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**TCP/IP** · 29-10-2007, 22:02

Hi Guys,

AS the title says thinking of trading in the Z4 and getting an M3, dont want to really spend more than €55-€60K on the car. Oh and must be a convertible as well.

Any thing to look out for apart from the usual. Would i be better getting her in from the UK?

Thanks
TCP/IP

Ronanom · 29-10-2007, 22:05

Well what do you expect to get for your budget? Year/ Mileage of car-wise?

**TCP/IP** · 29-10-2007, 22:06

Hoping to get a 04 car within that budget under 50,000 miles

kdevitt · 29-10-2007, 22:24

Get it in the UK - you'll get a decent spec, and you'll get one well within your budget.

Victor_M · 30-10-2007, 09:32

TPC/IP,
Make sure you take a coupe M3 for a spin too, just to compare the 2, I have never driven the conv M3 but I believe the handling is massively compromised by the lack of roof.
I had a 320Ci conv a couple of years ago which I got rid of after 5 months due to the scuttle shake. Just my 0.02c
or, if possible get one with a removable hard top, cuts down on road noise massively and stiffens it up too.
Happy shopping.

CarLover · 30-10-2007, 11:22

I'd second Victor's comments...

Soft tops are for chicks

Coupe will be a far better drive and personally looks a lot better.

C_Breeze · 30-10-2007, 11:29

If you're single, buy the convertable.

Victor_M · 30-10-2007, 11:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by C_Breeze

If you're single, buy the convertable.

Why?

CarLover · 30-10-2007, 11:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by C_Breeze

If you're single, buy the convertable.

...and blonde with large breasts...

quarryman · 30-10-2007, 11:53

...and female.

rebel.ranter · 30-10-2007, 11:57

If you are thinking of travelling to UK check out this crowd:

http://www.imc-bmw.com/

I have to point out I have never dealt with them personally but one thing is for sure you are definitely their target market. They have a good selection of M3s all in one place.

I assume the OP understands the lack of a roof can compromise the handling of the car as he drives a Z4. What I would question is would the compromise be really that noticeable in real world driving?
Are comments relating to the poor driving experience really only down to too many people
I know that there are some around here that think convertibles/cabrios/soft tops are for girls but to be honest you'll normally find that males drive the majority of convertibles on our roads. Personaly speaking I can think of no better cure for a hang over than driving with the top down!!

Cyrus · 30-10-2007, 12:06

difference tho z4 originally built as a roadster, m3 cab is a coupe with roof chopped off

kdevitt · 30-10-2007, 12:13

90% of the M3's in the country are never driven hard enough for the handling difference between a coupe and convertible to become evident.

If you're buying it to do trackdays - get the coupe, otherwise the cabrio will be perfectly fine. Hardtop provides additional security too.

Victor_M · 30-10-2007, 12:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by kdevitt

90% of the M3's in the country are never driven hard enough for the handling difference between a coupe and convertible to become evident.

If you're buying it to do trackdays - get the coupe, otherwise the cabrio will be perfectly fine. Hardtop provides additional security too.

I have to say i disagree strongly with that, with the quality of the roads in this country you feel each and every bump rattle it's way through the cabin of a softtop 3 series, I say that having owned 3 E46 coupes (currently an M3) and 1 convertible. That and the noise through the cloth roof.

kdevitt · 30-10-2007, 13:01

I don't recall commenting on road noise? Its obviously going to be noiser with the roof chopped off. I'm sure the OP is aware of that, being a current Z4 owner.

My current E46 M3 doesn't handle any different as such to any E46 cabrio I've driven at normal speeds, and there definitely isn't a huge difference in bumps and rattles.

Another positive is that the cabrio is still slightly more unusual to see on the roads - the coupe is common as muck unfortunately now.

29-10-2007, 22:02	#1
TCP/IP Moderator Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Kildare Posts: 2,448 Adverts \| Friends Mod: Gadgets	Thinking of buying an M3 any advice Hi Guys, AS the title says thinking of trading in the Z4 and getting an M3, dont want to really spend more than €55-€60K on the car. Oh and must be a convertible as well. Any thing to look out for apart from the usual. Would i be better getting her in from the UK? Thanks TCP/IP

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29-10-2007, 22:05	#2
Ronanom Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 399 Adverts \| Friends	Well what do you expect to get for your budget? Year/ Mileage of car-wise?

29-10-2007, 22:06	#3
TCP/IP Moderator Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Kildare Posts: 2,448 Adverts \| Friends Mod: Gadgets	Hoping to get a 04 car within that budget under 50,000 miles

29-10-2007, 22:24	#4
kdevitt Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Dublin, Ireland Posts: 1,535 Adverts \| Friends	Get it in the UK - you'll get a decent spec, and you'll get one well within your budget.

30-10-2007, 09:32	#5
Victor_M Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,593 Adverts \| Friends	TPC/IP, Make sure you take a coupe M3 for a spin too, just to compare the 2, I have never driven the conv M3 but I believe the handling is massively compromised by the lack of roof. I had a 320Ci conv a couple of years ago which I got rid of after 5 months due to the scuttle shake. Just my 0.02c or, if possible get one with a removable hard top, cuts down on road noise massively and stiffens it up too. Happy shopping.

30-10-2007, 11:22	#6
CarLover Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 146 Adverts \| Friends	I'd second Victor's comments... Soft tops are for chicks Coupe will be a far better drive and personally looks a lot better.

30-10-2007, 11:29	#7
C_Breeze Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Dublin Posts: 1,413 Adverts \| Friends	If you're single, buy the convertable.

30-10-2007, 11:53	#10
quarryman Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: here, there and everywhere Posts: 5,849 Adverts \| Friends	...and female.

30-10-2007, 11:57	#11
rebel.ranter Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Cork Posts: 3,306 Adverts \| Friends	If you are thinking of travelling to UK check out this crowd: http://www.imc-bmw.com/ I have to point out I have never dealt with them personally but one thing is for sure you are definitely their target market. They have a good selection of M3s all in one place. I assume the OP understands the lack of a roof can compromise the handling of the car as he drives a Z4. What I would question is would the compromise be really that noticeable in real world driving? Are comments relating to the poor driving experience really only down to too many people I know that there are some around here that think convertibles/cabrios/soft tops are for girls but to be honest you'll normally find that males drive the majority of convertibles on our roads. Personaly speaking I can think of no better cure for a hang over than driving with the top down!!

30-10-2007, 12:06	#12
Cyrus Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Blackrock, Dublin Posts: 7,744 Adverts \| Friends	difference tho z4 originally built as a roadster, m3 cab is a coupe with roof chopped off

30-10-2007, 12:13	#13
kdevitt Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Dublin, Ireland Posts: 1,535 Adverts \| Friends	90% of the M3's in the country are never driven hard enough for the handling difference between a coupe and convertible to become evident. If you're buying it to do trackdays - get the coupe, otherwise the cabrio will be perfectly fine. Hardtop provides additional security too.

30-10-2007, 13:01	#15
kdevitt Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Dublin, Ireland Posts: 1,535 Adverts \| Friends	I don't recall commenting on road noise? Its obviously going to be noiser with the roof chopped off. I'm sure the OP is aware of that, being a current Z4 owner. My current E46 M3 doesn't handle any different as such to any E46 cabrio I've driven at normal speeds, and there definitely isn't a huge difference in bumps and rattles. Another positive is that the cabrio is still slightly more unusual to see on the roads - the coupe is common as muck unfortunately now.