With the sedan, wagon and coupe versions of BMW's new 3-series released, there's only one model left: the convertible. BMW will officially introduce the new 3-series convertible at the 2007 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, which is coming up in January. The biggest difference between the new convertible and its predecessor: The new version gets a retractable hardtop which can be operated by remote control.
Photos:
- 2007 BMW 3-series convertible, top down
- 2007 BMW 3-series convertible, top up
- 2007 BMW 3-series convertible, remote top operation
- More BMW 3-series convertible photos
I recently spent a week with a Pontiac G6 retractable hardtop, and I have to say that I'm not a big fan of retractable hardtops in general -- you lose too much trunk space, the mechanisms are complex, and while they do seal up tight, so do most modern soft-top convertibles. My wife Robin disagrees, as do several of my friends: They like the idea of having two cars in one. What do you think -- are retractable hard tops better than traditional soft-top convertibles? Click the "comments" link below and tell me what you think. -- Aaron Gold
Recent convertible test drives:
- 2007 Volvo C70 retractable hardtop
- 2006 Pontiac G6 retractable hardtop
- 2006 Chrysler Sebring soft-top convertible
- 2006 Chevrolet Corvette soft-top convertible
Photo © BMW
I have a clk cabriolet and it is super quiet at 90mph and still have a decent size truck–why bother with a hard top???
Being that our convertible is our second car, it’s having a soft top is not a big factor. We use ours it on extended road trips and luggage space is more improtant than a hard top.
I would love a hard top. I had an older 3 series convertible and it was very loud on the road. I found myself turning the stereo up way more than I would if I had a hard top. Plus soft-tops wear out pretty quick and are expensive to replace.
This would be a good problem to have. I think both are winners. If BMW have sorted out the space side of things then it does give it the edge over the current soft tops. Looks lovely.