M3 Coupe or Convertible?
03-18-2005 | 01:25 AM
#1
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From: NY
M3 Coupe or Convertible?
I'm finalizing the paperwork for the preorder tommorrow morning.
I was soooo set on the coupe... but i HAD to go back and see the convertible...!
So I sucked it up and made the call to change my order to the cabrio.
NOW... i'm reading up online and I'm IMMENSELY unsure if I want to sacrifice 4 months of open air and
status for a faster, more rigid coupe....
It's 0-60 in 5.4 seconds as opposed to 4.8 seconds in a coupe! Thats almost a full second slower....
I love the coupe.... but aside from performance, its still a two-door coupe like my current CL.... its pretty much the same car, just faster.... same style...
i'm still broken... gimme some feedback
I was soooo set on the coupe... but i HAD to go back and see the convertible...!
So I sucked it up and made the call to change my order to the cabrio.
NOW... i'm reading up online and I'm IMMENSELY unsure if I want to sacrifice 4 months of open air and
status for a faster, more rigid coupe....It's 0-60 in 5.4 seconds as opposed to 4.8 seconds in a coupe! Thats almost a full second slower....
I love the coupe.... but aside from performance, its still a two-door coupe like my current CL.... its pretty much the same car, just faster.... same style...
i'm still broken... gimme some feedback
03-18-2005 | 01:49 AM
#3
i souport publik edekason
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Granada Hills, CA
I would go Coupe... anyday of the week and twice on Sunday...
More rigid is the key... and for me THAT is the key... performance... therefore rigid therefore coupe...
Hope that helps...
Good luck with you decision...
Cheers
Ciao
More rigid is the key... and for me THAT is the key... performance... therefore rigid therefore coupe...
Hope that helps...
Good luck with you decision...
Cheers
Ciao
03-18-2005 | 02:05 AM
#6
styling on you
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Los Angeles, California
From looks alone, the M3 looks kinda ugly with the top up, but damn gorgeous with it down. And If i were you, id get the coupe, cuz even though you have a vertible, how often are you going to actually have it down?
03-18-2005 | 02:18 AM
#7
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From: NY
Originally Posted by SeCsTaC
cuz even though you have a vertible, how often are you going to actually have it down?
i KNOW... thats what I was thinking too.... i mean, i'm in jersey/pa all the time... so i'll be able to take the top down May through September... 5.. maybe only 4 months out of the year..
and i KNOW i'll turn into those idiots i'll see with the top down and its like 50 degrees outside...
coupe is FAST... no question about it.... but the cabrio is HOT.... i'm able to pay the extra loot to have it, but i dont know if it'd be worth it overall...
this car is going to be my DAILY DRIVER except for winter days with snow on the ground.....
but i've ALWAYS wanted a convertible!!!!!! if i'm going all out on a car, i may as well get the cabrio... no?
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03-18-2005 | 02:35 AM
#9
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From: Not Las Vegas (SF Bay Area)
"its 7 o'clock in the dark, and im in my drop top cruising the streets"
i think i remember seeing someguy at UCLA w/ a M3 covertible but he had a hardtop instead maybe want to look into that if you get the convertible, i personally proabably would be in the same situation as you, itd be to have to the vert, but at the sametime the coupe is faster 
i think i remember seeing someguy at UCLA w/ a M3 covertible but he had a hardtop instead maybe want to look into that if you get the convertible, i personally proabably would be in the same situation as you, itd be
to have to the vert, but at the sametime the coupe is faster
Last edited by Mizouse; 03-18-2005 at 02:38 AM.
