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Car Forum / BMW Cars / July 2006BMW sedans vs coupes vs convertibles
Why do people buy BMW coupes (like me)? I don't understand. Is it because of stupidity? Convertibles have obvious advantages but are slower because they're heavier and they have less torsional rigidity. Sedans are of course bought for practical reasons. With the 5/7 series, it's more for show than for personal enjoyment. But why coupes? > Why do people buy BMW coupes (like me)? I don't understand. Is it > because of stupidity? Convertibles have obvious advantages but are > slower because they're heavier and they have less torsional rigidity. > Sedans are of course bought for practical reasons. With the 5/7 series, > it's more for show than for personal enjoyment. But why coupes? Why do you think people who buy 5/7 Series more "for show than for personal enjoyment?" Have you ever driven a 5/7 Series? >> Why do people buy BMW coupes (like me)? I don't understand. Is it >> because of stupidity? Convertibles have obvious advantages but are [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] >Why do you think people who buy 5/7 Series more "for show than for personal >enjoyment?" Have you ever driven a 5/7 Series? I'm still trying to figure out what "obvious advantages" a convertible has, given all the *bad* things a drop top brings to what could otherwise have been a performance vehicle... >>> Why do people buy BMW coupes (like me)? I don't understand. Is it >>> because of stupidity? Convertibles have obvious advantages but are [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] >>personal >>enjoyment?" Have you ever driven a 5/7 Series? I bought four 7 series because I am very tall, and even if I can fit in smaller cars, no one can sit behind me. I bought the first one because it was about the only car with ABS as standard at the time, although Ford brought out the 5 door Granada about the same time. > I'm still trying to figure out what "obvious advantages" a convertible > has, > given all the *bad* things a drop top brings to what could otherwise have > been > a performance vehicle... Lots of fresh air. You don't have to duck to get in. OTOH there is less torsional stability, extra weight, poor security and sooner or later lots of wind noise... The OP is correct - convertibles only seat 4, they rattle like hell, the top is a pain, driving top-down on freeways requires earplugs. But the cool factor is 5x a coupe, and 10x a sedan. BTW my M3 convertible sticks to the road pretty well despite lower rigidity. > >> Why do people buy BMW coupes (like me)? I don't understand. Is it > >> because of stupidity? Convertibles have obvious advantages but are [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > given all the *bad* things a drop top brings to what could otherwise have been > a performance vehicle... My CLK Cab (first generation W208) does not, apparently, shake, rattle and roll. Even at 120 mph. I have seen a journalists's comments to the effect that it is only one that doesn't. DAS For direct contact replace nospam with schmetterling --- > The OP is correct - convertibles only seat 4, they rattle like hell, > the top is a pain, driving top-down on freeways requires earplugs. But > the cool factor is 5x a coupe, and 10x a sedan. > > BTW my M3 convertible sticks to the road pretty well despite lower > rigidity. [...] > "RichAsianKid" <richasiankid@hotmail.com> wrote >> Why do people buy BMW coupes (like me)? I don't understand. Is it [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > personal > enjoyment?" Have you ever driven a 5/7 Series? Only his daddy's. FloydR > > Why do people buy BMW coupes (like me)? I don't understand. Is it > > because of stupidity? Convertibles have obvious advantages but are [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > Why do you think people who buy 5/7 Series more "for show than for personal > enjoyment?" Have you ever driven a 5/7 Series? I take that back....that reputation gloriously belong to Mercedes C-class drivers! I would not drive a 7 series - it's state of technology for sure but it's very fat and ponderous. Unless I'm in my retirement home years with a chauffeur. Even the 507 hp M5 is not a porsche turbo in a purist sense, but I think it excels in that it's like a decathlon athelete - at the end of the day when you add up all the variables in terms of ride, luxury, practicality, performance, it's an overall winner with one of the best engines on the planet, possibly the best. >> > Why do people buy BMW coupes (like me)? I don't understand. Is it >> > because of stupidity? Convertibles have obvious advantages but are [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] >C-class drivers! >technology for sure but it's very fat and ponderous. Unless I'm in my You HAD to bring up the C(heap)-class didn't you. Swine.  