[CMAC’s ‘Vert]

If this wasn’t my daily driver and it was just a “Garage Queen”...I might have considered a coupe for just running about...Nah...I’d just get the M4 for more power...won’t give up fun for power

[Elvisfan]

Originally Posted by ScubaJ813

This is my first convertible. Definitely pros and cons. I only went for it because I was able to buy it from the dealer at trade in value... and a big upgrade from my 328i N26.

While I know a coupe will edge it out better in overall performance. This is mostly just a daily driver and being in Florida, outside 90+ temps, I get a lot of top down time. I do get the OP's jist though, for myself... for a "fun car", would never pick a coupe over a convertible. Same thing for a practical car, would never pick a coupe or convertible over a sedan. For a performance car, would never pick a convertible or sedan over the coupe.

Everyone has to pick their own poison. The best part is we have choices to get what we want.

It’s unusual to have an xdrive in Florida. I have one ,but I’m a snow bird.

[Rebound]

I love mine! I don't notice that it's a convertible when the top's up, and I think it looks great. It costs more, but topless driving is a blast!

[kern417]

I love my coupe + sunroof. The ability to vent in the summer is awesome and I'm weird where I like having the shade open so I can see through the glass roof even when it's cold. A panoramic roof would be perfect for me, but i'll settle for the small window.

I also agree with some of the others on the coupe having better looks, less weight, more trunk space, and less things to break/leak in the long term. Also I have a 6MT and I seem to remember the convertibles only came in auto?

The only thing I think we can all agree on is the convertible has better looking seats.

[lemonchicken]

Originally Posted by XutvJet

I don't know, maybe weight, rigidity, handling, safety, room, cost, looks.....?

Nailed it

[Rebound]

Originally Posted by kern417

I love my coupe + sunroof. The ability to vent in the summer is awesome and I'm weird where I like having the shade open so I can see through the glass roof even when it's cold. A panoramic roof would be perfect for me, but i'll settle for the small window.

I also agree with some of the others on the coupe having better looks, less weight, more trunk space, and less things to break/leak in the long term. Also I have a 6MT and I seem to remember the convertibles only came in auto?

The only thing I think we can all agree on is the convertible has better looking seats.

I don't think we all need to agree... they make all sorts of BMW's for all sorts of tastes and wishes. There is no absolute best choice.

[Sportstick]

The name of the thread is absolutely correct, but I come to the opposite conclusion. Convertibles are a lot noisier when closed, feel more claustrophic, more body flex and creaks, wouldn't put the top down because I'd need a hat (basic good skin preventive care!), poorer forward/rearward visibility, A/C doesnt work as well when open and on most Summer days A/C feels better than outside heat, waiting to put it up and down at every store/stop I make in daily driving, loss of trunk, far less rollover protection (one never knows), extra cost and weight. What have I left out? Had one as a loaner once. Asked my Service Adviser to mark me down for NEVER AGAIN for a convertible, not even for a day.

[sspade]

A convertible version of the same car will always be slower (than the hardtop).

That's why.

[RM7]

Originally Posted by CMAC’s ‘Vert

Cant imagine Alaska has to many convertibles driving around...sure it’s just not jealousy that some of us actually know what summer looks like

Summer is extreme here, 22hrs of daylight, snow melts a lot faster here than in places like Colorado Rockies and Sierras, once it gets into April with the sun going down at 11pm the snow has no choice but to move out fast. You'd be surprised how many convertibles there are here. Summer tires from April to November, plus or minus a few weeks sometimes.

[Skyhigh]

Originally Posted by Wires

I like the concept of the hardtop convertible, I just don't like the body lines. Up north, it's a complete waste of money. You are either freezing to death, or the sun is baking your melon with just the moon roof open. Wind noise annoys the crap out of me.

Wasn't worth the money to me, as I hardly bust open the moon roof for the above reasons.

That
Number 1 requirement for Cabrio is suitable climate. Otherwise not only useless, but just trouble.
Number 2 would be that you drive it out of the city regularly (who needs a convertable in the noisy, dirty city).

Assuming the 2 above are in place, I am not sure I'd like one as a main car. Too heavy, too limited storage space. As a secondary (hobby) car - absolutely (again, assuming the 2 above).

