InsideLine: BMW 328i Convertible vs. Volvo C70
Malibu should be the perfect place to compare two convertibles like the 2006 Volvo C70 and 2007 BMW 328i Convertible, a little slice of the Cote d'Azur in America. Actually, it's quite terrible.
The roads are fine and the weather perfect, but the other cars on the road present a bit of a problem. You see, Malibu has a freakishly high concentration of
Aston Martin DB9 Volantes,
Bentley Continental GTCs and
Ferrari 430 Spiders. Alongside these six-figure drop tops, our $40,000 convertibles seem almost as ordinary as golf carts.
They're far from it, really. Both the BMW and the Volvo match stylish retractable hardtops with silky-smooth inline engines. Once you see these magically complex hardtops fold away, you can't help but admire the sheer engineering artistry of the performance. And whether you prefer the classic rectilinear lines of the BMW or the uniquely voluptuous design of the Volvo, both deliver handsome exteriors and nicely trimmed cabins.
So which one of these convertibles is the real deal, even if you don't live Malibu, the cradle of sunshine and extravagance?
Second-Generation Swede
After soldiering on well past its prime for years, the Volvo C70 finally received a full redesign in 2006. In typical Volvo fashion, the overall look of the new C70 isn't a radical departure from the previous model. It's slightly shorter and wider overall, giving the C70 a cleaner, more athletic look, though it's clear this car favors comfort over performance.
Now that the C70 has become a hardtop convertible, the former coupe has disappeared, so the lineup now consists of one model in one trim. There's only one engine, too, a turbocharged 2.5-liter inline five-cylinder that sends 218 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels. Steel reinforcements stiffen up the C70's previously wobbly structure. Unfortunately, they also add weight, as the C70 tips our scales at 3,775 pounds.
Although it rides on a shorter wheelbase than the previous version, the latest C70 actually has slightly more legroom up front. Some legroom has been lost in the rear seats, but shoulder room is up slightly. There are 12.8 cubic feet of trunk space with the top up. Put it down and you're left with just 6 cubic feet.
The rest of the interior is largely a carryover design from the C70's siblings. The simple layout is highlighted by a floating center stack and nicely finished gauges. Weather-resistant upholstery is standard, along with one of the most extensive arrays of airbags ever seen on a convertible.
Fourth-Generation German
Unlike the C70, the
BMW 3 Series has been around for two decades now. The fully redesigned 2007 model is the fourth-generation 3 Series convertible and the first to use a retractable hardtop. A virtual twin to the 3 Series coupe, the rear-wheel-drive convertible is available with the same choice of 3.0-liter straight-6 engines and either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission.
Like most new convertibles, BMW claims this 3 Series is considerably stiffer than before. It has nothing to do with the solid top, but a full array of steel reinforcements much like the Volvo. And like the C70, the 328i convertible is heavier than its predecessor at 3,805 pounds.
Some of that weight can be traced to the larger size of this 3 Series. It has a stretched wheelbase, and it's both longer and wider overall. This translates into slightly more legroom in front and considerably more shoulder room in back, while most other measurements stay about the same.
Keeping It Real
As much as we like BMW's new 300-hp twin-turbo engine, the 335i convertible is too pricey at $49,000 and it didn't compare well with the Volvo, since the C70's five-cylinder engine comes up a full 82 hp short.
Once we stepped down to the base-level 328i convertible, we sliced nearly $6K off the BMW's base price, while its 230-hp straight-6 is a closer match for the C70. Both cars come standard with six-speed manual transmissions.
It may sound odd to call a $40K car a stripper, but with only one option, our Volvo was about as close to the C70's $38,710 base price as you can get. A set of 18-inch alloy wheels for $995 proved to be the only piece of optional equipment on our Passion Red C70.
Our BMW isn't exactly loaded with options either. Its only major option is the $1,200 Sport package, which adds 18-inch wheels, performance tires, sport seats and a retuned suspension. BMW adds an extra $475 for metallic paint, and the keyless ignition goes for an extra $500. Total price for the 328i is $46,150, a sizable $5,750 over the Volvo.
