Z4 roadsters have more fun ???

[Rialas]

So which one is better

 

[goldbcfc]

So which one is better

It never was a Z4R vs Z4C thread as I've always liked both models as I said from the very start of posts. If 2 models were the same price/budget etc I'd still choose a convertible over coupe each time. Its just a personal preference in owning tin tops most my life but enjoying convertibles much more now I'm older. I'd choose a E93 over E92, E63 over E62, E85 over E86 and E46 vert over E46 coupe every time. With the exception of the E86 I'd say mostly all convertible bmw models cost a lot more. Usually a convertible model is at least £4k-6k more brand new than its coupe/saloon variant before even costing exrtras. If you track a lot I'd see the point in owning a M3 coupe over vert its beneficial. Most don't they drive around roads at legal limit getting 50% out of what their car can actually do. Telling us coupes are more rigid so is better isn't really a major issue for the general road user really.

 

[Rialas]

So which one is better

It never was a Z4R vs Z4C thread as I've always liked both models as I said from the very start of posts. If 2 models were the same price/budget etc I'd still choose a convertible over coupe each time. Its just a personal preference in owning tin tops most my life but enjoying convertibles much more now I'm older. I'd choose a E93 over E92, E63 over E62, E85 over E86 and E46 vert over E46 coupe every time. With the exception of the E86 I'd say mostly all convertible bmw models cost a lot more. Usually a convertible model is at least £4k-6k more brand new than its coupe/saloon variant before even costing exrtras. If you track a lot I'd see the point in owning a M3 coupe over vert its beneficial. Most don't they drive around roads at legal limit getting 50% out of what their car can actually do. Telling us coupes are more rigid so is better isn't really a major issue for the general road user really.

Totally agree. I'm an open top person also, but in the last two years I've really missed my mc.

I'm at the auction right now. Looking at a coupe.

 

[GuidoK]

Big difference between the e85 and that e93/e63/e46vert is that the e85 initially was designed as a convertable, thus being rigid in its base form.
Thats why it weighs the same as it's coupe counterpart, whereas the e93/e63/e46vert weigh a good 100-200kg more due to much needed additional strenghtening because the original design was not constructed to be that way.
The e93/e63/e46vert are all heavy cars in their segment. The e85 is not.

 

[goldbcfc]

This is why I don't get the coupe comments, they have a car with a foundation based on the roadster to start with. It was then made better by adding a roof and making it more chassis stronger/rigid. It's a good point that you mentioned convertible are normally designed the other way around. They will make a coupe/sedan into a convertible and add extra weight to support cutting out the roof one of their flaws. This is why its funny to me making out the roadster is a bad choice over a coupe. I think a lot of non experienced vert owners get the comparison wrong. Many will discredit a convertible as they were changed to be like that so have flaws compared with a coupe they will argue. The Z4 was always designed to be a sports car its a true roadster. A good example was the other night I mentioned buying a Audi TT as there brilliant drivers cars. The Mrs then said but do you want to be "that guy in a TT". Whilst I'd still have one I did look out the window at my Z4R with roof down and think my car screams sports car. Something you just don't get when looking a TT convertible. Why is this? maybe as the Z4R was designed that way from the off.

 

[Beedub]

i see a convertible as a car that was designed as coupe first off with the roof lopped off, i see a roadster as a car ground up built roofless ...
dont forget the open top z4 is stiffer then the e46 coupe, lotus elise, exige, ... it's a very rigid roadster and you can feel it in the way it drives, so i don't use the rigidity as a selling point....

both cars are awesome, just choose which suits you best.

 

[goldbcfc]

i see a convertible as a car that was designed as coupe first off with the roof lopped off, i see a roadster as a car ground up built roofless ...
dont forget the open top z4 is stiffer then the e46 coupe, lotus elise, exige, ... it's a very rigid roadster and you can feel it in the way it drives, .

I didn't know this, Is that because of the lower centre of gravity and shorted chassis they used?. Id still swap my Z4 for a lotus I think there just so light and need so little power to be quick

 

[GuidoK]

A good example was the other night I mentioned buying a Audi TT as there brilliant drivers cars.

The TT is only a good chassis (relatively) when it's a coupe. The roadster is heavier and weaker. It is a very heavy car; I'm comparing the first gen 6 cyl with the e85 3.0i:
The e85 3.0i weighs in at 1295kg, the tt roadster 3.2 at 1560kg. Yes thats right, over 250kg heavier... (the coupe is lardy heavy to begin with)..

Same goes for a nissan 350Z roadster: 1610kg... Thats almost the same as my volvo xc70 diesel (thats only 11kg heaver on the registration form :lol: ...)
Thats where you can see where a good design shines. Whether its the BMW E85, porsche boxster or honda S2000. All designed as a roadster, with a stiff chassis and still (relatively) light (sub 1300kg). Those are the cars that started with a good chassis in the first place.
Where the honda is clearly the lightest in design. You can see that in the suspension arms, size of the diff etc etc (as a design its a bit like an mx5 on steroids). The other two are designed to handle bigger engines and more torque.

 

[Beedub]

i see a convertible as a car that was designed as coupe first off with the roof lopped off, i see a roadster as a car ground up built roofless ...
dont forget the open top z4 is stiffer then the e46 coupe, lotus elise, exige, ... it's a very rigid roadster and you can feel it in the way it drives, .

I didn't know this, Is that because of the lower centre of gravity and shorted chassis they used?. Id still swap my Z4 for a lotus I think there just so light and need so little power to be quick

honestly i have no idea why tbh... i certainly cant feel it flex around, certainly feels as stiff are my currently ST fiesta which is new.
its a great platform in general tbh. But yea your z4 is stiffer than the m3 e46 coupe... which is imo impressive.