[mbanks21]

I've owned 3 verts and occasionally I'll miss them but living in FL it's 95 degrees nine months out of the year and I'd have to keep a towel in the car to wipe myself down after driving anywhere. As mentioned, if it's a second car, great. If it's a nice 70-75 degrees out then go for it, but also as mentioned, verts are slower, don't handle as well, plus you have to worry about leaky tops, stuff breaking, etc.

[agentorange]

Coupe with no sunroof for the win!

[CMAC’s ‘Vert]

For those of us who see 3 seasons,your good for at least 5-8 months of topless driving...I’m not going to bull$hit anybody and tell you I’m rolling around with the top down when it’s 90 degrees plus,but as soon as the sun goes down,so does the top

[DarkStarBimmer]

what are these seasons you speak of?

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by CMAC’s ‘Vert

...but as soon as the sun goes down,so does the top

I remember somebody in college like that...

[jmg]

Originally Posted by CMAC’s ‘Vert

Just curious why anyone would choose a coupe over a convertible?...They both basically have the same look,performance,handling...only the coupe doesn’t give you the outright access to “heaven”(pardon the pun)...a simple push of a button and you have the wind in your hair and the sun on your face...I may be a little jaded as I have gone from one type of convertible to the next,but I don’t know why anyone wouldn’t want the best of both worlds.

They don't have the same performance. The convertible is much heavier and has less rigidity. There is also the issue of wind noise with the top up.

That being said, I love getting a convertible loaner. I seriously would consider getting a convertible at some point in my life, ideally some sort of sporty roadster. The i8 is nice, some S2000 type sports car. My dream roadster is a Boxster Spyder:

[Elvisfan]

Originally Posted by CMAC’s ‘Vert

Just curious why anyone would choose a coupe over a convertible?...They both basically have the same look,performance,handling...only the coupe doesn’t give you the outright access to “heaven”(pardon the pun)...a simple push of a button and you have the wind in your hair and the sun on your face...I may be a little jaded as I have gone from one type of convertible to the next,but I don’t know why anyone wouldn’t want the best of both worlds.

Access to heaven would be if a tree falls on your car. Again,a convertible is not for everyone.

[Rebound]

Why a Toyota is better than a BMW:
Costs less
Far more reliable
Much less expensive to maintain

Clearly, if you want a PRACTICAL car, do not buy a BMW. Buy a Toyota.

No? We all agree that fun is more important than practicality? That the least expensive solution isn't necessarily best? In that case, stop arguing about the impracticality of convertibles.

If you want open top driving, buy a convertible. If you don't, then don't. Do you guys go to BMW meets and only hang out with people who bought the exact year/model/color as your car? Variety is awesome! Relish it

[CMAC’s ‘Vert]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

I remember somebody in college like that...

[speary8]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

The name of the thread is absolutely correct, but I come to the opposite conclusion. Convertibles are a lot noisier when closed, feel more claustrophic, more body flex and creaks, wouldn't put the top down because I'd need a hat (basic good skin preventive care!), poorer forward/rearward visibility, A/C doesnt work as well when open and on most Summer days A/C feels better than outside heat, waiting to put it up and down at every store/stop I make in daily driving, loss of trunk, far less rollover protection (one never knows), extra cost and weight. What have I left out? Had one as a loaner once. Asked my Service Adviser to mark me down for NEVER AGAIN for a convertible, not even for a day.

Visibility in the F33 is better than the F32 especially in the shoulder blind spot due to there being no B Pilar. Can’t see how you think forward visibility is any different. In the real world the performance difference is negligible and I believe you would need to be on a track to notice any real difference

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by speary8

Visibility in the F33 is better than the F32 especially in the shoulder blind spot due to there being no B Pilar. Can’t see how you think forward visibility is any different. In the real world the performance difference is negligible and I believe you would need to be on a track to notice any real difference

The effective height of the windshield is lower in the convertible under the thicker-section front header. Being 6'2", I immediately noticed this when I dropped off my coupe and picked up the equivalent convertible loaner at the BMW dealership service department. I felt that I had to "duck" my head a bit to see forward comfortably.

[rbol13]

Originally Posted by speary8

Visibility in the F33 is better than the F32 especially in the shoulder blind spot due to there being no B Pilar. Can’t see how you think forward visibility is any different. In the real world the performance difference is negligible and I believe you would need to be on a track to notice any real difference

I don't know about F3x, but when I had a cobra (svt) the verts were definitely slower period and this was admitted by the owners.

Funny how the two vert owners are vehemently defending them like everything everyone has said about them isn't true lol