because my next whip is most likely a M3...

Isn't it something like 4145 lb for vert vs. 3704 for the coupe? I've driven a vert and it felt sluggish compared to my coupe.

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

I have to admit I always liked convertibles so in 2009 I got myself a Z4 30is build in 2008, drove her for a spell ten I traded her in 2010 for a 2009 Z4 35i.

We took the 2009 all the way cross country along Route 66 to LA and it was a blast. Somehow I missed my original e46 build in 2002 very much you know how one lingers for ones first ever love So once I had my convertible itch out of my system I got back into a real car a e92 M3. Do I miss my Z4 sure I do only I missed my e46 much more.

I can say this I got my kicks on Route 66 in a Z4

Why do people get a convertible, easy, it's all a matter of preferance and or taste.

As for a e93 being a sports car, sure it is like the e90 or the e92 just don't take a e93 to the track it's simply not right. The M3 if it's a e90, e92 or e93 was designed by the ///M Division as a all around kinda car ... you all know what I mean. We can have fun with it then in the evening take our significant other out on a nice date or dinner etc. etc. We even can take the back seats down and go to the hardware store on the weekend

Jeremy Clarkson of Top Gear once said something like

"A convertable is like 2 briks connected by a board"

I don't recall what make he was talking about, it does make a lot of sence and I'm sure convertible drivers know that very well and won't take there convertible to a track to race anyway. Go fast on a track perhaps only don't race it's just not safe. Anyway that's what I think having driven both for a fair distance Before you ask yes I also test drove a e93 before I got into a e92.

[midwest 340xi 6sp]

Originally Posted by LarThaL

1. Weight. The convertible is over 400 lbs (!!!!) heavier and is noticeably slower in terms of acceleration

2. With the top up, it is still doesn't look as sleek as the coupe

3. I did the convertible thing and discovered that I am really not a convertible person. I absolutely love having the top down for about 30 minutes. Then I want it up. A lot of noise when you drive fast, and you get hot and feeling tired with the sun beating down on you. I also feel very "naked" when sitting at a traffic light and it is an unsettling feeling for me. The windows in the coupe are large enough that it gives you a pretty open feeling, however.

Interestingly, I always used to be a sunroof fan. After owning a convertible, I am not since I discovered how little they really add.

Very well articulated and that's my feelings as well..I owned an E46 M3 cabriolet. While that car was a blast at times, it didn't take long for me to feel tired, hot and ready for a roof and some AC..

To each his own I guess. For me and as an ED driver, it ain't going to be a cab

[VMcV3y]

Originally Posted by M3RD

<snipped>

As for a e93 being a sports car, sure it is like the e90 or the e92 just don't take a e93 to the track it's simply not right.

<snipped>

"A convertable is like 2 briks connected by a board"

I don't recall what make he was talking about, it does make a lot of sence and I'm sure convertible drivers know that very well and won't take there convertible to a track to race anyway.
<snipped>

Groan....
I've taken it to the track once, with another scheduled later this month. It wasn't the fastest car there. I also did not take my sport bike out there, which in that case would have been the fastest vehicle there. Which means that speed is relative to the vehicle. Fun is also relative to the vehicle, and for some people, there is an alignment of both based on individual preferences. But, anyhow, disagreeing with you in that you say convertible owners won't take their car to a track.

Okay, here's my interpretation on the two-bricks-and-a-board:
Jeremy Clarkson was talking about the rigidity of convertibles...or, the lack of rigidity. Another way to describe this is by holding a cardboard shoe box, with the lid affixed to the top, and then twisting the box on the long ends. It has a bit of stiffness. Then, remove the box-top, and try twisting again. The box will be significantly more flexible. Which is bad. So, to make up for this, vehicle engineers add cross-beam supports under the vehicle and around the edges to make up for the stiffness. This accounts for a as-yet-not-found-proportional increase in the body weight of the E93. When people write that it weighs approximately 400 pounds more, the increased weight is a split percentage of the mechanical parts of the hard-top + steel/titanium of the lower-body strengthening struts. For all I know, the hard-top weighs 50 pounds and the strengthening struts weigh 350 pounds...or 200+200...or whatever (the proportion.)

As an aside, people frequently state, roughly, "I've driven the E93 and it is not nearly as stiff as the E90/92." But I wonder if that's psychological or based on fact. Because if BMW did affix ~300 pounds of extra struts -- and it is not effective -- then why retain the modification in the first place? Maybe when I win the PowerBall, I'll buy an E90 and an E92, and do a frame-twist-evaluation among all three versions!


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[isakhnov]

Some live in Seattle...

[Powerslide]

Originally Posted by M3Now!

Just curious, where do you get this? C&D tested the 2012 335 Sedan, 2011 335 Coupe, and 2008 M3 vert.

1. 335 Sedan: 0-60 5.3 sec, 1/4 mi. 13.8 sec
2. 335 Coupe: 0-60 5.0 sec, 1/4 mi 13.7 sec
3. M3 vert: 0-60 4.6 sec, 1/4 mi 13.1 sec

That's not even close?

Cheers

This has been exactly the point that I and many other E93 M3 drivers in this forum have been making for years - if you are going to track more than once or twice - of course you favor the coupe or sedan - but with the vert - you get fantastic performance (check fastestlaps.com for those who don't believe me), the top-down experience when it is nice, and still a lot of practicality - esp compared to other verts.

Plus - my kids can see much better out the back windows compared to a coupe - and my wife and kids would not enjoy the coupe or sedan nearly as much as the vert (not would I, since I dont ever get chance to go to track).

Finally - chick car?? No - only guys who are insecure enough to care what other insecure male drivers think of them would let this factor into their decision. If you like the vert and you dont plan to track - definitely worth the extra $.