328 convert vs 128 convert

[imported_mega]

Having a hard time deciding

Both feel almost the same inside, and drive almost the same

the 328 hardtop is like a coupe when it's up, no road noise, it's great, but I hope it still works 6-8 years from now

Anybody owned both? The .9 % financing on the 328 is making it really temping, it makes the monthly payment almost the same, 800 vs 850 a month, even though there's almost a 10,000 $ difference between the purchase price

[ptack]

What are your assumptions behind those numbers (how much down, what is the 128 interest rate, how long)? That $50 difference seems too low unless you are using a very high rate for the 128.

In any case, it's a personal decision. Which car do you like more? I doubt there will be any difference in the cost of maintaining them. The 128 should get slightly better mileage and maybe a lower insurance rate. You can't predict the resale at this point. They will probably retain their values at equal rates. It really comes down to whether you want the slightly larger size of the 328 or the lower cost and greater uniqueness of the 128.

Me, I think the 128 is a better value (though no vert is a real 'value'). You get 95% of the same car for only 80% of the cost.

[buckwheat986]

If your keeping the car 8 years go for the 328i.

The hard top roof will look much better after 8 years than the one on the 128i

[imported_mega]

it's more than 80 % of the cost due to the .9 % financing going on right now

I've got 2 boys, so the extra room in the 328 will not go unused

[BJDrew]

I've done the same compare and really felt there were differences that were significant to me:

1) the 128i had a more driver-focused cockpit and was a bit more snug
2) 328i seemed to offer better rear space (if that's important)
3) The 1-series feels and looks overall smaller and sporiter
4) The 3-series felt to have a bit more of a cushioned and soft drive, felt heavier
5) the hard-top has a distinctly different look/feel than rag-top

You're likely getting a better financial deal with the 3-series. i'm sure you'll see more of a discount and the financing will save significant dollars. Even if the residuals are the same for each car - the 3-series starts out having about 10k more value than the 3 series. with a $50/mo payment differential, it'll cost you $3k over the life of the loan to get the vehicle that "costs" $10k more.

Bottom line - maybe you do like one more than the other. the 3-series is more expensive but the deal provides more "value"

do you prefer one over the other?

[imported_mega]

I really like that hard top, however, I like the 128 looks better

Wife wants the room in the 328, I like the 128's tighter feel

The cockpits seem almost the same to me though, just a little bigger in the 328

I should think about my 2 kids, the oldest is at 12 is already 5'9" and growing fast

[holo777]

If road noise is a deciding factor I've been amazed by how quite my 135i Conv is. I wouldn't want the hard top myself, but the extra room in the 328 may help alot for your kids... Its a hard choice. I might just get the one the wife likes and save my silver bullets for other battles.

[nordique14]

Check the trunk space with the top down on both cars. The 128 will have a lot more space tan the 328. I hope BMW will always have a 4-seat soft top choice for those of us who think a hard top is too heavy and bulky (and too much extra $$$) compared to a soft-top.

[imported_mega]

anyone know if there's crash test data on the 1 converts?

The 328 convertible did pretty bad, it's making me look more at ordering a 135i hardtop

[MVF4Rrider]

Originally Posted by mega

it's more than 80 % of the cost due to the .9 % financing going on right now

I've got 2 boys, so the extra room in the 328 will not go unused

There's your answer, and the 328 is far better looking to boot. Get a '09 and you'll have a facelifted version that looks way nice (I think the converts get this too in '09?) and much better iDrive.

Ultimately, which one will make you smile the most when behind the wheel and starring at it on the driveway?

[Tom K.]

Originally Posted by mega

I really like that hard top, however, I like the 128 looks better

Wife wants the room in the 328, I like the 128's tighter feel

The cockpits seem almost the same to me though, just a little bigger in the 328

I should think about my 2 kids, the oldest is at 12 is already 5'9" and growing fast

Who's going to be riding in the back seat? If its the 5'9" kid, I'd think about a 5 series! Seriously, there's not much leg room in the back seat of a 128i 'vert.
Tom

[imported_mega]

Originally Posted by Tom K.

Who's going to be riding in the back seat? If its the 5'9" kid, I'd think about a 5 series! Seriously, there's not much leg room in the back seat of a 128i 'vert.
Tom

it is the 5'9" kid, I make him ride in the back of my mini cooper right now, he bitches a lot though

I'm still considering the 328i due to the bigger size, financing, except the crash ratings scare me, as do the mechanics for that roof

[1Ronnie]

NCAP Crash ratings on the hatch 1er are very good (5 out of 5) ... unless you're a pedestrian :biggrin: ... se this thread ...
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...=safety+rating

[imported_mega]

pretty good

the 328i convert scored great in frontal, but not great on side impact, there's no airbags for the rear seat sides

[bimmerfile]

OP;
If your son is already 5'9", do yourself and him a favour & get the 328i cabrio.. The $50 per mo diff makes it a no brainer.

[Tom K.]

Originally Posted by carnut

OP;
If your son is already 5'9", do yourself and him a favour & get the 328i cabrio.. The $50 per mo diff makes it a no brainer.

And the $50/mo may be cheap compared to the cost of therapy for your son down the road!
While my daughter rode in the back of a FIAT 124 Spider for a year, she was only about 7 and a good deal shorter than 5'9".
As I agree with you about the weight and top complexity of the 328i, have you considered a low mileage, CPO E46 convertible?
Tom

[Mad Dragon]

Originally Posted by mega

the 328i convert scored great in frontal, but not great on side impact, there's no airbags for the rear seat sides

No current BMW has standard rear side airbags. You're probably thinking about the side curtain airbags that run the length of the headliner. Convertibles don't have those, so the E88 will have a similar score.

Regardless, neither the E88 or the E93 have test results on safecar.gov...

[imported_mega]

I found this frontal for the 328i

and this side, I dont see any airbags for the rear

[amybang]

The trunk space was a big factor in the decision for me. With the top down, I can get two roll-aboard suitcases in and out of the 1er with room for some small bags as well.

I could not get my suitcase in and out of the 3er with the top down.

amy!

[imported_mega]

Trunk space is not really an issue, I'm driving a mini cooper now, so we are used to not having any room for storage

for any trips we would take my wifes x5 anyway

[imported_mega]

I've been sleeping on the decision for a while and I just cant decide

I've also thrown around the idea of a 135i hardtop with all packages + comfort access

after watching all these crash test videos, it really makes me consider the 135 hardtop, I'm not sure if I will be happy with the power on the 328i

[nordique14]

I looked at the measurements of the 1-series convertible vs the 3-series convertible.
The 3-series convertible is:
1" shorter
9" longer
1" wider in front interior
7" wider in rear interior

The last one is very important if you have people in the rear seat frequently.