SignatureNeed Mercedes parts? http://parts.mbz.org Richard Sexton | Mercedes stuff: http://mbz.org 1970 280SE, 72 280SE | Home pages: http://rs79.vrx.net 633CSi 250SE/C 300SD | http://aquaria.net http://killi.net > >> > Why do people buy BMW coupes (like me)? I don't understand. Is it > >> > because of stupidity? Convertibles have obvious advantages but are [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > You HAD to bring up the C(heap)-class didn't you. Swine. C(heap)-class, E(conomy)-class, or S(uper)-class, many think that unless it's an AMG-version, MB's are just not worth *driving*. Besides, C(heap)-class drivers are hilarious! Once I saw a C240 basic model on the road. The guy removed the '0' and stuck an AMG label on the right side of the trunk! > -- > Need Mercedes parts? http://parts.mbz.org > Richard Sexton | Mercedes stuff: http://mbz.org > 1970 280SE, 72 280SE | Home pages: http://rs79.vrx.net > 633CSi 250SE/C 300SD | http://aquaria.net http://killi.net >C(heap)-class, E(conomy)-class, or S(uper)-class, many think that >unless it's an AMG-version, MB's are just not worth *driving*. Well they'd be wrong then wouldn't they? If I want to get somewhere fast I take the 633. If I'm picking somebod up from the airport I'll take a Mercedes. They're different cars for different purposes. >Besides, C(heap)-class drivers are hilarious! Once I saw a C240 basic >model on the road. The guy removed the '0' and stuck an AMG label on >the right side of the trunk! You mean like a non-so-hot 3 series model with an M badge like I saw yesterday? SignatureNeed Mercedes parts? http://parts.mbz.org Richard Sexton | Mercedes stuff: http://mbz.org 1970 280SE, 72 280SE | Home pages: http://rs79.vrx.net 633CSi 250SE/C 300SD | http://aquaria.net http://killi.net >You mean like a non-so-hot 3 series model with an M badge like I saw yesterday? Grr. I was behind a 325Ci yesterday that had his regular badge on the right and an M3 badge on the right of his trunk lid. The only M part on the car were the side mirrors... epbrown -- 2003 BMW 325i Black/Black 2003 BMW Z4 Black/Black > >C(heap)-class, E(conomy)-class, or S(uper)-class, many think that > >unless it's an AMG-version, MB's are just not worth *driving*. > > Well they'd be wrong then wouldn't they? If I want to get somewhere > fast I take the 633. If I'm picking somebod up from the airport I'll > take a Mercedes. They're different cars for different purposes. errr....not so fast Once I went for a charity run-a-thon and had to whisk a few gals to the event. After the walk on our way back to my car (330Ci) one said, "I like your sports car. Is it a BMW or a Mercedes?" (And just so there is no mistake, I humbly admit we're all Gen Y, so we're not talking about retirement home residents!) >> >C(heap)-class, E(conomy)-class, or S(uper)-class, many think that >> >unless it's an AMG-version, MB's are just not worth *driving*. [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] >event. After the walk on our way back to my car (330Ci) one said, "I >like your sports car. Is it a BMW or a Mercedes?" It's pretty hard to mistake a 3-series for an S-class. Or a c-class and a 7-series. SignatureNeed Mercedes parts? http://parts.mbz.org Richard Sexton | Mercedes stuff: http://mbz.org 1970 280SE, 72 280SE | Home pages: http://rs79.vrx.net 633CSi 250SE/C 300SD | http://aquaria.net http://killi.net If you are not into cars much it is easy not to recognise the car brand or type. Heck, I once had someone in the front seat of a Merc saloon who asked my what the car was, despite the fairly visible upright star at the end of the bonnet. I bet lots of people are like that. DAS For direct contact replace nospam with schmetterling --- [...] > It's pretty hard to mistake a 3-series for an S-class. > > Or a c-class and a 7-series. > > Why do people buy BMW coupes (like me)? I don't understand. Is it > > because of stupidity? Convertibles have obvious advantages but are [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > Why do you think people who buy 5/7 Series more "for show than for personal > enjoyment?" Have you ever driven a 5/7 Series? Yes I have driven a 5 - 530i - sat in a few 7s - it actually doesnt handle as badly as I thought....slightly less nimble than a 330Ci though. > > > Why do people buy BMW coupes (like me)? I don't understand. Is it > > > because of stupidity? Convertibles have obvious advantages but are [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > handle as badly as I thought....slightly less nimble