Will there be a coupe??

V

veearrsix

New member
I'm not sure if this has been asked, or if anyone would know.....

but does anyone think they will build a coupe in the same vein as the e86, I'm not that fussed if an 'M' version appears, the twin turbo version is more than quick enough, but I love the boot on my current coupe and think this new 'z4-slk' is a bit naff....

I know the e86 was built as an after hours type project, I hope that a new one appears too.
 
I believe that the coupe will be not available anymore:they put the steel roof on purpose,IMHO....otherwise the new z4 should have the canvas top...still...
They don't even think about a proper M version, I don 't know about a diesel engine...
 
Who knows - from the 3 series there is a hard top convertible, but there is also a coupe ....
 
I recall someone from BMW saying that the demographic for the 3 series was different and therefore merited the two versions, but not the Z4. I would prefer a coupe this time.
 
well...don't forget that 3 series is born as a sedan, then tourer cabrio, coupe......
z4 was born as a spider with only 2 seats.....
different, very different....
 
If you keep the RHT on all the times, the new Z4 is always a coupe. I don't think BMW will invest more money to make a fixed roof coupe version. They made Z4 Coupe because Roadster (E85) has fabric roof.
 
ksher said:
If you keep the RHT on all the times, the new Z4 is always a coupe. I don't think BMW will invest more money to make a fixed roof coupe version. They made Z4 Coupe because Roadster (E85) has fabric roof.
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But it`s not a coupe, it`s top heavy and lacks the extra rigidity a proper Coupe would make. Enthusiats who want a Coupe won`t just buy a new Z4 and keep the roof up, they`ll buy something else. The new Z4 is a convertible
 
Darren M said:
But it`s not a coupe, it`s top heavy and lacks the extra rigidity a proper Coupe would make. Enthusiats who want a Coupe won`t just buy a new Z4 and keep the roof up, they`ll buy something else. The new Z4 is a convertible
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X2. It seems that there is a larger market (more money to be had) with the current SLK-Z4 then with those who value performance. Those of us in search of the "Ultimate Driving Machine" will look to the other marques.
 
I'd very much doubt that there'll be a coupe. Whilst a lot of the members of this forum bought a coupe for the dynamic benefits, I expect that the majority of owners in the wider world chose the coupe for aesthetic or perceived security reasons, and would consider the folding hard top a satisfactory successor in those regards.

I'd be very surprised if there isn't a diesel version of the new car, following in the brave footsteps of the TT TDi. That said, I'd expect an sDrive30d rather than an sDrive20d with the 177bhp four-pot, although the latter might make a late appearance if there's also an sDrive20i to prevent the diesel-four being the entry-level model (I don't think the marketing boys would like the message that sends out).

And, even considering the official denials, I'd be astonished if there isn't an M version for two reasons: -
- Firstly, I doubt there's a mechanical limitation. They've got the S65 engine from the E90 M3 sat on the shelf doing nothing, development paid for and (rumour has it) likely to be dropped from the next-generation M3 in favour of turbo-power, and M3 sales (therefore assembly-line utilisation) no doubt winding down. In addition, the standard sDrive35i transmission handles the same torque as the S65 produces, and is therefore probably compatible with the M motor without much modification.
- Secondly, by the mid-life facelift we'll be emerging from the current economic downturn and people will be back onto "this time it's differnet", at which point the current eco-friendly fad will have gone out of the window and people will be buying silly-powered metal en masse again.
 
I read, with suprise, Autocar last week that BMW are currently not planning on putting any diesel's in the Z4 - very good news in my opinion. However, they have also said that an Alpina version is also very unlikely - apparently the higher costs of the new Z4 has meant that an estimated price would be £80K plus - far too high, so they won't build one unless the head of Alpina personally wants it to happen.

Slightly off track onthis thread - so to get back on it - coupe is very unlikely, HOWEVER - BMW are seemingly creating as many models as possible at the moment so whilst this would be the least likely you never can tell!
 
Can't imagine they'd ever build one in this limited sector when the current version is supposed to sell to both groups, while appealing to a wider market.

