I have a 318Iconvertible but in the E30 shape, which is not new!!! This model is more than 10 years old, but in my opinion the E30 is the best looking BMW model.
My particular model came with a power hood (the hood is controlled by motors not manually). After a few weeks use the motor decided to stop working, and I felt it was to expensive to replace. That is one thing to bear in mind when buying one. Do you want the power hood or want to operate the hood manually. I find pulling the hood down a nusiance sometimes.
Another point to keep in mind is that BMW are heavy cars, and if you are a speed freak the 1.8 engine is not going to be sufficient.
I made the mistake of buying my convertible in late spring/early summer, the most expesive time to buy one!!! Wait till the winter when it is cold and wet, and you will pick up one for slightly cheaper then in the summer.
You might think that the insurance is too expensive for a convertible. I was paying silly amounts on my insurance untill I was told that my car is considered a classic car by some insurance companies. When shopping around for insurance look for compaines that have a classic car policy.
Some things to look out for when buying a convertible-
Look for signs of leaking. Have a good look at the rubbber around the hood at the front.
Look for signs of rust especially around the footwell. That is a sign that water is leaking through the windows.
Make sure that the driver and passenger side doors do not catch the roof. This will mean that the hood is not lined up right.
If you are not an experienced buyer of second hand cars, take someone with you when looking at cars. Also search the internet for more information on E30's, there are loads of sites.
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Jul 13th, 2004
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