[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by m34m

Also true and good points. The question is of those past convertibles how desirable are they today versus their coupe siblings? If the answer is not as desirable then the next question should be why?

Easy questions and easy answers.

As far as desirability when new- clearly people do purchase these cars and enjoy them. I don't see a ton of them languishing on dealer lots. One could easily say an M6 comp package car won't sell anywhere as quicky as an M6 vert ..


I doubt that it matters whether one looks at only M cars or also at the lower models.

In all cases the convertible will cost significantly more than the non convertible model when new, and generally once they are about 3-4 years used , the convertible value begins to drop below the hardtop value and that continues over time with the hardtop eventually having a significantly higher value.

Why ? Here are some reasons that convertibles fare worse in the used market.

- Convertible tops often don't last the life of the vehicle -they eventually fade and get tears or rips in then if not extremely well taken care of.

- Convertible tops are difficult to diagnose when they don't work properly.

- Convertible tops are expensive to repair/replace.

-On models without a glass rear window(fortunately not an issue with most BMWs ) - rear visibility gets worse over time.

- hardtops make better race cars

-Eventually, at some point , a convertible top will leak.

My daughter is on her second E46 convertible. The first one never leaked until after 215k miles ( amazingly- no issues at all with the top motor ) on an 2001 and now her 2004 has under half that mileage and is doing great.

My ex has a 2003 E46 m3 convertible - at 115k miles or so she is just beginning to have some issues with her top with regards to it not closing/motor failing.

So- in my household these cars have been pretty good performers - your mileage may vary

----

I wonder if the e9x and F8x hardtop models will actually fare better than the soft top models when it comes to resale since the exterior condition of the top is not a factor when it comes to age/wear/tear?

[Franzino]

Originally Posted by pup73

Completely agree. I will always have a vert in my stable. Dare I say, weather willing, my S2k, top down, is a more rewarding driving experience than my ///M2

-c

I love driving a convertible when the sun is out (I have a Z4M roadster). But a M2 is somewhat a car that BMW is trying to position as their "ultimate" driving machine that is focused on driving fun and driver involvement.
A four seater convertible will always be heavier, have more bodyflex and is therefore somewhat compromised as a sports car. I think it undermines the purpose of the M2 a little and personally I hope they don't build one. Keeps the M2 in coupe shape a little more exclusive 😊
People who want a four seater convertible BMW-M can always buy a M4 of M6. For people with a M2 budget there is always a M240i convertible and I don't see the need for a sportier M2 convertible.

In my opinion; if you want a sport car that is a convertible you are 100% way better of with a roadster then a four seater convertible… A roadster is more ridgid and less of a compromise then a longer, heavier, four seater convertible. At the time my Z4M roadster was one of the stiffest roadsters out there and you can really feel this. The Z4M roadster is only 15kg heavier then the Z4M coupe. It drives great and the difference between the Z4M coupe vs roadster is not that big in terms of handling!
A four seater M convertible vs the four seater M coupe is a big difference in handling, weight and body flex. In my opinion the four seater convertible does not really deserve the name M anymore, because it is to much of a compromise… but on the other hand a X5 or X6 should also not receive a M model in my opinion

My Z4M kills a lot of faster cars at the track and the handling is awesome. I don't see any other four seater convertibles of any brand doing the same thing as what is possible with a roadster
IMO if you only do fast street driving and want a small four seater convertible a 240i will be all the car you need.

[jeremyr4]

Originally Posted by Franzino

I love driving a convertible when the sun is out (I have a Z4M roadster). But a M2 is somewhat a car that BMW is trying to position as their "ultimate" driving machine that is focused on driving fun and driver involvement.
A four seater convertible will always be heavier, have more bodyflex and is therefore somewhat compromised as a sports car. I think it undermines the purpose of the M2 a little and personally I hope they don't build one. Keeps the M2 in coupe shape a little more exclusive 😊
People who want a four seater convertible BMW-M can always buy a M4 of M6. For people with a M2 budget there is always a M240i convertible and I don't see the need for a sportier M2 convertible.

In my opinion; if you want a sport car that is a convertible you are 100% way better of with a roadster then a four seater convertible… A roadster is more ridgid and less of a compromise then a longer, heavier, four seater convertible. At the time my Z4M roadster was one of the stiffest roadsters out there and you can really feel this. The Z4M roadster is only 15kg heavier then the Z4M coupe. It drives great and the difference between the Z4M coupe vs roadster is not that big in terms of handling!
A four seater M convertible vs the four seater M coupe is a big difference in handling, weight and body flex. In my opinion the four seater convertible does not really deserve the name M anymore, because it is to much of a compromise… but on the other hand a X5 or X6 should also not receive a M model in my opinion

My Z4M kills a lot of faster cars at the track and the handling is awesome. I don't see any other four seater convertibles of any brand doing the same thing as what is possible with a roadster
IMO if you only do fast street driving and want a small four seater convertible a 240i will be all the car you need.

I think you make some valid points above EXCEPT you're assuming that anyone wants a cover can buy a roadster. While a roadster is clearly going to be a better driver's car, on average, I buy a 4 seat convertible so I can fit my 2 kids in the back. If a roadster was an option for me I would have bought a Boxster S or GTS literally YEARS ago and been very happy.

