dealer misinfo on bodystyle?

ForI did a bunch of test drives yesterday at the bmw olympic event. I thought the 2013 328 sedan with the f30 body drove significantly better than the 2012 convertible which is the e93 body. The bmw rep told me that the 2013 convertible will be the f30 body style. This seems contrary to what I have read online. Does anyone know for sure what body style the 2013
328 convertible is? You would think that when selling a car for 50k they might be able to give accurate information. Thanks for your help.

Originally Posted by topgum2

I thought the 2013 328 sedan with the f30 body drove significantly better than the 2012 convertible which is the e93 body.

Are you certain the two had equivalent suspension packages?

Originally Posted by topgum2

The bmw rep told me that the 2013 convertible will be the f30 body style.

The MY13 3-series convertibles will remain the E93 body style. Here is a list of the relatively minor changes in the new model year.

The MY14 convertibles will have the F3x body style, and possibly be rebadged as the 4-series. (For those who know him, BoltJames would be proud. )

The two did have similar suspensions.
Here is my dilemma (to use that word lightly.)

I need a car now and want a convertible. I like the cabin on the F30 and thought the F30 sedan had more power and was a better ride then the the E93 body of the 2012 Convertible. I realize I am not comparing apples to appples because one was a sedan and the other was a convertible, but the engines are significantly different between the E93 and F30 as is the suspension. My decision is to lease the 2013 328 convertible now and be happy with it for 3 years then get what ever is the latest technology on the next lease go round, or to assume a lease on swapalease for a 2010 or 2011 328i convertible (which is essentially the same as the 2013 328 convertible) and then in the fall of 2014 when the F3x 328 convertible is out get that car. Any thoughts?
Thanks.

I faced the same situation almost two years ago on a new 3-Series sedan. The E90 was the current body style, but the F30 was coming out in about a year.

I went ahead and ordered an E90, and put it on a three year lease. That way, I will have an option at the end of the lease:
1. I can turn in the E90 and order an F30 (assuming I like the F30).
2. I can buy my present E90 (assuming I do NOT like the F30).

I have meticulously maintained the E90, so that I truly can keep it a long time, if that is the choice I make.

If I choose the F30, it will be a bit later in the production run, which (I hope) will reduce the probability of problems associated with a new model.

Originally Posted by Verts4Ever

The MY14 convertibles will have the F3x body style, and possibly be rebadged as the 4-series. (For those who know him, BoltJames would be proud. )

Yes, but you have to spell his name right for the full effect: boltjaM3s. BJ has made a recent reappearance in the F30 forum where is happily reporting on his new ///L328i as only BJ could: http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=638587

Originally Posted by topgum2

ForI did a bunch of test drives yesterday at the bmw olympic event. I thought the 2013 328 sedan with the f30 body drove significantly better than the 2012 convertible which is the e93 body. The bmw rep told me that the 2013 convertible will be the f30 body style. This seems contrary to what I have read online. Does anyone know for sure what body style the 2013
328 convertible is? You would think that when selling a car for 50k they might be able to give accurate information. Thanks for your help.

Do you have access to the Internet?

The dealer is the last resort for reliable information. Most sales people are not car guys, they are selling a product and really don't care if it is a Chevrolet, a BMW, or a washing machine. They just want the sale (and the commission). Use the sales person as one source of information, but verify everything that they tell you. Or look for a sales person that is passionate about what they are selling. There are some out there. I used to work in a dealership and our top salesman barely new how to drive, much less anything about the cars he was selling, but people loved him and bought from him....