Re: What does everyone think of convertibles (archive)

The M3 convertible is a total blast. Maybe it's just my love of convertibles, but I can't get enough of it. If you are a M3 purist, you will say that the extra 200lbs and body flex compromises the ultimate performance, but BMW has done a good job of stiffening things up enough while still keeping the M3 edge that no other car has. It is still an M3... It is VERY fast, handles like NO other 4-seat convertible on the market and is actually very quiet if you have to endure driving it with the top up. I live in Annapolis, MD so during the winter months (Dec-Feb), the top is usually up, but with heated seats it is actually very comfortable to drive topdown until the temp hits the 40's. If you just gotta have that extra 0.2 0-60 acceleration and can't stand the imperceptible flex, you can still get chip/exhaust/brace/suspension upgrades. Personally, I drive mine hard but don't plan on racing it. It is all the car I can handle.

The new E46 M3 convertible? I am 1st on the list at the Annapolis dealership. BMW is touting that the E46 convertible has a stiffer frame than the E36 coupe/sedan, the well that the top folds into in the trunk is now flexible so that when the top is up, you have a full sized trunk, front seat belts are now anchored to the seats instead of a foot behind them, top opens/closes in something like 10 seconds instead of the current 30-40 seconds.

To summarize, the M3 convertible is the ultimate driving machine for me. Now I've gotten myself all excited again about the E46.

Rick

I am currently 5th on the waiting list for the 01' m3 convertible and 25th for the coupe at my local dealership.. i can't decide which to get. all i've seen are pics of the coupe and that just looks like the best car i've seen ever. but i also drive a 328i convertible now and i love convertibles. and i hear the new convertible is a great car also.. so i don't know what to do. any comments? any pics of the new convertible? thanx

I don't have an answer for you, but am curious what others with more experience think. I'm #3 on the list for a convertible, but still wonder... about a sedan, in particular. Don't bother about commenting about the sedan, I understand from reading this board that noone knows if that'll happen. But I still want to know if folks like their M3 convertibles? I've only seen 1 sitting in a dealership in Raleigh, North Carolina (for whoever was interested). Never seen one on the road, or had a chance to drive one. P.

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