With this new engine and the also new 6-speed transmission, the M3 achieves true sports-car performance. Opening up an enclosed car usually increases the fun quotient exponentially. Add a high-flowing intake manifold and aggressive camshaft specs, and you've got a V-8 that carries a tune like a mid-'60s Corvette. Would you rather drive a Sebring coupe or a Sebring convertible? The considerable pleasures of open-air motoring are all present in the M3. Wear and tear items such as hoses will not be covered, but key items like the engine, transmission, drive axles and driveshaft often will be.
Please check the owner's manual, visit a local dealership or look at the manufacturer's website to learn more about the specifics of the warranties that apply to a vehicle. So don't plan any long trips involving four up, plus luggage, in either machine. Walton labeled the M3 as more athletic with its 18-in. Roadside Assistance: The level of service differs greatly with this warranty, but many manufacturers offer a toll-free number that helps provide assistance in case you run out of gas, get a flat tire or lock your keys in the car. Corrosion Warranty: This warranty focuses on protecting you from holes caused by rust or corrosion in your vehicle's sheet metal. Yet each barely holds a weekend's worth of bags in the trunk with the top down.
For these reasons, hardcore enthusiasts who value performance over style generally prefer a hardtop. Further, the rear seats are supposed to hold two adults, but they don't accomplish it too well. Despite being down 114 lb-ft of torque, the M3 won our acceleration test by a hair, thanks to better traction and even more aggressive gearing. Predictably, the independent experts took notice. The M3's on-board entertainment system is a 3. It's almost impossible to see over your shoulder when changing lanes.
The difference closes slightly at the end of the quarter mile, with the M3 recording a 13. Also, an act of Federal law sometimes provides protection for certain components, like emissions equipment. However, it's in these seats where you experience each car's main negative attribute-large blind spots created by the top when it's up. On the handling course, the M3 emerged the victor, running through the slalom at 67. Want to haul four people?.
As has been traditional with the M3, it was the coupe model that appeared first; a convertible variant followed soon thereafter. Each weighs over 350 lb more than its coupe equivalent and is slower because of it. The vehicle has never been painted or been in accident. The sport seats provide any amount of cradling desired. If don't answer you can leave me voicemail or shoot me text. While the spec and testing sheets show a virtual tossup, it's the window stickers that helped us pick a winner. Drivetrain Warranty: This warranty covers items the basic warranty does not protect.
Given the similarities in terms of package and performance, our wallet became the tiebreaker, giving the nod among this pairing to the convertible. In a June 2001 comparison test of the M3 coupe and a key competitor, Car and Driver declared the M3 the winner. If you don't know what this car is please ask someone that does and they will be able to tell you how rare it is and the options that are even more rare. Most convertibles have this problem, yet it seems especially troubling in this pair. That is coverage for up to a total of 5 years with unlimited miles from the vehicle's original in service date. Top speed is electronically controlled to 155 mph. Dimensionally, the M3 rides on a 107.
With nearly identical curb weights and horsepower, this pair runs comparable 0-60-mph times-5. It features variable valve timing, plenty of forged steel, semi-dry sump lubrication, and a two-stage throttle blade system. When a particular user unlocks the M3 with his or her remote, the presets last set by that user are re-captured. Examples of non-covered items are brake pads, wiper blades and filters. In addition to the original warranty, select items, like tires, are typically covered by respective manufacturers.
If your idea of utility and function is a powerful engine, an able chassis, and a view of the sky, these are two of the best options the motoring world has to offer. In addition to unlimited headroom, the lack of a roof lets the gorgeous engine and exhaust notes fill the cabin. Both maintain a firm ride quality, yet within tolerable levels for those long trips. M3 and standard 3 Series E-46 convertibles share no body panels, thus providing visual distinction between models. However, removing the top usually results in more weight and less structural rigidity.
However, Walton found it harder to drive the M3 once it gets rolling because it's easy to hit the 8000-rpm rev limiter on the 1-2 and 2-3 shifts of the six-speed manual transmission. Fade was almost undetectable over miles of spirited mountain driving. The original warranty is often broken down into multiple sections, including: Basic Warranty: Typically covers everything except for parts that wear out through normal use of the vehicle. Wipers Std Rain Sensing Wipers Std Accident Prevention Rear Parking Aid Opt Security Anti-theft System Std Original Warranty An original warranty is the warranty associated with a vehicle when it is brand new. Here's where these cars go from totally impractical to downright logical, once you drive them on a mountain road on a sunny day-with the top down. Additional plans are available to extend your vehicle's coverage up to a total of 6 years with unlimited miles. Even though Mercedes-Benz will only ship about 800 of them to the U.
I have clean title and ready to sell, but please don't low ball me with stupid offers. Buying these cars rather than their rigid-top counterparts forces you to sacrifice some straightline performance, handling prowess, outward visibility, and a few suitcases' worth of luggage room, especially when top down. . . .