[TMP]

If one car can tempt me away from my 330d at the moment, its the E93 335i DCT.

My main concern though is depsite mine being a big diesel lump, the 'vert is still 200kg heavier . I am willing to trade a bit in the search of open air, but how does the drive compare to the Saloon/coupe?

Is there also a best time to buy a AUC 'vert e.g wait until deepest darkest winter?

So far, dont seem to be getting very competitive finance deals though....sigh

[MLAM]

I haven't driven a 335i in any form but I have driven a 320d Saloon and a 320d Convertible, both Auto's with the 184 BHP engine and both over the course of a few days (so not a quick 20min test drive)

All I will say is you certainly felt the extra weight in the Convertible everywhere but mainly on acceleration, the Saloon felt like a rocket when you floored it but the Convertible felt very Mercedes like so to speak and bit dull in corners, but it was bloody lovely to have the roof down in the summer and people having a good look at the car

End of each quarter is the best time to buy a car as they need to hit targets and will bend over to get your business

[TMP]

Cheers for the comparison....sounds ok then, just need to try I guess!

Doubt I would buy new direct, maybe a discount contract hire deal, but usually buy a BMw mgt car (saved 40 odd percent on the 330d)

[rogerxp]

You're used to blunted performance mate - you drive an auto - you'll hardly notice

[TMP]

Oh ha ha Roger, remind me again how you always leave me standing on the A34....

...

err no?

[Guvernator]

Yes the E93 is heavier but unless your 330d is mapped the 335i will still be quicker, sound nicer and rev higher and if that isn't enough you can very easily map it to make it even quicker.

It will feel heavier in the corners, it isn't as stiff as the saloon\coupe and in the middle of deepest darkest winter, you'll often wonder why you bothered with a vert in the first place but come the first day of summer, with the top down and the straight six wailing you'll realise the whole reason for the verts existence.

[TMP]

Originally Posted by Guvernator

Yes the E93 is heavier but unless your 330d is mapped the 335i will still be quicker, sound nicer and rev higher and if that isn't enough you can very easily map it to make it even quicker.

Yeap, mapped but not all the time and tbh i am pretty happy with standard so this sounds plenty quick enough!

Having spent quite a bit of time in PJS's (and following) i just love the wailing banshee noise the 335i makes!

Originally Posted by Guvernator

It will feel heavier in the corners, it isn't as stiff as the saloon\coupe and in the middle of deepest darkest winter, you'll often wonder why you bothered with a vert in the first place but come the first day of summer, with the top down and the straight six wailing you'll realise the whole reason for the verts existence.

yeap, we had a Mini Cooper S 'vert and open air 7k revs no matter what the temp

Out of interest what MPG do you get out of it (on the mway as well)?

Cheers

[penport]

I've been scratching an itch to change to a convertible too.....test drove a 335i E93 the other day.
Impressions: roof down - wonderful feeling of freedom and an aural delight
roof up - lots of creaking and groaning from the roof panels (not sure I could live with that)
performance was way below my 330i coupe - definitely felt the extra weight

thinking of 350Z Roadster or XK8......

[TMP]

creaking and groaning!?

No, couldn't live with that - but is that a car that just needs snagging to get rid of the creaks?

My 330d is a temple of quiet, no squeeks, rattles etc but it took several dealer trips to sort.

[Guvernator]

MPG I'm getting mid 20's in town and mid 30's on a run. It might not be as good as the 330d mpg wise but for the performance on offer I think it is really quite frugal.

Performance is not "way below" a 330i, they are the same speed to 60 and then the 335i is quicker above that and in gear times are also quicker due to the extra torque from the turbo engine. Plus you can remap a 335i for £500 which will give it around 370bhp which you can't do in the 330i. The only advantage the 330i has is in the throttle response which is sharper as it's an N\A.

However if you aren't a fan of creaks and groans I wouldn't get an E93, roof down they are fine but with the roof up, I haven't heard a completely silent E93 yet!

[gaza01]

As has been said re performance being down due to added weight etc. The corner issue takes some getting used to but it will still hold its own and fling into around and out of a corner...just a bit of compromise needed.
Mine doesn't creak but the cabin is not as quiet as a saloon. Everybody's interpretation I guess which is why you'd need to test drive one. I absolutely love mine and for all the down sides I'm still happy with it. I prefer the shape of it as well as compared to the e90/92.

Top down is the absolute borrocks!!!!

[rogerxp]

Originally Posted by TMP

creaking and groaning!? No, couldn't live with that - but is that a car that just needs snagging to get rid of the creaks? My 330d is a temple of quiet, no squeeks, rattles etc but it took several dealer trips to sort.

Originally Posted by penport

roof up - lots of creaking and groaning from the roof panels (not sure I could live with that)

Originally Posted by Guvernator

However if you aren't a fan of creaks and groans I wouldn't get an E93, roof down they are fine but with the roof up, I haven't heard a completely silent E93 yet!

This is exactly why you need the stereo upgrade for when the top is up - music covers over the noise .

[greatbm]

I have read the postings and can now appreciate the build of my E93, the only noise I get from my roof in the close is after a spell of rain there is a squeak over rough bumps which I have identified as the roof meeting the rear shelf outside trim. If I want rid I open roof slightly and reclose. In 5 years of ownership no leaks or other noises. Only problems with the car have been noted HPFP, injectors and coil packs.

[TMP]

Well test drove a 330d LCI (local dealler didnt have a 335i) and was quite impressed. No rattles with the roof up and it handled well - but this was only a short drive and nice tarmac.

However, you could certainly feel the extra weight, so while you can still push it around corners you do so in a more relaxed manor. When i got back into my saloon, it felt like an elise

All in all, yes i think I could go well like the E93, but would need a much longer drive over over normal roads, including pot-hole ingested suburbia!

However, in a turn of luck i got sight of an amazing lease offer - so have bought a F30 330d...more about that in off topic soon