The 2011 3 Series Convertible is a 2-door, 4-passenger luxury convertible, available in 3 trims, ranging from the 328i to the 335is.
Upon introduction, the 328i is equipped with a standard 3.0-liter, I6, 230-horsepower engine that achieves 17-mpg in the city and 26-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard, and a 6-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is optional. The 335is is equipped with a standard 3.0-liter, I6, 320-horsepower, turbo engine that achieves 18-mpg in the city and 26-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard, and a 7-speed manual transmission with overdrive is optional.
The E92 3-Series convertible is BMW's first model with a retractable hardtop. BMW says this convertible is the perfect car for two-person backroad vacation adventures whenever the weather permits. Built on the same chassis and with the same engine choices as the 3-Series coupe, it gives up just a little weight and luggage room in return for the fun of top-down motoring in an all-season automobile.
The only variation between the 328i and 335i models is in the power plant. The 328i uses BMW's normally aspirated 3.0-liter inline six, offering 230 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 200 foot-pounds of torque at 2,750 rpm. Power is transmitted to the rear wheels through a standard six-speed manual transmission; a six-speed automatic with rapid-action Steptronic gear selection is optional.
The 335i has a new N54 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder with a single twin-scroll turbocharger, high-precision fuel injection, and an all-aluminum crankcase, pushing the car to 60 mph in just 5.3 seconds. The motor produces 300 horsepower at 5,800 rpm. Peak toque is 300 pound-feet, available from a mere 1,200 rpm, all the way up to 5,000 rpm.
Sun-Reflective Leather offers cooler seats
BMW is the first carmaker in the world to use sun-reflective technology to mitigate temperatures on leather seating, armrest surfaces, headrests, and gear shifter. The process uses modified color pigments imbedded in the leather during the production process to reflect the infrared radiation of the sun in wavelengths of more than 720 nanometers.
This leather treatment is able to reduce surface temperatures on dark interior colors by up to 20 Celsius degrees (36 Fahrenheit degrees), and also offers advantages on light-colored upholstery, where the heating effect of sunshine is less severe, reducing the surface temperature by as much as 15 Celsius degrees (27 Fahrenheit degrees). All other qualities of the leather remained unchanged.
Freshened for spring: the BMW 3 Series Convertible
Convertible models have been an essential ingredient in BMW’s portfolio since the 1930s. It is a heritage based on contemporary style and elegance with defining features such as a long wheelbase, short front and rear overhangs, prominent wheel arches and an elongated, flowing silhouette. The current models, the third generation 3series fourth generation Convertible (the first one to feature a retractable hardtop), build on this tradition. Together they account for around one third of BMW 3 Series volume.
The revised Convertible feature new front and rear lights, a revised kidney grille, a new front air dam, rear valance and side rocker panels. The face of the models has been subtlety restyled by adding a twisted chrome band around the kidneys, new lights with bright white LED corona rings, indicators and side repeaters and an illuminated ‘eyebrow’. A new front air dam with a single large air intake is embellished with matt aluminium fins to give the car a wider and lower frontal appearance and, thus, a more dynamic look.
At the rear all red light clusters feature LED light bars and the re-styled rear bumper visually reduces the perception of height, again giving a more dynamic stance. In profile the cars are slightly longer than the former model due to the new front and rear valances – by 29mm at the front and 3mm at the rear. Contrasting character lines on the side valances and rear bumper enhance the sporting stance of both cars, while new standard wheel designs (and a new optional 18-inch alloy) and three new exterior colours, Vermillion Red, Deep Sea Blue and Mineral White, put the finishing touches to the exterior. Inside, Dakota Leather is now standard on all Convertible models while new Anthracite Bamboo trim offers a fresh, modern feel.
M Sport variants account for 65 per cent of BMW 3 Series Convertible sales in the UK and have been revised to reflect the refreshed models. They consist of a revised front spoiler design, a new 19-inch M Sport wheel and the new colour of Mineral White.
Entry into the BMW 3 Series Convertible club starts at £32,905 OTR for a 320i SE and £35,115 OTR for a 320d SE rising to £56,740 OTR for an M3 Convertible.
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