[JakeG21]

Hi all i am in abit of a dilema i have decided that i want to get 320d msport. I cant decided if to get a coupe or convertible. what made you guys get what you did? Could you list the pros and cons to help me decide please.

[Bungle009]

A 4 pot derv in an heavy open top. Not for me thanks. E92 every time.

[AWBimmer]

I'm in an e90 but In an ideal world, I'd opt for a vert because it's best of both worlds :-)

[B005T3D-G]

I'm not a hairdresser and I hate excess weight. E92

[CarAbuser]

The vert looks like a butchered coupé and weighs a bit more.

It also costs more, so you could buy a coupé with a higher spec for the same price.

[jonl1983]

For me a vert is to listen to the sound of your engine and exhaust at full chat, Not a four pot diesel chugging away

E92ball the way if your going for a 320d. Extra weight will make it feel really slow

[dxb335d]

Never been a fan of over weight convertibles.

M6. Ultimate super coupe with lightweight carbon fibre roof, then they make a fat convertible.

Ferrari F430, ultimate super car. Then they make a 1650KG vert, ( ghats heavier than a 335d FFS) i could go on and on.

[Czech335]

I had both the E93 335i and a E92 335i for 2+ years.

I would recommend the E93 every single day!, yes its heavier but day to day you will not notice this and putting the top down on a cool summer evening is just unbeatable

[acerboo]

i have e93 330i and e92 335d both similar cost to run and similar power, the 330i sounds superb the d is very quiet, the 330i is an unbeatable experience with the roof down and very comfortable with it up, the e92 is a much better driving experience though and untimately if i could only have one it would be the e92 and long for the e93 on a summers day!

[zltm089]

e92!!! ....Like others have said, the e93 is heavier!!!

[Subzero2003]

Originally Posted by jonl1983

For me a vert is to listen to the sound of your engine and exhaust at full chat, Not a four pot diesel chugging away

E92ball the way if your going for a 320d. Extra weight will make it feel really slow

Whole heartedly agree.

[Mart1000]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

Never been a fan of over weight convertibles.

M6. Ultimate super coupe with lightweight carbon fibre roof, then they make a fat convertible.

Ferrari F430, ultimate super car. Then they make a 1650KG vert, ( ghats heavier than a 335d FFS) i could go on and on.

^ agree. Never been a fan of convertibles.

[Chris100]

I have a real urge for a convertible at the moment and I think I will change my E92 for an E93 next year, having said that it will be at least a 330i as I would not want a diesel vert as it is just wrong IMO.

[John320d]

I had an e93 320i when they first were introduced in 2007.I thought it was underpowered but its 0 to 62 was a reasonable 9.1 secs. In sept. 2008 I took delivery of a 320d e93, the difference was an eye opener.30% more mpg and 0 to 62 in 8.6 but the icing on the cake was its 55 to 75mph time which was same as the 330i in 4th and 5th gears ie 7.1secs.as per bmw figures. 0 to 62 times are not as important as having a decent bit of power for overtaking IMO. I get the impression that someone who thinks the bmw 177 bhp chugs has not driven one. At 70 plus on the motorway with the top down you will hear neither the engine or exhaust because of wind noise. Possibly you would hear the engine at full chat and exhaust noise at slower speeds around town but that is not for me. Do not let these guys put you off a 320d. How very dare you slag off my e93d. LOL

[tomgrey]

I have a E93, before that I had a 350Z convertible. The E93 is a very fine convertible and it drives damn well. Get the vert. and good sound system and enjoy. It is surprising how often you can drop the roof even in this country. Either way the car is great with roof up or down. My wife runs a MX5 convertible!

[acerboo]

solution to your problem buy my e92 335d all the power you will ever need and economy. in the past ive always bought the lower power end eventually i was able to treat myself to the biggest available, i would never now buy a low powered engine. the insurance is not as much as youd think either.

