New M3 Convertible: A disappointment?

It should have been a soft top...

Why would you buy this when you could by a Boxter?

What's a "Boxter"?????

having owned a high performance convertible in the past I'm not sure if I understand the point of the article. Niggling at a hardtop convertible because it's a couple of tenths of a second slower and not as razor sharp of a handler versus the sedan and coupe is like complaining that you get wet if it rains and can't take your golf clubs with you while you're riding a motorcycle. My guess is motorcycle buyers understand those drawbacks when they buy one, but buy them because of the open air enjoyment. I'm sure the same holds true for M3 convertible buyers (or RS4 convertible buyers, etc.) If you want the quickest, best handling version of a car, you don't get the convertible in the first place. But to people who buy one I'm sure the sound of the M3 or RS4 engine at 8000RPM with the top down as you pull off a perfect shift through a corner makes up for the small defecit in speed and handling.

I guess I'd would have liked a few comparisons to other convertibles rather than constantly comparing it to its siblings. Obviously, the sedan and coupe will outperform the convertible version, what model does that not apply to?

I think its stunning, and when buyers are looking for a drop top, even though performance is important in this case, I think they are also looking for a high level of comfort, which seems to be exactly what BMW engineered into this car.

^ exactly. When they review coupes and sedans do they deduct points and complain they're "not as open and breezy and fun in the sun as the convertible version"? No, because that would be stupid, they're not convertibles. Then why review a convertible by comparing it to the more hardcore performance oriented versions? You don't get the convertible if you want the quickest, best handling version of the car. You get the convertible because you can put the top down at the (based on those numbers, very slight) expense of those other attributes. Not everyone buys an M3 to track it.

Frankly I'm pretty sure that's the reason all the different versions exist in the first place.

Just to say, the M3 Convert's boot is absolutely pitiful with the roof down. I mean really, you could fit a laptop and a DVD case, but that's it.

A disappointment now? Why so late in the game?

The M3 has been made into a heavy, gas sucking, muscle-car akin to a modern day Chevelle or GTO.

Add all the drive by wire PlayStation controls and you have a big, fat expensive living room on wheels that is an abomination to the BMW legacy of cars that you once could communicate and commune with via the seat of your pants.

Sad.

You should be a comedian. Seriously.

I like your sense of humour. But don't you find baiting the Lexus-haters to be a little too easy to offer real satisfaction? :)

Haha you troll.

NOT KIDDING!

Well first off you're not even funny. It's just baseless information that comes out of you =P. I'm surprised you haven't mentioned the IS as a superb handling machine that is better than any car in this world.

Wait you have. In past threads. I don't hate you MichaelTaylor but this alias you're using is a TROLL.

It's easy to complain about something like this, but let's face it. If you really want an all-out performance car with nearly every scrifice made for track prowess, then look to the Evo IX (RS I believe?) This car didnt even have A/C.

Total agreement with post above. "Hard-core" performance nuts don't drive convertibles, or add lots of weight-adding options.

This is a car that offers enjoyable driving and status in healthy doses for those who require both.

As proof that you don't need "real performance" to sell pricey performance cars, just look at Lexus ... they're doing quite well without going all the way on the handling & performance scale.

I think most enthusiasts would have more fun in a 135i pop top - and at 1/2 the money...

There is no M3 that is a failure.

BMW styling does nothing for me, looks like a junior managers car with a cheap bodykit thrown on top!

Yes they do this deliberately, its their target market.

What do they exactly want? The M3 convertible to handle like the coupe?!

madibaP.How stupid can you be.why would some1 bother to buy a cheap ladylike boxter over the M3 Convertible??? U A**hOLE

No, stupid would be referring to the best sub-$100K roadster ever built, whose sales figures are dominated by men, as "ladylike". Stupid would also be calling the most reliable cars in production "cheap". It's also stupid to not realize that they are totally different cars marketed to different demographics.

M3 = very sporty luxury car
Boxster S = luxed-up sports car
Both = sick, but for different reasons

right, thats why the boxster is noted as being one of the best handling and balanced cars in history. styling, that might be another matter, but think befor you speak

Who says the M3 convertible has to be a serious performance car? Why does it have to?