CD Article: 2007 BMW 3-series Cabriolet

[CD_Editor]

First Drive:

The new BMW 3 Series Cabriolet features a clever three-piece hardtop that folds into the trunk in a mere 22 seconds at the press of a button, reports Senior Editor, Paul Williams. "No manual latching or clamping is required," he notes.  With the top up, "no squeaks or rattles emanated from the roof, which seemed as if it was a permanent fixture on the car," says Williams.  And with the top down, "the car was rock-solid over bumps and heaves in the road."
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[mdxtasy]

A 3 series folding hardtop drop top would be a fine specimen to be replacing a Miata when I need room for 4 to cruise in. 

[Giant Dwarf]

A 3 series folding hardtop drop top would be a fine specimen to be replacing a Miata when I need room for 4 to cruise in. 

Indeed it would.  Still, I think I'd probably save the (estimated $5k) and stick with the 335i coupe instead if it were my money.  As much as I really like the new 3 series convertible, I think I'd still probably prefer the more pure sporting machine of the coupe instead.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Can I getta 335 Touring 

[Bullet Blue]

A 3 series folding hardtop drop top would be a fine specimen to be replacing a Miata when I need room for 4 to cruise in. 

Indeed it would.  Still, I think I'd probably save the (estimated $5k) and stick with the 335i coupe instead if it were my money.  As much as I really like the new 3 series convertible, I think I'd still probably prefer the more pure sporting machine of the coupe instead.

  How much more weight does the hartop add? The 335i coupe or even the 328i would be more than satisfactory for me. The cabriolet looks great though.

[mdxtasy]

For a sports car, I'll take a 911 (even used would be okay with me) and have a droptop to cruise the family out to the mountains with. 

[quadzilla]

Can I getta 335 Touring 

   Or a 335XiT

On the vert....looks really nice and would make a great summer car.  Too bad its out of my tax bracket. 

[Giant Dwarf]

For a sports car, I'll take a 911 (even used would be okay with me) and have a droptop to cruise the family out to the mountains with. 

Not all of us are high-rollers like you though, MdX5.  Some of us can only aspire to the BMW in the not-too-distant future due to insurance and maintenance costs alone. 

[mdxtasy]

Pffff...is that what you wrote from your corner office?

[safristi]

Which one is Mdx's ? which is Dwarfies?

[Arthur Dent]

For a sports car, I'll take a 911 (even used would be okay with me) and have a droptop to cruise the family out to the mountains with. 

Not all of us are high-rollers like you though, MdX5.  Some of us can only aspire to the BMW in the not-too-distant future due to insurance and maintenance costs alone. 

I'm pretty sure a late 70s / early 80s 320i would be affordable ...  

[mdxtasy]

For a sports car, I'll take a 911 (even used would be okay with me) and have a droptop to cruise the family out to the mountains with. 

Not all of us are high-rollers like you though, MdX5.  Some of us can only aspire to the BMW in the not-too-distant future due to insurance and maintenance costs alone. 

I'm pretty sure a late 70s / early 80s 320i would be affordable ...  

For some high flying energy giant employee.....

[Demosthenes X]

I love hard top convertibles, but I have to agree I think I'd rather save my money and go for the 335i coupe instead.  Those extra 200kg are going to make a difference...

Any word on whether the new M3 droptop is going to be hardtop or ragtop?

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Any word on whether the new M3 droptop is going to be hardtop or ragtop?

Reading today the M-division is leaning soft top for minimal weight.

[Incredible_NATE]

Does anyone know if the 3 series convertible will feature a moonroof when the top is up? (e.g. VW Euos). I don't think so based on the pictures I've seen.

[Wolfe]

Any word on whether the new M3 droptop is going to be hardtop or ragtop?

Reading today the M-division is leaning soft top for minimal weight.

I should hope so unless they are also planning to change their name from the Motorsports Division to the Much-More-Money-than-a-Regular-BMW Division.

The 3-Series Cabrio looks nice.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Does anyone know if the 3 series convertible will feature a moonroof when the top is up? (e.g. VW Euos). I don't think so based on the pictures I've seen.

Eos is exclusive in that regard. Other models like the Mini have pseudo sunroof functions built into their soft tops. The new Liberty may get a canvas soft top as well. But no other hardtop convertibles with openable sunroofs to my knowledge.

[Julie]

Which one is Mdx's ? which is Dwarfies?

Nah, this is more like it Saffy:

I love the cabriolet too.

[airbalancer]

For a sports car, I'll take a 911 (even used would be okay with me) and have a droptop to cruise the family out to the mountains with. 

Not all of us are high-rollers like you though, MdX5.  Some of us can only aspire to the BMW in the not-too-distant future due to insurance and maintenance costs alone. 

Maintenance costs have been low the past two years
Insurance is less then a grand

Once you cruise in a cab it hard to drive anything else
Paul did you have a wind screen when the top was down?
Must be to nice to have FOB to lower the top
Did the auto have paddle shifters?

[Mitlov]

I love hard top convertibles, but I have to agree I think I'd rather save my money and go for the 335i coupe instead.  Those extra 200kg are going to make a difference...

True, but at least in my situation, a drop-top makes the purchase a LOT easier to justify.  A convertible is something "we all" can enjoy (especially my wife, who loves convertibles); a coupe is more of a self-indulgent toy for just me.