Tin Top vs. Fresh Air??

Giles · Post by **Giles** » Tue 16 May, 2006 16:55

Coupe or Roadster...Coupe or Roadster

Just in case I was perhaps thinking of making a purchase, (which of course I'm not) I would be interested to get the opinions/perceived pros/cons on each option....

///M_aniac · Post by **///M_aniac** » Tue 16 May, 2006 16:56

Roadster.

If you like top down motoring at all, it's gotta be the ///MR. You can always get a hard top. Best of both worlds.

You should set up a poll, Giles.

DavidM · Post by **DavidM** » Tue 16 May, 2006 17:31

The new M Coupé is a gorgeous looking piece of machinery ...

The Z3M and Z4M roadsters are both stunners in their own right though, and in very different ways ...

<img src="http://www.z3roadster.net/uploads/Two_G ... ter_01.jpg" border=1>

Alex L · Post by **Alex L** » Tue 16 May, 2006 17:36

For what I use the car for a Roadster is perfect. I don't like the Z4M or Couple but would happily have a Z3M Coupe, which is a fantastic looking car.

TonyCal · Post by **TonyCal** » Tue 16 May, 2006 17:57

Personnally I prefer the rear of the Z4M Coupe, It seems to clean up the lines of the boot. From the side the Coupe roof seems to blend in more. I would assume you get a sunroof in the Coupe too.
But that said I do enjoy the top down motoring. I cant see me replacing the M just yet though, I still enjoy it too much. I doubt I would get any more enjoyment out of a Z4M.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue 16 May, 2006 18:26

Giles,

I think you have to ask yourself what parts of Charlotte you miss the most?

Is it the fresh air or something else ?

Alfie · Post by **Alfie** » Tue 16 May, 2006 19:15

Gi....
You've done your time with a tin-top (or should that be CF top?).

Get thy ar$e back in a roadster and wind in your hair....(or is it the other way round???

).

The new Coupe is a FABULOUS looker and I'm sure it'll drive like nothing ever before, but for me, the open top thang is vital.

But you're not buying anyway, so you don't have to worry, do you?

A.

ChrisXL · Post by **ChrisXL** » Tue 16 May, 2006 19:31

Giles,

I'd say "fresh air"............. you can always upgrade with a "hardtop" if needed. Nothing beats blasting away top down

Although I must say the Z4MQP is one sexy beast............ah....... decisions, decisions

Giles · Post by **Giles** » Tue 16 May, 2006 19:51

The time may have come.

Sewells (total tossers that they are mind you) have reminded me that I have a deposit down on a Coupe and there's a July build slot waiting for me apparently.

I've been loosely speccing one up in my mind.....

(Seems that you lot think I ought to be considering the Roadster though, I dunno...)

mich · Post by **mich** » Tue 16 May, 2006 20:03

You must be getting very old to even concider a coupe

, live a bit first, then when you get to be about 75-80 have a rethink. and then if you think you are old get a tin top, Grrrrrr

stu · Post by **stu** » Tue 16 May, 2006 20:04

Gi, there is a Z4M CSL test mule already running, you know it makes sense

Robin · Post by **Robin** » Tue 16 May, 2006 20:42

I'd say go for the open top option.
It's good enough for F1 drivers after all

Incidently, why don't F1 cars have hoods for when it rains

garyw · Post by **garyw** » Tue 16 May, 2006 21:07

The Coupe could possibly tempt me back into the BMW stable... stunning design..
As far as a roadster with a hardtop on, it can't get near to the flowing lines of the coupe. I always felt the other way round with the Z3, but with the 4... coupe

garyw

Alfie · Post by **Alfie** » Tue 16 May, 2006 21:24

mich wrote:You must be getting very old to even concider a coupe , live a bit first.....

So Mich, you've met Giles then?????

A.

mich · Post by **mich** » Tue 16 May, 2006 22:19

Alfie wrote:
mich wrote:You must be getting very old to even concider a coupe , live a bit first.....

So Mich, you've met Giles then?????

A.

No, just know of his reputation, it spreads, as does.............

Marvellous · Post by **Marvellous** » Tue 16 May, 2006 22:28

Go for the Coupe ....... If the bones can't take the roadster no more

Jules75 · Post by **Jules75** » Wed 17 May, 2006 07:26

I think it would hilarious if Giles bought the roadster.

Bloke · Post by **Bloke** » Wed 17 May, 2006 08:46

Giles wrote:The time may have come.

