You guys with a coupe...

[alex85]

What made you choose the coupe over the roadster? Do you get pangs of regret when the sun is shining and you see a roadster with the roof down?

A question to people who have driven both, is there a difference in driving dynamics? Does it feel noticably better/stiffer?

 

[Tommo]

Ive always wondered this. I'd choose a convertible over a coupe everyday of the week. Nothing compares to those days when the sun is shining and your driving around with the roof down. I'd go as far to say that I'd have a 2.0 Roadster over a 3.0 coupe for the same price.

EDIT - Though I do think the coupe looks freakin' awesome!

 

[senwar]

I previously had a 2.5 roadster and didn't really want the same car, albeit with a more powerful engine.

When I first saw the coupe I fell in love with it and am still smitten. For me, its one of the nicest coupe's on the road. I just adore the looks of mine, and with the CSL's on I just think its stunning.

Had it coming up to two years now and not once regretted not getting a roadster again (my previous car to the roadster was a TT convertible). I am a fairweather top down driver tho so doesn't matter to me.

Not really noticed much difference in handling but the coupe probably is sturdier.

 

[Incompatible]

.....When I first saw the coupe I fell in love with it and am still smitten. For me, its one of the nicest coupe's on the road. I just adore the looks of mine....

X2....Looks and performance.

 

[WLH]

Ive always wondered this. I'd choose a convertible over a coupe everyday of the week. Nothing compares to those days when the sun is shining and your driving around with the roof down. I'd go as far to say that I'd have a 2.0 Roadster over a 3.0 coupe for the same price.

EDIT - Though I do think the coupe looks freakin' awesome!

X2...

 

[polak]

I chose mine over a roadster for quite a few reasons... firstly, I think its one of the best looking Coupes on the road, its rare and relatively unique (unfortunately, around my area, there are lots of convertible Z4's around) and id like to pretend I also prefer a more rigid body for better handling! ;-) (although as I say, I have driven both and cant really say that i felt any obvious difference).

(plus... I recon that only girls can actually pull off driving around in a convertible.. )

All that said, I do like the roadster, but personally I never regret having a Coupe, and if I hadnt got this it would have probably been a Cayman instead of soft-top..!

 

[senwar]

As polak mentions - the rarity of the coupe is another plus point.

I've only seen 5 in 2 years and only 1 other ///M

 

[mmm-five]

I chose the coupé as I'm as good in the sun as Dracula

I never have the sunroof open, so I guess a roadster would be a waste too. Although I seem to see the majority of roadster/convertible owners driving around in summer with the roof up, so it can't be all it's cracked up to be.

I always try to find cars with no sunroof and tinted/UV protected windows, and light interiors as I can't stand coming back to a hot car (have blinds in the e34).

This is the first car for about 8 years that I've managed to get both.

 

[senwar]

As polak mentions - the rarity of the coupe is another plus point.

I've only seen 5 in 2 years and only 1 other ///M

Bizarre! Just seen number 6 literally 2 mins from home only a few hours after my post. Couldn't tell if it was an M or not.

Boo common coupe's!

 

[Angus McCoatup]

What made you choose the coupe over the roadster? Do you get pangs of regret when the sun is shining and you see a roadster with the roof down?

A question to people who have driven both, is there a difference in driving dynamics? Does it feel noticably better/stiffer?

I think the roadster is a fine looking car, and I don't agree with the view that seems to be held by the majority of Honda S2000 owners (which is also a fine looking car) that it's ugly. But I much prefer the looks of the coupe. Also I'm just not a top-down sort of person. I feel exposed and vulnerable when I'm in a convertible around town or in heavy traffic, and exposed and windblasted when on quieter roads.

Sorry, I've not driven both so don't know if there's any difference in the driving dynamics.

Must be nice to be able to hear a bit more of that engine though. 8)

 

[bruss]

Have both - The Z4m 'cos it's the prettiest car out there, and the Elise for sunny days and track work.

 

[alex85]

Interesting points. I suppose if you are a fair weather roof down kind of person and the roof would only be down for a couple of days in the summer then the roadster is wasted, and i DO agree that the coupe looks fantastic, probably nicer looking than the roadster does with the top up.

However, Im a have-the-roof-down-whenever-its-above-freezing-and-not-raining kind of person so the roof really is down most of the time. I also have a 123d so have a hardtop when needed.

