Which would you choose? 3-Series Coupe VS Convertible

[The Mixmaster]

Originally Posted by Ahbengdriver

correct this poll is like assuming there is no price consideration.

Frankly I went to see both and from a practical perspective in terms of convenience of getting in/out of a 2 door car for rear passengers, the cabrio wins hand down. You can take the top off and rear passengers just zig/zag to get into rear seats.

However, I had a diff view after I came back from genting/bukit tinggi. Ever wonder why in Malaysia, there are hardly any cabrios?

Did something bad happended? Yes, it's true that if I was living or spending lots of time with my car in Malaysia, I wouldn't buy a cabrio due to concerns about vandalism/theft. But, the E93 cabrio has a hard top.

[ben1]

Would choose the Hardtop cabio as it is like 2 cars in one :-)
If money no issue (but which incidently is most of the time) would go for the 335.

As compromise, a 325 hardtop cabrio would still do

[fooman700]

I'll be damn happy to own and potter around in an 325 black sap/coral red cabrio ............yeah, dream on, for me that is!

[MYSTIC]

Hi Folks

I was very fortunate to have the good blessings to "own" the 335 convertible for 3 full wonderful days - over the Easter Holidays.

It is a wonderful car - don't lose much over the coupe, it is slightly heavier on the move, better balance going into a corner (IMO - vs the coupe) - stupendous flexibility and the engine is a screamer !! Consumption is less than my 323 (7.3/100kms) and I did over 250kms in 3 days.

IMO - for a difference of $30K - you get two cars in one and you should watch the stares when the roof dances !!

It's awesome.......can't wait to get mine in May.

[Azrielsc]

Hey Mystic, why the better balance going into corners? Thought that the heavier roof will cause more roll due to the poor weight distribution?

Any creaks or chassis flex as well?

[weak_pig]

Originally Posted by MYSTIC

It's awesome.......can't wait to get mine in May.

i can only get mine next yr... sigh....

[centurion]

Originally Posted by Azrielsc

Hey Mystic, why the better balance going into corners? Thought that the heavier roof will cause more roll due to the poor weight distribution?

Any creaks or chassis flex as well?

sure you'll get flex, sure got cabrio squeaks, sure the roof is heavy.

BUT this is not a race car. It's a good driving, the best driving, cabrio this side of a Gallardo.

[Physicist]

Originally Posted by Azrielsc

Hey Mystic, why the better balance going into corners? Thought that the heavier roof will cause more roll due to the poor weight distribution?

Any creaks or chassis flex as well?

Hi Sam,

Better balance into the corners because the overall CG is lowered when the roof is stored in the boot. Besides, storing the roof in the boot tends to shift the weight bias towards the rear (you get something like a Porker 911 weight distribution in the same sense). Of course this helps a bit when going into the corner.

1) Approach corner
2) Perform the mandatory braking
3) Weight shifts to the front (rear bias when roof is down >>> weight distribution tends towards perfect 50:50 during braking)
4) Goes into corner with "fake" perfect weight distribution

Of course we don't know how much the distribution is but its just for illustration purpose.

[centurion]

Originally Posted by Physicist

Hi Sam,

Better balance into the corners because the overall CG is lowered when the roof is stored in the boot. Besides, storing the roof in the boot tends to shift the weight bias towards the rear (you get something like a Porker 911 weight distribution in the same sense). Of course this helps a bit when going into the corner.

1) Approach corner
2) Perform the mandatory braking
3) Weight shifts to the front (rear bias when roof is down >>> weight distribution tends towards perfect 50:50 during braking)
4) Goes into corner with "fake" perfect weight distribution

Of course we don't know how much the distribution is but its just for illustration purpose.

You seem to imply that the Cab is better than the coupe.

I cannot accept that assertion. Surely the cab is much more compromised than the coupe.

Well we have to wait for reviews from the brits. They can really talk.

[Physicist]

Holy shiit no I'm not implying anything. Just stating facts. Of course the Coupe is much stiffer than the the Cab and that itself speaks more than anything where track is concerned.

Magazine reviews stated that the Cab is just that lil more prone to understeer (good or bad... its subjective) and feels softer (again subjective).