BMW Series 3 Convertible Overview

MSRP
$44,550 - $50,700

The 2009 3 Series Convertible is a 2-door, 4-passenger luxury convertible, available in two trims, the 328i and the 335i.

Upon introduction, the 328i is equipped with a standard 3.0-liter, I6, 230-horsepower engine that achieves 17-mpg in the city and 27-mpg on the highway. The 335i is equipped with a standard 3.0-liter, I6, 300-horsepower, turbo engine that achieves 17-mpg in the city and 26-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard on both trims, and a 6-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is optional.

BMW has managed to fit a folding metal roof, add 160 kilos of body stiffening and maintain most of the responsiveness and feel expected of a 3 Series. The suspension is a little softer than the coupe's, which marginally changes the ride-and-handling balance, but not in any seriously detrimental way.
The folding metal roof has to go somewhere when the top's down, and this means rear-seat and boot space are compromised compared with the coupe. Prices are high.