Coupe or Roadster . . . Decisions, Decisions

U

Undecided

Member
Hi everyone! I’m a new bod on the forum and I’m about to ask you guys a gals an answer to a question that’s very subjective, but I’m open to all input.

First a bit of background. I’m 42 married with no kids and I currently drive a John Cooper Works Mini Copper S. I’ve had the car from new in 03 and love it to bits. I don’t do a lot of mileage; hence it’s only done 24k miles and is mint. That doesn’t however stop it from depreciating. If I don’t sell the Mini soon it will depreciate to such a degree the deficit will be too great to finance another nice car. That’s where the Z4 comes in. If only it was that straight forward. You see I was 80% sold on the Coupe. I think it’s drop dead gorgeous. However, to help me confirm my choice I took my wife out in both. Big mistake!! She fell head over heals for the Roadster and proceeded to spend the rest of the road test convincing me of the value of the ‘best of both worlds’. I must admit this car was in Monaco blue with the beige interior and looked really classy. Not to mention the sun was shining and the test route took us through Windsor.

What I would like from you all is the pros and cons of both models (3.0 Sports only) such as. Is the Roadster?
· Noisy at speed with the roof up i.e. wind noise, road noise, rain etc.
· Too windy with the roof down
· Any leaks
· Roof failures
· Body flex in corners
· Boot size etc.

The Coupe:
· Too cramped
· Lacking versatility

To be fair, I couldn’t fault either car, but then I was only out in the Coupe for 30 mins and the Roadster for 90.

What’s the fuel consumption really like for the 3.0 Sport. The book says 32 mpg combined. What’s a more realistic figure? I’m sure the first few weeks it’ll be in the upper teens, but after that I’ll be driving fairly normally. Also, according to the book the Co2 is low enough to keep it out of the £420 bracket. Is this correct?

Manual or auto and which options are more important such as parking sensors, heated seats and a wind deflector for the Roadster.

The car will be a 06>.

Many thanks in advance for your help.
 
Welcome to a great forum. My self I like the roadster. Love the top down. We do alot of trips with ours and most of them is with the top down. :driving: I have an 03 3.0 and get 28 to 31 mpg on a trip. That is not computer readings. I don't think the noise is bad with the top up. Hope this help's with your decision. :driving:
 
· Noisy at speed with the roof up i.e. wind noise, road noise, rain etc.
Nope, pretty refined
· Too windy with the roof down
Make sure you get the wind deflector and it's fine
· Any leaks
Not owned one but its a very snug hood so I highly doubt it
· Roof failures
· Body flex in corners
It does feel like it flexes alot more than the coupe, but that's to be expected
· Boot size etc.
Slightly smaller tha the coupe obviously but not bad

The Coupe:
· Too cramped
LOL it's exactly the same size? I find it much lighter in their too thanks to the rear window, the Roadster feels a bit darker with the roof up IMO
· Lacking versatility
Boot is bigger, so the only thing you are lacking is the ability to put the roof down?

I specifically wanted only the Coupe, which IMO looks so much better and is better to drive. However I was given a 57 plate 3.0Si Roadster while mine was being prepped and it was bloody lovely for four days; I just don't like the looks, especially roof up.

Manual or auto and which options are more important such as parking sensors, heated seats and a wind deflector for the Roadster.
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Can't go wrong with either...the auto is silky smooth (the demo I was given was auto) and I would be tempted, but a sports car should probably have a manual really.
 
First, welcome to the forum... :thumbsup:

Consider how much more thrilling life could be with a convertible. There’s something about actually feeling the weather rather than imagining it through a digital outside-temperature display that literally gives variety to a day — the burst of warmth when the clouds slide off the sun, the tangible chill as you drive through a rocky gorge, the ozone-y atmosphere of an approaching thunderstorm. I believe this is either something that does something for you or not.

I have had a number of roadsters since the 1960's and the Z-4 is by far the best. My current Z4 is my 2nd and I consider wind noise, road noise at speed with the top up to be a non-issue as far as I am concerned. The Z4 is tight, quite and I have never had so much as a drop of water enter from a rain storm.

With the top down at normal highway speeds wind noise is quite acceptable IMHO.
A few individuals including myself have had power top failures. In my case it was covered under warranty and was repaired by the dealer quickly. In the event of failure the roof can be operated manually. While the coupe is quite a bit stiffer than the roadster the roadster is nevertheless quite stiff and preforms quite well on the road. You loose a very small amount of boot space with the top down and one of the attractive features of the Z4 is its rather large boot compared to most other roadsters.

Let us know what you decide... :driving:
 
With the top up you really forget that the car is a roadster. There is minimal wind noise with the top up even at highway speeds. Top down, of course, does produce a fair amount of noise making conversation difficult at a high speeds.

I have had no leaks or other problems with the soft top. The car was designed as a roadster and the chassis is very solid, no concerns at all about body flex. For a car of its size, the trunk in the roadster is really quite large. I was able to carry home week’s worth of groceries for a family of 5, with the top down!

The downsides to the roadster are poor rear-to-side visibility with the top up. There are a couple of intersections near my home that are absolutely blind. And of course, the top is complex piece of machinery, so there is more that can go wrong. You are also more likely to have a few squeaks and rattles in a roadster than in the coupe (although in 25,000 miles, I have not had any problems of this nature at all).

Naturally I am biased towards the roadster, but both are exceptional choices and it really comes down to personal preference.
 
I'll chime in as well and say the roadster is very quiet with the top up at highway speeds. Not a sedan quiet but quiet either way. IMO the wind isn't bad with the top down, at highway speeds yeah conversation is a tad difficult but not too bad, especially if you put both windows up. That said I broke bread and bought the clear winddeflector from http://64.225.94.154/ShopSite/page52.html and love it. It cut out the wind drastically. You still feel the wind but conversation is easier.

