info on E30 M3 Convertible required
Discussion
There were around 786 built. They came with the 215bhp engine that came in later e30 m3 Coupe's. I owned a coupe and have driven 2 convertible's. I wouldn't say that the convertible is more desireable as good condition coupes often fetch more than convertibles.
The coupe is much more involving to drive in my opinion. The convertible does look lovely though. I think it depends what you want it for. If you want to drive it fast and maybe do some track days. If you want a nice car for summer then the convertible. When i bought mine I was actually looking for a convertible but got talked out of it by 2 convertible owners as they knew I would prefer a car that I could thrash about a bit more.
The coupe is much more involving to drive in my opinion. The convertible does look lovely though. I think it depends what you want it for. If you want to drive it fast and maybe do some track days. If you want a nice car for summer then the convertible. When i bought mine I was actually looking for a convertible but got talked out of it by 2 convertible owners as they knew I would prefer a car that I could thrash about a bit more.
haworthlloyd1 said:
im guessing maybe more desirable as they are a convertible, hand built and built in fewer numbers. But on the other side of the coin they don't have the motorsport history and im guessing are a fair bit less involving to drive
you're right, the coupe is more sought after due to motorsport links
convertable is based on a lhd 325i chassis with different wings so you will feel torsional flex/scuttle shake - nice car all the same
try classic insurers, you should be able to get mirrored NCB on a limited mileage policy
also LHD is no problem, have a search through the forum and you'll see loads has already been posted
Not all convertibles have 215 bhp.
Early ones (i.e from May 1988 have 200 bhp Non-Cat); from Oct '88 to March '89 they were 195 bhp with Cat. Production then stopped for 10 months. When production resumed they then came with 215 bhp until production ceased July 1991. One single car was produced with the EVO II (220 bhp) engine.
It is not just the loss of rigidity that makes the convertible less desirable as a 'driver's car'. It should also be remembered that the convertible weighs a massive 160kg more! That's effectively the equivalent of driving around with an extra two full sized adult passengers on-board the whole time!
When I bought my E30 M3 ( www.bmwclassics.co.uk/page_m3.html ) about 5 years ago now convertibles were still generally more expensive to buy than the coupes. That premium has been gradually eroded such that now good coupes are worth more. This is essentially, in my opinion, because most people considering an E30 M3 these days are looking to buy an out-and-out driver's car.
Early ones (i.e from May 1988 have 200 bhp Non-Cat); from Oct '88 to March '89 they were 195 bhp with Cat. Production then stopped for 10 months. When production resumed they then came with 215 bhp until production ceased July 1991. One single car was produced with the EVO II (220 bhp) engine.
It is not just the loss of rigidity that makes the convertible less desirable as a 'driver's car'. It should also be remembered that the convertible weighs a massive 160kg more! That's effectively the equivalent of driving around with an extra two full sized adult passengers on-board the whole time!
When I bought my E30 M3 ( www.bmwclassics.co.uk/page_m3.html ) about 5 years ago now convertibles were still generally more expensive to buy than the coupes. That premium has been gradually eroded such that now good coupes are worth more. This is essentially, in my opinion, because most people considering an E30 M3 these days are looking to buy an out-and-out driver's car.
I bought a lovely black E30 convertible which was brill, I spent a fortune on it with special wheels carbon airbox etc and took it on a track day at Oulton Park, I was amazed! They really are superb on the track even the convertible. I loved it so much I then went and bought an immaculate track prepared Coupe and have never looked back.
If you want one for the summer and only for road work a good convertible is great but if you are consudering venturing onto the track (I wasn't but was hooked when I did) then get a coupe. The EVO versions are more sought after but any M3 that has been regulary serviced and looked after should be fine with a bit of luck. Make sure your insurer knows it's left hand drive as Carole Nash have been insuring them as RHD which could cause problems in the case of a claim. All the info is available here re E30 M3's....[url]www.bmwcarclubforum.co.uk/forum_topics.asp?FID=18[/url]
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If you want one for the summer and only for road work a good convertible is great but if you are consudering venturing onto the track (I wasn't but was hooked when I did) then get a coupe. The EVO versions are more sought after but any M3 that has been regulary serviced and looked after should be fine with a bit of luck. Make sure your insurer knows it's left hand drive as Carole Nash have been insuring them as RHD which could cause problems in the case of a claim. All the info is available here re E30 M3's....[url]www.bmwcarclubforum.co.uk/forum_topics.asp?FID=18[/url]
My cars
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