Discussion
mwstewart said:
pidsy said:
Very nice.
Who did your restoration?
Thanks. I did. I have a project thread here: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=128...Who did your restoration?
Shuks76 said:
Anyone owned a coupe and convertible? I had a coupe manual a few years back so understand the driving dynamics and would interested to know just how different the convertible body is versus the coupe in terms of handling and ride quality.
Haven't owned both but...I went out fully intending to buy a convertible- got down to the dealer to view 3 that he had and got chatting - he asked me why I wanted a very, what sort of driving I intended to do, my understanding of what an M car should be and told me that the convertibles are not great cars when it comes to handling. The chassis suffers from flex even at low speed and they don't feel particularly tight.
Then he suggested we go out on extended drives in all 3 and afterwards, a good drive in a coupe.
So off we went and drove. I was genuinely surprised at the way the convertibles felt. We did some very slow driving over speed bumps at a 45 degree angle over the strip (those horrible plastic bumps, not the Tarmac type) and the chassis flex was very noticeable. Taking tight corners was not as firm as I'd have expected either.
All 3 were the same so not just one with iffy suspension. He explained that when BMW derived the convertible, they didn't do much, if any additional strengthening of the chassis so all the rigidity was lost when the roof came off.
After spending a good 6 hours down driving different cars, I ended up with the coupe I have now. if I had to describe driving a vert in one word, it would be "wibbly"
Also worth mentioning that chatting to the service manager at my local BMW dealership whilst mine was in for a new wing, he mentioned that within BMW the general thought was that the convertible should not be classed as a true M car. He said purists buy coupes, those wanting the look at me factor buy verts.
Don't get me wrong, I believe the e46 M3 convertible is one of the best looking convertibles around and I would have bought one had I not driven both on the same day.
Hi Pidsy
I bought a convertible knowing it was a bit wibbly , the reasoning was it was a car for summer weekend trips not for track days or longer drives. I've not regretted it at all, the top down, Vanos on song combination is very beguiling
I'm ok with the compromise, a 'vert is a special but different experience to the coupe. In my book the bigger difference is transmission, I chose manual as the old skool SMG was way too compromised for my liking.
Cheers
I bought a convertible knowing it was a bit wibbly , the reasoning was it was a car for summer weekend trips not for track days or longer drives. I've not regretted it at all, the top down, Vanos on song combination is very beguiling
I'm ok with the compromise, a 'vert is a special but different experience to the coupe. In my book the bigger difference is transmission, I chose manual as the old skool SMG was way too compromised for my liking.
Cheers
I have a cab with a hard top, it makes quite a difference when it's on. Mine is a manual too
It depends on your driving style, I don't drive hard enough regularly enough to need the extra stiffness. I had a an M and convertible itch the needed scratching so why not kill two birds with one stone. It's fast enough and fun in the summer and I don't do tracks. Kind of all the car I really need at the moment.
It depends on your driving style, I don't drive hard enough regularly enough to need the extra stiffness. I had a an M and convertible itch the needed scratching so why not kill two birds with one stone. It's fast enough and fun in the summer and I don't do tracks. Kind of all the car I really need at the moment.
pidsy said:
Shuks76 said:
Anyone owned a coupe and convertible? I had a coupe manual a few years back so understand the driving dynamics and would interested to know just how different the convertible body is versus the coupe in terms of handling and ride quality.
Haven't owned both but...I went out fully intending to buy a convertible- got down to the dealer to view 3 that he had and got chatting - he asked me why I wanted a very, what sort of driving I intended to do, my understanding of what an M car should be and told me that the convertibles are not great cars when it comes to handling. The chassis suffers from flex even at low speed and they don't feel particularly tight.
Then he suggested we go out on extended drives in all 3 and afterwards, a good drive in a coupe.
So off we went and drove. I was genuinely surprised at the way the convertibles felt. We did some very slow driving over speed bumps at a 45 degree angle over the strip (those horrible plastic bumps, not the Tarmac type) and the chassis flex was very noticeable. Taking tight corners was not as firm as I'd have expected either.
All 3 were the same so not just one with iffy suspension. He explained that when BMW derived the convertible, they didn't do much, if any additional strengthening of the chassis so all the rigidity was lost when the roof came off.
After spending a good 6 hours down driving different cars, I ended up with the coupe I have now. if I had to describe driving a vert in one word, it would be "wibbly"
Also worth mentioning that chatting to the service manager at my local BMW dealership whilst mine was in for a new wing, he mentioned that within BMW the general thought was that the convertible should not be classed as a true M car. He said purists buy coupes, those wanting the look at me factor buy verts.
Don't get me wrong, I believe the e46 M3 convertible is one of the best looking convertibles around and I would have bought one had I not driven both on the same day.
I've owned my convertible for 10yrs and driven it enthusiastically at all times, never once had an issue with it being anything other than fully planted (iffy rear coil springs snapping apart, but that happens on all E46s).
Loving the photo guys. I have a Silverstone edition currently on 15,000 miles & completely original. I did put some genuine M359's on as the stock wheels still have the tyres it came from the dealership on so have vacuum pack them away as part of its original history. Ill have to get some photos up tomorrow.
Detailed said:
Loving the photo guys. I have a Silverstone edition currently on 15,000 miles & completely original. I did put some genuine M359's on as the stock wheels still have the tyres it came from the dealership on so have vacuum pack them away as part of its original history. Ill have to get some photos up tomorrow.
Is that the car Hexagon were marketing for some time? mwstewart said:
Is that the car Hexagon were marketing for some time?
That is correct! 
Had it just over a year now. Was going to have it as a weekender but enjoy it too much. Plus it'll be a long time before super low milage E46 M3's will actually be worth £50k, so im just going to keep it and enjoy. Looking to get an M4 end of the year too for the daily commute as it really is an excellent example.https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/12307...
https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/12304...
https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/12310...
https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/12322...
https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/12322...
https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/12314...
Gassing Station | M Power | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff