2009 BMW 3 Series Convertible 328i

Pros

Retractible Hard Top, Fun to Drive

Cons

Limited Seating in the Rear Seats. Small Trunk w/ Top Down

Purchased As New

The car is a looker and will get all kinds of comments; especially the retractible hardtop. The Dark Red paint w/ saddle brown leather seats is a real head turner. Is much warmer in the winter than former convertibles I have owned. The hardtop really eliminates road and wind noise. Even more so in the winter with snow tires on. Like others have said, it is small on the inside, and probably will not fit two adults in the back. Trunk space with top down is restrictive, but heck, kick the girl friend out of the front passenger seat and you have plenty of room for the golf clubs....read morehide

Pros

looks great, runs strong. This is my fourth BMW, third convertible. All reliable. All great handling

Cons

Not cheap.

Purchased As Used

All bought used. Each I used more than 50k. Usually sold to close friends. I still think my last one (03 white) prettiest car I know of. New one is great looking, too.
First one, a 68 4 door, I think was bought before BMW imported cars.
When I asked neighbor behind me and owner of #2 whether he wanted to buy this one, he said: "Why should I; this one is fine."...read morehide

Pros

Driving pleasure, style, very controlled yet comfortable

Cons

pack carefully if you plan on top down cruising for long trips

Purchased As New

After 33k miles, I enjoy the car every single time I get into it - drives beautifully, very comfortable for two, looks good top up or down. The sport seats really change the feel of the car, for the better ( I had a loaner without, and boy what a difference), especially if you have long legs. The sport seats also allowed us to drive back-to-back 17+hours a day in comfort. The only unscheduled service was to get a tire pressure sensor reset during an extreme cold snap - zero problems otherwise. Just changing out the original Bridgestone tires, wore out the rear before the front. With the 6-speed manual, not great quickness from stop, but the engine brings up power quickly, and pulls forever after that - easy and secure to keep speed through corners and curves; very stable at speed, very manageable wind buffeting even approaching triple digit speeds. Pricy, but there's nothing else that offers quite this package, especially with the 4-year dealer maintenance package. Managed OK even in the couple of snow accumulations we had. A car I could easily see myself in for a long long time....read morehide

Pros

two cars in one

Cons

costs as much as X5 and is still a 3 series

Purchased As New

good car runs well and without problems so far. Been only a year and a half. Lived through one winter in Michigan. Drove it around Europe. Although a rear wheel drive, handles snow better than many front wheel drives. Packs a lot of power but does not consume as much gas

Pros

Power, Looks

Cons

Very noisy even when top is down

Purchased As New

Wind noise is big problem in this car. There are huge gaps between top and other parts of car and that makes annoying wind noise, specially on express way. My Dad just bought Mercedes Benz SLK and they have done much better job with their hard top. There are no huge spaces in design of top so much quieter when top is down....read morehide

Pros

good fuel mileage and comfortable ride with spirited cornering

Cons

poor mechanics

Purchased As Used

you will be soon replacing water pump, radiator, wheel bearing. elec window motors, fan. since the above has been going on since the middle nineties you would think the company would get the message. nice car when everything works. my advice is to buy a used one after the original owner replaces all of the above..my .02...read morehide

Pros

hardtop

Cons

wheels are easily damaged

Purchased As New

great car with great looks. Kind of small on the inside but you can't beat the performance.