than a 330Ci > though. There you go! One thing that BMW does well is it makes the 5/7 Series feel like a small, nibble car. You "sat" in a 7 Series, try driving one. Yes, its not a Miata or a 330i, but drive a 750i, then try anything comparable from MB, Lexus, Acura, Audi/VW or any other mfr. You will notice a BIG difference. Now if BMW could only do something about getting rid of iDrive, its NAV system (arguably the worst made), and runflat tires (give me a spare any day), and I would actually consider a new one! > > > > Why do people buy BMW coupes (like me)? I don't understand. Is it > > > > because of stupidity? Convertibles have obvious advantages but are [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > system (arguably the worst made), and runflat tires (give me a spare any > day), and I would actually consider a new one! Question - do those runflat tires really diminish/impair maneuverability/cornering/driving fun? > > > > Why do people buy BMW coupes (like me)? I don't understand. Is it > > > > because of stupidity? Convertibles have obvious advantages but are [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > system (arguably the worst made), and runflat tires (give me a spare any > day), and I would actually consider a new one! Question - do those runflat tires really diminish/impair maneuverability/cornering/driving fun? > > > > > Why do people buy BMW coupes (like me)? I don't understand. Is it > > > > > because of stupidity? Convertibles have obvious advantages but are [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] > Question - do those runflat tires really diminish/impair > maneuverability/cornering/driving fun? No, BMW tunes its suspension to for the harshness of the runflats. But if you get a flat in an out of the way place, be prepared to either stay over night or pay some big bucks for a replacement. Sorry, but if I get a flat, I rather have a spare that I can change and be done with it. >> Question - do those runflat tires really diminish/impair >> maneuverability/cornering/driving fun? [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] >night or pay some big bucks for a replacement. Sorry, but if I get a flat, I >rather have a spare that I can change and be done with it. Someone is unclear on the concept of run-flats. It doesn't matter if you get lose air in an out of the way place, because you'll just keep driving. Most people can't tell the difference between a flat and an inflated tire with run-flats, which is why there's a tire pressure monitor to let you know. As for how they perform - they had a negative effect on my Z4's handling, which is why I swapped them for Goodyears. I don't think BMW had the hang of tuning the suspension for them - reports on the ride of the E90 3-series are much better, as well as the facelifted Z4s released this year Since I don't have a spare and no longer have run-flats, I added the BMW Mobility Kit to my Z4. With serious tire damage, I'm screwed. I'll take my chances - I've never had a flat tire. I read somewhere that only 5% of motorists ever have. epbrown -- 2003 BMW 325i Black/Black 2003 BMW Z4 Black/Black I bought the 5er because it had slightly more interior room (primarily shoulder room, a bit more rear seat leg room) and its superior ride. The longer wheelbase made a big difference over our not-so-wonderful local roads. I was willing to sacrifice a couple tenths in acceleration and 1 or 2 hundredths in cornering G for these qualities. The car is an absolute joy to drive. R / John > Why do people buy BMW coupes (like me)? I don't understand. Is it > because of stupidity? Convertibles have obvious advantages but are > slower because they're heavier and they have less torsional rigidity. > Sedans are of course bought for practical reasons. With the 5/7 series, > it's more for show than for personal enjoyment. But why coupes? Coupes look better to some people. Plus they cost more than sedans, a desirable point for some especially when combined with the lower practicality (image thing). Logically, you are quite right; for cars like BMW's coupes make zero sense vs. sedans. Logic does not rule, though, for many. > Why do people buy BMW coupes (like me)? I don't understand. Is it > because of stupidity? Convertibles have obvious advantages but are > slower because they're heavier and they have less torsional rigidity. > Sedans are of course bought for practical reasons. With the 5/7 series, > it's more for show than for personal enjoyment. But why coupes? > Coupes look better to some people. Plus they cost more than sedans, a > desirable point for some especially when combined with the lower [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] >> Sedans