Pros and cons of going from 3.0 e85 to 35i ???

[Mr Tidy]

Its funny how coupe owners are glazed eyed with ownership and I was exactly I was the same until I bought a roadster. I think im one of a few to go coupe to roady. There is this strange opinion that the Roadster is the unworthy version of the Z which is just ridiculous really.

Just to be clear I wasn't suggesting there is anything unworthy about the Roadster, just that I prefer the Coupe.

Hope everyone enjoys whatever Zed they have. :driving:

 

[R.E92]

I've never had and never wanted a convertible. I prefer old-school N/A engines and manual gearboxes so it had to be an E86 for me and as I couldn't afford an M I got a 3.0Si. Had a mad moment when I sold my first Coupe to the extent I got another 2 days later which was a keeper, until 2 years ago I saw an advert for my MC that I could just about afford so that was it! I know there are benefits to other Z4s but there is no other Z4 I'd rather have.

Its funny how coupe owners are glazed eyed with ownership and I was exactly I was the same until I bought a roadster. I think im one of a few to go coupe to roady. There is this strange opinion that the Roadster is the unworthy version of the Z which is just ridiculous really.

Its surprising how much experience you miss in the coupe over the roady. All the best bits of the M are much more raw in the roadster, induction, exhaust general noise and involvment. The confined space in the coupe also makes it much more drony even with the stock exhaust. The only benefit to the coupe is its looks and appreciation... but you have to pay to play anyway these days. The additional stiffness is completely over sold on the road from my experience. The other thing about the coupe is for a niche weekend car having a roof makes it more niche imo getting the roof down is the experience. I was a serious coupe only advocate back in the day.... since ive only had roadsters.

Sold the Z4M to fund a trip around the world got back and bought a cheap 987 Boxster S, and now the Z4MR and a 996 C4S.

I've never owned an E85 or E86 so can't comment on any differences in chassis stiffness but I think the E86 is one of the best looking cars on the road whereas I find the E85 unsightly.

The soft tops look OK when new but it only takes a couple of years before they start to look rough.

 

[Southwestz4]

I think unsightly is a bit harsh imo but each to their own ...my e85 soft top was in very good condition even after 17 years , I gave it a Renovo re colour and it now looks new apart from the usual and unavoidable creases where it folds.....I think the folding hard top will be easier to live with and I won't have to keep rushing out to remove seagull s**t ( aka white vultures)

 

[Scubaregs]

If a soft top is in poor condition, it is down to poor maintenance. I had on 02 MR2 roadster for a few years, then an 06 for around 10. Both were DD's and both sat outside, uncovered through Scottish winters. Soft tops on both were unfaded and looked almost as good as new, simply by performing easy maintenance.

 

[R.E92]

I think unsightly is a bit harsh imo but each to their own ...my e85 soft top was in very good condition even after 17 years , I gave it a Renovo re colour and it now looks new apart from the usual and unavoidable creases where it folds.....I think the folding hard top will be easier to live with and I won't have to keep rushing out to remove seagull s**t ( aka white vultures)

To be fair I think convertible versions always look worse. The E89 looks great but if there was a coupe version then I think that opinion would change. I love the look of the E92 but the E93 is just a pig, the differences are minimal but the folding roof spoils the profile.

A bit like the SL65. The hard top looks really good until you see the coupe then you realise how much of a difference a fixed roof makes.