03-18-2005 | 02:42 AM
#10
styling on you
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 5,274
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From: Los Angeles, California
Originally Posted by YuppieCL
i KNOW... thats what I was thinking too.... i mean, i'm in jersey/pa all the time... so i'll be able to take the top down May through September... 5.. maybe only 4 months out of the year..
and i KNOW i'll turn into those idiots i'll see with the top down and its like 50 degrees outside...
coupe is FAST... no question about it.... but the cabrio is HOT.... i'm able to pay the extra loot to have it, but i dont know if it'd be worth it overall...
this car is going to be my DAILY DRIVER except for winter days with snow on the ground.....
but i've ALWAYS wanted a convertible!!!!!! if i'm going all out on a car, i may as well get the cabrio... no?
and i KNOW i'll turn into those idiots i'll see with the top down and its like 50 degrees outside...
coupe is FAST... no question about it.... but the cabrio is HOT.... i'm able to pay the extra loot to have it, but i dont know if it'd be worth it overall...
this car is going to be my DAILY DRIVER except for winter days with snow on the ground.....
but i've ALWAYS wanted a convertible!!!!!! if i'm going all out on a car, i may as well get the cabrio... no?
Oh yea what do you do mann, i want to be able to afford an M3 when im 23!
03-18-2005 | 03:28 AM
#11
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Renton, WA
id get the coupe...to me an m3 is all about the performance, and i couldnt handle the extra weight of the vert
get a coupe, save the extra cash you would have spent for the vert, and get a used mid 90s miata
done and done
get a coupe, save the extra cash you would have spent for the vert, and get a used mid 90s miata
done and done
03-18-2005 | 07:36 AM
#12
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From: Western New York
Buy the convertible, there is NOTHING compared to buzzin' around in an open topped car on a nice day. For colder months, buy the optional hardtop I believe is available for the car. Are you gonna track the car? If not, who the fook cares if you lose a couple tenths? It will be more than make up for it when you have the top down and a huuuuuuge grin on your face. Trust me, I looked at a Z coupe/'vert and bought the vert--no contest.
03-18-2005 | 07:42 AM
#13
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Hellertown, Pa. USA
I’m not a convertible guy so I can’t recommend one, but living in PA/NJ I don’t think you’d get enough use out of it.
Even if it’s not snowing out, you still have to deal with rain in the summer.
Did you test drive the C6 Vette before you put money down on the BMW ???
Both cheaper and WAY more powerful. Even the convertible.
Shawn S
Even if it’s not snowing out, you still have to deal with rain in the summer.
Did you test drive the C6 Vette before you put money down on the BMW ???
Both cheaper and WAY more powerful. Even the convertible.
Shawn S
03-18-2005 | 09:08 AM
#14
Beware of leakage
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: Shreveport, Louisiana, just east of nowhere
I'm a coupe person, but if you really want the vert because you've never had one and having the itch, you at least picked a good one to be "that" convertible.
I having been thinking of an S2000 w/option hardtop, and this is from a non convertible seeking perspective.
Good luck, and I'm jealous
I having been thinking of an S2000 w/option hardtop, and this is from a non convertible seeking perspective.
Good luck, and I'm jealous
03-18-2005 | 09:18 AM
#15
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From: Swansea, MA
While you'd still be giving up the rigidity of a coupe with the cabrio, their is also the hardtop option (more $$), which looks better IMHO. For a daily all year driver, I'd go with a coupe for myself, but for a summer only car, the cabrio would get my vote.
The COO here at work just got a black metalic m3 cabrio w/ hardtop to replace his old (2002) imola red m3 with hardtop...
I was looking at used M3's the other day and found his old one at his dealer...
http://autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=177663339
The COO here at work just got a black metalic m3 cabrio w/ hardtop to replace his old (2002) imola red m3 with hardtop...
I was looking at used M3's the other day and found his old one at his dealer...
http://autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=177663339
03-18-2005 | 09:43 AM
#19
Suzuka Master
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
Originally Posted by Shawn S
I’m not a convertible guy so I can’t recommend one, but living in PA/NJ I don’t think you’d get enough use out of it.
Even if it’s not snowing out, you still have to deal with rain in the summer.
Did you test drive the C6 Vette before you put money down on the BMW ???
