Best Design Cue of The Z4? (E85)

[Sterling Roadster]

Another thread with a general question for all members. After reading an article about Chris Bangle and his life after BMW, he admits that he's proud of the original Z4 but after some research I have found that one of the root concepts of the Z4 was one of the ugliest designs within BMW.

Please search the BMW "X Coupe Concept". Faded into obscurity, the concept appeared in 2001 and it's very clear that many of the cues from this 'China knockoff-esque' car went into one of my favorite BMW designs, the original Z4.

Long winded introduction aside which lines or sections of the Z4 appeals to you most and what portion would you change?

[yousefnjr]

I like seeing the "hips" when I look in my side mirrors

[torchmedia]

It's the roof/hatch lines on the coupe, and by extension the trunk that did it for me.

The nose has always bothered me to some extent, but the addition of an Mstache2 corrected most of the issue I had with it.

[Sterling Roadster]

Originally Posted by torchmedia

It's the roof/hatch lines on the coupe, and by extension the trunk that did it for me.

The nose has always bothered me to some extent, but the addition of an Mstache2 corrected most of the issue I had with it.

Same here, I love the duck tail. Makes me wish there was a Z4M CSL!

[Nate4641]

The shoulders and hard angles are my favorite. The pinch lines on the hood of the M helped a lot too. There is a very beautiful yet aggressive flow down the side of the car.

I have to say though that the front of our cars is my least favorite. The headlights are too small which makes doing angel eyes not quite as good as other BMWs. Then there is the one continuous line that goes from wheel well to wheel well between the hood and front bumper and over the headlights. It makes the front of the car looks like it just can stick on like Mr Potato head pieces and be swapped out like a bad video game animation of changing body parts. It wouldn't look as bad if there wasn't also the line intersecting from where the corners of the fender, hood, front bumper and headlight meet. It could have been done much, much better.

[Steeler]

Originally Posted by yousefnjr

I like seeing the "hips" when I look in my side mirrors

This ^
And the ass end of course

[rockstar93]

Originally Posted by Nate4641

...Then there is the one continuous line that goes from wheel well to wheel well between the hood and front bumper and over the headlights. It makes the front of the car looks like it just can stick on like Mr Potato head pieces and be swapped out like a bad video game animation of changing body parts. It wouldn't look as bad if there wasn't also the line intersecting from where the corners of the fender, hood, front bumper and headlight meet. It could have been done much, much better.

That's actually one of my favorite lines, I love how it flows into the line between the fender/side sills and up the doors.

[Huz-Z]

A word from the man himself:

[wdb]

Originally Posted by yousefnjr

I like seeing the "hips" when I look in my side mirrors

Originally Posted by dbarton62

This ^

Ditto ditto ditto.

Standing outside the car I like the flow of the top surfaces (coupe) and, sorry ///Msters, the smooth curves of the hood. I'm surprised at how ambivalent I am at the stylized 'Z' on the flanks, usually I cringe at stuff like that but on this car it doesn't do that to me. The sides would be a tad boring without it.

[Beedub]

the car is a design success it looks gorgeous even today..... more so today dare i say....

[Nate4641]

Originally Posted by rockstar93

That's actually one of my favorite lines, I love how it flows into the line between the fender/side sills and up the doors.

I love the flow of the line down the car, but right in front is where it bothers me. If you look at most cars, especially other BMWs, the line is there, but not litteraly a hard separation of the parts like on our Z4s. If the side fenders came about an inch or 2 more forward onto the front bumper I think it would look way better.

Also, the kidneys are usually higher up on other bimmers and closer to the hood.

[Sterling Roadster]

Originally Posted by Beedub

the car is a design success it looks gorgeous even today..... more so today dare i say....

Agreed, seems to be that way with many of Bangle's team designs.

[racerbruce]

LOVE the "Z" sharp metal line on the sides....and the M front lower shark look; would have preferred round tail lights which are synonymous w/sports cars (Ferrari).

[GuidoK]

The stance of that x coupe concept reminds me of one of Bangle's prior creations.
Can anyone guess which one?


On the z4 I like the sharp lines. I'm a fan of new edge cars and cars with sharp lines in general (like the wedge shaped sportscars of the 80's for example)

[TennesseeZ4]

I am a total fan of the lines on this car. Yes, the first gen is 'hard lined', but the beauty of that is the variance that is created with light as it plays off the surfaces. At no time does this car look normal, or the same. It was cutting edge thirteen years ago, and retains its unique look to this day. As the car has aged, and gone through various 'upgrades', I believe that it remains a handsome vehicle, but not near as gregarious as the original iteration. Keep in mind, this was the successor to the Z3; not a bad looking car, but more of an interpretation of a previous era. The Z4 broke new ground and created a stir in the design community, and among sports car fans. Coupe or roadster, there is no mistaking the Z4, in the same vein that there is no mistaking an XKE, or a Healy 3000; it is a timeless design. One that I appreciate every time I walk into the garage. And one that draws looks on almost every drive. Drive on!

[Vanne]

I love the depression in the roof e86.thats my fave bit.

[Digs]

Yep the roof is great and I even like how the windscreen curves back towards the a-pillars.

[Sterling Roadster]

Originally Posted by TennesseeZ4

I am a total fan of the lines on this car. Yes, the first gen is 'hard lined', but the beauty of that is the variance that is created with light as it plays off the surfaces. At no time does this car look normal, or the same. It was cutting edge thirteen years ago, and retains its unique look to this day. As the car has aged, and gone through various 'upgrades', I believe that it remains a handsome vehicle, but not near as gregarious as the original iteration. Keep in mind, this was the successor to the Z3; not a bad looking car, but more of an interpretation of a previous era. The Z4 broke new ground and created a stir in the design community, and among sports car fans. Coupe or roadster, there is no mistaking the Z4, in the same vein that there is no mistaking an XKE, or a Healy 3000; it is a timeless design. One that I appreciate every time I walk into the garage. And one that draws looks on almost every drive. Drive on!

Yeah in regards to the lighting, I have to say this car is incredibly photogenic. I went up north to get a couple pics and they all looked like a BMW ad. One of my favorite parts also.

[Redacre]

I think the whole rear end and fenders are fantastic. Does anyone else notice the Z4 design in the FRS/BRZ?

[ShakyDog]

The Z4M Coupe is the most stunning car on the road today. I do not own one yet, but I hope to one day.

I love the hard edges and the classic, yet modern look of a roadster (on my car). I had never thought about the round tail lights, now I understand why I like them a bit more than the post LSI lights. I have always thought round headlights look much better on a vehicle, just look at the Jeep.

Steve

[Digs]

Originally Posted by Redacre

I think the whole rear end and fenders are fantastic. Does anyone else notice the Z4 design in the FRS/BRZ?

Yes! There are so many BRZ's in my area and it gives me great pleasure to drive 'the original and best'. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery..

[3798j]

Originally Posted by Digs

..... Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery..

IMO, Think when viewed side by side, similarities abound. But then I guess there just aren't that many alternative ways to package an inline6, two place, fastback coupe.