I’ve been looking at the Z4 convertibles and was considering getting one at the end of the year. However, I’m sort of thinking that it would be in good interest for BMW to make their Z4 coupe into a hardtop convertible rather than just having a ragtop convertible. Seeing as how most of the upper end manufacturers are producing hard top convertibles now days. I don’t do much vehicle techie research and thought some of you afficionados might have some insight. I see car talk on here occ and a few seem very knowledgeable. If you know a resource on here drop me a name and I’ll pm them. Thanks in advance. If necessary feel free to send this to the LR. But with all the dog talk I cant imagine why that would be necessary.
Tell me again why you want to buy a chick car?
I don’t have a problem exposing my feminine side. But to address your question. BMW’s are built with a sophisticated quality that some may not be capable of grasping nor appreciating and mis-interpret like a redneck. Continue to drive your 4-wheel drive and hurl profanities at cyclists and move along.
I agree on the Bimmer, but why not a used M3 convertible?
My mother in law has an 05. She likes it a lot. Make sure you pick it up at the Spartanburg, SC factory when you go to pick it up. You get to tour the factory and go through a really sweet driving school!
BMW crash quality is excellent. Was involved in a 3 series crash awhile back. Hit a car broadside at 65mph. Other than the bruises from the seatbelts and airbags, everyone in my car was fine. BMWs actually come alive after a crash to help the occupants.
some 08 mules suggested the possiblity of a hardtop convertible, though later mules look like they will stay with a soft top. Note, that was on the M series mules.
Why the rush for a hard top convertible? All of them eat trunk space like pigs compared to the soft top. You literally couldn’t take a weekend raod trip with the top down and have you and a partner’s luggage. I have a TT convertible, soft top, and can pack enough luggage for a weeks worth. wouldn’t even care to try that with a hard top, though it is rumoured that Audi will have this option later this year for the TT, and the trunk space is not diminshed. would love to see how they do that.
That said, where I have seen hard top convertibles work better is on 4 doors, like the Volvo C70. Still enough room to motor and have luggage. However, there is a world of driving difference between a two seater and a sedan like that.
As and aside, I have driven both cars. The z4 is a wonderful driving car, however is consistently demanding of the driver. If you really want to enjoy the car, you are pretty much on the boil at all times. The TT is down a notch on overall performance, however the engines and suspension make it much more amenable to real world driving, such as stop and go traffic, loafing at low rmps at times etc. Depends on what you will drive mostly, but if you are gong to do long road trips, give the Audi a check as well. It is much more civil if you are going to log 4-5 hundred miles in a day.
The z4 is a great car. The s2000 performs better and is cheaper, but has an image of being a toy. Still, the z4 is very nice and well designed. A downside of hardtop verts is that they are heavy. Weight is the almighty enemy of sports cars.
Since we are talking about cars for women (Z4, Audi TT conv), have you considered a Porsche Boxster 987? Excellent driving car and excellent quality. And from most magazine reviews, rates higher than both a Z4 and an Audi TT.
Thanks for the info. Good points on the luggage/trunk space. That would definately be a consideration. What’s a mule? I have driven the TT. And like you say the motor leaves a little to be desired. But then again there is a different attitude the car was built for. My SO drives a 3 series for that reason, engine power difference between the tt and the 325.
Yes, I’ve considered it and looked at them as well. Prefer the svelt looks of the BMW.
My brother works for BMW of America. He has a Z4 and loves it. Totally impractical for his family life, but then again he’s into cars and owns several others including a very large SUV. He thinks the electrical systems in the upper end BMW’s are awesome. Personally, I’d buy myself a Porsche if I could afford one, and I don’t care if they (Porsche) don’t perform as well as other sport cars. They just look awesome.
Exactly my reason for not considering the miata, s2000, 300z, etc. etc. They strike me as “toy” cars. IMO there’s no comparison to quality which is why they relatively cost less.
A mule is a prototype - they haven’t necessarily finalized parts of the design - it is what you usually see in the spy photos.
There isn’t a lot of difference between the beemer and audi 6 cylinders in terms of hp (only about 5 on the si beemer). If you were comparing the new 4 cylinder audi, then you give up 55 horsepower. In quattro 6 with the DSG tranny, the audi really does move along at a nice pace, and the DSG is one of the best trannies out there. I drive an older model with the 1.8 4, and for most real world driving it is more than adequate. One of the things I do like about Audi is the broader torque band, so when I really want to haul on a curvy road, I have nice lower rpm grunt. That is also what makes it a bit more relaxed in city traffic. The beemer requires keeping the rpm up higher to get the most out of it, and after a while I just find that tiresome - great for track, less so for long drives. But at that point it is personal taste.
For the money of a new Z4, a recent model Porsche 911 will do everything better…much better performance, more room, less depriciation, similar or better reliability. I have owned 3 BMW’s as well as a 2000 Porsche Cabriolet. And…it’s not a chick car. Insurance will be higher, maintenance (brakes, clutch) will be WAY higher. In the end, I sold the 911 as this sort of toy was not worth the monthly ownership costs considering how little I used it. I did test drive a Z4 and there is absolutely no comparison.
I have owned all three. One BMW, two Audis and three Porsches. Love my 997, but that always was my dream car. Have both an Audi A3 and A4. Love the DSG on the A3. Don’t like the A4 CVT now that I have the DSG. I did think the A4 handle better than the 3 series BMW I had and the creature comforts on the Audi were better.
Quality wise as far as problems: Audi first (no warranty issues on two cars), Porsche second (engine had to be replaced), and BMW(minor issues but many).
Please link me to a recent model 911 vert for new Z4 price
thanks!
Exactly my reason for not considering the miata, s2000, 300z, etc. etc. They strike me as “toy” cars. IMO there’s no comparison to quality which is why they relatively cost less.
The S2000 might strike you as a toy car but that would only underscore your initial claim of not knowing cars. You have to spend upwards of $15-20k more than the S2000 to get equal performance and fun factor (not counting track cars like the Elise) and even at that point the badge on the hood might be fancier but the quality probably would not be as good. If given a choice I’d take the S2k over any of the cars you are looking at up to the new Boxster S. That porsche is one sweet roadster. After that, higher end porsches and Z4 M come into play but that is some serious $$$.
One other option might be the new 1 series BMWs…not roadsters but small and some really good performance with the new inline 6 twin turbo.
The Z4 has always been under powered…hence the “womens” car tag. Even with the old M3 engine being put in it (330 hp), the Z4 M version is behind the curve. A Z06 is faster, better looking and cheaper…get one of these viagra rockets instead
They strike you as toy cars but you are wrong. They are far more serious sports cars than the z4 or boxster. The s2k is a lot lighter, has double wishbones at all four corners, and the engine is way back almost entirely behind the front wheels.
Not to mention that besides being awesome on paper, in stock class autocrossing they dominate all of the other sporty cars people think are awesome (z4, boxster, m3, 350z, etc)