[chedixon]

Originally Posted by John320d

I had an e93 320i when they first were introduced in 2007.I thought it was underpowered but its 0 to 62 was a reasonable 9.1 secs. In sept. 2008 I took delivery of a 320d e93, the difference was an eye opener.30% more mpg and 0 to 62 in 8.6 but the icing on the cake was its 55 to 75mph time which was same as the 330i in 4th and 5th gears ie 7.1secs.as per bmw figures. 0 to 62 times are not as important as having a decent bit of power for overtaking IMO. I get the impression that someone who thinks the bmw 177 bhp chugs has not driven one. At 70 plus on the motorway with the top down you will hear neither the engine or exhaust because of wind noise. Possibly you would hear the engine at full chat and exhaust noise at slower speeds around town but that is not for me. Do not let these guys put you off a 320d. How very dare you slag off my e93d. LOL

Totally agree, I would like more power yes but I came from a quick car and anything other than an m3 would have felt slower. The e93 320d is a good car and once it's up and running it's pretty torquey.
Yes the noise isn't going to set the world on fire but it's quiet once warm and those of us that have to do reasonable mileage and have other financial commitments appreciate the mpg and low tax.
When the roofs down its great, handles well considering the extra weight, puts a big smile on my face every time, gets wishful glances when the suns out too, it's not all about power

[m1bjr]

The E93 is a masterpiece of engineering.

I could watch that roof fold/unfold all day.

Nothing like topless on a hot summers night when the stars are out.

Try it. Many don't.

You are not buying one for it's performance, but how it makes you smile.

[JJD]

If i didn't get sunburnt after 10mins then I'd go for the E93.

As far as power goes, a mate of mine has a E93 320d and it's fine. You're not buying a 320d for the 0-60 time anyway.

[zaheer]

E93 all the way... I also think it looks better then the coupe.. But I'm biased

[greatbm]

Get the E93 best of both worlds, when the mood takes and you need a pick up sun shining roof down can't beat it. Roof up windows down pillar less true coupe.

[Cozy]

I honestly thought I was the only E93 owner in this UK bit, I've missed you all it seems .

I had the choice of E93 or E92 and chose the E93 based on its looks, put them side by side and the E93 has a lower roof line than the E92 giving a slightly sportier look which did it for me. My head said "get the lighter one" but in truth that was just the racer in me thinking of potential track time, my heart wanted the E93. I did have some criteria though, it had to be black or grey as the black rubber roof seals going horizontally across stand out a little too much on white and well polished silver cars. It also had to be an M-sport model as the SE E93 looked a little off without the bulkier body kit.

In terms of performance in a straight line, driving both in standard trims I really couldn't tell much of a difference if any (335i coupe vs 335i 'vert), it only really became evident around tight bends carrying a little speed where the E92 felt a little nimbler to throw in and drive out, the E93 felt like the rear was happier to step out of line when you threw the extra weight in the back around the corner. That said, it really is a superb handling car out of the box, it sticks so well to the tarmac and I'd imagine only around a race track would you see a difference between the two. I still love the look of the E93 M3, for me that's the ultimate (in looks) 3-Series.

I forgot about the weight as soon as I drove it away from the showroom on a blazing hot Summer's day, the experience was fantastic. Sun shining down on you, cool breeze and a beautiful engine note (for the 6-cyl anyway), she gets A LOT of attention in the Summer but that being said, those not in the know actually think it's a coupe when the roof is up so compliments still get passed in the dull Winter months. I love the feature that allows you to drop the roof remotely on the keyfob, you often see people watch in amazement in the pub garden when it transforms.

I'm now at COBB Stage 1 tune and the thing is quite honestly dangerous at times, it has so much torque that any disadvantages the weight may have given going fast and staright are probably non-existent now, I just look forward to the Spring/Summer when the roof comes off again and I get to appreciate its new performance properly.

My advice is to drive both and make your mind up. If it's a fast car that you want then you need a 335i/335d at least in either trim but that's not what the E93 is about, it's about all of the benefits that the folding top gives you. Personally if I was considering a 320d, I would have it remapped as you'd really enjoy the extra torque .