Coupe vs. Convertible

sahilpunamia · 07-08-2008, 11:36 AM

Hi i'm new to this forum. Just wanted to know how much of a performance difference the 135 coupe and convertible has.

jbenington86 · 07-08-2008, 12:00 PM

convertible adds alot of weight other than that i think its the exact same

warmtoes · 07-08-2008, 12:17 PM

Well, a lot of weight is relative. I think it's 225lbs or so.

Regardless of the weight difference the performance is still extremely high. I've driven both and I can't tell much of a difference other than I get a lot more sun in my vert.

TagMan · 07-08-2008, 12:53 PM

Well, officially the 135i Convertible is rated a slower 0-60 time than the Coupe... but it's only by about 3/10ths of a second. They share the same powertrain exactly. It's all about the slight weight gain in the 'vert.

The "feel" of both vehicles is extremely close. They are both beasts, and they clearly achieve faster times than BMW officially states.

nordique14 · 07-08-2008, 01:06 PM

The options are pretty much the same on the convertible as the coupe. The only difference (in the US) is the non-sport 1-er convertibles have smaller wheels than the non-sport coupes. The sport packaged convertibles have the same wheels as the sport packaged coupes.

Think of the convertible top as an option. You lose the sunroof on the coupe and gain no-roof capability on the convertible. You pay an additional $4500 on the 128 and $4200 on the 135 for the convertible "option". You gain a few pounds (due to the power top motors, rollover protection and added braces for stiffness) but you gain open skies in 22 seconds.

warmtoes · 07-08-2008, 01:34 PM

As well, the head room in a vert with the top up is considerably better than the coupe.

With the top down it's infinitely better!

TagMan · 07-08-2008, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warmtoes

As well, the head room in a vert with the top up is considerably better than the coupe.

With the top down it's infinitely better!

+1... and I've noticed that rear passengers clearly have bigger smiles on their faces.

buckwheat986 · 07-08-2008, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sahilpunamia

Hi i'm new to this forum. Just wanted to know how much of a performance difference the 135 coupe and convertible has.

the coupe is a better performer, no doubt...

the added rigidity of the coupe over the vert is one often overlooked reason..

if performance is your main concern the differences are enough in my opinion to make the coupe the choice....

InOttawa · 07-08-2008, 03:01 PM

My sales guy was claiming the convertible has a less rigid body since there's no roof. Not sure if he knows what he's talking about.

buckwheat986 · 07-08-2008, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TagMan

and they clearly achieve faster times than BMW officially states.

which is the case for vitrually all BMW models....and porsches and most high performance cars....

warmtoes · 07-08-2008, 03:03 PM

Without a roof you tend to get a less rigid body but manufacturers add parts to the chassis in order to compensate for it which is a reason why the vert is heavier than a coupe despite it not having a hard roof.

holo777 · 07-08-2008, 03:23 PM

If you are planning on ever taking the car to a track, some tracks won't let the 'verts on, or you'll need a roll bar. So for serious on track performance I'd have gone with a coupe. But for spirited mountain driving the 'vert rocks.

Buckeye · 07-08-2008, 03:27 PM

Why is this even a question? I thought everyone really wants a convertible at heart but some just live in places like Ohio! I can say that - born and raised there!! Or Michigan - yikes!!!

buckwheat986 · 07-08-2008, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buckeye

Why is this even a question? I thought everyone really wants a convertible at heart but some just live in places like Ohio! I can say that - born and raised there!! Or Michigan - yikes!!!

Well, i think you have to say everyone wants a convertible when you can get performance like that found in the one series vert...

buckwheat986 · 07-08-2008, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by holo777

If you are planning on ever taking the car to a track, some tracks won't let the 'verts on, or you'll need a roll bar. So for serious on track performance I'd have gone with a coupe. But for spirited mountain driving the 'vert rocks.

very good point....

and

Even with a roll bar its getting tougher to take a vert to the track...with some states leading the charge of outlawing it....

warmtoes · 07-08-2008, 04:04 PM

If I was going to track the car I would have bought a coupe for sure. Since I wasn't I went with the vert.

sahilpunamia · 07-08-2008, 07:16 PM

Thanks everyone. I was looking a the 1 series for performance (obviously) and i just wanted to know how much of the performance would be sacrificed...not that having the 'vert would make it less of a rocket...looks like the coupe is the best way to go...but then again, i do live in california:smile:

buckwheat986 · 07-08-2008, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sahilpunamia

Thanks everyone. I was looking a the 1 series for performance (obviously) and i just wanted to know how much of the performance would be sacrificed...not that having the 'vert would make it less of a rocket...looks like the coupe is the best way to go...but then again, i do live in california:smile:

In CA..a vert is a no brainer.

professor · 07-08-2008, 07:51 PM

vert versions sometimes absolutely ruin the driving dynamics on some cars making them floppy in bends, but from all i have read the 1 vert manages to avoid any such problems albeit at the cost of slightly slower 0-60 times. the extra weight gone into increasing the torsional rigidity has paid off.

