Cooper S Conv and other 4 seat convertible thoughts

[Josh (PA)]

I'm still searching for a nice e36 M3c, but so far it is going very slow. Over the last month I identified 3 candidates that fit my criteria of Black, Techno or Dark Green, Manual, under 60k miles and not black interior but all three were sold before I even got a chance to look at them, so I'm thinking about looking at other options and recommendations.

Here's what I want:
Convertible
4 seats (back seats usable for two children)
FUN - in a tossable, visceral e36 m3 kind of way
enough storage for two people and a weekend trip
reliable enough to be used 4 - 5 days a week (doesn't need to be new but not so old that I have to baby it).
Near or under $30k

The only thing I can think of that really fits this besides the e36 m3 is a Mini convertible. I didn't get a chance to test drive one this weekend, but will get in one this week. I did have a Cooper CVT as a loaner some months ago, and even with the crappy transmission it was a blast, so I expect the better engine and manual transmission to only be better. I'm also going to drive an older 330cic, but don't hold out a ton of hope that I'll be that interested in it. The nice thing with the mini is it would be new with free maintanence and we would think about leasing it for 3 years. Thoughts? Am I missing any other candidates?

[TD]

I know where you can find a clean, very low-mileage E36 convertible. It's just not an M3.

It gives up a little on the power front (although not as much as you might think).

If you'd actually consider an MCS, I figure you might consider this.

Ours is black and tan, 5-spd, SP, and has ~34K miles.

[hockeynut]

The 330 is a great ragtop when you need to cart kids around. It isn't an M3, but it is a BMW and that was enough for me.

[equ]

I would second e36 or e46 convertibles against an mcs conv't. Test drove an MCS last year, fun but not so fast or amazing. Hardtop to hardtop, I will take a 2-3 yr old 325ci sport over the MCS any day (for the same price).

[FC]

I would second e36 or e46 convertibles against an mcs conv't. Test drove an MCS last year, fun but not so fast or amazing. Hardtop to hardtop, I will take a 2-3 yr old 325ci sport over the MCS any day (for the same price).

Agreed. The only reason we may ever own an MCS is because my wife thinks they are so damn cute. Otherwise, I'd never own one.

[AF]

I would second e36 or e46 convertibles against an mcs conv't. Test drove an MCS last year, fun but not so fast or amazing.

I am agreeing with this as well ... I took a test drive in a mini Cooper S with 20k miles on it a couple of weeks ago and I was hard pressed to find the thrill of this car. I so wanted to love it because for the price the car comes with a lot of nice features but besides for great handling which nowadays is not hard to find in a car, the supercharged engine felt soooo S L O W !!!! I tried the acceleration at least 6 times and the engine felt like it was missing the thrill I wanted. I know I should take another test drive because you really can't judge a car from a 10 minute test drive ...

[AF]

Here's what I want:
Convertible
4 seats (back seats usable for two children)
FUN - in a tossable, visceral e36 m3 kind of way
enough storage for two people and a weekend trip
reliable enough to be used 4 - 5 days a week (doesn't need to be new but not so old that I have to baby it).
Near or under $30k


I've never driven one and I would tend to think it is not a great drive but for the hell of it why don't you test drive the new Pontiac G6 convertible. It fits everything you want and is beautiful looking plus it is a hard top convertible similiar to the SLK. It's worth a shot ...

Another choice would be an Eclispe or Saab 9-3 convertible ...

Last but not least a E46 330ic ... probably the closest thing to what you are looking for though you will have to spend a few $$ more.

[lemming]

645ic --oh wait, they haven't quite depreciated THAT much yet....

LOL.

sorry. others have already covered the obvious.

[undefined]

645ic --oh wait, they haven't quite depreciated THAT much yet....



plus he needs USABLE back seats :D

[Roadstergal]

plus he needs USABLE back seats :D

They're roomier than the back seats in the tintop MCS I rode in. I was comfy in both, but I have no legs.

[TD]

http://www.drautos.com/search/srDetails.asp?itemid=274267&sessionkey={A2D8F945-B753-4275-AE3B-DFC0D0E9F4AE}

Aside from the V6 reference, it looks good.

