RE: BMW Z4 M40i prototype: Driven

[Charlie_1]

I owned 2 35Is e89 one between 2011 & 2013 and one between 2013 & 2015 , first car was fine but the second suffered 2 roof failures (both fixed under warranty) so I have to admit I have gone off the idea of mechanical folding roofs and dont quite understand the love for them. I have subsequently had boxsters (2) no roof issues there and also I have the same boot space roof up or down , I will concede that fabric roofs do look old fairly quickly but as thats a common thing not really an issue , also someone said that metal roofs are better because they are up 90 % of the time I have ask why would you buy a convertable , its not raining & temp is higher than 5 degrees c roof is down

[MOTK]

stuart-b said:

It does need a proper diff and some M3 suspension parts now to really tighten it up - there's a limit to the E46 rear end of course!

It's afaik actually very closely related to an X3 rear end not an e46, so for instance you get stamped steel suspension arms instead of the alloy used on e46. The price of cost savings I guess.

[MDMetal]

Charlie_1 said:

I owned 2 35Is e89 one between 2011 & 2013 and one between 2013 & 2015 , first car was fine but the second suffered 2 roof failures (both fixed under warranty) so I have to admit I have gone off the idea of mechanical folding roofs and dont quite understand the love for them. I have subsequently had boxsters (2) no roof issues there and also I have the same boot space roof up or down , I will concede that fabric roofs do look old fairly quickly but as thats a common thing not really an issue , also someone said that metal roofs are better because they are up 90 % of the time I have ask why would you buy a convertable , its not raining & temp is higher than 5 degrees c roof is down

I'd not park with my roof down so by default it's going to be up 90% of the time!

[R400TVR]

Why does a sports car need any type of power roof? If the car is correctly designed, you should be able to just reach behind your head and pull the roof over.

[Leins]

shalmaneser said:

Is this going to be the first non-M BMW with a LSD for a while? Interesting to see they're bringing them back, presumably there won't be a Z4M in that case...

I wonder if Alpina will jump back into this space, like they did with the original Z4 when BMW firstly thought against building an M version of that (and the Z1 too)

[Charlie_1]

MDMetal said:

Charlie_1 said:

I owned 2 35Is e89 one between 2011 & 2013 and one between 2013 & 2015 , first car was fine but the second suffered 2 roof failures (both fixed under warranty) so I have to admit I have gone off the idea of mechanical folding roofs and dont quite understand the love for them. I have subsequently had boxsters (2) no roof issues there and also I have the same boot space roof up or down , I will concede that fabric roofs do look old fairly quickly but as thats a common thing not really an issue , also someone said that metal roofs are better because they are up 90 % of the time I have ask why would you buy a convertable , its not raining & temp is higher than 5 degrees c roof is down

I'd not park with my roof down so by default it's going to be up 90% of the time!

Fair point but I meant when im actually in the car , the number of convertibles I see driving around with the roof up when there is no reason for it to be , puzzles me really

[E65Ross]

R400TVR said:

Why does a sports car need any type of power roof? If the car is correctly designed, you should be able to just reach behind your head and pull the roof over.

I've only been in a couple of cars with a manual roof. It's more awkward than pushing a button. Likewise, I prefer to use a remote control for my TV. I could get up and change the channel manually, but it's easier doing it with the remote, so I do

Same thing for this scenario.

[JuanGandini]

p1stonhead said:

E65Ross said:

WJNB said:

Merely a 2 seater 4 Series that will mess your hair. Big deal - poor effort.

Erm, could you not argue the same for many 2 seater cars? Audi TT - just a messy-hair version of the A4? SLC Merc is just the same of a C class or whatever?

There is however already an m240i convertible.

Apart from not having the ‘back seats’ (loosly used!), not sure how different this will be?

Looks like it'll be at least 100Kg lighter.

[kambites]

R400TVR said:

Why does a sports car need any type of power roof? If the car is correctly designed, you should be able to just reach behind your head and pull the roof over.

That may be fine when you're in your 30s or 40s, but many sports cars buyers are in their 70s (or older) and don't necessarily have the flexibility or strength to do so.

Edited by kambites on Wednesday 6th June 09:30

[E65Ross]

JuanGandini said:

p1stonhead said:

E65Ross said:

WJNB said:

Merely a 2 seater 4 Series that will mess your hair. Big deal - poor effort.

Erm, could you not argue the same for many 2 seater cars? Audi TT - just a messy-hair version of the A4? SLC Merc is just the same of a C class or whatever?

There is however already an m240i convertible.

Apart from not having the ‘back seats’ (loosly used!), not sure how different this will be?

Looks like it'll be at least 100Kg lighter.

That. And once again...isn't there an A5 cabriolet? Nothing wrong with that or a TT.

PH - lack of choice seems to be a good thing.

[CarAbuser]

Reviewer slates the E89 for it's weight then posts the weight of the new model as being identical. Nice sales pitch

Also the fabric roof on the E85 was way more problematic than the folding hard top on the E89. A new roof motor on the E85 is a rite of passage.

Folding hard top is a win for me, looks of the coupé with roof down action. If I have to choose between a fabric roof BMW and a Toyota coupé, it'll be the Toyota for me.

[Kenny Powers]

Have BMW resurrected the N54 and not told me?

[brightbluesmurf]

Still much heavier than the original Z4. Congratulations to BMW engineers for their engineering effort.

Edited by brightbluesmurf on Sunday 10th June 14:19

[IanSC]

I'm also very much in favour of the metal roof. Our 2004 SLK R171 never had any roof problems in the 6.5 years we owned it until April this year, and I liked the solid "coupe" feeling when driving with the roof up. When looking at options for a replacement this year, I was open to the idea of a convertible with a canvas roof, but quickly went off the idea when I saw how easily they appear to pick up marks and look shabby. Most canvas roof convertibles look a bit ungainly with the roof up, whereas I think the E89 Z4 looks really stylish with the hard top - which is why I just bought one. It's a 2015 20i manual in Estoril blue. Whilst it 'only' has 181 BHP, this has proved to be plenty for the type of driving most people will do in these cars.