Did I miss something?
Did I miss something?
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Discussion

sparkyhx

Original Poster:

4,200 posts

235 months

Tuesday 4th December 2018
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I was starting to half heartedly look around to replace my E46 330ci convertible fun car. I've just looked on Autotrader and not a single petrol convertible newer than 2013. Did they stop making them? or are they just rare as rocking horse defecation.


edd344

242 posts

97 months

Tuesday 4th December 2018
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I think that they dropped the coupe for the sixth gen, as they released the 4 series in 2013. Which is pretty much a 3 series coupe.

sparkyhx

Original Poster:

4,200 posts

235 months

Tuesday 4th December 2018
quotequote all
edd344 said:
I think that they dropped the coupe for the sixth gen, as they released the 4 series in 2013. Which is pretty much a 3 series coupe.
how the hell did I miss that - 4 series it is then.

4rephill

5,171 posts

209 months

Tuesday 4th December 2018
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sparkyhx said:
edd344 said:
I think that they dropped the coupe for the sixth gen, as they released the 4 series in 2013. Which is pretty much a 3 series coupe.
how the hell did I miss that - 4 series it is then.
God only knows! - There was a major World-wide outrage when BMW announced it at the time!

twokcc

1,032 posts

208 months

Wednesday 5th December 2018
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sparkyhx said:
I was starting to half heartedly look around to replace my E46 330ci convertible fun car. I've just looked on Autotrader and not a single petrol convertible newer than 2013. Did they stop making them? or are they just rare as rocking horse defecation.
Also got a 2003 e46 330ci and considering replacing it- current choice is a m235i convertible- outside my budget at moment and not driven one yet but with each model change cars getting larger so expecting 2 series to be a similar size and prefer the canvas roof to the 4 series folding metal roof. If you decide to have a look at one post up what you think of it.

edd344

242 posts

97 months

Wednesday 5th December 2018
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twokcc said:
Also got a 2003 e46 330ci and considering replacing it- current choice is a m235i convertible- outside my budget at moment and not driven one yet but with each model change cars getting larger so expecting 2 series to be a similar size and prefer the canvas roof to the 4 series folding metal roof. If you decide to have a look at one post up what you think of it.
Can't comment on the convertible but the standard 2 series is surprisingly spacious.

bodhi

14,750 posts

260 months

Wednesday 5th December 2018
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Coming from an E46 I'd be more tempted to look at the 2-Series too - they are roughly the same size as the E46, and a bit more lively to drive than the 4 Series.

Mr Whippy

32,453 posts

272 months

Wednesday 5th December 2018
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It’s a shame the 2er looks so tall and thin though

That vertical space above the front wheel arch is somehow huge looking, especially against the E46 Coupe where the top of arch to the bonnet looks half as big.

Is this all because of bonnet to engine gap for running over people safety?

I’ve noted a few people on babybmw forums have been buying new 6 pot (all turbo now) 1/2er stuff after coming from E46 330 stuff, and just not gelling with them properly, especially as fun driving type cars.


Maybe a 125i convertible with a remap and some other tweaks might be worth considering too?
N52 and 265bhp once remapped.

It’s the closest you’ll get to an E46 330Ci convertible... plus if you get a late model it has the recent ish iDrive for all your in-car pissing around in a computer needs.

aeropilot

40,857 posts

258 months

Thursday 6th December 2018
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Mr Whippy said:
I’ve noted a few people on babybmw forums have been buying new 6 pot (all turbo now) 1/2er stuff after coming from E46 330 stuff, and just not gelling with them properly, especially as fun driving type cars.
I test drove a M235i when they first came out, and while I still had my E82 135i......and the 2er was a lot more remote in feel than the E82, so not surprised it feels a lot less so if coming from an E46 (given the E82 was in effect a narrowed and shortened E46)

Mr Whippy said:
Maybe a 125i convertible with a remap and some other tweaks might be worth considering too?
N52 and 265bhp once remapped.

It’s the closest you’ll get to an E46 330Ci convertible... plus if you get a late model it has the recent ish iDrive for all your in-car pissing around in a computer needs.
I'd agree with that.

jas xjr

11,309 posts

270 months

Thursday 6th December 2018
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Would a 6 series be out of the question?

Mr Whippy

32,453 posts

272 months

Thursday 6th December 2018
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Oh for BMW to have an E46 type car again.

Once I have the garage/workshop space I’m fancying getting a B3 3.4s and stuffing a manual from an Alpina Roadster in it and having it as a living memory of BMW before the rot started creeping in... rot being concessions for tarts at the cost of drivers.

bodhi

14,750 posts

260 months

Thursday 6th December 2018
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I went from an E46 to my current 1'er, and if I'm honest, the E46 felt a lot more "remote" than the 125i - but I was coming from a 330d SE Saloon rather than a Coupe or Cab, so YMMV. I have got EPAS in the 1, and there isn't much feel at all, but then there wasn't much in my E46 either so I don't feel I've lost out, especially as the 1 is so much more fun.