Both cheaper and WAY more powerful. Even the convertible.
Shawn S
Even if it’s not snowing out, you still have to deal with rain in the summer.
Did you test drive the C6 Vette before you put money down on the BMW ???
Both cheaper and WAY more powerful. Even the convertible.
Shawn S
Shawn has a very good point.
03-18-2005 | 09:53 AM
#22
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03-18-2005 | 10:11 AM
#24
Got da Internet Goin Nutz
Joined: Oct 2001
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From: The Land of Sugar, TEXAS
My 2 cents:
$0.01 I had a convertible in college and currently have one as my "fun" car. It is EXCELLENT for weekends or beautiful days when I want to drop the top. As long as I have a wife and a mother I won't have a motorcycle so a convertible is about as close as I can get. It really is fun and if I could afford a pimpish one it would fun and pimp.
$0.02 I would not have a convertible as a daily driver. They are not as quiet inside as a true coupe so when you let the top you still know you are in a convertible. The easy solution to this is to get a hardtop. I have a hardtop and I must say although it is a good solution you will find yourself not wanting to go throught what it takes to take it off and put it back on. In the end you will always either have it on or off.
In conclusion If I were you I would seriously consider getting two cars. I mean as expensive as an M3 is, do you REALLY want it as your daily driver? Why not get a cheap daily driver and a slightly used M3 convertible. If you must daily drive the M3 get a cheap convertible for top down fun and get the M3 coupe. Convertibles are daily drivers in Florida and southern Cali and that's it.
$0.01 I had a convertible in college and currently have one as my "fun" car. It is EXCELLENT for weekends or beautiful days when I want to drop the top. As long as I have a wife and a mother I won't have a motorcycle so a convertible is about as close as I can get. It really is fun and if I could afford a pimpish one it would fun and pimp.
$0.02 I would not have a convertible as a daily driver. They are not as quiet inside as a true coupe so when you let the top you still know you are in a convertible. The easy solution to this is to get a hardtop. I have a hardtop and I must say although it is a good solution you will find yourself not wanting to go throught what it takes to take it off and put it back on. In the end you will always either have it on or off.
In conclusion If I were you I would seriously consider getting two cars. I mean as expensive as an M3 is, do you REALLY want it as your daily driver? Why not get a cheap daily driver and a slightly used M3 convertible. If you must daily drive the M3 get a cheap convertible for top down fun and get the M3 coupe. Convertibles are daily drivers in Florida and southern Cali and that's it.
03-18-2005 | 12:59 PM
#25
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From: Chicago Burbs
Originally Posted by Jerky
removable hard top sounds like the best solution
whats the price on that option?
whats the price on that option?
yea, thats what the m3 vert needs, more added weight.
I say get the coupe. Have you looked at resale of the M3 verts, they are terrible. Most dont want a heavy sports car. Get the coupe!!
Plus i had a convertible back in HS, its fun for the first year then gets old. Only time i enjoyed it was at night but it was rarely warm enough at night to enjoy it.
03-18-2005 | 05:54 PM
#27
///M POWER
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 15,299
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From: West Bloomfield, MI
who wants a heavy sports car???
if your gonna get a vert y waste your $$$, get a 330 or 325
i honestly think small ass convertible cars are for females and gay guys
get the coupe yuppie, faster, cheaper, looks and handles better
if your gonna get a vert y waste your $$$, get a 330 or 325
i honestly think small ass convertible cars are for females and gay guys
get the coupe yuppie, faster, cheaper, looks and handles better
03-18-2005 | 06:47 PM
#29
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From: Communist, NY
Coupe.......
Almost 400lbs lighter and less expensive.
You don't live in Florida or any of the other fair weather areas, so the use you would get out of the vert would be minimal at best.
Almost 400lbs lighter and less expensive.
You don't live in Florida or any of the other fair weather areas, so the use you would get out of the vert would be minimal at best.
