Why does one get a coupe instead of the convertible?

[CPB]

Bought the coupe 'cause already have a 911 cab.

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

VMcV3y

Thanks for the very clear description ... do enjoy your nice car and good luck with theta PowerBall

[Poleposition]

Originally Posted by CPB

Bought the coupe 'cause already have a 911 cab.

Oh my, do you get harrassed on the Porsche board by all of the 911 coupe drivers because you drive a fake 911? A convertible 911 cant possibly command the same respect as a coupe now can it? It's heavier and slower.

[Charlie brownn]

Originally Posted by brisance

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.

Evo 8 never had carbon roof. It had aluminum roof and hood but It did have a full carbon wing though

[Avly]

The idea of a convertible is overly romanticized and many people buy one with the image of the good looking person driving one on TV. The reality is that while it is an experience in limited doses, having the sun on you the whole time, the loud noises, and inhaling smog without a filter sucks.

Convertibles are good rental cars or third cars but that's it. This is backed up by my observation that 95% of the convertibles I pass (and I pass by many) have their tops up on days in Southern California that would be perfect for having the top down.

[MA///M3]

convertible is heavier, slower, less rigid. not as "pretty" as a coupe. Less trunk space. Not as practicle. can't fold down the rear seats eaither. Also for old dudes and girls (joke).

[understeer]

Originally Posted by MA///M3

convertible is heavier, slower, less rigid. not as "pretty" as a coupe. Less trunk space. Not as practicle. can't fold down the rear seats eaither. Also for old dudes and girls (joke).

Coupe is for people who have to take their daily driver to the track because they can't afford a real track car (joke)

Some prefer the coupe, some the convertible. Their money. their choice. Leave it at that. There is no reason to force your preferences on others. If you don't like the convertible don't buy one. Just don't try to tell me what I should buy or what my motivations were for making the choice that I made,

[AndyK.]

I think the coupe looks sportier than the convertible. I don't like how the E93 looks from the side and rear.

[AwesomeM3]

The E93 M3 Convertible wasn't availaible when I ordered my M3 (02/08). But even if it were available, I hate the lines of the Vert with the roof closed. Also, the roof line of the coupe is much sportier, IMO.

[CPB]

Originally Posted by Poleposition

Oh my, do you get harrassed on the Porsche board by all of the 911 coupe drivers because you drive a fake 911? A convertible 911 cant possibly command the same respect as a coupe now can it? It's heavier and slower.

Surprisingly not too often. Have seen the random "poseur" comment, but its rare.

[TVMA Doc]

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...

It seems that you have the answer. Precisely it is that a convertible should be either a dedicated platform (built AS a convertible not converted from a coupe/sedan) or it will always suffer from the "afterthought" bracing required when you cut the roof off. That adds weight and typically never really makes the chasis as stiff as the original.

It is even worse if there is a coupe version available as you will always have the "benchmark" against which to measure your car. Those owning the Miata, etc. never have to worry about "how good the car COULD have been".

I've also found that a convertible is more of a novelty. I own one and love driving top down the one day a week that I drive it. More than that is actually just a bit annoying-you can't keep anything in the car or it flies out, road noise with the top down is significant, flying debris is always an issue (I've been hit in the head by perfectly tossed rocks several times).

Then there's the issue of extra cost. As mentioned it is about $9k more than the coupe and $15k more than the sedan.

The REAL question is why doesn't everyone buy the sedan?

Lower insurance rates, four doors, only 40 pounds heavier and costs $5k less.

[understeer]

Does anyone here know what this is?



It's called a menu.

Restaurants use them.

Why do they use them?

Because not everyone likes the same thing.

I don't think that should be such a difficult concept to grasp.

[VMcV3y]

Originally Posted by understeer

Does anyone here know what this is?



It's called a menu.

Restaurants use them.

Why do they use them?

Because not everyone likes the same thing.

I don't think that should be such a difficult concept to grasp.

Got it.... the E90 drivers will get the Sardine Chips, and the E93 drives will have the salmon steak. Thanks.

[ailikesiliu]

Not sure if OP is serious.

[SamS]

Originally Posted by TVMA Doc

The REAL question is why doesn't everyone buy the sedan?

Lower insurance rates, four doors, only 40 pounds heavier and costs $5k less.

Cause the E92 looks better?

[///Machine]

Originally Posted by SamS

Cause the E92 looks better?

But isn't the sedan much faster than the coupe?

[SamS]

Originally Posted by ///Machine

But isn't the sedan much faster than the coupe?

I've driven both fairly hard, they feel the same to me. Except the sedan feels like a higher seating position.

[understeer]

Originally Posted by VMcV3y

Got it.... the E90 drivers will get the Sardine Chips, and the E93 drives will have the salmon steak. Thanks.

Exaclty. And then they go on an internet forum and post that the sardine chips are superior to the salmon steak and that "real connoisseurs" prefer sardine chips.

[gblansten]

I like convertibles. I had a 2006 SLK 350 with a manual transmission. I enjoyed that car and had the top down a lot. I would have been in a 2009 SLK 55 AMG but I got tired of waiting for a build date and got a C63 AMG.

I thought about a Z4 instead of the M3 coupe I have. I didn't consider the M3 convertible because of the extra 400 pounds. Knowing I would have a car with such a weight penalty compared with a coupe bothered me. I'm happy with the coupe but I still think about getting a 911 cab or other convertible for my next car.

It just seems like the M3 convertible has a higher penalty on weight and performance than a 911 or a Boxster/Cayman. It bothered me but I have zero problem with those of you with a M3 convertible.

[desertfox73]

Originally Posted by VMcV3y

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

.

Beautiful - that looks like the road out of the Chisos to highway 118 in Big Bend. Is that where you shot this? Love that place.

[OC ///M]

Originally Posted by understeer

Exaclty. And then they go on an internet forum and post that the sardine chips are superior to the salmon steak and that "real connoisseurs" prefer sardine chips.

No, the steak eaters just get fat...and apparently like it.
Admittedly, sardine chip eaters do have a tendency to point and laugh at fat people trying to run along a beach or mountain road.

[understeer]

Originally Posted by OC ///M

No, the steak eaters just get fat...and apparently like it.
Admittedly, sardine chip eaters do have a tendency to point and laugh at fat people trying to run along a beach or mountain road.

Perhaps so. But they are merely compensating for the fact that they were laughed at for eating sardine chips.

I mean lets get real. Who is going to take someone who eats sardine chips seriously? What do you have for desert after a meal of sardine chips? Broccoli Sorbet?