[wdc330i]

Here you go, Josh. Looks like we need Babblefish to translate the broken English:

Car Information
Listing: 1999 M3
Year: 1999
Model: M3
Body: Convertible
VIN: WBSBK9333XEC43520
Exterior Color: Silver
Interior Color: Dove gray
Transmission: 5 Speed
Mileage: 34,000
Price: $24,500


Consumer Alert: Scam Alert
Seller Information
Member Name: mdusenbery
Member ID: 136444
Member since: 01/20/2006
City: asheville
State: NC
Zip: 28804
Seller Type: Private
Date Listed: 02/21/2006
Send this seller a message


E-Mail this ad to a friend
Other:
Call for details 828-259-9171



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Do a car fax on this car if you want the compleate back round. The condisition is Very Good, two owner's. Their is a golf ball dent on the front fender [from a golf ball], close to the end of the fender, no chipping can be fix with out paint. Some minor chips on the front end, you have to get close to even see them. One chip on the passanger door. The interior is a perfect as you can get. Tires a new, polit sport. Two out of four wheels were curbed. 30k check up was done at BMW. Was a FL car, never keep outside. If you ever wanted a M3, this is the car. Email for photos m835@msn.com Convertible top is perfect.

http://www.roadfly.com/bmw/classifieds/cars/detview.php?view=35358

[iateyourcheese]

When do you need it...

1er cabrio

http://www.germancarfans.com/spyphotos/6060220.001/6060220.001.mini2L.jpg

[Josh (PA)]

[QUOTE=iateyourcheese]When do you need it...

1er cabrio

[QUOTE]

Thanks for the leads. The black one TD posted looks nice, I'm waiting for more pictures from the dealer. For some reason I don't like silver.

a 130 will be an interesting option in a few years if it makes it to the states and isn't completely electroniced up and is the fun drivers car that it should be.

[Josh (PA)]

Our e36 m3c search is not going too well. So far nothing has come available that we've even been able to look at, either they sell immediately or have some flaw that takes them out of our window. So last night we went to the BMW/MINI dealership and started thinking about plan b. We took the 330 out first. It was a 2003 sport package w/ the 18" wheels and manual transmission. I can not believe how disappointing it was. Capable, but completely uninvolving.I really wanted to like it, but no matter how hard I tried it just felt boring. It was just more numb than I expected in every facet of the driving experience. Coming from the wagon I really missed having low end grunt. Throughout the whole test drive I don't think I once had a smooth clutch engagement and couldn't comfortably heel/toe no matter how hard I tried. After talking to our sales guy, we had an oppurtunity to take an e46 M3c for a drive, but ran out of time so we'll probably go back over the weekend and get an impression of that.

We then went across to the Mini dealership and grabbed a cooper s convertible. That thing was just a blast. It just turns and turns and turns, and feels so fun doing it. The power was lacking, but it didn't take away from the fun and minimized any noticable torque steer. The ergonomics were weak and the interior is so gimicky, but it put such a big smile on my face I could ignore all of that. One particular corner we braked pretty late and the back end stepped out very controllably just a little. That was something I couldn't get the 330 to do even with dsc off.

The mini was fun enough to stay at the top of the Plan B list, but wasn't so compelling that I'm ready to give up on the m3c search just yet. I've added Silver to my list of acceptable exterior colors and am OK with anything under ~60k miles. Now I just need the right car to fall into my lap.

Waiting SUCKS....

[TD]

I can see us getting the 130iC for my wife in a few years (after she starts *really* twitching from convertible withdrawl).

[ff]

At the risk of getting clobbered by rumatt or Alex, I'll add my opinion on the MCS as well. It's "kinda" fun, if you like slow, cramped, quirky cars that can't keep their front tires planted in the curves. And I think the convertible looks as stupid as a PT Cruiser convert. It's just not right.

I would seriously consider the many, many better alternatives out there.

[TD]

At the risk of getting clobbered by rumatt or Alex, I'll add my opinion on the MCS as well. It's "kinda" fun, if you like slow, cramped, quirky cars that can't keep their front tires planted in the curves. And I think the convertible looks as stupid as a PT Cruiser convert. It's just not right.

I would seriously consider the many, many better alternatives out there.
I was simply underwhelmed by the Cooper S on two test drives. Sure, it feels kind of quick and nimble and responsive. But it still feels FWD and is far from being *fast*.

As long as you have no aspirations for it replacing your E36M3C in any respect beyond it being a convertible, than go for it. If you expect it to be anywhere close to as satisfying to drive, forget it.

[BahnBaum]

At the risk of getting clobbered by rumatt or Alex, I'll add my opinion on the MCS as well.

:toetap: :dunno:

Alex

[IndyMike]

Too bad we can't get something like this over here. It is the Euro only new Ford Focus cabrio with retractable hardtop.
http://a904.g.akamai.net/7/904/506/v0011/www.autobytel.com/images/Autoshows/2006/Geneva/400/Ford_Focus_Coupe_Cabriolet.jpg

Personally, I will never get another cab until I am in a climate that I guarantee I can use it virtually every day (read CA, AZ, NC, SC, GA or FL). Otherwise, at least where I live, I think you sacrifice too much (i.e rattles, cowl shake, structural rigidity, etc.) day-in and day-out, particularly if it's used as a dedicated daily driver.

