E46 M3, cab vs coupe.
Discussion
Hi Everyone
I was chatting with a close friend of the family about the car I intend on saving up to buy in a year or so's time. They currently have a low mileage 02 m3 coupe, I've had an e90 3 for 3 years now, which was my first beemer, and apart from the odd coil pack issues has been a lovely car to drive and live with. After talking with them, I was after a second opinion from another current owner.
My 1st question is, how much stiffer is the e46 likely to be, if say running on the standard 18" wheels? I chose the 18" on my car after trying the 19s and finding the handling far too crashy and un compromising, even if they did look nice.
But the main question, which is the subject title, I've always fancied an M3 convertible. Picture this, early 2002 working in my dad's bakery, I've been up since 330 am, outside the shop, pulls up a brand new m3 cab, roof, down, owned by a regular customer who previously had a 993, me - covered in flour after several hours of slaving, standing gobsmacked staring at this beast. Absolute legend of a guy then askes me if I want a quick blast, must've been 6 degrees, it burned a very large m3 sized whole in my memory of - 1. He let me sit in his brand new car filthy as anything (top bloke), and 2. the noise, the thrust and grin it left me with.
TLDR.
How compromised is the driving experience in the cab vs the coupe? Will I get 6 months down the line and really wish I'd stuck with my first instinct to go with the coupe?
I was chatting with a close friend of the family about the car I intend on saving up to buy in a year or so's time. They currently have a low mileage 02 m3 coupe, I've had an e90 3 for 3 years now, which was my first beemer, and apart from the odd coil pack issues has been a lovely car to drive and live with. After talking with them, I was after a second opinion from another current owner.
My 1st question is, how much stiffer is the e46 likely to be, if say running on the standard 18" wheels? I chose the 18" on my car after trying the 19s and finding the handling far too crashy and un compromising, even if they did look nice.
But the main question, which is the subject title, I've always fancied an M3 convertible. Picture this, early 2002 working in my dad's bakery, I've been up since 330 am, outside the shop, pulls up a brand new m3 cab, roof, down, owned by a regular customer who previously had a 993, me - covered in flour after several hours of slaving, standing gobsmacked staring at this beast. Absolute legend of a guy then askes me if I want a quick blast, must've been 6 degrees, it burned a very large m3 sized whole in my memory of - 1. He let me sit in his brand new car filthy as anything (top bloke), and 2. the noise, the thrust and grin it left me with.
TLDR.
How compromised is the driving experience in the cab vs the coupe? Will I get 6 months down the line and really wish I'd stuck with my first instinct to go with the coupe?
I've not owned either however I fancy an E46 M3 Cab too. Scuttle shake and chassis flex is the big issue with all such convertibles, and having owned a few it does really effect the handling. I'm sure the purests will be along soon to warn you off the cab, however I feel the benefit of being able to put the roof down on those lovely warm mornings is a big enough attraction of overlook the scuttle shake. Besides, my days of ragging cars around corners are long gone!
How compromised is the driving experience in the cab vs the coupe? Will I get 6 months down the line and really wish I'd stuck with my first instinct to go with the coupe?
Stick with your instinct and go for a coupe with a sunroof. I had one for two years and it was great (SMG) My mate owned a cab and the difference was huge when pushing on, try both and be honest with yourself about what you are looking for from your car.
Stick with your instinct and go for a coupe with a sunroof. I had one for two years and it was great (SMG) My mate owned a cab and the difference was huge when pushing on, try both and be honest with yourself about what you are looking for from your car.
It depends on what you want.If you want an M3 buy the coupe.If you want a very nice,fast,good looking convertible get the cab.
I owned a M3 cab for 5 yrs and it was a great car but at the time of buying I was after a 'convertible car' which ticked all the boxes and not specifically an M3 if that makes any sense.
I owned a M3 cab for 5 yrs and it was a great car but at the time of buying I was after a 'convertible car' which ticked all the boxes and not specifically an M3 if that makes any sense.
I really like my cab SMGII. It ticks all boxes as far as I'm concerned. The suspension is quite stiff and I don't think it's particularly wobbly - and I've come from a TVR Cerbera on ohlin suspension. It's a great car that does everything well. And it sounds nice under full throttle with the roof down!
Agree with the posts above. People get far too hung up on scuttle shake. If you drive around poorly surfaced country roads and blind bends like your pants are on fire and it does bother you then fit coilovers and stiffer bracing. It will then handle as well as a stock coupe, so say those in the know.
I love mine to bits. It does everything well and can take 4 in comfort. It gets enough attention without getting the wrong sort. Just buy a well cared for example with a FSH and you will never regret it.