Back to the Canyons
In the Santa Monica Mountains above Malibu's famous Pacific Coast Highway, the BMW never misses a step. The bulkier hardtop might weigh it down a little, but it doesn't dull the 328i's reflexes in turns. It has tight, precise steering that makes it easy to place, and the Sport package minimizes body roll.
And that whole cowl shake thing that plagues most convertibles? It's been eliminated for the most part in this 3 Series. Only the most treacherous potholes bring about any noticeable flex in the windshield area.
We're similarly impressed with the C70's rigid body structure as it slices from one turn to the next. Unlike the BMW, however, the Volvo's suspension gets wobbly when pushed hard. There's considerable body roll and the nose dives deep under heavy braking. There's not much we can do about the Volvo's massive understeer either.
Once we get used to the C70's soft setup, it's easy to maintain a fast pace. In fact, through the slalom at the test track the C70's 66.5-mph speed is actually a couple tenths faster than the BMW. That said, on the road the BMW always feels like the more capable car.
Nothing illustrates this more than braking performance. At the track, the Volvo's 116-foot stop from 60 mph is only 5 feet longer than the BMW's stop. On the street, however, the Volvo's pedal goes soft with brake fade after several miles of fast driving. On the same stretch, the BMW's pedal remains firm and responsive the whole way through.
Suburban Bliss
Emerging from the hills, we cruise into L.A.'s sprawling suburbs. This is the type of terrain the Volvo is built for, and it shows. The soft springs that were so clumsy in the canyons deliver a nicely isolated ride on city streets. The C70 glides over every type of pavement with minimal road noise, while the heavily assisted steering gives the car a relaxed feel. At these moderate speeds, the Volvo becomes much more likable.
The same goes for the C70's drivetrain. The light-action clutch and healthy low-end engine torque work well with the smooth-shifting six-speed. This is still not a fast car, as we measured a best 0-60-mph time of 7.6 seconds, but the engine spins up smoothly and has a relatively flat torque curve. Fuel mileage is average, though, as we only managed 20.4 mpg during its stay with us.
As good as the Volvo feels around town, the BMW still does everything better. Even with its low-profile tires and sport suspension, the 328i's ride is supple enough to handle rutted streets without feeling harsh. And the steering that's so precise in the canyons feels just as good in slow traffic and parking lot maneuvers.
Despite weighing more than the Volvo and having less power, the BMW actually feels faster. It's no illusion either, as the 328i runs a full second quicker from zero to 60 mph at the track. The clutch is trickier to modulate than that of the Volvo, but the shift action is smoother and the power is spread across a broader range of engine speeds. Mileage is slightly better, too, as the BMW delivered 20.8 mpg during our drive.
Topping Off
There's not much to compare when it comes to the top mechanisms of either car. They're both completely automatic, so going from coupe to convertible requires nothing more than the push of a button. The BMW's top makes the switch in 22 seconds, the Volvo's in roughly 30.
What the Volvo's top lacks in speed, it makes up for in its compact size, as the C70 leaves more usable space in the trunk with its top down. It's not much, but it's more than the BMW's shoebox-size space.
It's no contest when it comes to interiors, however, as the BMW has a far richer-looking cabin with better materials. Between the seats, the trim and the classic appearance, the 328i justifies its price. There's nothing wrong with the design of the C70's interior, but there are too many cheap-looking plastics for a $40,000 car.
Both the BMW and the Volvo have tight-fitting rear seats that no one wants to spend much time in. Up front, the BMW feels a little more spacious thanks to some extra shoulder room, while the Volvo delivers a couple extra inches of legroom. Wind turbulence with the top down is well controlled in both cars, although the BMW includes a standard wind blocker to reduce it even further.
Unanimous Decision
If we awarded points for a winner in the most improved category, the C70 might have had a chance. It's such a huge step up from the last car that it should be called the C80. From the tight structure to the slick new roof, it's a convertible worth owning if you think driving fast is a waste of gas.
Slipping behind the wheel of the 328i, however, reminds us just how much better a convertible can get. It has a flex-free body and an equally impressive roof, but it also adds nearly perfect steering, nimble handling and an interior that will impress the neighbors.
That is, unless you live in Malibu.
2007 Hardtop Convertible Comparison Test: 2006 Volvo C70 vs. 2007 BMW 328i Convertible
