Why *not* buy an M3 vert?

Vert performance figures are half way between m3 coupe figures and 330i Zhp figures. There's a bigger weight difference between the vert and coupe M3 than there is between the csl and m3 coupe (and weight is what makes the csl the car that it is).

For some people verts are worth it, but there are real and significant downsides.

Also:
Significantly smaller back sear
Significantly smaller trunk
Less rigid chassis
More to fail
Not allowed on track with most groups (including BMWCCA)
Noisier inside

If I really wanted an S54 vert, it'd be a Z4MR. Lighter than the coupe and possibly more rigid than the M3, so the main performance disadvantages are gone. The back seats in the M3 vert are pretty much useless anyway, so the 2-seater aspect isn't a big deal IMO

lmao, my first e46 m3 was a vert.

So what are the drawbacks/tradeoffs of an M3 vert? Having a smaller trunk would be the biggest draw back to my vert.

Do they develop squeaks and rattles and cowl shake? My vert is an 02 and doesn't squeak at all, and the color and quality of the soft top is in very good condition for being almost 13 years old.

Is the windscreen well designed for top down highway driving? Yes.

Is the top well designed and reliable? Only time I ever had problems with my top was when I didn't realize the lever in the trunk wasn't in the right position.

What's it like to drive with the top *up?*
One of the biggest things I noticed when I first got the car was, when it rains it sounds awesome. The chicks also really dig the car.

Originally Posted by BWOODM3

One of the biggest things I noticed when I first got the car was, when it rains it sounds awesome.

It sounds like horses galloping

only reason i got a vert i got an amazing deal on it + AW on IR cant pass that up

I bought a vert because the particular car i found was in good condition. I notice it is somewhat squeaky especially on rough roads. It's never annoying though. I developed a small leak on my A pillar which I'm guessing would not have happened if it wasn't a vert. This happens only after HUGE rain storms or rain that lasts more than 3 days. Basically a few times a year and its a few drips that come in when i drive off never anything big. It's not a constant leak all through the rain though.

Driving with the top up feels completely normal. It does have a bigger blind spot but it has never bothered me. I'm a safe driver. You forget it's a convertible when the top is up. My top has been reliable.

Driving with the top down is a feeling like no other. I can't describe it but it feels great to be out in the open when you're driving.

Originally Posted by Obioban

Vert performance figures are half way between m3 coupe figures and 330i Zhp figures. There's a bigger weight difference between the vert and coupe M3 than there is between the csl and m3 coupe (and weight is what makes the csl the car that it is).

For some people verts are worth it, but there are real and significant downsides.

Also:
Significantly smaller back sear
Significantly smaller trunk
Less rigid chassis
More to fail
Not allowed on track with most groups (including BMWCCA)
Noisier inside

It's a 0.2 second difference I think. Then the ZHP is about 0.4 in addition to that...

E46 M3 Coupe: 4.9
E46 M3 Vert: 5.2
E46 330ci ZHP: 5.6-6.0

Verts are only fun with really loud exhaust.

drop the top after car sex for a good breeze to cool off

Originally Posted by Jblack4083

It's a 0.2 second difference I think. Then the ZHP is about 0.4 in addition to that...

E46 M3 Coupe: 4.9
E46 M3 Vert: 5.2
E46 330ci ZHP: 5.6-6.0

BMW actually quoted 4.8s for the M3, I'm pretty sure. So .4s both sides -- right in the middle

Regardless of what the press release numbers are I'm pretty sure the difference in feel and power deliver between the 3 will show the vert feeling exactly like the coupe and the zhp feeling much much slower.

Originally Posted by Adamo99

I love my vert. Ignore the insecure guys that can't/won't drive one. They're a blast to drive in the summer months.

Exactly!!! They have no clue.

Originally Posted by Snik

Regardless of what the press release numbers are I'm pretty sure the difference in feel and power deliver between the 3 will show the vert feeling exactly like the coupe and the zhp feeling much much slower.

I've driven all three, many times. The vert feels very much in the middle of two in terms of acceleration, and worse than the zhp in terms of handling.

Not my daily driver but all the stares and people saying nice car when I drive it , is a good feeling..

The performance difference between the coupe and convertible is academic on the public roads where most of us do 98% of our driving. The published naught to 60 mph times in enthusiast magazines are the result of test drivers subjecting test vehicles to a level of abuse to which no sane owner would consider submitting his own car. Road & Track magazine, which recorded a scorching 4.7 second naught to 60 mph time in its initial test of the e46 M3 in 2001, did so by disabling the traction control, revving the engine to 3500 rpm, and side-stepping the clutch. After its round of track tests, the car was sent back to BMW, who likely needed to replace the clutch and God knows what else.

There is more than just a weight differential between the M3 coupe and the M3 CSL. The CSL is tuned to make an additional 22 bhp over the US version (355 bhp vs 333 bhp).

The long and short of it is that each person should buy what he or she wants. If you like driving a performance car out in the open air, get the convertible. If you would rarely or never drop the top, get the coupe.

Originally Posted by DSilk56

The performance difference between the coupe and convertible is academic on the public roads where most of us do 98% of our driving. The published naught to 60 mph times in enthusiast magazines are the result of test drivers subjecting test vehicles to a level of abuse to which no sane owner would consider submitting his own car. Road & Track magazine, which recorded a scorching 4.7 second naught to 60 mph time in its initial test of the e46 M3 in 2001, did so by disabling the traction control, revving the engine to 3500 rpm, and side-stepping the clutch. After its round of track tests, the car was sent back to BMW, who likely needed to replace the clutch and God knows what else.

There is more than just a weight differential between the M3 coupe and the M3 CSL. The CSL is tuned to make an additional 22 bhp over the US version (355 bhp vs 333 bhp).

The long and short of it is that each person should buy what he or she wants. If you like driving a performance car out in the open air, get the convertible. If you would rarely or never drop the top, get the coupe.

How they achieved the times is totally irrelevant. If you Launch them all responsibly (but equally), the performance difference between the cars remains the same.

Yes, the CSL has marginally more horsepower as well. Amusing fact: despite that, and the weight, BMW had the same published 0-60 for the CSL and normal M3 coupe (4.8)... vs 5.2 for the vert. I suspect that was a bit of underrating, but still indicates a bigger performance difference between the coupe and the vert than the CSL and the coupe.

For sure, for some people the open air experience is worth the performance and practicality trade off. But that doesn't mean there is no trade off.

Unrelated note, I can get my car under 5 second 0-60 (per vbox) without doing anything overly abusive. I replaced my clutch preventatively at 100,000 miles, and it still had >50% of that material left (with me driving the car since new). This clutch I'll be leaving it till at least 250,000 miles.

BMW was clearly hedging, given that the weight disparity between the CSL and the standard coupe is about 350 lbs. (3,053 lbs vs. 3,400 lbs.), or nearly the same weight difference between the coupe and convertible.

75 degree day with the top down.....you'll only need to test drive it once. Love it.

I owned both, Love the vert more though. I got a 2006 Vert with 3.91 gears, CSL airbox, Headers and cats, Soft top delete, Evolve tune. I pulled away on every coupe I seen in my area and handling was noticeable compared to the coupe but that changed with the KW2, Handles awesome!! With the right mods you can have the speed and the handling of a coupe but with TOP DOWN and don't forget about no pillars in the Vert. Plus there is ways to get more weight off the car different exhaust, Carbon Fiber hood and trunk, Lightweight wheels. Best one is removing the top and having a hardtop.