One Week Later: 2011 E93 Initial Review

[ksoze]

Overall, it is everything I suspected it would be and more. After four BMW M cars over the years, this is the best so far:

Cockpit
The steering wheel and feel is nirvana and the seats are the best I have ever sat in. I could pick out an M car steering wheel blindfolded – and this one is a vegans worse nightmare. Ergonomically, the fairly staid interior is well laid out although the window and mirror buttons seem way too far forward on the long door for easy access. Also, keep missing the door unlock button since it sits hidden on top of the console between the main air vents and not where I have traditionally found them on lower console area or door. Still trying to get use to the double click turn signals which break the fluidity of the other controls. The front cup holders once again are the Germans revenge on those who dare to bring food and drink into the cockpit of a fine machine like this. Their location and style make them essentially as useless as RFT's in NYC, unless one drinks from a dixie cup with a titanium cover. May seem like a small nit, but it now effects my stops by Starbucks in the morning on way to work since my grande cup now perches in the holder like an angry hawk ready to spring on its unsuspecting prey below. Oh well, that is what "D" is for on the DCT– one hand on the wheel and one hand grabbing the top of the cup like a long haul trucker resting his hand on the gear shift.

Tranny
The DCT is a very slick and engaging, despite the lack of the normally preferred third pedal. I cannot say I do not have an urge to clutch shift at times, but so far the DCT is still involving and allows for the same if not better control. Over time I do not know how I will feel, but for now the newness is very cool. This option decision is a tough and polarizing one that requires test drives if possible and an honest evaluation of your driving habits and traffic conditions you encounter. And if you intend on using the cup holder

Folding Roof
The convertible hardtop is an engineering marvel that only could come out of Deutschland. Everytime I use it, I imagine the engineers all standing around clinking their beer steins at their accomplishment as the roof folds up and away with a precision usually best left to watchmakers and porn stars. With the roof up, one would be hard pressed to tell it was a convertible especially from the inside, with the interior roof materials, fit and finish all perfect. I have experienced no rattles or leaks to date. The downside of the foldable magic roof aside from the added weight, is truck space. I never really looked closely at the trunk when drooling over the car before buying and it may deserve closer consideration for some. With the top down, the usable space is probably the size of a Ford Expedition glove box. Aside from room for a jacket and a briefcase wedged in, it is minimal, in a minimal sense. With Comfort Access, it is possible to allow better access to the minuscule space by cocking the trunk lid up partially. With the roof up it is better, though still some 20% or so less so than the coupe. Again, the vert carries a penality of weight, space, and to some look, all of which I was willing to compromise for the open air driving option. Plus, with the lack of grocery bag space, probably will save weight and money going forward. This is a car that still looks good top up or top down, a design feat not many can offer at any price. Wish the standard chrome trim had been an option, as the euro available shadow trim would probably fit the car better in my color.

iDrive / Tech
The iDrive appears to have made nice strides since its early MSDOS-like days and only needs a short period to get adjusted to, although it is not totally intuitive. Some early misses: The RANDOM function allowing for shuffling of music has to be reset each time the input is changed or the car is restarted. No album art from music copied from USB onto hard disk. Also, those copied music files need to be under 320k bit rate or they will be skipped and not played. Song changes and album art loads seem a bit lazy and appears that steering wheel arrows do not perform same function across sources as expected. Enhanced Audio sounds good so far, not life changing, but good low end and non-shrilly highs. Need to play with settings more, but I find myself tuning to the engine sound more than the music playing. That song will never get old. The new BMW Apps (6NR) option has promise, but since I currently use the USB in the console for an iPod, need to see about my phone connection strategy, especially when media adaptor comes out and want to use the PlugIn app, the real gem which which will allow the iPod UI on the iDrive/Nav. Got the option more for its promise than the initial apps, but they do work as advertised, albeit I understand that an incoming call or text kills the apps on the phone.

Color
Went with Jerez Black and Fox Red Extended. Color choice is a personal thing, so I will leave it there. The JB is a chameleon color and after several Jet Black cars, I like the character it has under varying light conditions. The extended leather is even better in the convertible, where it is just enough extra color and texture change to make the interior pop. Love the 19" wheels, hope the love survives the crappy roads that seem to be getting worse all over.

Overall
The car is a blast to drive and the sound is indeed intoxicating. I do not believe an aftermarket exhaust is necessary for my use as of now, as the stock system is just right to not be obnoxious, yet loud enough to give the engine its magnificent voice, especially when top down. The ride in the default EDC Comfort mode is good for around town driving and appears to allow for quick changes in driving style as needed. It also is more compliant when needing to cart around wives, grandmothers or grande Starbuck cups. This is my third M3 and this generation is a nice evolution of the platform. Some say it got too soft, heavy and lost its heritage. I disagree. It still steers like a go cart, fits like a glove and has enough power on tap to easily get in trouble. If one is not stepping directly out of a coupe, I think the convertible's weight is masked by the extra senses the roof removal provides. Gas mileage will be interesting – any car which gives you a low fuel warning chime and hazard symbol at a quarter tank remaining is sending a message.

When I open the garage door and turn on the lights now in the morning, the car seems to look up at me like a pet dog left alone all day – all excited to go out for a run and wondering where the hell I have been.