Im addicted to the wind in the hair feelings, looking up and seeing the sky or stars, and i dont think i will ever be without a convertible again. Add to this that i dont think the roadster looks silly with the roof down in cold/dark/damp as it would in something like a 3 series or an A4 etc.

Id say the Z4 in general is pretty rare, dont see many around here, coupe or roadster. As for the comments from s2000 owners, i like to think the car reflects my personality, fun, quirky but also love or hate

 

[epbrown]

What made you choose the coupe over the roadster? Do you get pangs of regret when the sun is shining and you see a roadster with the roof down?

A question to people who have driven both, is there a difference in driving dynamics? Does it feel noticably better/stiffer?

I'm another that had a roadster and switched to a coupe. I miss it occasionally, but not as much as I thought I would. What most influenced me was knowing I would be keeping the car a long time, and a coupe would be less trouble over the long haul. It's shocking how many older BMW convertibles have tops that don't work properly due to one fault or another, and repairs are so expensive that most owners just live with it. I never had a problem with my Z4 roadster, but more and more it's looking lke it was only a matter of time.

 

[alex85]

Fair point. I tell you one thing... i REALLY want CSL wheels and aero side skirts

 

[Smokin]

The convertible is fun but I don't want to have to lather on the sunscreen to go take a drive (the sun in the SE USA in the summer is brutal). Besides, I have VERY fine, very long hair so I look sort of like the bride of Frankenstein after a drive. Coupe is more rigid, no water in the trunk, larger cargo area, more secure (can't cut the roof open), and drop dead gorgeous.

 

[AlanL]

When I started looking for a replacement for my Honda S2k roadster the only given at the top of the list was the requirement for a hard lid with a built in C Pillar. This is an upcoming requirement for most insurance companies that cover the basic track policies for groups who hold track events. Several of the local clubs in my area now require either a factory built in hard lid (removables are not acceptable) or a full roll cage. I did have an aftermarket custom roll bar installed in my S2000 but it made the chassis so stiff that the car was totally unusable for daily driving anymore. I liked the more secure feeling I got from having a real roll bar on the Honda, but most detailed descriptions of roll over accident injuries made it quite clear that nothing short of a full on racing seat with a 6 point harness, full face helmet, and arm restraints were really going to protect you from unnecessary bodily injury in the event of a roll over accident with the top down.

While I have never been in such an accident I simply found the risk to be unacceptable and decided to go back to a hard lid car.

For the record I grew up in Phoenix back in the days when no one really appreciated the damage excess sun exposure could bring and at this stage of my life need to make a point of being quite careful about when and how much sun I allow my skin to experience. Dermatologists love to see me come into their offices these days.

I fell in love with the Z4 Coupe the first time I saw photos from the Auto show where it was introduced as a concept and always felt like it was the closest thing I could get that was like a 2 seater roadster with a lid.

 

[pmeloche]

Aesthetic wise, the coupé wins hands down over the convertible. In Montréal, the ratio of nice days suitable for top down operation versus regular days was too low in my opinion to justify buying a convertible.

 

[jjarc]

The coupe is, hands down, the best looking BMW on the road, but I live in the Seattle area and we have the best summers on the planet. I need to have my roadster fix on a regular basis. Maybe, if I lived in Scotland (sorry no offense to the Scots) or had skin cancer, then I'd get the coupe, for sure, but for now, I'm sticking with the roadster.

 

[bras0782]

I like both (never driven coupe though). When I bought my roadster I really wanted the coupe but couldn't afford it. I love the way it looks a lot more than the roadster. The word 'beast' comes up.

I wasn't fussed at all about a convertible for a few days of sun here. That was before I got the car. Now I love it. It's not the sun but the open top spacious feeling. It's great.

I'd be torn if I had to choose agian and money wasn't an issue. I wouldn't take the coupe as readily over the roadster as I would have before I bought my car. But it's still a difficult choice between the open top feeling and the beast that is the coupe. I want both (in M versions of course)!

 

[Zedster]

Although I have nothing against the Roadster, after driving a 3 Series convertable for 9 years I wanted a complete change. The Coupe was my choice for its the great looks plus well loaded options. I must say I have not regretted it one bit since.
The Coupe seems to be pretty rare around my area which adds to the enjoyment of this great car..