03-18-2005 | 06:50 PM
#30
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From: Communist, NY
Originally Posted by Shawn S
I’m not a convertible guy so I can’t recommend one, but living in PA/NJ I don’t think you’d get enough use out of it.
Even if it’s not snowing out, you still have to deal with rain in the summer.
Did you test drive the C6 Vette before you put money down on the BMW ???
Both cheaper and WAY more powerful. Even the convertible.
Shawn S
Even if it’s not snowing out, you still have to deal with rain in the summer.
Did you test drive the C6 Vette before you put money down on the BMW ???
Both cheaper and WAY more powerful. Even the convertible.
Shawn S
Got to the Vette board, lot of people having problems with them.......there are 2 guys on the Benz board who traded their C6s for SLK55s (already).
I like the car, but GM needs to get their act together.
03-18-2005 | 11:01 PM
#33
Burning Brakes
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If you get the Cab just get a hardtop as others have said.
But my advice is get the coupe, and get the ZCP package!
BTW you will love the Imola interior, I have it in miine, but mines Imola on the outside as wee.
But my advice is get the coupe, and get the ZCP package!
BTW you will love the Imola interior, I have it in miine, but mines Imola on the outside as wee.
03-19-2005 | 12:32 AM
#34
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From: NY
Originally Posted by Crazy Sellout
But then again, get what YOU want. I was just expressing what i would do. 
focker... thats what people have been saying to me ALL DAY long...
went like "i would do this.... but it all comes down to what you want".... grr.
03-19-2005 | 12:34 AM
#35
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From: NY
Originally Posted by ilitig8
If you get the Cab just get a hardtop as others have said.
But my advice is get the coupe, and get the ZCP package!
BTW you will love the Imola interior, I have it in miine, but mines Imola on the outside as wee.
But my advice is get the coupe, and get the ZCP package!
BTW you will love the Imola interior, I have it in miine, but mines Imola on the outside as wee.
03-19-2005 | 12:39 AM
#36
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From: NY
Originally Posted by Shawn S
Did you test drive the C6 Vette before you put money down on the BMW ???
Both cheaper and WAY more powerful. Even the convertible.
Both cheaper and WAY more powerful. Even the convertible.
i dont like chevy's!vette is beautiful, but i picture some 50 y/o guy in one.... not me....
i'm filling a void getting the M, even tho it is the last model year of the e46... its been my favorite car since i first saw the e36 m3.... always been the car i've always wanted....
"i hereby solemnly swear to never act like stuck-up bimmer my-shit-dont-stink trash"
03-19-2005 | 12:53 AM
#38
Suzuka Master
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Charlotte
I say get a vert. How often are you going to need those extra .6 seconds to get to 60 faster? Plus with the hardtop on it should be just as quiet as a coupe. My dad had a 3 series convertable (E36 328) and he loved it. His only complaint was it needed more power. Now he has an older coupe (E30 325 is) which is probably almost as fast, but he always wishes he has the convertable back.
And there is a guy around here who drives one all the time. In the winter he has a hardtop, and in the summer, the top is down. But I usually stare at the Z8 that parks next to him
I actually see quite a few M3 verts around my town, so I guess some people still want them
And there is a guy around here who drives one all the time. In the winter he has a hardtop, and in the summer, the top is down. But I usually stare at the Z8 that parks next to him
I actually see quite a few M3 verts around my town, so I guess some people still want them
03-19-2005 | 12:55 AM
#39
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From: NY
Originally Posted by Chopper
S0 what did Moses decide ? 
as STUPID as it seems, the dumb deciding factors were...
1) i can't get Sirius Sat Radio on the cabrio... (stern in 06)
2) potential wind noise at highway speeds
3) the demo m3 cabrio i was in today has a SQUEEKY roof!
4) i'm losing the subs in the H/K audio package
5) i hate the way it looks with the top up, but its gorgeous w/ the top down
6) adding the hardtop would be like $6k more than the coupe i speced out
7) it'd be my daily driver, so cabrio wouldn't be practical....