And it's only been a week...

[///M Ryder]

Good write up...........Phil

[Poleposition]

And it'll only get better with some more mileage, a break-in service and maybe a few choice mods here and there.

All the best

[Poleposition]

oh, and some warmer weather too.

[cracker123]

good writeup

[KARLPAGLIACCI]

Enjoyed the review Player!

[PKL]

nice car, enjoy!

[mdosu]

got a picture of the trunk space?

[Inerrant]

great write up!

I'm doing PCD on May 12th so i wont have my ride until then. Same setup as you just different colors (Interlagos on Blk). We will have to get together and go for a quick run. Im always back and for btwn VA (woodbridge) & MD (Rockville)

[jlrarch]

Great writeup, i feel exactly the same way. With warm weather coming in NYC theres no better feeling.

[half man half amazin]

Nice write up!

[muccels]

Welcome to the club!

[crzy4bimmers]

3 weeks to go till mine comes in! At the port in Germany... This review just made my wait harder but put a smile on my face... Thanks for the great write up.

[thai357sig]

Originally Posted by ksoze

It also is more compliant when needing to cart around wives, grandmothers or grande Starbuck cups. This is my third M3 and this generation is a nice evolution of the platform.

You lucky bastard!

Oh, and, May your excitement may never get old.

[ksoze]

Originally Posted by E=mc2

What about the weight? Can you feel the difference? Its 230kg (507 lbs) heavier, I wonder at low rpms if the weight makes a big difference.

After having driven both and now having the vert briefly, the difference was negligible. I would have to believe that in back to back drives that 400 pounds would be noticed in some manner, but unless you are driving both regularly, I suspect it is somewhat of a wash. If you are tracking the car or have to have the fastest version of a model, all bets are off.

If you have a coupe, wedge two well built friends in the back seat and drive around - you will probably notice the weight, but the price for that difference is the additional car the folding top version will give you.

[jmflukeiii]

Originally Posted by E=mc2

In my view, the disadvantage of the convertible is twofold:

1) Weight distribution : the biggest problem convertible has isn't the extra 419 lbs, it's how those 419 lbs are distributed - in this case, they are right in the rear, it's not an equal distribution.

2) Aerodynamics : The top completely folded vs coupe E92 isn't the same thing (if you disregard the weight). The convertible has a much different dynamic than coupe or sedan.

I am not saying it's a bad car, absolutely not. I'm just curious to see the real world performance of the car, how it handles in highway, how it handles in terms of breaking, and how the engine copes up with the additional weight. I am seriously considering this car as my next M3, however, because my next M3 will be a finance/cash instead of a lease (currently I'm leasing), I want to make sure I don't make a mistake. I have absolutely no experience when it comes to convertible cars and the fact that next M3 having a turbo engine makes me worry about the convertible. With an NA engine, you can somewhat go around the extra weight because the engine revs 8300 rpms and it has so much room to go. With the turbo that's not the case. The torque curve is a lot worse and the weight might make a huge difference.

Anyways, once my friend gets his convertible, I'm going to be riding it a lot, evaluating it all the way. When I have my sedan, it's going to be a even better test, I'm quite excited to post some interesting results here.

There is more weight, but its not like adding a trunk full of bricks to the car. The next generation will likely have more torque also.

[ksoze]

Originally Posted by E=mc2

In my view, the disadvantage of the convertible is twofold:

1) Weight distribution : the biggest problem convertible has isn't the extra 419 lbs, it's how those 419 lbs are distributed - in this case, they are right in the rear, it's not an equal distribution.

2) Aerodynamics : The top completely folded vs coupe E92 isn't the same thing (if you disregard the weight). The convertible has a much different dynamic than coupe or sedan.

Although I see some disadvantages, these two seem more trivial and would probably only show up in the margins when on the track.

1) Essentially same basic weight distribution, just reversed - coupe is biased front (51.2/48.8), the vert rear (47.2/52.8).

2) The CD is almost the same: 0.31 Cd for the coupe and 0.32 Cd for the E93.

[CAPSGOD]

Rear-biased weight distribution is more fun anyway

[ns2000x]

Excellent write up! Fantastic.

[buymenow00]

Great write-up, thanks. Agree with most comments that carryover to the sedan. Love your color combo but caution on the JB, similar to carbon black - incredible color right after a detail but may be prone to ugly swirling without proper upkeep...this was the main reason for my switch to AW after years of black bimmers.

+1 on lame cupholders!!
+1 on window switches (i'm not a monkey!)
+1 on steering feel, quite possibly the best steering I've experienced in a BMW (and they are generally pretty good at it...at least they were)
+1 on stock exhaust note - I went with Tubi on my M5, but don't feel the need to upgrade on this one.

[Raz335]

great writeup, and I agree with both your review and color

[crzy4bimmers]

Originally Posted by ksoze

Although I see some disadvantages, these two seem more trivial and would probably only show up in the margins when on the track.

1) Essentially same basic weight distribution, just reversed - coupe is biased front (51.2/48.8), the vert rear (47.2/52.8).

2) The CD is almost the same: 0.31 Cd for the coupe and 0.32 Cd for the E93.

Just proves: facts > random speculation