2007 BMW 3 Series Convertible

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What is it?
2007 BMW 328i and 335i

What's special about it?
Just in time for spring (late March to be exact), BMW will introduce the 2007 3 Series Convertible to the U.S. market. This latest rendition of the 3 Series drop top replaces the traditional fabric ragtop with a retractable metal hardtop — a first for BMW.

A console-mounted button triggers the operation of the three-section steel hardtop, and the electrohydraulics deploy the roof over the passenger compartment in 23 seconds and then retract it beneath a hard tonneau cover in 22 seconds. The new design offers better protection from weather as well as reduced road noise. Another advantage is increased visibility, as BMW says the side windows are 30 percent larger while the rear window offers 38 percent more area.

Once the roof is up, there are 12.3 cubic feet of storage area in the trunk. The roof can also be opened or closed remotely by using the key fob.

Unfortunately the hardtop version of the 3 Series carries a substantial weight penalty, as the convertible weighs a little more than 2 tons, some 440 pounds more than the 3 Series coupe. The extra bulk comes from not only the weight of the top and the mechanical hardware but also additional chassis bracing. And the good news is that the new car achieves greater torsional rigidity than any previous BMW convertible.

Two models of the convertible will be available in the U.S. The top-of-the-line 335i convertible will be available with the same 300-horsepower, twin-turbo, 3.0-liter inline-6 that is currently available in the 335i coupe. The 328i convertible will utilize a normally aspirated 3.0-liter inline-6 that produces 230 hp and 200 pound-feet of torque.

Both cars come standard with a six-speed manual transmission. Optional is an upgraded six-speed automatic that features updated hydraulic controls and a new torque converter which together quicken the throttle response time by about 40 percent while cutting shift time by 50 percent. The automatic is also available with optional shift paddles mounted on the steering wheel.

Adding practicality to a convertible is always a challenge for designers, but BMW's gurus have done just that. The rear seat's backrest folds flat to accommodate bulky objects without damaging the upholstery. There's also an optional 16-inch-wide pass-through into the trunk to accommodate skis and long items.

In addition, yet another iDrive update is planned for the 3 Series convertible. Eight "favorite" buttons can be programmed into the navigation function to allow drivers one-touch access to a regular destination. As if to keep people from whining about the iDrive system's complexity, two of the eight overall menu functions are reserved for radio band and audio mode functions.

What's Edmunds' take?
More, more, more. More features, more power and — we're speculating here — probably more cost. If more is better, then the 3 Series convertibles are a heck of a lot better. And iDrive gets simpler, too. What's not to like? — Josh Jacquot