Just my 2 pfennigs.

[Josh (PA)]

I would seriously consider the many, many better alternatives out there.

What FUN alternatives do you see with a useable back seat for 2 kids?

[ff]

What FUN alternatives do you see with a useable back seat for 2 kids?


I missed the statement where you needed a useable backseat for 2 kids. That limits your choices a bit, since most of the fun converts either have no backseat, or cost way too much money. The backseat thing pretty much rules out the MCS. I think the E36 M3 (does it have to be an M3?) is probably your best bet.

[JST]

What FUN alternatives do you see with a useable back seat for 2 kids?

Mustang GT.

[FC]

Mustang GT.

:+1

[Rob]

The MINI is a blast in the handling department, but they aren't fast.

Consider getting a convertible e36M3 from the west coast and shipping it. There are tons of them out here and probably enough people to check them out for you. For example here are 8 that I could reach during lunch:

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/searchresults.jsp?advanced=y&bkms=1141934254790&certified=&isp=y&search=y&lang=en&search_type=used&body_style=CONVERT&make=BMW&model=M3&make2=sel_one&start_year=1995&end_year=1999&min_price=1&max_price=30000&max_mileage=&distance=25&address=92121&engine=&fuel=&drive=&transmission=Manual&doors=&color=&x=114&y=5

There are a gazillion of them available out here.

[TD]

The MINI is a blast in the handling department, but they aren't fast.

Consider getting a convertible e36M3 from the west coast and shipping it. There are tons of them out here and probably enough people to check them out for you. For example here are 8 that I could reach during lunch:

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/searchresults.jsp?advanced=y&bkms=1141934254790&certified=&isp=y&search=y&lang=en&search_type=used&body_style=CONVERT&make=BMW&model=M3&make2=sel_one&start_year=1995&end_year=1999&min_price=1&max_price=30000&max_mileage=&distance=25&address=92121&engine=&fuel=&drive=&transmission=Manual&doors=&color=&x=114&y=5

There are a gazillion of them available out here.
And they are all $10K+ overpriced.

[FC]

And they are all $10K+ overpriced.

Yeah, that is pretty nuts. They are asking for 50% of the car's value after 7-8 years.:loco:

[TD]

I swear that link wasn't in rwg's post when I started my reply.

I just checked it out and, other than the crack smoker who owns the top listing, the prices aren't *that* out of line.

[Rob]

I think the original post had the link. Regardless, I just searched for manual convertibles withing 25 miles of my office. If we moved up towards orange county or L.A. with the search, they come out of the woodwork (although many are automatics). In spite of holding their value well for many years, they seem to have dropped pretty significantly since the E90 came out.

[TD]

I think the original post had the link. Regardless, I just searched for manual convertibles withing 25 miles of my office. If we moved up towards orange county or L.A. with the search, they come out of the woodwork (although many are automatics). In spite of holding their value well for many years, they seem to have dropped pretty significantly since the E90 came out.
And now I remember that it was the 'verts TBM3C posted up around SF that were just absurdly priced.

[Theo]

A quick auto trader search within 50 miles of me for a 99 manual only turned up one result!! Wow. Did they all dry up?

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/searchresults.jsp?advanced=y&bkms=1141958910302&certified=&isp=y&search=y&lang=&search_type=used&body_style=CONVERT&make=BMW&model=M3&make2=sel_one&start_year=1999&end_year=1999&min_price=&max_price=&max_mileage=&distance=50&address=94903&engine=&fuel=&drive=&transmission=Manual&doors=&color=&x=111&y=9

And yes they do hold there value here, which is good for me.

I bought my in AZ almost 2.5 years ago for 26K with 40K on the clock. I can still probably get about 20 for it.

[Theo]

The MINI is a blast in the handling department, but they aren't fast.

Consider getting a convertible e36M3 from the west coast and shipping it. There are tons of them out here and probably enough people to check them out for you. For example here are 8 that I could reach during lunch:

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/searchresults.jsp?advanced=y&bkms=1141934254790&certified=&isp=y&search=y&lang=en&search_type=used&body_style=CONVERT&make=BMW&model=M3&make2=sel_one&start_year=1995&end_year=1999&min_price=1&max_price=30000&max_mileage=&distance=25&address=92121&engine=&fuel=&drive=&transmission=Manual&doors=&color=&x=114&y=5

There are a gazillion of them available out here.

Btw that Imola Red 99 in that search is REALLY nice!!

[Rob]

Four seater Volvo? Just a thought. I doubt they handle very well.