Pro's and Con's of a cabrio 325?

[Kruzen]

What are the pro's and con's of a 325ic compared to a 325i/is 2 door.

[aaron_silva]

Cabrios have a removable top. That could be a pro or a con.

Aaron

[bimmerphile]

Cons:
Cabrios weigh more
Most cabrios are automatic
Cabrios are more dangerous for spirited driving, for obvious reasons
Cabrios have less room in the engine bay
Cabrios get more interior damage/wear due to sun
Cabrios have softtops that need to be replaced
Cabrios have a greater blindspot in the rear window

Cabrios have a lower center of gravity
Cabrios are cabrios...there's something satisfying about cruising around on a warm summer day with the top down.
Cabrios are the only US-spec models you'll find with M-Tech II kits

PM Addissimo to see why he chose to get an E30 cab.

[ragged325]

Re: Pro's and Con's of a cabrio 325?

What are the pro's and con's of a 325ic compared to a 325i/is 2 door.

Cons:

Top on cabrio is more likely to wear out. Replacement of the top runs about $1,200.00 (installed). Expect to pay about $300.00 to have the rear window replaced. The manual tops (on the earlier cars) are more reliable, but you need to replace the shocks every other year. The automatic tops ('91+ or so), aren't so reliable. The motors give out after a while and are very expensive to replace. You'll see a lot of later cars where the top boot doesn't close completely. You can disengage the motors relatively easily to use the top in manual mode, but it's better to convert it to manual top mode (something I'd like to do, but haven't gotten to yet).
Heavier car.
More chassis flex in the twisties (although not too much).
More likely to have uv damage on the interior (from people leaving them out in the sun with the top down (especially in So. Cal.). On the rear seat bench, you'll see that most have the leather seams near the top-middle split open (I got mine fixed pretty well for a little over a hundred bucks).
Switched to newer/plastic bumpers later (after 01/91).
More squeaks/rattles.
More likely to have water/rain leaks around the window frame.
Top's not insulated well and so it would be colder in the winter.

Pros:

I think most of the 325ic's (don't quote me on this) came with the is options (other than the rear spoiler). Both of mine have the heated sport seats, 13-button OBC and LSDs.
Extra storage. You don't know how many trees and other large things I've put in the back of my car with the top down that I never could have hauled in a coupe.
You can take the top down!!!!!
I like the profile better. It's just my opinion, but I think they look better.

It looks like the cons outweigh the pros, but in San Diego, it sure is nice to take the top down when it's super-nice outside. If you find a nice one and take good care of it, you shouldn't have to spend too much more to maintain it. I've seen a lot go pretty inexpensively. I'm selling my '93 ic with a 5-speed and 126K southern california miles for $5,295 and I'm not getting a lot of interest. I think you can find a good for about $5k.

[Jon325i]

Besides the obvious (hardtop vs. soft-top), here are some other reasons.....

Hard top

1. Stiffer chassis
2. Roll over protection
3. Lighter overall weight
4. Cheaper to buy

These reasons are important to consider if you have any aspirations to get involved in auto-xing or club racing on road courses. Having a lighter and stronger chassis is going to give you more precise handling and better overall performance (acceleration & braking).

Soft top

1. Wind in your air cruising
2. Absolutely no blind spots (good safety feature)
3. Chics dig 'em
4. Typically more expensive to buy

If you have no plans to put your car in competitive events or driving schools and you just like to go cruising on a nice day, the cabrio is hard to beat. They are definately fun cars to have. I guess what you need to do is figure out what your driving style is like and what are your plans in terms of modifications once you decide to get a 325i.

Keep in mind that the 325i cabrio, 325i, and 325is are all mechanically the same. Engine maintenance isn't going to cost any more whether you have a steel top or canvas. Where costs can differ is the cabrios cosmetics. The top, the folding frame for the top, the exposed interior when the top is down. Cabrios can stay looking nice if you're willing to deal with the added upkeep. If you're a wash-n-go kinda guy, get a hard top.

Jon

[Kruzen]

thanks for the replies, guess i will be stearing clear of a cabrio, my plans are geared towards performance at this point, and cabrio doesn't seem like quite whati 'll be wanting.

[aaron_silva]

Keep in mind that the cabrio isnt THAT much heavier. I could out handle a lot of people on this board. Chasis flex in the twisties? Not hardly.

If I had it to do over again, I would have bought a coupe.

Aaron

[Kruzen]

Keep in mind that the cabrio isnt THAT much heavier. I could out handle a lot of people on this board. Chasis flex in the twisties? Not hardly.

If I had it to do over again, I would have bought a coupe.

Aaron

i'm beggining to wonder if the cabrio would really be that bad for me.

i had plans to eventually turbo my 325i, but iwth hte limited space under the hood i'm not sure if all the modifications i want to do would fit.

Supposedly this cabrio is in MINT condition, only has like 60,000 miles on it or so, and is red, leather, 5 speed.

if the owner is only asking like 2-3k for it, then i'll probably buy it anyway, just for the sake of having it for my first BMW, but on the other hand, i could keep waiting and find what i really want :-x

[318driver]

For me i love the Cabrio, The looks that i get from people that i pass is great. Its like there jaw drops seeing a 17 yr old in a convertable bimmer. I love My cab and i get positive coments on it for many random people. I love it.

[318driver]

Mint and 60k for 2-3 grand is a steal for a cab. Dont pass that up!! :twisted:

[Kruzen]

performance wise..

will the cabrio really hold me back for just casual driving?

i don't plan to autocross my car at all, i just enjoy heading out on country roads and hauling ass on the twisties. & i also want a good amount of pep on the highway to get around dumbasses, or get out of trouble with a controlled 'swerve' ..

if the cabrio will meet my needs, i think they are pretty sexy in comparison to the coupe.. so hm.. what do you guys think?


edit: i don't know how much they want for it yet.. but i'm saying if i can get it for 2-3k that would kick ass and i'd buy it in a heartbeat.


is there much you can do with cabrio's performance wise? in the sense of upgrading parts.. without endangering yourself because of the way the car is built & handles?

[spencers]

based on what you guys have listed, I'd trade my coupe for a cabrio any day. I just do daily driving, nothing performance based. :)

[aaron_silva]

How is there a size restriction under the hood. I know M50/S50s fit. Arent they the same size in all e30's??

[Kruzen]

not sure, i read a few posts above i think, that the engine bay was smaller?


also, you guys with cabrios, would you mind tossing some pictures of your cars my way? especially those of you with '92's :)

[aaron_silva]

For upgrades to a cabrio check out www.davelength.net. He has done quite a few.

I have an upgraded suspension: GC springs and perches, Koni SA shocks, solid aluminium RSM's, Eibach strut bar, and a think rear sway (M3). That matched with sticky rubber and I am happy.

The m20 in a cab is the same in the coupe. So pretty much anything you can do to an m20 you can do in a cab.

Aaron