TagMan · 07-08-2008, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buckwheat986

In CA..a vert is a no brainer.

Definately. That is, unless the car is going to be a track lizard. :wink:

TagMan · 07-08-2008, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by professor

vert versions sometimes absolutely ruin the driving dynamics on some cars making them floppy in bends, but from all i have read the 1 vert manages to avoid any such problems albeit at the cost of slightly slower 0-60 times. the extra weight gone into increasing the torsional rigidity has paid off.

Hey professor... I agree. I had the 135i Coupe first, and this 'vert is absolutely one of the most solid convertibles ever built. It gives up 3/10ths of a second according to BMW.

In real life, however... maybe it is 3/10ths, or maybe more like 2/10s. But it feels damn close.

Drives like a solid ingot.

imported_Katera · 07-08-2008, 10:38 PM

Our 135i Verts are a lot of things...floppy in the bends is not one of them

BMW has done a fantastic job with this car and especially it's rigidity. As mentioned, if you plan to track, live in a brutal winter state or need to save the money then go coupe.
If you are looking for a no compromise car that is *very* quiet with the top up and essentially a pocket rocket wind in your hair experience with the top down...drop the cash and get the Vert. I have not regretted getting it for 1 second. Don't get me wrong though, the Coupe is a phenomenal car, but BMW did not sacrifice the car when making it into a Vert.

p.s. +1 on the headroom. With the soft top up there is a significant headroom increase over the Coupe. With it down...well.