Still who knows what manufacturers will do in this changing car world if they see a profitable niche.

We have the X6 and even diesel Jaguar estates these days, so why not the 2 litre diesel Z4 harchback :thumbsdown:
 
Andrew D said:
And, even considering the official denials, I'd be astonished if there isn't an M version for two reasons: -
- Firstly, I doubt there's a mechanical limitation. They've got the S65 engine from the E90 M3 sat on the shelf doing nothing, development paid for and (rumour has it) likely to be dropped from the next-generation M3 in favour of turbo-power, and M3 sales (therefore assembly-line utilisation) no doubt winding down. In addition, the standard sDrive35i transmission handles the same torque as the S65 produces, and is therefore probably compatible with the M motor without much modification.
- Secondly, by the mid-life facelift we'll be emerging from the current economic downturn and people will be back onto "this time it's differnet", at which point the current eco-friendly fad will have gone out of the window and people will be buying silly-powered metal en masse again.
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You're delusional if you think the eco-friendly fad will disappear anytime soon. BMW is switching to turbocharged engines for the next gen M3 very much because of emissions regulations. Why would they put the S65 engine in an M E89 then? It does not
make sense at all.
 
Andrew D said:
...the standard sDrive35i transmission handles the same torque as the S65 produces, and is therefore probably compatible with the M motor without much modification...
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Mmm it does but IIRC they have to do much electronic trickery on the 35i to shut down the torque whilst it changes gear, so although I'm sure they could do the same with the V8, I'm not so sure it would be that simple. Maybe the M-DCT fits too :thumbsup:
 
pmeloche said:
You're delusional if you think the eco-friendly fad will disappear anytime soon. BMW is switching to turbocharged engines for the next gen M3 very much because of emissions regulations. Why would they put the S65 engine in an M E89 then? It does not
make sense at all.
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Delusional? That might be a bit strong, considering that the view I'm expressing is simply that the status quo might not be maintained. Hardly a crazy, out-there assertion!

Emissions regulations are concerned with quality of emissions (particulates, etc.) rather than quantities (i.e. fuel efficiency), and it's quantities that the move to turbocharged motors is aimed at addressing. The S65 is a very modern engine and I can't see it having problems satisfying EURO5, which will probably come into force in late 2009. For BMW to manufacture an engine in 2007 that would be banned in 2009 wouldn't make sense at all.

Even if there is an all-new replacement for the S65 in the next M3, it won't be until the very end of the E89's run, and at which point it'll be going into the E92's successor and not straight to the E89. So in the S65 they've got a paid for engine sat there with nothing to do. Dumping that and not wringing out every last cent they can wouldn't make sense at all.

Wondermike said:
Mmm it does but IIRC they have to do much electronic trickery on the 35i to shut down the torque whilst it changes gear, so although I'm sure they could do the same with the V8, I'm not so sure it would be that simple. Maybe the M-DCT fits too :thumbsup:
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I've not heard about any electronic trickery, but if it's only during gearchange then surely it's to protect the clutch. If torque was retarded in lower gears then it would be different (as it would be protecting the shaft, diff., etc.). If the quoted peak torque ever occurs during driving then the transmission needs to be able to take it then and at all other times.

As far as I'm aware (although accurate information is always hard to come by in these situations) the DCT optional on the sDrive35i is the unit from the M3, which would make sense if the torque is comparable.
 
Andrew D said:
I've not heard about any electronic trickery, but if it's only during gearchange then surely it's to protect the clutch.
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Yes to protect the clutch during changes, think the Passat R36 does a similar trick too.

Andrew D said:
As far as I'm aware (although accurate information is always hard to come by in these situations) the DCT optional on the sDrive35i is the unit from the M3, which would make sense if the torque is comparable.
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Not sure, think the different rev limit may make a difference, definitely different software as the M-DCT has drivelogic with several shift patterns.

Whatever, I agree that the V8 into the E89 should be a definite possibility. Wow, imagine what a beast that would be :sweetheart:
 
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