WTB:3 series cabriolet,need advice.

[Nurburgring1388]

Hi all bros and sis,I'm looking at getting a 2002 to 2004 series cabriolet,320 or 325 is fine.But I have some reservations about getting a cabriolet,yes,it looks cool,and i often drive my girlfriend to work at 6.30 am in the morning,its a good time to enjoy the morning breeze.But do any bros here encounter any unpleasant surprise when you are driving topless?like birdshit dropping into the car cabin?or suddenly a garbage truck appearing in front of you?does wind noise get very loud when you are cruising at high speed?any other cons?can some experience bros here share some advice? thanks a million

 

[sunrise]

Re: WTB:3 series cabriolet,need advice.

Yes, 6.30am is an excellent time to go top down. It's not the (very) occasional birdshit or two-stroke motorbike or rubbish truck you need to worry about. After 9 years of cab ownership, the following are the trade-offs you face everyday;

a. Additional road noise (may not apply to metallic roof) and creaking noise from roof, which is inevitable after the car gets older. Solution: down the roof as often as possible!
b. backseat compromises - long trips suitable only for children. Adults would not be comfortable over long distances. Solution, ban back passengers or again: down the roof!
c. Increased fuel consumption and less handling finess- cabs have strengthened body and weighs about 150-200kg more than equivalent sedan/coupe.
d. smaller boot space (applicable only if you need to put big items like prams or golf bags). Otherwise, no issue.

But its well worth it, every time you lower the roof, your driving experience is transformed!.

 

[VolanteDB9]

Re: WTB:3 series cabriolet,need advice.

wont kena birdshit so easily lah...

no experience with soft top...the usual tissues and cigarettes complains i guess...most wont want to drive across causeway...

what i have experienced...stuck at traffic light...bus beside you...breathe the fumes...act cool act cool...lights turn green...slow moving vehicle in front of you...bus captain usually very fast to rev...breathe in more fumes! still act cool!
its ok...Singapore diesel only 50ppm sulphur...not so bad! Our neighbours 3000ppm! *comfort* myself...

but yea like what sunrise mentioned... its transformed

i just saw a cab mini yesterday, opened top but the gf had to support some big board from ikea that would have been higher than the roof line in the back seat...one advantage...kekeke....

 

[Nurburgring1388]

Re: WTB:3 series cabriolet,need advice.

thanks bro sunrise and bro pilotsnoopy,i've got a better idea now,any other bros care to give comments?

 

[VolanteDB9]

Re: WTB:3 series cabriolet,need advice.

juz like to know...3 series cab...are they lower than the sedans?

 

[bleachberu]

Re: WTB:3 series cabriolet,need advice.

I have driven my better half's soft top to KL...no issues. Yes, there will be creaks and louder wind noise at NSH speeds, but its tolerable (at least for me). Just crank up your radio or Ipod.

In Singapore, just watch out for bus fumes at traffic lights, like another bro mentioned.

Handling slightly compromised vs. coupe equivalent but based on day to day driving in SG, you won't feel it that much.

Enjoy!

Cheers,
B

 

[Nurburgring1388]

Re: WTB:3 series cabriolet,need advice.

Thanks bro bleachberu,maybe I'll just get a coupe then a cabriolet,but my heart goes to cabriolet

 

[VolanteDB9]

Re: WTB:3 series cabriolet,need advice.

bro, why compromise? a coupe with a sun/moon roof arent no sub for the cab...

juz close the top when hazy...

your 630am drives, 10pm+ drives are going to be a joy~

 

[Nurburgring1388]

Re: WTB:3 series cabriolet,need advice.

you are right,but I've to compare both types and make a decision,best if I can get hold of both cars and have a test drive,anyone know where I can lease BMW 3 series coupe and cabriolet?

 

[peckhs]

Re: WTB:3 series cabriolet,need advice.

get a cabrio... just sold my saab cabrio and have been regretting it since....
miss driving down the road next to the airport's runway, and watching planes land in changi with my daughter, lying in the saabie with its top down....

 

[VolanteDB9]

Re: WTB:3 series cabriolet,need advice.

you are right,but I've to compare both types and make a decision,best if I can get hold of both cars and have a test drive,anyone know where I can lease BMW 3 series coupe and cabriolet?

come on down to meet ups...

 

[Nurburgring1388]

Re: WTB:3 series cabriolet,need advice.

yes,good idea.maybe I'll just drop by at the next meet up,its been long since I met up with fellow forumers

 

[kenntona]

Re: WTB:3 series cabriolet,need advice.

Pluses will outweigh the minuses......

You will kenna:

- filthy warm air at rush hours - peak hours top-down is a no-no.
- raindrops on highway (happened to me once - drove to shoulder to put top up)
- stares of both jealousy and envy

Dun worry about the rest. Just enjoy the top-down feeling. Liberated.

