m3 convertible...any opinions and owners comments?

I though about trading in my M3 Coup for one, Then my teenage Step daughter asked me why I was getting a "chick car" Never thought about the car as that, But I guess some others do. If you don't need the back seat I would say for the same money you could pick up an 2003 or maybe even a 2004 Boxster S. Then again I have heard that car called a Porsche with panties

 

I have a 2003 M3 convertible, 6 speed (currently for sale, by the way). It replaced a 98 M3 4 door, and my other car is a 360 (as way of reference).

Some thoughts. I weighed the car, with a half tank of gas, and me in it, on a certified scale and it was 3920 pounds. I slightly less than 200--so the car weight is around 3700. I think that is the reason for most of my comments--I don't love the car, and am therefore trying to sell it before the lease is up. Cowl shake is moderate--some squeeking of rubber seals with the top up, some slight shudder over bumps, some slight imprecision when cornering hard.

But mostly, the car just feels kinda "flat". Some friends who have driven it (one owns an NSX, another a Z8) both agree that the car seems like it performs less well than the numbers suggest. I think its the weight. I don't doubt that the 0-60, skidpad, or braking numbers are incorrect--the car just doesn't feel that good acheiving them.

BUT--you asked about a summer touring car. For that, the car is superb. The ride is quite firm, but not jarring. The interior is well thought out, and relatively luxurious. You can take 4 adults somewhere. The top is automatic, and works flawlessly. It has good power, and is an excellent road car. The trunk, while not huge, still holds a fair amount. My wife and I took a weeklong trip with a mountain bike and fishing stuff in the car, and while packed tightly, everything fit.

Hope this helps.

 

There is one thing worse... when your gay friends start getting chubbies over that car. It is a very popular car among the gay community.

Brad

 

Do a search, there has been alot of discussion here about the M3. I have one, a cabrio with SMG, and it has no affect on my sexual orientation, but i will agree that 20- and 30 -something women love it. It is not a high performance sports car, but a sporting "regular" car; you sit upright, there are creature comforts with little compromise for size or convenience and it's pretty solidly built. (although i question the paint which seems to have suffered more from stone chips than any other car i can remember).
I have it with the accessory hardtop- it looks terrific during the winter, i throw a set of snows on it, and go. I actually like the paddle shifter in this car, although that's generally not my preference.
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