Please share your 3-series experiences

[Joihan777]

Hello BMW owners,
This may be an odd request but here goes:
I am considering a 'fun' car and I like the look of the 3-Series convertible.
I want a car that handles well and is 'quick'. I like the new Mustang too but
it seems..... hefty. The 3 has a pop-up roll bar and the Ford does not.
If you have a 3-series/ convertible, what do you like about it?
Have the newer ones let you down? What about them wants to make you brag?
Please share your experiences. For me this will be my most expensive vehicle ever
so I need to understand the long term situation.
Thanks,
Johann

[Bear]

I am driving a 1990 325ic with a 5 speed and 156,000 miles on the odometer. The only real issue was the central locking and that just happended and I repaired it with salvage parts (central lock controller and door lock motor). Then I bought the rekey kit from a dealer and rekeyed the drivers door lock. Top has been replaced once, starter just replaced last year and other than brake pads, rotors, control arms and bushihgs and ball joints that is pretty much it. Earlier versions had mechanicl valve lifters so that is a adjustemnt every 20,000 miles.

[sub006]

I hope you have joined the BMW Car Club of America. Many advantages for new, old and prospective owners.

One thing I keep reading about in the tech section of the club magazine Roundel is problems with power convertible tops. They can get out of alignment. Then when you push the button to lower the top, the motors bend the top bows into junk until you have a half-up, half-down top that is stuck somewhere between the windshield and the boot!

Depending on the age of the BMW, a manual top may have been available, and many owners recommend seeking a car so equipped!

[OKCSuburban]

I have a 1995 318i convertible, 5 speed with 122,000 miles. I love it. It has been a great driver and I get 26-28mpg in town and over 30 on the highway trips. I have done all of the work on the car since I bought it. I have a peak reasearch code scanner and use it when needed. (normally to reset oil service lights, only 3 times in 6 years for problems).
My car has the manual top, pop-up roll bars, 10 speaker stereo system and a hard top.
I also belong to the BMW Car Club of America. Well worth the money and time. My dealership has also been very helpful as I live in central Oklahoma.
I really enjoy the way the car drives. With the 4cly it is not a race car but it has plenty of power for me and I do not worry when my teenage son uses it for dates.
The forums have been very helpful too, there is a lot of nice people out there. Thanks guys.
I am thinking of giving my car to my son and buying a newer one, a neighbor bought a 02 330 convertible and it sure is nice......he says it is my fault he bought it. lol,
Best of Luck.

[kcmyam]

I took delivery of our 2006 - 330 XI last month. My wife and I just returned from a trip to Oberammergau, Germany. The car was a pleasure to drive and handled beautifully. The one drawback was that I was limited to 160 km and 4500 rpm until we passed the 2000 km mark. We hit the 2000 km upon returning home to Ramstein.
On a seperate note, when picking up the car at a local BMW dealer, the owner met us when we arrived, offered us a glass of wine while we signed the papers and then had a bouquet of flowers delivered for my wife before we left. I was introduced to the Service Manager who gave me a run down on the car; very nice introduction to the BMW family.

[DinanM3_S2]

I've driven just about every 3-series ever built and I really do think that they are the best cars in the class. The only real competition for one would be an A4 Cabrio, and those tend not to handle as well or last as long.

My only advice is that if you are planning on getting a new one, wait a little while. BMW is presently in the middle of revamping the 3-series lineup. For reference, the previous generation 3-series is referred to as "E46" while the new generation is referred to as "E90." The only E90 cars out right now are the 325i and 330i sedan and the wagon. By September, we'll have the 328i and 335i coupes. Following those will be the next 3-series convertable which will be quite a bit more powerful then the present one and use a hardtop convertable roof, instead of the soft-top they use now. Finally, we will eventually get the M3s. If you wait for the new convertables to come out, you should be able to get a better deal on an E46 as they will be trying to clear them out, or have the option of going for a newer E90.

This is what the E90 coupe looks like, so imagine this without a top.