Options, I would recommend heated seats for sure no matter which you get but get them for sure if you get the roadster, a light jacket and heated seats and you'll be cruising topless in less than 60 degree temps. I also recommend getting the stick (manual) simply for the nice rumble the exhaust makes on decell...The roar of the engine and the wind rushing through your hair is oh so awesome. Makes you just want to pull over and uhm have some fun with your significant other right there... I think WLH said it best in his first paragraph.
 
If you wanted the coupe to begin with, then get the coupe!!! Much better looking car, IMHO...Who's wearing the pants, you or your wife? Is it your car or her's or both?
 
I always loved the C'vert when BMW released it, but when they released the Coupe, and was completely hooked! For me the Coupe is one of the best looking cars on the road, and alot more rare on the road, if thats your thing?

I have owned my Coupe for 3 months (i also had a Mini Cooper 'S'), and have found the Coupe to be far better (yes, that right, far better) than the Mini when it comes to petrol. The lowest i have had out of my Coupe has been 28 MPG, and that was a tank when i did no motorway miles. Take it out for a run, and i've had 34 MPG! If you drive round with lead boots, then expect less, but i get plenty of thrills out of mine and still get good MPG.

The only thing it took me a while to get used to with the Coupe is the rear visibility. The rear view mirror gives the same impression as looking out of a letter box i would imagine (i've never been in a letter box!). Side visibility is good, and its is great looking over that long bonet, but rear is pretty poor.

At the end of the day, you buy what you like, (or what the missus tells you to like!) :D I'm sure you will love either car as they are both BRILLIANT!
 
Having had both (a 2.5 roadster, and now the M) I favour the looks of the coupe.

I loved my roadster - had no issues with it, great in the summer, noise levels nothing to worry about. When I decided to sell, I didn't like the coupe, having only seen it in Auto Express - it didn't look right, so it wasn't on my list. But when I nipped into the dealer for something one day, a coupe was sat there - and I was sold. In the flesh, it just looked gorgeous.

Immediately cancelled the car I had on order, and ordered a coupe. Have to say I don't miss the roof down driving to be honest, which surprises me. But as I'm just a fairweather driver and only had it down in glorious weather, thats probably why.

To be honest, the looks of both cars are great. However, for me, the coupe just looks the business - and the added bonus i the rarity. In the 19 months since I originally ordered mine, I've only seen 3.

Good luck with your choice
 
You’re all stars! Some great input. Seems the US guys prefer the convertible for their lovely weather, where as the UK guys prefer the Coupe (hmmm... I wonder why :roll: ).

A question for the Mini converts. Does it still fit in your garage ok. The book says it's only about 4" wider?

I saw my first Coupe on the road yesterday. I probably just hadn't been looking before :driving: .

Please keep your comments coming.

Rog
 
Well I've got an '07 3.0si roadster and must say I love it - My first soft top and definetly wont be my last.

As for fuel, the trip computer says I get 25 mpg, which is mainly in stop-start traffic (that compares to <18mpg in my previous Mazda RX8).

Mines an auto too and I probably wouldn't have another manual. The 3.0si comes with the 'Sport' button which sharpens the gear changes and means you can use the car as a gentle crusier or put it in Sport mode and rag it!

As for options/accesories - the wind deflector is a definite (God knows why this isnt standard!), heated seats are good too for those cold winter days we have in the UK and the Comfort pack which includes parking sensors is another desirable one. Other than that upgraded audio/paint/alloys/interior etc. are all down to personal taste.

The roadster probably suffers from a few more creaks than the coupe due to a little bit more flex, bit its nothing major. The hood is top quality - very snug ang goes up and down in seconds at traffic lights when the weather changes.

All in all, you can't go wrong!
 
Go for the roadster, then get a hardtop fitted for the winter months. You will almost have both, Job done ! :D
 
timscuba said:
Welcome to a great forum. My self I like the roadster. Love the top down. We do alot of trips with ours and most of them is with the top down. :driving: I have an 03 3.0 and get 28 to 31 mpg on a trip. That is not computer readings. I don't think the noise is bad with the top up. Hope this help's with your decision. :driving:
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I second that completely, love the ragtop version. I drive the same year and engine with a 6 speed (but getting 34 to 36 mpg on a cruising speed trip. 23 to 26 normal city driving.)
 
Either one you pick you'll be happy, trust us. My Z4 is a second car and with the weather here in Northeast Florida I have virtually year round great top down weather. I also had the hardtop on my first Z4 and I loved the looks and like the coupe it is pretty rare (never see one driving around) and I received many compliments on it. Good Luck, JBZ4! :thumbsup: :driving: :thumbsup:





HC2007-04.jpg
 
Then again depending on your driving style the coupe could be a little safer. :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:


accident-1.jpg
 
I will throw in the "allergies" angle. I have seasonal allergies through the spring and for a bit of the summer. I had a Roaster. My allergies were TERRIBLE with the top down.... If there is an allergy issue you may wanna get the coupe....
 
As said above its your choice but make sure you get the one you really want.

Love the Coupe apart from the back end not as nice as the roadster in my eyes but they do have a nice aggresive look to the car.

Mine is a Roadster 2004 3.0 se Auto and i love it the whole car is just awesome powerful but easy to drive at the same time.

Wind noise is fine with the top up and with the top down and both windows up its no different to my last car with the sunroof back.

Personally i like the top down and both windows down and the wind deflector in the dustbin :D
 
easty027 said:
Go for the roadster, then get a hardtop fitted for the winter months. You will almost have both, Job done ! :D
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Off topic but could you reduce your signature image size? It's bloody massive and ruins browsing....
 
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