Sewells (total tossers that they are mind you) have reminded me that I have a deposit down on a Coupe and there's a July build slot waiting for me apparently.

I've been loosely speccing one up in my mind.....

(Seems that you lot think I ought to be considering the Roadster though, I dunno...)

2.0ltr Z4 Roadster, remember that feeling it gave you, who needs the extra power

Bloke

Giles · Post by **Giles** » Wed 17 May, 2006 09:19

Bloke wrote:2.0ltr Z4 Roadster, remember that feeling it gave you, who needs the extra power

Bloke

Don't joke. I'm driving around in a 116i right now and the chassis is incredible. You might just have a point.

Alfie · Post by **Alfie** » Wed 17 May, 2006 11:01

djrobbier wrote:roadster. You pull more girls that way.

Que: Thunder and lightning as Larri enters the arena....

A.

Giles · Post by **Giles** » Wed 17 May, 2006 11:04

djrobbier wrote:roadster. You pull more girls that way.

People have been locked up for that haven't they

Fair enough and each to their own.

I, however, prefer to enjoy a car for it's driving prowess not because I have a small dick. Especially when I get the other bit on tap back at home

djrobbier · Post by **djrobbier** » Wed 17 May, 2006 11:04

roadster. You pull more girls that way.

John Boy · Post by **John Boy** » Wed 17 May, 2006 11:31

Trying to be slightly objective and constructive:

Coupe

Pros: Excellent handling
Looks great
Low road noise
More storage space
More secure
Cheaper

Cons: Can’t drop the roof
Still a 2 seater
Can’t drop the roof
Can’t drop the roof
Can’t drop the roof
Can’t drop the roof

Roadster:

Pros: Drop top at will
Great handling
Looks great
Can get a hard top
Drop top at will
Drop top at will
Drop top at will
Drop top at will

Cons: 2 seater
Limited storage space
Less secure
High road noise
More expensive

Gazza · Post by **Gazza** » Wed 17 May, 2006 11:42

Giles wrote:
djrobbier wrote:roadster. You pull more girls that way.
People have been locked up for that haven't they

Fair enough and each to their own.

I, however, prefer to enjoy a car for it's driving prowess not because I have a small dick. Especially when I get the other bit on tap back at home

Gazza.

Alfie · Post by **Alfie** » Wed 17 May, 2006 11:44

John Boy wrote: Coupe
Cons: Still a 2 seater

Roadster:
Cons: 2 seater

Erm.... surely you've put this in the wrong category?
2 seats is a massive plus point I'd say.

A.

Giles · Post by **Giles** » Wed 17 May, 2006 11:54

I have an deal brewing right now which might consist of purchasing an ex -demonstrator Roadster now (well end of June to be precise) but also placing an order for a Coupe (the car I really want) for March 2007 delivery to the exact spec that I want.

Assuming I pay £44k for the Roadster now, my next question is how much do people think I'll lose when I come to trade it in against the Coupe in 9 months time.....?

June 2006 - £44k

March 2007 - ?

John Boy · Post by **John Boy** » Wed 17 May, 2006 12:11

Alfie wrote:
John Boy wrote: Coupe
Cons: Still a 2 seater

Roadster:
Cons: 2 seater
Erm.... surely you've put this in the wrong category?
2 seats is a massive plus point I'd say.

A.

I agree, but knowing Giles has the ///M3 I thought it might be a pertinent point.

RobBruce · Post by **RobBruce** » Sun 21 May, 2006 00:29

Well Mr CW,

It depends on what you want it for.

I had the pleasure of driving a Z4M a little while ago, and whilst it was 'restricted' being run in, I did manage to push it a little.......

Trust me, there's nothing wrong with the handling of this open-top. It's amazing. There's probably no time on public roads when it'll leave you wishing you had a tin-top. The coupe is lovely, in a cayman-stylee, but the roadster is somethin' else.

For the times when you want to push really REALLY hard on a track - buy a track day car. Oh, you have!

You're not thinking of getting rid of Nemesis, are you???

Go drive a Z4M. You'll love it. My spec was about £49K

Rob

Alfie · Post by **Alfie** » Sun 21 May, 2006 09:16

AussieZ3 wrote:I'd instead buy David's Z3M, and and a 2.0 Z4 Coupe (if they come out).

Sheer poetry!
What a stonkin' good idea!
BOGOF.

Gi...you remember how impressed you were with the smaller engined Z4....???

A.