Also, the idea of buying an M4 with the hardtop or M6 with the weight isn't very appealing because I still want something that is closer to an E46 M3 Convertible or older in terms of engaging. I think what is being lost on some people who think there shouldn't be an M2 convertible is the whole purpose it would serve - to provide a lower weight and more raw/precise driving experience to those long for a more raw car that BMW doesn't make anymore. That's actually why the M2 coupe is proving to be so popular and the M2 convertible would be popular for the same reason.

BTW, not everyone who would buy an M2 convertible is on an "m2 convertible budget". I can afford an M4 convertible or even an M6 convertible but neither provides me with the driving experience I am looking for. So the M2 convertible could be the PERFECT solution for someone like me, albeit with an interior that isn't as high end as I would like or that I'm willing to pay for. But that small trade off would be more than worth it if the car turns out to be really engaging and keeps me in the M brand. I REALLY don't want to leave the M brand, as I have owned an M for 15+ years now, but I will turn to AMG if I need to in 1-2 years after we see if the M2 convertible and new M6 is released. If the M2 convertible is never released and the new M6 doesn't come in a convertible form or is still bloated then I will have no choice but to look elsewhere, which will be very sad...

Anyhow, I hope this makes people understand where the M2 convertible fits into the M brand and why it might be an important car for some of us M owners out there...

[Franzino]

Originally Posted by jeremyr4

I think you make some valid points above EXCEPT you're assuming that anyone wants a cover can buy a roadster. While a roadster is clearly going to be a better driver's car, on average, I buy a 4 seat convertible so I can fit my 2 kids in the back. If a roadster was an option for me I would have bought a Boxster S or GTS literally YEARS ago and been very happy.

Also, the idea of buying an M4 with the hardtop or M6 with the weight isn't very appealing because I still want something that is closer to an E46 M3 Convertible or older in terms of engaging. I think what is being lost on some people who think there shouldn't be an M2 convertible is the whole purpose it would serve - to provide a lower weight and more raw/precise driving experience to those long for a more raw car that BMW doesn't make anymore. That's actually why the M2 coupe is proving to be so popular and the M2 convertible would be popular for the same reason.

BTW, not everyone who would buy an M2 convertible is on an "m2 convertible budget". I can afford an M4 convertible or even an M6 convertible but neither provides me with the driving experience I am looking for. So the M2 convertible could be the PERFECT solution for someone like me, albeit with an interior that isn't as high end as I would like or that I'm willing to pay for. But that small trade off would be more than worth it if the car turns out to be really engaging and keeps me in the M brand. I REALLY don't want to leave the M brand, as I have owned an M for 15+ years now, but I will turn to AMG if I need to in 1-2 years after we see if the M2 convertible and new M6 is released. If the M2 convertible is never released and the new M6 doesn't come in a convertible form or is still bloated then I will have no choice but to look elsewhere, which will be very sad...

Anyhow, I hope this makes people understand where the M2 convertible fits into the M brand and why it might be an important car for some of us M owners out there...

Indeed you have some valid points (I don't have kids)...and yes it's true what you say about a convertible with a metal roof. You my sir; deserve a M2 convertible 😎
A convertible with a metal folding roof looks mostly like crap with the roof open and closed (fat rear end) and weighs to much. When driving with the metal roof open (that is the main purpose of convertible), then there is zero luggage space in trunk. I don't get it why someone would want a metal roof convertible besides a McLaren roadster or a 485 Italia 😉

[jtodd_fl]

Originally Posted by M3 Adjuster

Easy questions and easy answers.

As far as desirability when new- clearly people do purchase these cars and enjoy them. I don't see a ton of them languishing on dealer lots. One could easily say an M6 comp package car won't sell anywhere as quicky as an M6 vert ..


I doubt that it matters whether one looks at only M cars or also at the lower models.

In all cases the convertible will cost significantly more than the non convertible model when new, and generally once they are about 3-4 years used , the convertible value begins to drop below the hardtop value and that continues over time with the hardtop eventually having a significantly higher value.

Why ? Here are some reasons that convertibles fare worse in the used market.

- Convertible tops often don't last the life of the vehicle -they eventually fade and get tears or rips in then if not extremely well taken care of.

- Convertible tops are difficult to diagnose when they don't work properly.

- Convertible tops are expensive to repair/replace.

-On models without a glass rear window(fortunately not an issue with most BMWs ) - rear visibility gets worse over time.

- hardtops make better race cars

-Eventually, at some point , a convertible top will leak.

My daughter is on her second E46 convertible. The first one never leaked until after 215k miles ( amazingly- no issues at all with the top motor ) on an 2001 and now her 2004 has under half that mileage and is doing great.

My ex has a 2003 E46 m3 convertible - at 115k miles or so she is just beginning to have some issues with her top with regards to it not closing/motor failing.

So- in my household these cars have been pretty good performers - your mileage may vary

----

I wonder if the e9x and F8x hardtop models will actually fare better than the soft top models when it comes to resale since the exterior condition of the top is not a factor when it comes to age/wear/tear?

I'm just glad the only one having problems is your ex. I assume there's a reason she's your ex so
That is all.