Want to buy!

[StuPot]

Hi, I'm not yet a Z4 owner but am looking to change that in the near future. The problem is I am torn between the roadster or the coupe!

I love the look of the roadster with it's roof down but am not as fond with the roof up. The wife says despite the freak weather we've had this year buying a two seater convertible in the UK is just not practical as I wont get enough use out of it. So my question is to all you roadster users - putting aside the fantastic weather we've been having this year which now looks to be over, on an average year how much use do you get with the top down?

 

[BeeEmm]

For a more balanced view, you should also ask Coupe owners why they have one instead of a roadster. You touched on the answer when you said "I love the look of the roadster with it's roof down but am not as fond with the roof up". The coupe is all about style and looks. Most car manufacturers charge more for a coupe because they can get away with it. There is very friendly rivalry between the Z4 Coupe's and the Roadster's and both are fabulous cars. You have a nice problem, making up your mind. Make sure you drive as many as you can, before you buy. By the way, I have a Coupe.

 

[StuPot]

Thanks BeeEmm!

I considered asking for advice on which of the two I should go for but expected to get very polarized views from either side and wouldn't be any closer to a decision, but you are right it would be nice to know why people went for the coupe over the roadster and vice verser.

 

[Frankie169]

I had the same questions in my head before buying one recently, in the end I bought the E89 with the hard roof, that way I came out with the best of both worlds, mind you... still not as sexy as the coupe but you would need a crowbar to get me and out of it as 6ft 4, fit in the E89 fine so easy decision.

 

[Z4 COUPSTER]

Regarding how many days with roof down...if it's dry it's a top off day, in fact I had less use this year than before as it's been soooo warm.
But as said for style well Coupe is a timeless sexy shape. But I am.lucky I get to choose.
Personally I'm a topless freak. But always wanted that sleek coupe .
Hope this helps. I'm sure it won't btw.
Oh and welcome.
D

 

[Havard]

I was looking for a coupe, ended up with a roadster. I don't mind the looks with the roof up or down and seldom have the roof down as it is just too windy at speed.

I have to laugh at all the roadster owners who drive everywhere with the roof down, even when it's pissing down... :?

H.

 

[Mr Tidy]

Welcome to the forum OP.

I knew from the start that I only wanted a Coupe because of their looks - and I've never really wanted a convertible!

But if you aren't sure the best thing would be to try both before you decide - good luck either way!

And don't forget photos once you have decided.

 

[StuPot]

Thanks everybody, what a friendly bunch!

I think the best advice is staring me in the face, I need to get in the driving seat and see what feels best. Or at least which one the wifey approves of!

 

[SpiketheBike]

Welcome to the forum. I'm an E89 owner. I love the look, hood up or down. Much prefer driving hood (and windows) down, even on motorways. Cold weather not an issue, just wear the right clothes. Don't drive hood down in the rain though. :roll:

 

[srhutch]

Can’t beat driving a roadster on a dark summers night, should be something everybody does at least once.

I’ve had 2 Z4’s now covering an 11 year period. Sec9nd car now and on,y gets used when dry as roof down is the only was I want to drive it if possible.

Having said that, I’m not frightened of using in the wet, though this was virtually all done with the roof down.

 

[blackabbot]

Most of the year I'm driving my car with the roof down weather permitting, but for two to three months in the winter I put the hardtop on,
Best of both worlds

 

[Marlon]

Same as blackabbot above - I love the roadster look and feel with the roof down, however when the clocks go back in Oct the hard top goes on until Spring

 

[Phoenixboy]

Same as blackabbot above - I love the roadster look and feel with the roof down, however when the clocks go back in Oct the hard top goes on until Spring

you would be better off with a red hardtop, and passing that black one on to me :wink:

 

[skelters]

You can drive these cars with the roof down any time of year.

Bum warmers on, hat on and heater to the floor in the middle of winter is great.

Dry roads and dry roof = top down.

 

[Jollyjoiner]

Welcome aboard

Roadster, final answer

 

[Crazy Harry]

Hi and welcome to he forum.

You only need the top up when you can't slip stream the rain drops. The cabin heater is fantastic and hold out for one with heated seats and its top down all year unless the rain drops are big.

OK I live in East Anglia which tends to be dryer than most of the UK but I would say its a top down ratio of about 10 to 1 top up. Went to Manchester and back a couple of days ago and never put the top up.

The drone from passing vehicles on the motorway can be very wearing and I tend to have the windows up for motorway work or if the temp drops to zero or below but never needed a coat and have only once resorted to a bobble hat after 300 miles of 5 degrees after the sun went down (it was that or raise the windows). We enjoy the wind buffeting (which is far less than in our Caterham) but you can get a wind break to go across the back of the seats.

 

[ph001]

I don't think anybody would argue against the idea that that driving with the roof down just feels more of an 'event' than up. As most people use these cars in a leisure kind of way, the roadster was the one that made sense to me. You certainly can use it in cold weather as the heaters are very good and seats nice and toasty if you make sure heated leather is on your tick list.

In fact, I've had some of my best drives on cold crisp December mornings below beautiful clear blue sunny skies.

 

[RickRob]

I do agree that the coupe is the better-looking car, irrespective of whether the roadster's roof is up or down. However, you cannot see the outside of the car when you're driving it! I am not especially hardy, but above 5 degrees my roof is down.

As already said, the heater is powerful and heated seats are great. Note that heated seats are not in all cars - I wouldn't buy a roadster without them.

You also must have a wind deflector - it is uncomfortable without one.

I have considered getting a hard top, but, again as already said, the crisp, cold winter mornings are ideal roof down conditions. And there is something very special about driving in the dark with the roof down. There were some folk on here saying that in the recent very hot weather they had the roof up, because otherwise it was too hot and they were getting burnt. I think that explains that a greater percentage of convertibles are sold in the UK than in any other country.

So, as you will have guessed - another roadster vote here.

Good luck with whatever you decide upon.

 

[StuPot]

I'm very very swayed towards the roadster now. As long as I'm passing other roadsters with their top down in the snow I won't be embarrassed!

And I really like the look of those hard tops even more than the Coupe!

 

[firebobby]

Hi StuPot, The coupe does look nice, but it just a hatchback at the end of the day :wink:
The roadster is special, as mentioned above, driving at night with the roof down is just magic. We like to travel with the roof down and when it's warm, windows down and wind break in the boot... Bliss.
Roof down motoring, sun out and laughing at the hard top drivers sat looking glum in their cars, just peering out of the windows. :roll: