E46 M3 - Coupe vs Convertible
Discussion
I am still interested in an E46 M3 after many years of admiring them.
If I do get one it will be the manual with 18" alloys for the better ride (?).
The purest option is the coupe but is the convertible really any more compromised? I would use it as a once a week car and not a driving god so not worried about shaving off a few tenths etc!
Up to speed on sub frame issues and the other weaker areas.
Thanks
If I do get one it will be the manual with 18" alloys for the better ride (?).
The purest option is the coupe but is the convertible really any more compromised? I would use it as a once a week car and not a driving god so not worried about shaving off a few tenths etc!
Up to speed on sub frame issues and the other weaker areas.
Thanks
junglie said:
If I do get one it will be the manual with 18" alloys for the better ride (?).
Good choice, on both points. junglie said:
The purest option is the coupe but is the convertible really any more compromised? I would use it as a once a week car and not a driving god so not worried about shaving off a few tenths etc!
Why would you want the heavier worse handling version? I really don't understand why people buy convertibles. What's good about not having a roof? I sort of agree. I have had a number of convertibles because I think they provide a greater element of excitement in the good weather. However, all of them were designed as convertibles from the outset, and only come in convertible form, so they drove well.
I guess the M3 convertible gives you the best of both worlds, albeit with a degree of compromise, rather than having 2 cars.
I guess the M3 convertible gives you the best of both worlds, albeit with a degree of compromise, rather than having 2 cars.
Jaldi said:
junglie said:
If I do get one it will be the manual with 18" alloys for the better ride (?).
Good choice, on both points. junglie said:
The purest option is the coupe but is the convertible really any more compromised? I would use it as a once a week car and not a driving god so not worried about shaving off a few tenths etc!
Why would you want the heavier worse handling version? I really don't understand why people buy convertibles. What's good about not having a roof? Convertible every time. They sound fantastic roof down and as has been said, after a hard day there is not much better than dropping the hood and cruising or a little hoon in the country.
I use a hardtop in winter and combined with the cooler winter air it feels as quick as without in summer.
Best advice though is to drive both. Oh, you are right, manual and 18s give the most handling fun but 19 CSLs look nice if summer ever comes
I use a hardtop in winter and combined with the cooler winter air it feels as quick as without in summer.
Best advice though is to drive both. Oh, you are right, manual and 18s give the most handling fun but 19 CSLs look nice if summer ever comes
Mr Wolf said:
Nothing against a convertible car but I really don't think an M car should be a convertible.
The whole' Motorsport ethos of the highly tuned engine and sublime chassis is completely pissed upon by cutting off the roof, reducing stiffness and increasing weight.
All imho of course
I do kind of buy into this opinion too...but for everyday driving, where you can't push the car as much as you'd want, having the cab would be fun The whole' Motorsport ethos of the highly tuned engine and sublime chassis is completely pissed upon by cutting off the roof, reducing stiffness and increasing weight.
All imho of course
I don't really understand the 'buy a 330' thing [as fine as that car is] - when you want an M, you want an M. The 330 doesn't have that engine!
I'd have the same issue as you though OP.
the 330 suits a convertible drive, low torq and easy use. If your not going to drive it like an m car then dont buy one...i always found of the 3 years of driving the E46 conv. mid corner hit a bump it would just wobble, wing mirror move, steering wheel moves...made me slow down. The coupe now is far better at getting more out of it....plus its a cs so the brakes dont fade after 10 mins of use...lol
Depends really, are you going to going to the track with it and often going for a drive down the B roads, which you would probably prefer the stability of the coupe for, or for a daily driver, where you would like to put the top down and take it easy which may suit the convertible more?
torqueofthedevil said:
Just found a perfect m3, amazing spec with a fantastic private plate included......but it's a convertible! The sound would be a bonus and nice for a few months in summer (got an mx5 - so I like convertibles) but its just wrong to get a convertible m3 isn't it?!?!?
The one at a specialist sportscar dealer in Nottinghamshire?If it is it's a stunner!
The E46 M3 vert is a wonderful car, it may not have the absolute handling of the Coupe but top down with that awesome soundtrack, makes up for any loss in rigidity IMO!
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