2015 Z4 to be "Sportier"

[moonshine]

49.2% front to 50.8% rear weight distribution (Z4 35i)
ref: http://www.bimmerfile.com/2008/12/19/z4-is-weight-really-an-issue/

I'm not doubting the numbers you posted but there are some tweaking that can be done to help improve it's driving dynamics. Drive the Cayman/Boxster and Z4 back to back and you will see the difference.

no problems.. i quoted really to confirm my source & that i didn't just make the numbers up. :wink:

When i said not a lot of room for improvement, i specifically meant wrt the weight distribution. The original article blabbing on aboyt weight distribution just sounded like journo babble - spouting what they think people want to hear. :x
I've no doubt the dynamic experience can be improved (a bit) but really do 99% of tthe population actually feel it or benefit from it? The cars are already way above what the everyday driver can appreciate / differenciate on the road.

The search for the "perfect setup" is a bit like hi-fi geeks who drone on about "warmth of notes", natural resonance, clarity of high notes etc zzzzzz ... Whilst they may be right and some of the population may be able to detect a difference, the majority of the population can't detect and the costs to improve moves into realms of diminishing returns.

I race bikes (time trial and road) at a reasonably high level and whilst i have some of the state of the art kit, i'm the first to admit that my equipment isn't my limiting factor... it is me!

 

[sars]

I agree in someways ori-gov, however isn't that where the Z2 will go without the six cylinders, something that competes with the MX5 and now the Toyoburu has arrived, proving once again the lots of power isn't necessary to make a fun car.

 

[rfx45]

Jobs for the new model?

- lose 200kg and the stupid metal roof (I'm talking Roadster here by the way!!!)

The roof is aluminum (so if the hood), probably the lightest metal they can use w/o sacrificing quality, strength and increasing the price. They can put CF roofs but I don't think an increase in price will make it any too attractive to buyers.

 

[original guvnor]

Jobs for the new model?

- lose 200kg and the stupid metal roof (I'm talking Roadster here by the way!!!)

The roof is aluminum (so if the hood), probably the lightest metal they can use w/o sacrificing quality, strength and increasing the price. They can put CF roofs but I don't think an increase in price will make it any too attractive to buyers.

What's wrong with fabric? After all it's good enough for Porsche.

 

[rfx45]

Jobs for the new model?

- lose 200kg and the stupid metal roof (I'm talking Roadster here by the way!!!)

The roof is aluminum (so if the hood), probably the lightest metal they can use w/o sacrificing quality, strength and increasing the price. They can put CF roofs but I don't think an increase in price will make it any too attractive to buyers.

What's wrong with fabric? After all it's good enough for Porsche.

Oh you wanted a fabric top. To me, it really isn't about being good enough for any other brands, I mean I could say what is wrong with the hardtop? It's good enough for Ferrari in their 458 and California.

BMW also decided to make it a hardtop because (personally) it just looks better and safer. It's one of the main reason I bought the Z4. I always said that if the Boxster had a hardtop, there isn't even a question on what car I'd be driving right now. I considered the Cayman but decided I really wanted a roadster and I just didn't like how the SLK looked so the Z4 became my roadster of choice.

BMW also wanted to make the Z4 appeal more to the masses and the hardtop integration is a smart move to that direction. It's an all weather vehicles now, it's quieter and they also made the ride smoother. Up to you if you want to view that in a good or bad way. It also eliminates having separate versions of the car, a coupe and a roadster/convertible, the E89 is both. I had friends who actually thought my E89 is a coupe, the hardtop roof is integrated that well.

 

[moonshine]

one of the main reasons i bought the Z was the tin top. I was considering the SLK, TT, boxter & Z.
ive had a mx5 roof slashed (years ago) & city living & soft top are not easy bedfellows. the Tin top looks good & is more secure.

 

[Andrew*Debbie]

The roof is aluminum (so if the hood), probably the lightest metal they can use w/o sacrificing quality, strength and increasing the price. They can put CF roofs but I don't think an increase in price will make it any too attractive to buyers.

It isn't just the metal roof, it is the complex mechanism and the design compromises that a the e89s roof requires. The e85 Z4 roof is far more compact and the roof motors were an option.

Again BMW could learn from Mazda. The MX-5 PRHT is only 70lbs heavier than the cloth top. The roof panels are composite plastic. The top panel of the roof stays on the outside of the car as part of the lid. Even more amazing is that the cargo space is virtually the same as the cloth top.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-6qB-tvq5A

 

[rfx45]

I don't really want a plastic roof for my Z4, I would have easily passed on this car if that were the case.

The thing is, that isn't possible with the E89 because our cars are designed to be more of a traditional roadster, long hood and short trunk. The Boxster and Miata are able to do that with their roofs because the length of the front and back are more even so they have some space in the back to integrate the roofs folding. I guess you can say it's a sacrifice for design, which is fine because that is exactly why I love the E89.

Speaking of design, I feel the hardtop on the Miata is a compromise, it looks terrible with the roof up. They didn't slope the back window moderately so it is more sleek and flows better with the car, instead it is a steep slope so that it can fold better and doesn't take up much space. I've honestly never had a problem with trunk space on my E89 so far so to me, it's a sacrifice I am willing to give up for an overall better look of the car.

Plus it seems unfair to compare it to the Miata to begin with, the E89 doesn't have a comparison of how much lighter it would be w/ a cloth top. We wouldn't know if the aluminum roof on our E89 would be more than 70lbs heavier if it had a softtop.

 

[TitanTim]

With owning both Zeds, the Z3 feels much more roadster than the Z4 with its fabric roof which is double lined and in terms of noise insulation there is little in it. I do prefer the tin top of the Z4 though, a ragtop for me is a pain to own, to keep clean and looking good and the big downside is some toe rag will eventually slash it.

I looked at the MX5 Coupe before buying the Z4 and think it looks OK, but downside for me it just looks cheap even for a 23K car if you go for the 2.0 Sport Tech, the interior feel and materials are pretty poor compared to your average hatchback, also as an everyday proposition the boot at 150litres is tiny, I think less than a MINI's which is why I would hope if BMW made the Z2 it would be similar in size to the Z3 than the MX5.

Tim.

 

[rfx45]

I looked at the MX5 Coupe before buying the Z4 and think it looks OK, but downside for me it just looks cheap even for a 23K car if you go for the 2.0 Sport Tech, the interior feel and materials are pretty poor compared to your average hatchback, also as an everyday proposition the boot at 150litres is tiny, I think less than a MINI's which is why I would hope if BMW made the Z2 it would be similar in size to the Z3 than the MX5.

The boot on the Miata is only 150 liters? The E89s boot is at least 180 liters with the roof open, with it close the trunk is 310 liters big. No wonder they can't afford for their hardtop to occupy anymore boot space, any less and the trunk will be non-existent.