 

[Zeld4]

This is why I don't get the coupe comments, they have a car with a foundation based on the roadster to start with. It was then made better by adding a roof and making it more chassis stronger/rigid. It's a good point that you mentioned convertible are normally designed the other way around. They will make a coupe/sedan into a convertible and add extra weight to support cutting out the roof one of their flaws. This is why its funny to me making out the roadster is a bad choice over a coupe. I think a lot of non experienced vert owners get the comparison wrong. Many will discredit a convertible as they were changed to be like that so have flaws compared with a coupe they will argue. The Z4 was always designed to be a sports car its a true roadster. A good example was the other night I mentioned buying a Audi TT as there brilliant drivers cars. The Mrs then said but do you want to be "that guy in a TT". Whilst I'd still have one I did look out the window at my Z4R with roof down and think my car screams sports car. Something you just don't get when looking a TT convertible. Why is this? maybe as the Z4R was designed that way from the off.

Its a commonly held misbelief that the coupe was designed after the roadster when in fact they were both designed at the same time.
Sorry to burst your over inflated bubble of horse manure.
https://www.netcarshow.com/bmw/2006-z4_m_coupe_uk_version/

 

[SeanConnor]

You won't ever see me miserable in my coupe, I can assure you of that! My air con works fine :wink:
I made a choice for the coupe, as nice as the convertible is, they aren't for everyone, and I never regret my choice.

 

[85genius]

I do have to admit that from certain angles the coupe does look better than the roadster, I would't have one myself as I love the top down summer driving too much and for the winter I stick my hardtop on, means I get the best of both coupe and roadster in one car

 

[mr wilks]

If ever there was a thread that needed locking :| used to be fun having a bit of C v R banter but this is tedious

 

[ZermattV]

If ever there was a thread that needed locking :| used to be fun having a bit of C v R banter but this is tedious

+1 like bubblegum for the eyes

 

[mr wilks]

If ever there was a thread that needed locking :| used to be fun having a bit of C v R banter but this is tedious

+1 like bubblegum for the eyes

not a analogy id considered I was more on the lines of having my fingers in the front door hinges while somebody closed the door slowly on them

 

[Carol M]

Bloody hell, is this still going.

 

[pvr]

If ever there was a thread that needed locking :| used to be fun having a bit of C v R banter but this is tedious

+1 like bubblegum for the eyes

not a analogy id considered I was more on the lines of having my fingers in the E89 roof hinges while somebody closed the roof slowly on them

Fixed that for you

 

[Zeld4]

+1 like bubblegum for the eyes

not a analogy id considered I was more on the lines of having my fingers in the E89 roof hinges while somebody closed the roof slowly on them

Fixed that for you

It probably would have already stopped if you lot weren't moaning about it all the time
Next person to post on this thread is a rotten egg!!

 

[goldbcfc]

A good example was the other night I mentioned buying a Audi TT as there brilliant drivers cars.

The TT is only a good chassis (relatively) when it's a coupe. The roadster is heavier and weaker. It is a very heavy car; I'm comparing the first gen 6 cyl with the e85 3.0i:
The e85 3.0i weighs in at 1295kg, the tt roadster 3.2 at 1560kg. Yes thats right, over 250kg heavier... (the coupe is lardy heavy to begin with)..

Same goes for a nissan 350Z roadster: 1610kg... Thats almost the same as my volvo xc70 diesel (thats only 11kg heaver on the registration form :lol: ...)
Thats where you can see where a good design shines. Whether its the BMW E85, porsche boxster or honda S2000. All designed as a roadster, with a stiff chassis and still (relatively) light (sub 1300kg). Those are the cars that started with a good chassis in the first place.
Where the honda is clearly the lightest in design. You can see that in the suspension arms, size of the diff etc etc (as a design its a bit like an mx5 on steroids). The other two are designed to handle bigger engines and more torque.

I'm sure kerb weight is around 1350kg for smaller engines and mine is around 1400kg in my 3.01 with me in its almost 1500kg, but yeah I see your points. Having driven all 3 cars I'd rate Z4 3rd, Porsche 2nd S2000 1st on driver feel. I didn't realise those nissan 350Z were so heavy 1600kg seems a lot a 6 series is 1700kg I'm sure my old E46 convertible was 1650kg too.

not a analogy id considered I was more on the lines of having my fingers in the E89 roof hinges while somebody closed the roof slowly on them

Fixed that for you

It probably would have already stopped if you lot weren't moaning about it all the time
Next person to post on this thread is a rotten egg!!

Honestly people moaning about the thread should be locked no ones begging for your comments so why bother but still you read and comment on the thread its quite funny really?. Read the hole thread start to finish the 99% of people are agreeing but yet a few coupe owners intent on ruining the thread that keep coming back feel the need to still be here. Are coupe owners seriously that bored? find another thread to drag up old Z4R vs Z4C debates not mine ....see ya'll later

 

[GuidoK]

I'm sure kerb weight is around 1350kg for smaller engines and mine is around 1400kg in my 3.01 with me in its almost 1500kg, but yeah I see your points.

All audi tt quattro's are heavy. the 225hp quattro also weighs 1465kg (registrated) for the coupe and 1515kg for the roadster. Still 200kg over weight compared to the Z4

Only the non quattro ones have an 'acceptable' weight (1280kg coupe, 1340 roadster) but that's still heavy regarding its then an FWD(!) car, and the most powerful in that trim is 180hp (still just regarding the gen 1) and no match for a z4 3.0i at all.
It's not a light car/chassis to begin with. (1280kg for a small fwd sportscar is still heavy, its basically a mk4 golf gti only 65kg heavier and smaller)