SOO.... i lieu of this... i decided on the car ride home today that i was going to get the coupe and treat myself to the oem 19's since i'm not getting the cabrio....
my salesperson hates me right now.... i did the credit app today, signed some stuff, got approved, made her take me out in the cabrio and wasted 2 hours of her time today talking about the cabrio.... to get the coupe...
she knew i was undecided so she gave me until tommorrow morning to decide... really cool lady, local dealer in PA... i haven't even given her my deposit yet... $2400 off MSRP...
stupid Park Ave BMW high-balled me, took my deposit and probably laughed when i left.... after confering w Beltfed and others, i realized i got raped.... and my deposit STILL hasn't been credited back to my card....
i'm going to my dealer tommorrow to give the final OK to order up my car for May delivery...
now whose going to teach me how to drive a manual tranny???? i only know how to use a clutch with my left hand....
03-19-2005 | 12:58 AM
#40
Suzuka Master
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 8,620
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From: Charlotte
Originally Posted by YuppieCL
i had TOUGH competition for the cabrio from my DAD, my BROTHER, and alot of YOU GUYS...
as STUPID as it seems, the dumb deciding factors were...
1) i can't get Sirius Sat Radio on the cabrio... (stern in 06)
2) potential wind noise at highway speeds
3) the demo m3 cabrio i was in today has a SQUEEKY roof!
4) i'm losing the subs in the H/K audio package
5) i hate the way it looks with the top up, but its gorgeous w/ the top down
6) adding the hardtop would be like $6k more than the coupe i speced out
7) it'd be my daily driver, so cabrio wouldn't be practical....
SOO.... i lieu of this... i decided on the car ride home today that i was going to get the coupe and treat myself to the oem 19's since i'm not getting the cabrio....
my salesperson hates me right now.... i did the credit app today, signed some stuff, got approved, made her take me out in the cabrio and wasted 2 hours of her time today talking about the cabrio.... to get the coupe...
she knew i was undecided so she gave me until tommorrow morning to decide... really cool lady, local dealer in PA... i haven't even given her my deposit yet... $2400 off MSRP...
stupid Park Ave BMW high-balled me, took my deposit and probably laughed when i left.... after confering w Beltfed and others, i realized i got raped.... and my deposit STILL hasn't been credited back to my card....
i'm going to my dealer tommorrow to give the final OK to order up my car for May delivery...
now whose going to teach me how to drive a manual tranny???? i only know how to use a clutch with my left hand....
as STUPID as it seems, the dumb deciding factors were...
1) i can't get Sirius Sat Radio on the cabrio... (stern in 06)
2) potential wind noise at highway speeds
3) the demo m3 cabrio i was in today has a SQUEEKY roof!
4) i'm losing the subs in the H/K audio package
5) i hate the way it looks with the top up, but its gorgeous w/ the top down
6) adding the hardtop would be like $6k more than the coupe i speced out
7) it'd be my daily driver, so cabrio wouldn't be practical....
SOO.... i lieu of this... i decided on the car ride home today that i was going to get the coupe and treat myself to the oem 19's since i'm not getting the cabrio....
my salesperson hates me right now.... i did the credit app today, signed some stuff, got approved, made her take me out in the cabrio and wasted 2 hours of her time today talking about the cabrio.... to get the coupe...
she knew i was undecided so she gave me until tommorrow morning to decide... really cool lady, local dealer in PA... i haven't even given her my deposit yet... $2400 off MSRP...
stupid Park Ave BMW high-balled me, took my deposit and probably laughed when i left.... after confering w Beltfed and others, i realized i got raped.... and my deposit STILL hasn't been credited back to my card....
i'm going to my dealer tommorrow to give the final OK to order up my car for May delivery...
now whose going to teach me how to drive a manual tranny???? i only know how to use a clutch with my left hand....
I'll teach you on my dads Bimmer if I get to drive yours