New BMW M3 Convertible review
Author: David Miles
Published: 22 September 2008
The BMW M3 in any of its three body styles is regarded as a performance icon. They are performance masterpieces and can compete easily with most supercars for acceleration, agile handling and grip. The M3 Convertible mainly competes for sales against the Mercedes-Benz CLK 63 AMG and Audi RS4 drop-tops.
Engine and performance
The two-door, four-seater M3 Convertible with its folding hard-top uses the F1 inspired 4.0-litre V8 420bhp, 400Nm petrol engine as do the M3 Coupe and Saloon variants.
This high-revving unit develops maximum power at 8,300rpm and 85% of its torque is available from 2,000 to 8,400rpm.
Top speed is as usual limited to 155mph with the 0-62mph acceleration time for the manual gearbox model of 5.3 seconds, marginally slower than the fixed roof M3 Coupe and Saloon because of the added weight brought about by the strengthening of the bodyshell. The M DCT sequential auto transmission variant is slightly quicker and takes 5.1 seconds from zero to 62mph.
CO2 and economy
It’s best we do not dwell on fuel consumption and CO2 emission figures too long given today’s fuel prices and high road tax charges. Officially the M3 Convertible with the six-speed manual transmission will return 21.9mpg on average with 309g/km of CO2 emissions giving it a road tax bill of £400 this year and £440 from next April.
My test car with the M DCT double clutch gearbox returned as low as 15.7mpg for local journeys but this improved after some steady, legal speed, motorway travelling to 22.2mpg. CO2 emissions are marginally better at 293g/km but it’s still the same £400 road tax bill.
BMW says the new M3 Convertible is both more fuel efficient and produces less C02 than its predecessor, around 5% better, despite this breathtaking performance. This is mainly due to the use of their famed EfficientDynamics programme which features Brake Energy Regeneration, Optimum Shift Indicator and lightweight materials.
Folding roof
The new BMW M3 Convertible is the first M car to feature a retractable hard-top as standard. The electro-hydraulic roof is fully automatic and can be lowered in 22 seconds.
The M3 Convertible is fitted with SunReflective leather, allowing owners to leave the top down for extended periods without the risk of the seat leather overheating, more appropriately this summer it’s also waterproof.
Underneath the M3 Convertible’s muscular body lies a chassis and suspension system tailor-made for the demanding requirements of an open-top car. Torsional rigidity has been significantly improved over the previous model, while the suspension has been fine-tuned to take into account the specific weight distribution of a convertible.
With the roof down there is still the hint of bodyshell judder over rough road surfaces but it is minimal.
The combination of a strong structure and advanced occupant restraint systems means the BMW M3 Convertible offers the highest possible standards of passive and active safety for occupants.
Safety and technology
Like the standard 3-Series Convertible, the M3 version is equipped with a rollover sensor system that constantly monitors the vertical and horizontal movement of the car.
If the sensors (which are located in the centre of the car, on the B pillars and in the doors) detect that a rollover is imminent, roll bars located behind the rear headrests pop up. At the same time, the front seatbelt pre-tensioners are activated and the head/thorax airbags are deployed.
So it’s fast and safe and full of technology as its price-tag suggests. It has the usual BMW complicated iDrive information and settings system and on-board computer which I’m told is simplified in the about to be launched updated 3 Series Saloon and Touring models.
Suspension
There is M Sports suspension which gives a firm ride, the M Servotronic variable rate power steering and variable M differential lock for optimum wheel grip despite the varying loads on the rear wheels during fast cornering.
The M3 Convertible of course has a Dynamic Stability Control programme and Corner Brake Control which balances the braking performance through fast corners when needed.
Elsewhere in the car you get rain sensor wipers, automatic headlight activation, remote control alarm, side, front and rear airbags, Xenon headlights, electrically operated M Sports front seats, aluminium domed bonnet, M aerodynamic exterior bodystyling with flared wheelarches, 18-inch alloy wheels, rear spoiler, M3 body logos, rear parking distance sensors, automatic air conditioning, cruise control and navigation system.
My test car came with a further £9,135 worth of options, including DAB radio, electronic damper control and 19-inch wheels, giving this particular M3 Convertible a price tag of £63,895.
For that money I’d want guaranteed sunshine to use this brilliant car to its wonderful best. It’s not perfect, the boot space is limited - 350-litres roof up and 210-litres roof down, the rear seat legroom is not great due to the space taken up by the retracting roof mechanism but a performance icon it certainly is.
Whether such high performance gas-guzzling models are acceptable in today’s world is another issue. Probably a 3 Series Convertible with the 320d fuel efficient 140g/km CO2 diesel engine priced at £33,440 is more appropriate given today’s slow moving traffic conditions and high taxation costs.
BMW M3 Convertible MILESTONES
BMW M3 Convertible with M DCT auto transmission
Price: £57,350 (£63,895 as tested)
Engine/transmission: 4.0-litre, V8, petrol, VANOS individual valve timing, 420bhp at 8,300rpm, 400Nm from 3,900rpm, 7-speed double-clutch man/auto transmission, variable differential lock, rear wheel drive
Performance: 155mph (restricted), 0-62mph 5.1 seconds, 23mpg (15.7 to 22.2mpg actual), CO2 293g/km, VED Band G £400, Benefit in Kind tax 35%
Insurance group: 20
For: Awesome performance, sensational handling, easy to use retractable roof
Against: Very high running costs, high CO2 emissions, reduced rear seat legroom and boot space compared to M3 Coupe and Saloon models
See Also:
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Pictures, reviews and specs of all the convertibles on the road.
There's nothing remotely practical, about convertibles or roadsters - from the Z4, Elise and SL to the Murcielago, Azure and Jag XK - but that won't matter the first time you drop the roof.
Prices, specs, pictures and review of all performance models on the roads.
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