AussieZ3 · Post by **AussieZ3** » Sun 21 May, 2006 09:28

In the Z4 mold I'd choose the coupe over the roadster, but In the Z3 mold I'd go the opposite.

Z3MR>Z4MC>Z3MC>Z4MR

JMO

For the money of either a new Z4M Coupe or Roadster, I'd instead buy David's Z3M, and and a 2.0 Z4 Coupe (if they come out).

Ps David, have you got any more Z3 and Z4 pics together?

Giles · Post by **Giles** » Mon 22 May, 2006 11:40

More food for thought.

Andrew Frankell in yesterday's Sunday Times wrote this about the new M Coupe....

Crazy Little Thing Called Love

I’ve long thought that one of the great problems facing society today is our inability to say what we truly feel. The mincing of words through terror of causing offence will be the undoing of us all. So I hope BMW will understand when I say you’d need to be nuts even to contemplate buying one of these new Z4 M Coupés.

The Z4 M Coupé is BMW’s reply to the Porsche Cayman S and, at £41,285, costs just £2,645 less. But while the Cayman comes with almost dizzying across-the-board ability, the Z4 M comes with more flaws than Baldrick’s most cunning plan. It’s ridiculously cramped — I had to drive it in my socks — the suspension is as unyielding as a local planning committee and if you get to a slightly staggered T-junction you have to get out of the car to see if anything’s coming.

Then there’s the fact that the rear-view mirror will show you the road immediately behind but nothing actually using it, while some of the interior materials would be judged a disgrace on cars costing half as much. And I’ve not yet mentioned that it’s nearly impossible to drive smoothly, there’s next to no stowage space in the cabin and precious little more in the boot.

And I’m now starting to question my sanity because, six hours after I parked it and somehow managed to extricate myself from its interior, I’m still grinning. Fundamentally it all comes down to one thing: focus. No car can be good at everything and I almost always warm to those that don’t bother trying. And I’m not sure I’ve ever driven a mainstream production car that cares less about the tedious realities of everyday life on the road than this.

For the reasons outlined above, it’s a car most people will hate. Moreover, those enticed by the idea of a Z4 that’s been given the “M” treatment will sensibly opt for the convertible Z4 M Roadster which will put the sun on their face and the wind in their hair. It has the same engine and gearbox as the coupé and identical performance.

But there is method in BMW’s madness and it goes way beyond the £1,510 you save by buying the coupé. Instead of taking its usual approach where every car within a particular genre is designed to attract as many people as possible, BMW has gone in completely the other direction.

The company figured its customers would have no interest in ride comfort so the suspension has been beefed up to something not far short of race car stiffness. The steering has been speeded up even more so the slightest movement of the wheel has a dramatic effect on your direction, while even the differential has been tweaked to help flick the car more quickly into corners.

All of which makes it feel pretty scary at first. It’s reactions are so immediate compared with almost any other road car that it takes a bit of time to recalibrate. But when you do, the only real risk of crashing comes from laughing yourself off the road. The 3.2 litre 338bhp six-cylinder engine may be in its sixth season but its power delivery is still outstanding. Change gear at 8000rpm and it’ll hit 60mph from rest in less than 5sec, at which stage it appears to be merely getting into its stride.

And after a bit you’ll even learn to trust it in the corners. What feels at first like instability turns out to be nothing more than startling agility. If you turn off its electronic stability control and really find out what it’ll do you’ll discover you have to work hard not to fall victim to its natural exuberance and punch a hole in a hedge. But if you respect it while treating it with a firm hand, it’s a bundle of fun.

The BMW Z4 M Coupé goes on sale in Britain in June and, by its own admission, if BMW sells 200 a year here, it’ll be delighted. I reckon it’ll do it. There must be a couple of hundred slightly unhinged enthusiasts out there who’d willingly forgo the effortless and scintillating appeal of the Cayman for something altogether wilder, even if substantially less accomplished. Yes, you’d need to be nuts to buy one — but that is precisely what BMW is counting on.

As a CSL owner, I figure I'm a slightly unhinged enthusiast already.....

Alfie · Post by **Alfie** » Mon 22 May, 2006 12:19

Sold to the man with the ponytail.

