What should I get, Coupe or Convertible ????

[scrapper]

Hey !!! Awesome forums..

I currently drive an Avalanche but lease is up in a couple of week so I can FINALLY get my 135 !!! (Tried a year ago but they offered 7000 less than the lease buyout so was like no thanks...)

So my question is..

I live in Toronto, Canada and get pretty harsh winters... however the warm weather is starting to emerge now !!

So should I get a convertible for Year Round driving?? Or am I best to stick to the coupe..

The $$$ difference is negligible... but I won't get a winter vehicle as live in downtown Toronto and parking for a 2nd vehicle is about 250/month.. Just want to make sure the convertible isn't gonna be a pain in the winter, wind noise??? difficult to heat???

[bozola]

I would recommend the coupe.

[Lester]

Do you have indoor parking at home and work? I would think that outdoor 7x24x365 would be hard on a soft top in Toronto.

The coupe with sun roof is perhaps the best case. Or how about a 335 hardtop convertible?

[bimmerfile]

These modern verts have great insulation and sound proofing and are easy heat.
Heated seats are std even on the 128i softtop.
The tops are under the same 4yr warranty as other components, so if you want a vert at $20K LT than a comparable 335i vert, you're not gonna get a better deal than either the 128i or 135i cabrios.

[gtaday51]

The vert is plenty warm in a NY winter. And i'm bring my vert up to Syracuse this year when I go to college. Its all fine, you just need to ask your self this question. Are you willing to clean this off.

[scrapper]

^^ LOL man I lived in more northern canada and i've seen worse on my car !! lol

Yeah i do have underground parking... and I probably only drive 2-3 times a week as I work from home..

Thanks for the replies guys !! Nice to know a 4 year warranty on soft top as i'll probably lease since I just write off the lease payments... and probably do a 36 month lease..

[jkp1187]

Coupe.

Driving a convertible is never as fun as you think it might be. Especially if you live anywhere north of, oh, say, Kentucky. Just get the sunroof and you'll be fine.

[1013mm]

do you like the sun and wind or occasional bird droppings?

[gtaday51]

Its not that bad. The 1er vert is very well built and it is very fun to throw into a corner. And there is not substitute to having the top down on a nice day and the sound of the N54 roaring infront of you.

Summing up: No bird poo anywhere on the car, lots of fun...if your not a track junkie and your not concerned with ultimate performance, get a vert.

[Judge]

You can't go wrong either way. Of all the "regret" threads posted here you don't find too many people wishing they had gotten the coupe instead of the convertible or vice versa.

[scorcherjf]

I live in Florida and I have a coupe! I think the coupes look better, but that's just me =)

btw, I'm starting graduate school in Toronto this fall and I'm thinking about bringing my 1 - need to invest in some winter tires!

[TagMan]

Hey Scrapper... Welcome to the board!

Firstly, let me say that by choosing a 135i, as you indicated, you have selected the right car... whether it's a coupe or a convertible.

I do believe from first-hand experience, that both cars are awesome, as I owned the coupe before trading it in on the convertible... but it's important to point out that our awesome climate here in California isn't anything like Toronto, Canada.

So... having had the unique experience of owning both cars, I guess I owe you some honest feedback here.

The single most important factor in your choice is all about the frequency of top-down driving you would be able to enjoy. Whether or not you are a guy that will drive with the top down in chilly days is up to you. And even then, how many opportunities will you really get? Only you know the answer to that one.

Certainly the interior cockpit of the 1-Series is comfortable enough to drive when the weather is somewhat chilly, as it heats up nicely with minimum wind turbulence by rolling up all windows and turning up the heat and the seat heaters... as well as using the rear optional windscreen, which would be a critical option for you... as my experience with it proves that it makes a major contribution to interior comfort when it is chilly outside.

The coupe is faster. Period. No argument will hold water. But, only by a fraction of a second, and not enough to make a major difference in your fun... yet, it can be felt. Also, the coupe can be used on a track, if you are so inclined.

The rear seat is slightly tighter in the convertible. Fractional difference in legroom, but the shoulder width is a bit tighter in the 'vert.

The coupe has a sunroof, which of course the convertible does not. The 'vert is all or nothing.

