ATTN all M3 Covertible owners!

[JT///M3]

I'm in the market for an M3 convertible b/c I just want to cruise. This will be my 3rd E36 M3. I know the major problmes with the e36, but I don't know much about the convertible version. What issues to look for in the auto top? I know there is something bound to go wrong with them.

Don't chime in about how slow they are, etc, etc...I have an M Coupe and thats as fast as I want to go. All I want is open air motoring with some sport feel. No plans to auto x a vert, track, etc, etc.

How bad is the cowl shake? Bearable?

[JT///M3]

BTW, what are the differences between a 98 and 99? If any...thanks!

[Don Nguyen]

please, m3 convertibles are sooo slow, especially the blue ones.

Main thing with the tops is make sure it doesnt sag and when you put the top back there isn't some over hanging on the lip of the convertible boot lid. Most of the rear plastic windows are usually ugly and worn unless they have been replaced recently. I guess you can also say if you are really anal about noise inside the cabin it can get noisy sometimes going over bumps due to the top flexing. I am sure you can WD40 some of it to get most of it gone, but I usually have my music on anyways so I dont even hear it.

[tcmarley]

Cowl shake... yes. I have a 98 M3 convertible with 98k on it. I do have Bilsteins and H&R sport springs and the car rides like a rock... especially with the 235/40 18's. This was installed by the previous owner and I plan to change to Koni / Eibach ProKit as soon as I get the money. I may have more flex than normal because of this... but still way more than a coupe.

Common Problems: The top tensioners do go out which means that when you hit the power top button to move the top down it starts to go down and piece of the trunk that lifts up hits the back of the top and sticks there. I have to get out of the car and move the trunk piece up past the top and then it will all fold up correctly. This only happens when it is warm outside (pretty often in AZ). When it is cold it works perfectly. The old heat expands / cold contracts rule holds true.

Also my back window has the normal blurry crease in the center from the window rubbing slightly against itself when the top is stowed away. The plastic window can be replaced, but is a pain it the !?&$ to do.

Other than that, minor items are that I replaced the entire HK system with aftermarket alpine amps and Infinity speakers / JL Audio sub... the factory system just doesn't do it with the top down... or the top up for that matter. I am going to post my upgrades with pics soon.

Overall I love my car though... kinda a love/hate relationship... but on a warm day with the top down and the great engine.... well probably the same reason you want one. Good luck with finding the right one, all the other common M3 problems apply, which you already know about from your coupe.

[Cody]

My experiences:
bought 1998 Dinan S m3 cabrio with 45k miles, now has 54k a year and a half later.

problems: none, except for a brush in the passenger seat motor came loose, and had to take it apart and fix it.

i dont have any cowl shake personally, it rides pretty damn good, and is just as quick as my friends e36 m coupes

as for the tops. make sure to get the owner to open it and close it with you watching, and look to see if there are any jerks, if there are when it is being lowered, there is a slight need for new tensioners. also when it is being brought up, make sure the pegs on each side fit percectly into the holes on the "A" pillar (window frame), if it dosnt you need some shims to make it fit correctly, but thats a really easy adjustment.

my rear window is seven and a half years old, and its still nice like new, just get the cabrio top cleaner set from the dealer, and it includes rear window treatment (as well as top cleaner and waterproofing agent), that puts oils back into the plastic and makes it look like new.

the only problem is finding one with a 5 speed, approx 3/4 or more were made in auto, so it is kind of a rare find.
as for differences between 98 and 99, nothing changed except 99's were optioned out, pretty much all had ltw's alarms, full 18buttom obd, all the goodies, other than that, nothing that i know of.


lastly, you better get dakar yellow :)

[Sammyzuko]

I love the E36 M3 vert. Get a hardtop for it....Mmmmmmmm.


sorry, that's all I've got to add:(

[deilenberger]

I'm in the market for an M3 convertible b/c I just want to cruise. This will be my 3rd E36 M3. I know the major problmes with the e36, but I don't know much about the convertible version. What issues to look for in the auto top? I know there is something bound to go wrong with them.

Don't chime in about how slow they are, etc, etc...I have an M Coupe and thats as fast as I want to go. All I want is open air motoring with some sport feel. No plans to auto x a vert, track, etc, etc.

How bad is the cowl shake? Bearable?Cowl shake is noticeable, but tolerable. The top can suffer from a few maladies:

1. Tension strap stretch - more common in warm climates (hey - they use the top more..) BMW came up with a modified strap as a replacement that doesn't have the propensity to stretch. Other people have described how to tell if they're stretched. Cheap part - royal PITA to replace. You can help avoid this by making sure the top mechanism is lubricated. Do a search on my name and you'll find a detailed description of how to lubricate. I'd suggest twice a year. That also eliminates 95% of the noise.

2. Headliner sag - around the rear windows. There are plastic bits glued to the headliner with little cables going through them to pull the headliner tight when the top is up. The cable fittings break. BMW sells a kit to fix this - I think using self-stick tie-wrap anchors and small tie-wraps would be a lot easier fix. Haven't had to do it.

That's about it - the mechanism seems fairly sturdy and reliable if kept lubed, and you can quiet it down. Some silicone grease periodically on all the rubber bits will help preserve them and keep them quiet.

I can understand where you're coming from - had an M-Coupe, and having one for fast one for sun is great if you can do it. My for fast is a BMW motorcycle..

Best,

[RDD]

When I had my 99 convertible, the hardtop would leak between the front edges and the A pillars. I took it to a touchless car wash once and almost drowned! The soft top didn't really leak though.

[adevera86]

if your getting a convert i say get a hard top, it looks good but it also saves the soft top. mine still looks new same with the plastic window. yeah you'll experience some leakage but nothing too bad. just bring a towel everytime you go through a wash. no major problems yet with my convert...*knock on wood*

[backstay]

Last I checked there was a white hardtop on ebay around 1500 bucks.

[DarkVader]

Pretty much what every1 said here holds true. I've had no problems with water either with the soft-top or hardtop...Washed the car thoroughly by hand with both no noticeable leaking issues. So far no issues with the tensioner, cowl shake, and wind/highway noise.

Some1 mentioned getting the spray kit 4 it...I use that & it works perfectly. No issues with bugs, rain, or weather cause the protectant helps bead the water off the top & protects it @ the same time. There's a vendor on here that sells it. (if u need the info just PM or email me)...

You will have the same issues as any E36 M3 bimmer...I would highly recommend a stick tho...(doesn't make sense Y there is an auto in a M)...The perfomance & looks r quite evident when u get in...U will b happy u got the car. Can't wait 2 get my NEW the mods I bought onto the car--->its a pussy magnet:buttrock trust!

[madsedan]

I love mine, its my 6th E36 and I love it when the tops down. I was lucky to get a 5 speed, I wouldn't think I would enjoy an automatic as much. I'm about to install a set of Tein coil-overs on mine, I would say that with an intake, exhaust, ASC delete, Fan clutch delete and lighter wheels I am running I am about as fast as a stock M3. I will eventually replace my seats with some lighter adjustables to drop some more weight to get it closer to the coupes/sedans but nonetheless I love it and drive it daily.
Mine will be for sale soon since we just found out we are having kid number 3 and I'll have to replace it with a larger car, will be a sad day in our house.

[JT///M3]

Wow, thanks for all the good info on the softop. I did notice that the lid banged against the top on a few cars. Seems too common of a problem but simple enough to fix. This is the first BMW that I actually want to get in Automatic form. I just like the E36 body alot. Always have and always will. I'm actually trying to get a head start on these verts before prices go up for springtime. Seems like a good time be a buyer.