A.

garyw · Post by **garyw** » Mon 22 May, 2006 14:15

Ah! the times write up.... link here... http://driving.timesonline.co.uk/articl ... 79,00.html but the same as Giles has posted.....

limited numbers and nutters driving them

that would be the Coupe then Giles...

garyw

spokey · Post by **spokey** » Mon 22 May, 2006 17:22

I read the article to Giles (because I know he can't read) and I must admit, the article practically had his name printed on it.

ade_g · Post by **ade_g** » Thu 25 May, 2006 16:52

I'd have the Coupe.. if i had £40k (give or take) to spend on <u>any</u> car and I didn't need/want 4 seats it would be at the very top of my list.

p.s. If you get one can I have a ride.. pleeeaase

c_w · Post by **c_w** » Fri 26 May, 2006 09:32

The Z4M Coupe gets a pre-road test writeup in Autocar this week too. Says its a lot different to the Roadster (for the better), stiffer suspension, thicker rear anti roll bar, tighter diff etc.

sundaydriver · Post by **sundaydriver** » Fri 26 May, 2006 11:37

Giles wrote:More food for thought.

Andrew Frankell in yesterday's Sunday Times wrote this about the new M Coupe....

Crazy Little Thing Called Love

Then there’s the fact that the rear-view mirror will show you the road immediately behind but nothing actually using it, while some of the interior materials would be judged a disgrace on cars costing half as much. And I’ve not yet mentioned that it’s nearly impossible to drive smoothly, there’s next to no stowage space in the cabin and precious little more in the boot.

As a CSL owner, I figure I'm a slightly unhinged enthusiast already.....

Am I missing the point.....I thought that was what a rear view mirror was for? Guess I would need to drive one to find out what he's on about - how hard is it to get a test drive in one of these?

Why is he bitching about lack of stowage space - who cares?

Lee · Post by **Lee** » Fri 26 May, 2006 14:45

Id have the Coupe for driving experience and the roadster for sunny days

stevo555 · Post by **stevo555** » Sun 28 May, 2006 11:00

[quote="RobBruce"]Well Mr CW,

It depends on what you want it for.

I had the pleasure of driving a Z4M a little while ago, and whilst it was 'restricted' being run in, I did manage to push it a little.......

hmmmm thought it was running high!! Good fun though.
All run in now though........ have had a bit of fun watching the world go backwards!!
Needless to say am now back at work in the land of fun...and no M

Trust me, there's nothing wrong with the handling of this open-top. It's amazing. There's probably no time on public roads when it'll leave you wishing you had a tin-top. The coupe is lovely, in a cayman-stylee, but the roadster is somethin' else.

For the times when you want to push really REALLY hard on a track - buy a track day car. Oh, you have!

You're not thinking of getting rid of Nemesis, are you???

Go drive a Z4M. You'll love it. My spec was about £49K :baw[/b]

stu · Post by **stu** » Mon 29 May, 2006 17:34

only just realised, but what made me laugh about Top Gear's review of the MZ4 & Coupe, they prattled on about FOCUS

I've worked out the translation for this, I think it's BMW press speak for "the SMG2 is fantastic and we know we should have, but we can't afford the really high rate of warranty work that we've had as a result of this".

I can't think of a single 'sensible/focussed' reason why they shouldn't have fitted SMG2 to the Z4M's!

I'd also take a punt that the 7 speed SMG in the M5/M6 will suffer a similar fate to the fabulous CSL unit.

I know Giles has had several problems with his CSL. What do you guys think?

greg_ch · Post by **greg_ch** » Mon 29 May, 2006 20:03

SMG III from the M5/6 won't physically fit in to the Z4 nor will the M3's SMG II. SMG currently fitted to the 'old' Z4 - the one I have - is not strong enough to cope with the power and torque of the S54.

But you are right other than cost and time required to re-engineer SMG II or III there is no reason why a Z4 ///M Roadster or Coupe should not have SMG.

I for one was disappointed.

Just think if BMW had introduced SMG III on the ///M and loped off 50KG's it might have done a 1.25.0 on the top gear track

stu · Post by **stu** » Mon 29 May, 2006 20:12

greg_ch wrote:Just think if BMW had introduced SMG III on the ///M and loped off 50KG's it might have done a 1.25.0 on the top gear track

A set of Pilot Cup's would see to that - which the 997 GT3 already has!

Paul.Stuhlfelder · Post by **Paul.Stuhlfelder** » Wed 31 May, 2006 10:35

Tough question.... I love my softop to bits, and its down as much as possible (hence why I'd never get a hard top) however, another part of me wants a tin top, mainly from an Audio Entheusiast POV.

However, I know that if I ever had a second car, it would have to be as powerful, or more powerful than the M now.

zroadster.net

Tin Top vs. Fresh Air??

Coupe or Roadster?

Tin Top vs. Fresh Air??