I love mine to bits. It does everything well and can take 4 in comfort. It gets enough attention without getting the wrong sort. Just buy a well cared for example with a FSH and you will never regret it.
I've had both - a 2003 E46 Coupe for about 18 months, and a 2006 E46 Cab for about 4 years, both of them SMG.
Whilst I guess the shake did exist on the cab, I doubt I would have really noticed if people didn't keep talking about it, and it certainly didn't bother me in using the car! The handling was way in excess of what is honestly needed on the road, and when I drove a friends Cab round Bedford following a coupe for several laps, there was really nothing in it (maybe Senna would notice the difference, but not most of us mortals!), although the brakes did apparently get a bit toasty after sustained lapping, hauling down that weight.
I did prefer the seats in the coupe, however there was more headroom in the cab (not just with the roof down...), but not as much rear seat room, which is why I ended up selling it since I couldn't really get the kids in the back seat behind me.
On a sunny day, it was a lovely place to be, so don't be put off if you want a cab!
Whilst I guess the shake did exist on the cab, I doubt I would have really noticed if people didn't keep talking about it, and it certainly didn't bother me in using the car! The handling was way in excess of what is honestly needed on the road, and when I drove a friends Cab round Bedford following a coupe for several laps, there was really nothing in it (maybe Senna would notice the difference, but not most of us mortals!), although the brakes did apparently get a bit toasty after sustained lapping, hauling down that weight.
I did prefer the seats in the coupe, however there was more headroom in the cab (not just with the roof down...), but not as much rear seat room, which is why I ended up selling it since I couldn't really get the kids in the back seat behind me.
On a sunny day, it was a lovely place to be, so don't be put off if you want a cab!
Thanks for all the excellent replies Gents. I would mainly be using the car for the odd roadtrip along the south coast, the odd tunnel run/weekend blast and my chariot for Le Mans. I think if I went the coupe route I would be inclined to track it every now and then, which I wouldn't if got the cab. I need to really figure out which is more important to me. re the Z4, I do really like them but we would need to be able to put the cats on the back seat every now and then ( strapped in box ) which pretty much veto'd 2 seaters.
Someone was telling me a few important things to look out for, making sure the run in service had been completed and another that surprised me was not running the car on super premium fuels ie higher than 97 octane? Is there any substance to this? He had said that the car was not originally setup for the higher octane and would suffer in the long run?
Someone was telling me a few important things to look out for, making sure the run in service had been completed and another that surprised me was not running the car on super premium fuels ie higher than 97 octane? Is there any substance to this? He had said that the car was not originally setup for the higher octane and would suffer in the long run?
I've also had both in SMG II.
The Coupe felt sharper, quicker on acceleration. Most likely down to the fact it's a fair few kg's lighter than the cab and even more so when the cab has a hard top on. But the cab is great when the weather allows to have the roof down and you can hear the magical sound of the M!
I'd always run the M's on Shell V-Power and believe that's 98 octane? And I didn't experience any issues whatsoever.
The Coupe felt sharper, quicker on acceleration. Most likely down to the fact it's a fair few kg's lighter than the cab and even more so when the cab has a hard top on. But the cab is great when the weather allows to have the roof down and you can hear the magical sound of the M!
I'd always run the M's on Shell V-Power and believe that's 98 octane? And I didn't experience any issues whatsoever.
Edited by Naddy786 on Wednesday 19th September 10:26
I've had both. As someone else has already said, if you hadn't heard people banging on about it, you wouldn't even think about/particularly notice the 'scuttle shake' or 'wobbles' issue. They are there BUT you really have to feel for them and in everyday driving (even very spirited) you'll wonder what you were worrying about. And, judging by what you say you'll use the car for, then I'd say the cab will definitely give you more smiles per mile.
The only thing I would say is if you go for a cab get 18" wheels NOT 19"s. We all know that the coupe is a sweeter drive on 18"s (but most of us still go for the looks of the 19"s) and this is even more so with the cab.
The only thing I would say is if you go for a cab get 18" wheels NOT 19"s. We all know that the coupe is a sweeter drive on 18"s (but most of us still go for the looks of the 19"s) and this is even more so with the cab.
Dr Boxcat said:
Someone was telling me a few important things to look out for, making sure the run in service had been completed and another that surprised me was not running the car on super premium fuels ie higher than 97 octane? Is there any substance to this? He had said that the car was not originally setup for the higher octane and would suffer in the long run?
I've used Tesco 99RON/Momentum for years now running 2 M3s and the TVR Cerbera with it with no problems at all.
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