[S350L-E240]

Hello all,

Yesterday was at the BMW dealer to test drive the BMW X3, and while it was always a pleasure to drive a new BMW another news we were told about was that soon BMW is launching the BMW 330d hard top convertible, this should be a wonderful alternative to the E-Class convertible even more due to the fact that this will be a hard top convertible, the engine will have 245 bhp and about 520 Nm of torque, and does a 0-100 at 6.4 seconds.

It will be priced at approx 56 Lac INR.
Will be launched as a CBU so the RTO will be quite high.
Will be a very practical sports car and a perfect daily driver for India without the worry for fuel.

BMW I believe will be the first car maker in India to launch a diesel convertible?

Link to BMW International for the BMW 3 Convertible

Will post more details as I get them but the cars can already be ordered at your dealer who will soon be getting their stocks.

Regards,

[reignofchaos]

Doesn't the Z4 cost almost the same? Last I remember, it was 58.5 lac and there was a 3 lac discount on it. Who'll buy this instead of a Z4?

[S350L-E240]

Z4, is 63.70 Ex-Showroom Ahmedabad, and is only a 2 seater, while the 330d will be a 4 seater, although the rear seats are not really a place where one can stretch the legs, it still offers a lot more value, and do not forget this is a diesel, you can walk into any gas station in India and fill her up without the worry of what fuel you are getting. Diesel + a few lacs cheaper will have buyers in this segment esp. with a hard top convertible.

This will be a great alternative to the E-Class convertible which is a soft top.

[revintup]

Originally Posted by reignofchaos

Doesn't the Z4 cost almost the same? Last I remember, it was 58.5 lac and there was a 3 lac discount on it. Who'll buy this instead of a Z4?

3series convertible will be more practical especially if you have a family.
3more seats than z4,plus diesel power/economy.PLus 4 friends in on open convertible is always more fun.

[Sahil]

I have always been fond of the 3 coupe and was hoping BMW would launch it someday. I'm glad the day has come. This truly is a practical sports car that too a hard top convertible !

BMW has been smart to differentiate it from the Z4 by giving the 3L diesel engine instead of the petrol(although they should have given the updated engine). Ideally, I would have liked to see the 335d come in, that would be a real stonker !

[ravelsnip@gmail]

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[.anshuman]

Isn't it too late for the 3 series Convertible to hit our shores? Now that the next gen 3 Series is due in International market. I am sure it will be a CBU, so it won't require any big investments to bring the car here, but will it be a good idea to buy this car now?

[h@r$h@l]

I guess BMW is now exploring that segment after Merc took the initiative to launch the E350 Cabriolet. But i too feel BMW has a lead here with them launching the 330d. The 2 main USP 330d has over E350 Cabriolet is Diesel and Hard top convertible.

The expected price is around INR 56L. It being a CBU is going to attract higher RTO and taxes. E350 Cabriolet costs approx INR 65.XX ex showroom. Also i don't think BMW India is expecting volume sales with the 330d convertible. As per the dealer here, we were informed that they are going to get only 2 or 3 cars initially.

Regards,

[anekho]

Originally Posted by .anshuman

Isn't it too late for the 3 series Convertible to hit our shores? Now that the next gen 3 Series is due in International market. I am sure it will be a CBU, so it won't require any big investments to bring the car here, but will it be a good idea to buy this car now?

The Coupe and Convertible versions of the 3 series we see on the roads today were not launched at the same time as the Saloon.

The E90 (Saloon) was launched in March 2005, E92 (Coupe) - September 2006 and E93 (Convertible) - March 2007.

So expect the current convertible to stick around for another ~2/3 years with if anything a facelift/refresh. Still makes sense to buy one and trade it in for the new Convertible 3/4 years down the line.

[carfreak77]

Excellent news! Finally the day has come. This is a true practical sports car. The fact that it is a hardtop convertible will make it sell in good volumes. No need to worry about taking the car out in the monsoon and no need to worry about anyone stealing anything from the car due to the hardtop!

[Sahil]

Originally Posted by .anshuman

Isn't it too late for the 3 series Convertible to hit our shores? Now that the next gen 3 Series is due in International market. I am sure it will be a CBU, so it won't require any big investments to bring the car here, but will it be a good idea to buy this car now?

This should have been launched a year back at least. But I guess they were busy launching the Z4 back then.

When BMW launched the Z4, MBIL got in the E coupe. And now that MBIL has got in the new SLK, BMW gets in the 3 coupe. Should have been vice versa.

[karan561]

Lets hope they bring the 330D variant or the 335D in the 2012 model

[S350L-E240]

The new 3 will go on sale in saloon form in March 2012, so the coupe / convertible will be out only in Mid-2013, and considering the product for BMW India, like H@r$h@l said plans to sell only about 2-3 cars per dealer and perhaps more if demand continues just like the 5-GT, this car should do well until the new 3 convertible comes in and could also be a good testing ground to see market response for such a vehicle in India?

Also gives them the rights to the first diesel convertible in India before the Mercedes-Benz SLK 250 CDI comes out in the year 2012, and I am sure others will follow too,

Lastly, there is no 335d variant in the convertible which tops at 330d, and is more than enough for the car and I believe it will leave you smiling always for the power and it's economy,

@Karan561, the news above is not speculation, its confirmed news so you dont need to hope for 330d, as it will be 330d and the cars can already be booked at your BMW partner.

Regards,

[avishar]

I would expect many wannabe M3s made out of these 330d convertibles.

[PPS]

BMW 330d convertible confirmed for India in 2012