07-08-2008, 11:36 AM	#1
sahilpunamia Registered 1 Rep 2 Posts Drives: Join Date: Jul 2008 iTrader: (0)	Coupe vs. Convertible Hi i'm new to this forum. Just wanted to know how much of a performance difference the 135 coupe and convertible has.
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07-08-2008, 12:00 PM	#2
jbenington86 Major 58 Rep 1,201 Posts Drives: 2015 M235i, 2017 Tundra Join Date: May 2008 Location: TX iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 M235i [0.00] 2008 128i [0.00]	convertible adds alot of weight other than that i think its the exact same
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07-08-2008, 12:17 PM	#3
warmtoes Lieutenant Colonel 31 Rep 1,917 Posts Drives: EBII 435i xDrive Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (1)	Well, a lot of weight is relative. I think it's 225lbs or so. Regardless of the weight difference the performance is still extremely high. I've driven both and I can't tell much of a difference other than I get a lot more sun in my vert. __________________ *2014 EBII 435i xDrive M-sport* Gone: 2011 TiAg F25 X3 xDrive35i M-sport Gone: 2008 TiAg w/Coral Red E88 135i Cab M-sport
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07-08-2008, 12:53 PM	#4
TagMan Car Addict!! 60 Rep 1,303 Posts Drives: '08 135i Convertible Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Malibu, California iTrader: (0)	Well, officially the 135i Convertible is rated a slower 0-60 time than the Coupe... but it's only by about 3/10ths of a second. They share the same powertrain exactly. It's all about the slight weight gain in the 'vert. The "feel" of both vehicles is extremely close. They are both beasts, and they clearly achieve faster times than BMW officially states. __________________ 2008 /// Commemorative /// 6-Speed /// Titanium Silver /// Fully-Loaded /// 135i Convertible
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07-08-2008, 01:06 PM	#5
nordique14 Major 53 Rep 1,477 Posts Drives: SGM 135i 'vert Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Sharks Territory iTrader: (5)	The options are pretty much the same on the convertible as the coupe. The only difference (in the US) is the non-sport 1-er convertibles have smaller wheels than the non-sport coupes. The sport packaged convertibles have the same wheels as the sport packaged coupes. Think of the convertible top as an option. You lose the sunroof on the coupe and gain no-roof capability on the convertible. You pay an additional $4500 on the 128 and $4200 on the 135 for the convertible "option". You gain a few pounds (due to the power top motors, rollover protection and added braces for stiffness) but you gain open skies in 22 seconds.
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07-08-2008, 01:34 PM	#6
warmtoes Lieutenant Colonel 31 Rep 1,917 Posts Drives: EBII 435i xDrive Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (1)	As well, the head room in a vert with the top up is considerably better than the coupe. With the top down it's infinitely better! __________________ *2014 EBII 435i xDrive M-sport* Gone: 2011 TiAg F25 X3 xDrive35i M-sport Gone: 2008 TiAg w/Coral Red E88 135i Cab M-sport
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07-08-2008, 03:01 PM	#9
InOttawa Private First Class 6 Rep 118 Posts Drives: Join Date: Jan 2008 iTrader: (0)	My sales guy was claiming the convertible has a less rigid body since there's no roof. Not sure if he knows what he's talking about.
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07-08-2008, 03:03 PM	#11
warmtoes Lieutenant Colonel 31 Rep 1,917 Posts Drives: EBII 435i xDrive Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (1)	Without a roof you tend to get a less rigid body but manufacturers add parts to the chassis in order to compensate for it which is a reason why the vert is heavier than a coupe despite it not having a hard roof. __________________ *2014 EBII 435i xDrive M-sport* Gone: 2011 TiAg F25 X3 xDrive35i M-sport Gone: 2008 TiAg w/Coral Red E88 135i Cab M-sport
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07-08-2008, 03:23 PM	#12
holo777 Private First Class 1 Rep 162 Posts Drives: 135i Conv Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: NE TN iTrader: (0)	If you are planning on ever taking the car to a track, some tracks won't let the 'verts on, or you'll need a roll bar. So for serious on track performance I'd have gone with a coupe. But for spirited mountain driving the 'vert rocks.
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07-08-2008, 03:27 PM	#13
Buckeye New Member 0 Rep 11 Posts Drives: Join Date: Jun 2008 iTrader: (0)	Why is this even a question? I thought everyone really wants a convertible at heart but some just live in places like Ohio! I can say that - born and raised there!! Or Michigan - yikes!!!
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07-08-2008, 04:04 PM	#16
warmtoes Lieutenant Colonel 31 Rep 1,917 Posts Drives: EBII 435i xDrive Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (1)	If I was going to track the car I would have bought a coupe for sure. Since I wasn't I went with the vert. __________________ *2014 EBII 435i xDrive M-sport* Gone: 2011 TiAg F25 X3 xDrive35i M-sport Gone: 2008 TiAg w/Coral Red E88 135i Cab M-sport
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07-08-2008, 07:16 PM	#17
sahilpunamia Registered 1 Rep 2 Posts Drives: Join Date: Jul 2008 iTrader: (0)	Thanks everyone. I was looking a the 1 series for performance (obviously) and i just wanted to know how much of the performance would be sacrificed...not that having the 'vert would make it less of a rocket...looks like the coupe is the best way to go...but then again, i do live in california:smile:
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07-08-2008, 07:51 PM	#19
professor Major 46 Rep 1,473 Posts Drives: Z4 M40i Join Date: Mar 2008 iTrader: (0)	vert versions sometimes absolutely ruin the driving dynamics on some cars making them floppy in bends, but from all i have read the 1 vert manages to avoid any such problems albeit at the cost of slightly slower 0-60 times. the extra weight gone into increasing the torsional rigidity has paid off.
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07-08-2008, 10:38 PM	#22
imported_Katera Captain 42 Rep 890 Posts Drives: Join Date: Nov 2007 iTrader: (0)	Our 135i Verts are a lot of things...floppy in the bends is not one of them BMW has done a fantastic job with this car and especially it's rigidity. As mentioned, if you plan to track, live in a brutal winter state or need to save the money then go coupe. If you are looking for a no compromise car that is very quiet with the top up and essentially a pocket rocket wind in your hair experience with the top down...drop the cash and get the Vert. I have not regretted getting it for 1 second. Don't get me wrong though, the Coupe is a phenomenal car, but BMW did not sacrifice the car when making it into a Vert. p.s. +1 on the headroom. With the soft top up there is a significant headroom increase over the Coupe. With it down...well. __________________ 2008 BMW 135i Vert! -Jet Black -6 speed Manual <Who says Vert's are for girls!> -Boston Grey Leather with Black High Gloss Accent -Moonlit Black Top -Comfort Access -Premium P. -Sport P. -Premium Stereo -IPOD/USB -BMW Performance Pedals -BMW Windscreen -Sat Radio Meet Kat! [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
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