Measurement Request: Z4 Coupe Hatch

[maxxfish]

I'm a new Z4 M Coupe owner, and the car I bought is 3000 miles away, so I was hoping someone with a Coupe could help me out with some measurements so I can get started on a little project for the car.

I'm looking for the height and width of the opening in the hatch. Not the whole piece of glass, just the opening, as it looks like there's a lot of extra glass that surrounds the actual opening.

I'm planning a pretty crazy project, but it should be fun! Thanks, Max

[pungo]

Originally Posted by maxxfish

I'm a new Z4 M Coupe owner, and the car I bought is 3000 miles away, so I was hoping someone with a Coupe could help me out with some measurements so I can get started on a little project for the car.

I'm looking for the height and width of the opening in the hatch. Not the whole piece of glass, just the opening, as it looks like there's a lot of extra glass that surrounds the actual opening.

I'm planning a pretty crazy project, but it should be fun! Thanks, Max

Congrats on the Z4MC...

The hatch is not all glass, there's also a lot of metal too.

What's this pretty crazy project?

[maxxfish]

Originally Posted by pungo

Congrats on the Z4MC...

The hatch is not all glass, there's also a lot of metal too.

What's this pretty crazy project?

Pungo,

Understood, thanks. I'm wondering how big the hole would be with the latch closed if there was no glass...

[pungo]

I know my glass is ~42"w x 32"H because I recently cut some ceramic window tint for it.
Not sure what your crazy project is, but I assume it's "top secret" since when I asked you didn't say

[maxxfish]

Originally Posted by pungo

I know my glass is ~42"w x 32"H because I recently cut some ceramic window tint for it.
Not sure what your crazy project is, but I assume it's "top secret" since when I asked you didn't say

Thanks Pungo! That should work. I'm going to keep my idea under wraps for now, because it's either going to be the coolest thing ever, or the dumbest! Hopefully I'll get the car soon and can start testing.

Thanks, Max

[pungo]

Originally Posted by maxxfish

I'm going to keep my idea under wraps for now, because it's either going to be the coolest thing ever, or the dumbest!

Well since you're keeping it a secret, I going with the dumbest thing ever unless you prove otherwise...

[Michael9218]

Measuring the inside dimensions of the metal flange:
24.5” tall
37” - 29” wide. Wider at the top and tapers at the bottom.

Maxxfish from Bimmerforums?

[Steeler]

Originally Posted by maxxfish

Thanks Pungo! That should work. I'm going to keep my idea under wraps for now, because it's either going to be the coolest thing ever, or the dumbest! Hopefully I'll get the car soon and can start testing.

Thanks, Max

I am going with louvres ala 1970 Transam style or vented plexi window ala F40.

Am I close?

[maxxfish]

Originally Posted by Michael9218

Measuring the inside dimensions of the metal flange:
24.5” tall
37” - 29” wide. Wider at the top and tapers at the bottom.

Maxxfish from Bimmerforums?

Awesome, thanks. Yes, that's me from BF!

And I just saved your build thread yesterday! It's giving me some good inspiration for this project.

[maxxfish]

Originally Posted by dbarton62

I am going with louvres ala 1970 Transam style or vented plexi window ala F40.

Am I close?

That's a cool idea! But it's something else, I'll give you a hint. The Audi is specific to the window, the 911 is specific to the build. This is going to be fun.

https://www.thedrive.com/news/28221/...ad-performance

https://www.carscoops.com/2020/07/ke...-a-375000-gem/

[WickedNy]

Please don't say your turning this into an off toad racer

[Calichase]

So this is the mysterious black safari-esqe car I've seen a few places recently

[maxxfish]

Sure is! Just pulled the glass out today to test fit the trophy truck style spare carrier. Purists will cringe!

[wdb]

Well, it will be unique.

[Frank851]

Good thing he has a carbon fiber spoiler on the hatch to maintain the perfect style and aerodynamics of the classic E86 coupe....even with the spare tire through the rear deck glazing opening.

[chickdr]

Wow. Can't say I would have any interest in such a beast, but to each his own.....

Have fun.

[pungo]

Originally Posted by maxxfish

it's either going to be the coolest thing ever, or the dumbest!

Now that I see what you're up to, I have to go with the later...

Not sure how a tire that large would even work on the front and forget about any suspension travel

I'm assuming this vehicle has a salvage title?

[wdb]

Let's see the finished product before buying the rope folks.

[pungo]

Definitely want to see the final results with an off-road action video

[Frank851]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

I was thinking he was going with a small pickup truck box conversion. THAT would be cool.

I agree, I could see an open box conversion for an off road, but it has to lose the entire hatch and will require some sheet metal forming / welding to complete the project. And of course a radical suspension change.

[pungo]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

I was thinking he was going with a small pickup truck box conversion. THAT would be cool.

The Zruck

[maxxfish]

To answer some questions:

The car has 150K miles and is painted a non-oem color, so it's already worth half it's "value."

I'm new to the Z4, but I've built many custom BMWs, and I do it right. The whole suspension will have proper geometry and extra travel. There are plenty of E36 rally cars out there and our front struts are the same design.

Yes, I'll be fabbing up bodywork to make the rear hatch area weatherproof.

And I have no interest in buying/driving something that already exists, like an Ariel Nomad. For me the fun part is the build. Here's the most recent build I finished, and I have an E30 M3 Rally car just about wrapped up: https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1988-bmw-m3-101/

Here's some of my inspiration for this build: https://www.carscoops.com/2020/07/ke...-a-375000-gem/