Why *not* buy an M3 vert?

I was originally considering a coupe myself, to track etc. Then my 11 year old twins saw an M3 convertible in a local parking with the top down and said dad, you need to get one of those. First time my kids ever really showed real interest in what I bought. I sold my porsche 911 and picked up a very well maintained 2003 M3 vert SMG. Also, my first automatic fun car. The SMG was just interesting to me from a gadget perspective. My first convertible and I absolutely love it. And although the back seat is a bit small the only people back there are my kids. More than enough room. So I've decided to put the track days on the back burner and instead put on an aftermarket exhaust, adjustable coilovers, some carbon fiber bits, and some crazy custom blue wheels. What a great street machine. Living in MI means it's put away for the winter but the top is down most days between late April and late November. Kids absolutely enjoy the wind blowing in their hair driving up and down Woodward. I will be in this car for a long while. I guess I can't really comment on how much chicks dig it... I usually have my girl in the car so no comment from other women. And when it's parked I usually get comments from guys. Not sure of the chick factor on this car. The 911 got all the women comments.

So back to original poster here... Be sure you buy the car that fits your wants/needs. I never saw myself as vert owner, but I can't see owning a M3 coupe now. I really enjoy this car.

Originally Posted by TerraPhantm

Are you sure about that? BMW quotes different numbers for when the top is up vs down. If the rag top can add to the stiffness, then I would think the hard top would add even more since it can't flex nearly as much

No, not certain. Where have they posted those numbers?

Certainly wouldn't get you anywhere close to coupe numbers, I'd think.

Originally Posted by Obioban

No, not certain. Where have they posted those numbers?

Certainly wouldn't get you anywhere close to coupe numbers, I'd think.

I don't know about raw performance numbers, but the feel is definitely different when the hardtop is on.... To me at least.

I love my vert too...
I think it's a specially car because you have 2 car in one...
With the Hard top on it it's the same car like a coupe...

The weight it isn't very important because you never go to the track like the others...

If I tracked I would got a coupe. But i don't and I live in SoCal. My car is fun as fvck. But seriously, verts aren't fun until you get a really loud exhaust.

Amen bro

I have both.....Coupe Mon to Fri, Vert top down on the weekends= priceless

Originally Posted by ///M Powerd

I'm jelly bro, it rains 364 days out of the year here in Vancouver, Canada so I had to opt for the coupe.

Agreed. I love my coupe but a part of me really wanted a vert.

Originally Posted by Obioban

No, not certain. Where have they posted those numbers?

Certainly wouldn't get you anywhere close to coupe numbers, I'd think.

You know, I can't actually find the numbers for BMW -- I might have been confusing it with the Mecedes SL (which is 17000 NM/º top down, and 21000 NM/º top up). What is noteworthy however is BMW published two numbers for the convertible:

In the initial E46/c aftersales training module, BMW lists 9000 NM/º for the E46 convertible. In the E93 document, BMW lists 11,500 NM/º for the E46 convertible (which interestingly enough is quite close to the numbers floating around for the coupe... which makes me think the coupe and sedan numbers are wrong)

E46 document: http://www.bmwtech.ru/pdf/e46/ST039/E46ICBody.pdf
E93 document: http://ec2-54-228-9-180.eu-west-1.co...te-Vehicle.pdf

I do believe the hard top must add some rigidity. Much in the same way the bracing between the roof and the body adds rigidity to sunroof-less models. The only thing I can find on the E46 (non-M) is that the dynamic rigidity numbers match the E39 at 29Hz twisting and 26Hz bending. I can't find anything about static rigidity. BMW also states the M3 has increased rigidity over the standard models due to extra gusset plates and weld points. Apparently our C-pillars are also reinforced.

For me the one thing that really bugged me about the vert was the trunk lid. I always liked the coupe csl style trunk and was so bummed that I coukdnt get it so I decided to make a custom trunk to emulate the coupes csl trunk. Id say it makes the vert look much more agressive

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Originally Posted by carbon_schwarz

For me the one thing that really bugged me about the vert was the trunk lid. I always liked the coupe csl style trunk and was so bummed that I coukdnt get it so I decided to make a custom trunk to emulate the coupes csl trunk. Id say it makes the vert look much more agressiveAttachment 490168Attachment 490169Attachment 490170

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You made that? How. Please do tell?

Did you just buy the add on and have it molded?

Originally Posted by carbon_schwarz

For me the one thing that really bugged me about the vert was the trunk lid. I always liked the coupe csl style trunk and was so bummed that I coukdnt get it so I decided to make a custom trunk to emulate the coupes csl trunk. Id say it makes the vert look much more agressiveAttachment 490168Attachment 490169Attachment 490170

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We are wheel twins.

^ not for long

Originally Posted by Snik

^ not for long

Lol two more weeks

All 3 series trunks are vastly different from each other in dimentions and there is no such lip for a vert cause of the height of the trunk snd the shape of the handle. I bought a lip for a sedan and spent hours cutting it to fit the vert trunk, then i moulded it in myself. I also took a coupe trunk handle and widened it to the length of a vert handle and took the guts out of the vert handle and put it into the modded coupe one so I still retain my key hole. A friend of mine has the vorstiener vert trunk, we both agree that mine is much more unique and agressive . I would be able to build this exact trunk again or in a few other ways, such as the csl look without a handle but its much more work.

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Frikin sick dude.

I love my Vert. If I had to complain, it does rattle a little bit more than I would like, but, what vert doesn't unless it is a hardtop. Agreed on the Coupe vs Vert. I have a buddy with a Coupe and we have lined up many times, the difference is so slight it is almost not worth discussing. As for tracks, not sure what the hell that guy is talking about, I have tracked my car several times, most events I have been allow convertibles as long as there is some type of rollover system OR rollbars. The M3 has a rollover system. I have a SS Sport exhaust with Euro headers and OH MAN, with the top down getting on it, it is fantastic. My opinion, when it is sunny and I am enjoying the hell out of my ride with the top down and wind blowing and exhaust talking, you can have your 400 lbs with the sunroof cracked.

I like verts, I just can't bring myself to own one. If I lived in Florida or California I probably would, though.

Sunny weather - top down
Rainy weather - hardtop on

What's not to like?