BMW’s M3 convertible hit the Nürburgring in Germany for final shakedown tests before it debuts in Frankfurt this fall. Whether the car’s retractable hard top adds any additional structural rigidity to the previous E46 soft-top M3 isn’t exactly clear, but these photos do invalidate earlier rumors of a soft-top for the M3 convertible.
The M3 convertible is expected to follow exactly in the previous convertible’s footsteps by being essentially the drop-top version of the coupe. What is surprising is that the convertible will feature the folding metal roof of the rest of the range; it had been previously expected that the convertible would feature a much lighter weight cloth top. No word yet on how the convertible will differ, structurally, from the regular convertibles or coupes. Certainly it will need to change a little in order to cope with the added mass.
07/05, 1:15 PM
posted by:
jackjimturkey
Not my cup of Tee (cq) but it IS a BMW!
07/05, 1:27 PM
posted by:
meanpants555
There is no way that’s the new BMW M3 convertible. I bet it’s the upcoming McLaren F2.
07/05, 2:28 PM
posted by:
LP640
i hate that roof i saw a normal 3 series convertible and that roof is just terrible. what was wrong with the soft top i liked it.
07/05, 3:27 PM
posted by:
asiminator
meanpants… you must be semi retarded!
07/05, 4:05 PM
posted by:
sunshine1810
The car looks good. I hope BMW brings the retractable hardtop to the M3 as depicted in the photographs.
07/05, 7:05 PM
posted by:
TOZO
LP640, if we drive the M3 off the mountainside at 120mph, the soft-top will break all our bones when the car rolls off the side of that mountain. With the hard-top, we just might have a chance at survival.
07/05, 11:00 PM
posted by:
LP640
^hey BOZO get a life idiot !
07/06, 12:04 AM
posted by:
LamborghiniZ
can’t wait for the M3, coupe and convertible. 420 bhp from a smooth and powerful BMW V8! thats so sick!
07/06, 1:54 AM
posted by:
infamouz9325
wow beautifull already
07/06, 7:43 AM
posted by:
Saud
Nuts, I’d hoped it was gonna be soft topped.
07/06, 9:00 AM
posted by:
obsessedwithautos
It’ll probably still be much lighter than the RS4 cabrio.
07/07, 2:58 PM
posted by:
mkM3
For the cloth-top fanatics, there is still the 135i cabrio. I will bet it can trounce the M3 cab in many situations as well. On the other hand the M3 does look amazing in these pics. Tough choices.
07/07, 11:08 PM
posted by:
AMGoff
It is a really good looking car. But once again LLN hypocrites are out in full force. Why do we need this much power. How will this car get me to my destination any quicker than a normal 3-series. How many potential buyers will ever push this car to it’s limits, other than to occasionally show off. If this were a domestic make most of you would be bitching that gas is already expensive enough as it is and that manufacturers need to worry more about mpg than horsepower. But it’s a BMW and it’s German, so rational thought need not apply. With that said, even though I’d never even consider buying one, it’s still a nice looking car.
“The readers of LLN – Bigots doin’ it right!”
07/08, 6:22 AM
posted by:
Veda
“If this were a domestic make most of you would be bitching that gas is already expensive enough as it is and that manufacturers need to worry more about mpg than horsepower”
Then I’m an exception.
07/09, 5:05 PM
posted by:
lyndon_h
This will be the trophy wife car 2008-2011, at least here in dallas. I like the M3, but its wrong to have an almost 4000lbs M car.
07/09, 8:33 PM
posted by:
rhen
Wow! BMW M3 convertible looks good. It has a superb styling.. I can’t wait to see and test drive it.. I wonder how is its performance and its fuel consumption.. Nevertheless, it looks great. Knowing BMW maker of quality bmw compressor – http://www.advancebmwparts.com/bmw-compressor.html – this new vehicle would be equipped of new and lots of exciting features.. Let’s just hope that it won’t be that pricey..