 

[VolanteDB9]

Re: WTB:3 series cabriolet,need advice.

super bus passengers staring at your super girl boobs and legs...liberated

 

[kenntona]

Re: WTB:3 series cabriolet,need advice.

super bus passengers staring at your super girl boobs and legs...liberated

At least you should get a cabrio when you are young..........

....... when hair is still abundant.......

When you are old, you wanna drive around in a F car - no matter how young the chick passenger - car too fast to be spotted.........

 

[edlms]

Re: WTB:3 series cabriolet,need advice.

Hi all bros and sis,I'm looking at getting a 2002 to 2004 series cabriolet,320 or 325 is fine.But I have some reservations about getting a cabriolet,yes,it looks cool,and i often drive my girlfriend to work at 6.30 am in the morning,its a good time to enjoy the morning breeze.But do any bros here encounter any unpleasant surprise when you are driving topless?like birdshit dropping into the car cabin?or suddenly a garbage truck appearing in front of you?does wind noise get very loud when you are cruising at high speed?any other cons?can some experience bros here share some advice? thanks a million

had a cab for 5 years previously.
even with my current car, i do occasionally yearn for the top down drive...

how serious is your relationship with your GF? cos you'll get more female attention with the cab. are you a "player"? if yes, then this will get you a little further... (don't answer this openly)
Does your GF "approve" of the cab? If no, then you should get it... ha ha... half kidding.

As far as the car is concerned, other than what has already been posted, i find that the top down handling is better cos of the lower CG. make sure the hood is in good working condition cos it'll cost a ton to fix. but get used to the creaking (at the seals and frame) and road noise but it's a fair trade off for the wind in your hair...

hope this helps.

cheers

 

[chickenbackside]

Re: WTB:3 series cabriolet,need advice.

1) Bird shit has hit the cabin of my cab before, 4 times in total, all targeted towards the back seat area. But luckily not on me or any of my passengers. I only found out when I was cleaning the car. So, in the Myth Busters tradition, it's stamped: PLAUSIBLE.

2) The perception of "calmness" is very different when you're looking at someone driving with the top down compared with when you're actually doing it. When you look at someone driving a top down cab in your hermetically sealed, climate controlled car, you tend to think they are feeling the same, except looking far cooler. When you're driving a top down cab, you're facing NOISE x 100 especially from the most popular mode of transport of our foreign talent from our neighbouring country, FUMES x 100 courtesy of heavy vehicles, facial oil excretion x 100 courtesy of >95% humidity when you're outdoors.

3) You have to deal with people ogling at you. Some people may like it.

4) You have to deal with a lot more wind noise compared with a car with a roof, even with your roof up.

5) Heavier, less wieldy, less efficient when compared with their roofed counterparts.

6) Usable storage space take a huge hit. Don't expect to be able to carry very much in the boot.

7) It's very easy for some naughty school kid to inflict expensive damage to you car with a little pocket knife. To replace just the canvas of my car (gay coloured Swedish cab) is $5k. The whole hood costs $14k. Prices do not include labour.

That being said, when the conditions are just right, you wouldn't want to be driving anything else. Do it at least once in your life if you can. You will not regret it. I'm sure when you're done with it, you will have fond memories that will stay with you for the rest of your life.

 

[hamz]

Re: WTB:3 series cabriolet,need advice.

get the Cabrio....i'm enjoying every minute of it!! Cheers!!
hamz...120i cab

 

[WHITENIGHT]

Re: WTB:3 series cabriolet,need advice.

Hi all bros and sis,I'm looking at getting a 2002 to 2004 series cabriolet,320 or 325 is fine.But I have some reservations about getting a cabriolet,yes,it looks cool,and i often drive my girlfriend to work at 6.30 am in the morning,its a good time to enjoy the morning breeze.But do any bros here encounter any unpleasant surprise when you are driving topless?like birdshit dropping into the car cabin?or suddenly a garbage truck appearing in front of you?does wind noise get very loud when you are cruising at high speed?any other cons?can some experience bros here share some advice? thanks a million

My advise is go for the cab. U have the best of BOTH WORLDS. A coupe and a cab.
Its very different when u go topless, especially in the night and early morning. There is no words that i can describe or explain, u have got to do it and u will know it.
Forget abt the negative points bro. JUST DO IT..............

Cheers.

 

[chris27]

Re: WTB:3 series cabriolet,need advice.

+1 Get the Cab.... open the hood in the nite & feel the breeeze, even looking at icon buildings & lighting with the hood down looks different. ( A Totally new experience )
-1 why open the hood in the day & get dust & fumes/heat in your face, u still got your air-cons rite.
Try to drive a cabriolet while u are still young ( my 2-cents worth )