are of course bought for practical reasons. With the 5/7 series, >> it's more for show than for personal enjoyment. But why coupes? I once owned at the same time a 91 325i coupe and a 91 325iX sedan. The coupe was a great little sports car that happened to have some extra seats in the back. The iX was a very competent grocery-getter that handled the snow like a Polaris snowcat, but was about as much fun to drive as a Honda Civic. Adding up the differences between the two cars, I decided the big factor in how they handled was weight. The coupe had a 5-speed and little extra on it except a leather interior. The iX had the weight of 1) an automatic transmission, 2) seat heaters, 3) a sunroof, 4) extra door hardware for the two extra doors, 5) the 4-wheel drive hardware, 6) the extra metal of a slightly squarer sedan roofline. I have no idea what the real weight difference was between the two, but driving it, the iX always felt like I had 400 pounds of cement in the trunk. Since owning those two cars I've always looked for as light a BMW as I can find in the model I want. A coupe, to me, is a good starting point. (As a point of reference, the current 330i Sedan weights 3417 pounds. The 330i coupe weights 3285. That's a difference of 132 pounds, all or mostly very high up, right where you don't want it.) Alan Brooks -- And all this calculation goes out the window when you're talking convertibles. Damn the extra weight, convertibles are just fun. > I once owned at the same time a 91 325i coupe and a 91 325iX sedan. > [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > two extra doors, 5) the 4-wheel drive hardware, 6) the extra metal of a > slightly squarer sedan roofline. I would say that the bigger difference was outfitting your coupe with a manual gearbox vs. the slushbox in the sedan. All the difference in the world IMO... Signature-Fred W >Why do people buy BMW coupes (like me)? I don't understand. Is it >because of stupidity? Convertibles have obvious advantages but are >slower because they're heavier and they have less torsional rigidity. >Sedans are of course bought for practical reasons. With the 5/7 series, >it's more for show than for personal enjoyment. But why coupes? Because you can get away with it. You aren't married are you? SignatureNeed Mercedes parts? http://parts.mbz.org Richard Sexton | Mercedes stuff: http://mbz.org 1970 280SE, 72 280SE | Home pages: http://rs79.vrx.net 633CSi 250SE/C 300SD | http://aquaria.net http://killi.net > >Why do people buy BMW coupes (like me)? I don't understand. Is it > >because of stupidity? Convertibles have obvious advantages but are [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > Because you can get away with it. You aren't married are you? Why buy a wife when you can rent many girlfriends? (That's why no Z4 for me) > -- > Need Mercedes parts? http://parts.mbz.org > Richard Sexton | Mercedes stuff: http://mbz.org > 1970 280SE, 72 280SE | Home pages: http://rs79.vrx.net > 633CSi 250SE/C 300SD | http://aquaria.net http://killi.net >> >Why do people buy BMW coupes (like me)? I don't understand. Is it >> >because of stupidity? Convertibles have obvious advantages but are [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] >Why buy a wife when you can rent many girlfriends? (That's why no Z4 >for me) Hence the "kid" component in your userid :-) All my coupes have front seats that recline to a fully horizontal position while the sedans don't. I figure that's so single guys can have sex in them. Sedans are for hauling kids around. SignatureNeed Mercedes parts? http://parts.mbz.org Richard Sexton | Mercedes stuff: http://mbz.org 1970 280SE, 72 280SE | Home pages: http://rs79.vrx.net 633CSi 250SE/C 300SD | http://aquaria.net http://killi.net In my neck of the woods it's MLs, X-5s, Range Rovers, XC90s... :-) DAS For direct contact replace nospam with schmetterling --- [...] > Sedans are for hauling kids around. > >> >Why do people buy BMW coupes (like me)? I don't understand. Is it > >> >because of stupidity? Convertibles have obvious advantages but are [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > position while the sedans don't. I figure that's so single guys can > have sex in them. The E46 BMW coupes' seats only recline till ~160 degrees ;( which are enough I guess. But I also wish I could disable the lateral lumbar support - but on second thought - maybe not, makes it tight(er).... ;) > Sedans are for hauling kids around. > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > 1970 280SE, 72 280SE | Home pages: http://rs79.vrx.net > 633CSi 250SE/C 300SD | http://aquaria.net http://killi.net |
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