The coupe is just a bit quieter, but not by much, as the the 'vert's insulated top does an outstanding job... but there is a tiny bit of wind noise that is inherent with the convertible that simply cannot be completely eliminated.

Visibility is better in the coupe, as the 'vert has the typical blind spot when the top is up. I have gotten used to it, but that doesn't mean it's not there, and it will irritate once in a while.

The convertible's body has terrific extra bracing and is tight. None of the loose rattling and shaking that you might expect. The windows (if rolled up) can shake a tiny bit over bad bumps, and that is the only real noticeable difference in body shake. So, it's a solid 'vert, but the coupe is sooooo solid that it is like being in a single piece of metal.

Then there's the appearance. This part is personal, of course. I think the 'vert looks awesome with the top down and is the clear winner when the top is down, but with the top up, it's still beautiful and is noticeable as a convertible with it's soft top... but with the top up, it is just no match for the coupe... IMVHO.

If I missed something, just ask me. I'm happy to share and contrast my ownership experience with both of these very cool cars.

Again... the single biggest factor is to be honest with yourself about how much time you think you can and will spend driving with the top down... because top-down driving is just plain fantastic... no ifs, ands or buts.

That said, whichever "one" you choose, I guarantee you will love the 135i. I've owned a lot of cars, and it's clearly one of my favorite cars of all time, regardless of price. It's honestly that good... and that much F-U-N! Good luck.



TM

[warmtoes]

Originally Posted by jkp1187

Coupe.

Driving a convertible is never as fun as you think it might be. Especially if you live anywhere north of, oh, say, Kentucky. Just get the sunroof and you'll be fine.

What?

I've never had a vert before and it is way better than I ever thought it could be.

To the OP, we had a pretty bad winter here in Vancouver and it was cold and we had a ton of snow even by Toronto standards and the vehicle was just fine. Never noticed it being cold. Plus the heated seats are thermonuclear when on setting 3.

If you want to drive when it's cold I would suggest getting the wind deflector as it prevents the cold draft from hitting your neck from behind.

I would go for it if I were you.

[Tom K.]

As others have said, the modern, lined BMW cloth top is very snug in all types of weather. And since you have covered parking, I can't really see a downside.

So if you get the 'vert, I have two recommendations:

1. Order the Park Distance Control ($350 in the U.S.) as rear vision is always more limited with the top up on a droptop.
2. Treat the top with RaggTopp protectant 3~4 times a year (takes me about 2 minutes).

And if you can spare the time, take a couple of weeks in the summer to enjoy the Cabot Trail and or the Gaspe Peninsula - great roads in a convertible.

Tom

[scrapper]

wow thanks for all the GREAT responses guys !!!

I will have to let you guys know what I get

[1013mm]

uncle got an m6 vert got 3 bird droppings within the first week.. guess its your luck and where you live...

[gtaday51]

Originally Posted by jzhang

uncle got an m6 vert got 3 bird droppings within the first week.. guess its your luck and where you live...

Its more luck. I live on the LI coast, seagulls in the summer, one almost killed me the other day (the drop crabs and clams on the streat to break em). One landed about a foot to my left the other day) and we have those black and brown Canadiens in the winter.

A flock of them flew over my car during my photoshoot last night. Thankfully I was not hit.

[BForbes]

I added a poll for ya scrapper.

[AlienDNA]

I'm curious. Why the heck are you driving an Avalanche if you live in downtown Toronto and work from home?

[BMW86]

Get the coupe. The extra weight was never negotiable for me. On the fly, the 135i coupe is fast, but not that much faster than what else is out there. I've lost to quite a few modded cars on the fly but I guess you can always get a jb3 for that!

[BForbes]

Originally Posted by BMW86

Get the coupe. The extra weight was never negotiable for me. On the fly, the 135i coupe is fast, but not that much faster than what else is out there. I've lost to quite a few modded cars on the fly but I guess you can always get a jb3 for that!

What kind of modded cars have you lost against?!?!?! To this day, the 135i has some of the quickest in gear acceleration points.

[FlyFish]

So should I get a convertible for Year Round driving?? Or am I best to stick to the coupe..

I'd get the M3; I did, got rid of my 135i coupe too--AND BOY HOWDY, WHAT A FRIGGIN CAR!!!