Anyone gone from M coupe to M roadster?

[Beedub]

Originally Posted by Starscream

I'm a roadster owner so I'm going to tell you to do it

Honestly,
I've driven quite a few Z4M coupes, to me it just feels like a roadster with the top up,

I know there is the stiffness difference but I don't think many if anyone could tell the difference,
The Z4 Roadster is still very very stiff and handles superb,
Its actually stiffer than a e46 M3 coupe! So don't let that put you off,

Looks wise, Its subjective,
I think with the top up, the coupe looks better,
Top down, Roadster looks better, Plus you get the feel of a open top car and due to the angle of the screen and the amazing view it makes you feel like your in an open wheel race car.

When I want the feel of the coupe I put the top up,
But having the joy (and noise) with the top down the roadster wins for me,

+ 1 squillion...... you took the words right out of my mouth...

[Huz-Z]

Tough Decision!

Good luck with it!

[bhoch]

Either way, you are going to have a beautiful car.

When I was looking to purchase, I almost got a coupe instead of the roadster because I really like the lines of the coupe. I'm quite happy with the roadster but the coupe's lines are The want to lower the top was larger then my want to not have that ability. If your itchin' for a change that is a good choice.

Good luck with your choice!

[pokeybritches]

If you're willing to go for a roadster with 10k more miles and 1 year older, I might be up for a trade. Silver gray with imola red.

Edit: CPO and full maintenance for another 35k miles/2 years.

[epbrown]

Originally Posted by wildag

All BMW Z's with automatic tops can be made manual, by simply disabling the hydraulic cylinder in the trunk.

That's not a manual top, that's a disabled automatic top. A roadster without that hardware would be somewhat lighter (iirc, 50lbs or so), and I believe the manual tops don't have a liner, or have a thinner one, to make raising and lower easier because the cloth isn't as difficult to fold. IIRC, the file you created shows only ONE ever made without an automatic top.

My dream M Roadster was to have manual top and seats, along with the mods I've done to my coupe. With the weight savings and the 3.91 final drive, it'd have been quite spry.

[GomboRombo]

Roadster. The sound of the exhaust with the top down sounds better than anything that comes out its 10 speaker sound system.

[ZStig]

You're either a roadster kind of guy or you aren't

[santov]

I don't have an M, but I love my roadster. It's been 65F during the day, a little nippy at night. I've been cruising all week (and for another week) with the top down and seats on. Especially at night the view of a full moon is amazing!

[FerRrari]

I was cruising top down today and we're at 45F

[onebluemcm]

Yes, , but it was first mentioned earlier in the thread.

I'd just like to see the source that says the Z4MR is a stiffer chassis than E46 M3..... Having owned an E46 M3 my first impression is , but I'm totally fine with being proven wrong.

[pokeybritches]

Originally Posted by onebluemcm

Yes, , but it was first mentioned earlier in the thread.

I'd just like to see the source that says the Z4MR is a stiffer chassis than E46 M3..... Having owned an E46 M3 my first impression is , but I'm totally fine with being proven wrong.

Z4MR chassis stiffness straight from BMW:

http://resource.bmwusa.com/pdf_cc65a...c065f037c.arox

[psygnosis]

Originally Posted by pokeybritches

Z4MR chassis stiffness straight from BMW:

http://resource.bmwusa.com/pdf_cc65a...c065f037c.arox

Not just the M but all Z4 roadsters.

The Z4 Roadster and, by extension, the M Roadster, was designed from
the outset for maximum chassis stiffness. At 14,500 Nm/degree of static
torsional stiffness, this is the most rigid bodyshell in its class.

[onebluemcm]

Are the Z4 and M3 in the same class? Dunno about that. Any rigidity numbers out there for the E46 M3??? After doing some searching, it may be a mystery. I fould this set of numbers on several sites pertaining to the E46.

Sedan (w/o folding seats): 18000 Nm/deg of torsion
Sedan (w/folding seats): 13000 Nm/deg of torsion
Sport wagon (w/folding seats): 14000 Nm/deg of torsion
Coupe (w/folding seats): 12500 Nm/deg of torsion
Convertible: 10500 Nm/deg of torsion

This makes no mention of the M3 which I am rather certain has a more rigid chassis than the standard E46 chassis. Beyond that, I cannot find any solid number for an E46 M3. Is it stiffer than a non-M E46, I'll buy that at this point in time....

[epbrown]

Originally Posted by onebluemcm

Are the Z4 and M3 in the same class? Dunno about that. Any rigidity numbers out there for the E46 M3??? After doing some searching, it may be a mystery. I fould this set of numbers on several sites pertaining to the E46.

Sedan (w/o folding seats): 18000 Nm/deg of torsion
Sedan (w/folding seats): 13000 Nm/deg of torsion
Sport wagon (w/folding seats): 14000 Nm/deg of torsion
Coupe (w/folding seats): 12500 Nm/deg of torsion
Convertible: 10500 Nm/deg of torsion

This makes no mention of the M3 which I am rather certain has a more rigid chassis than the standard E46 chassis. Beyond that, I cannot find any solid number for an E46 M3. Is it stiffer than a non-M E46, I'll buy that at this point in time....

The E46 M3 coupe is at ~17000 Nm/degree - better than the standard E46 coupe but less than the Z4, which was designed from the ground up to be an open car, with a serious focus on rollover protection. BMW simply left in all the chassis reinforcements they added for the M3 cab.

[ZStig]

Originally Posted by FerRrari

I was cruising top down today and we're at 45F

I did the same today. 37*

[ZStig]

question to the OP:

did you ever test drive an M-roadster with the top down?

[Vertigo//SD]

Originally Posted by Roffle Waffle

question to the OP:

did you ever test drive an M-roadster with the top down?

Can't say that I have. I did drive a non-M Z4 convertible and I have to admit that top down cruising is an indescribable sensation. I imagine the M version just amplifies the senses a bit more.

Still contemplating at this point. If only the roadster had the Imola red interior with a black top...

[inTgr8r]

At least you have the climate to get good use from a roady.

[Vertigo//SD]

Originally Posted by inTgr8r

At least you have the climate to get good use from a roady.

I guess some would consider it a sin not to have a roadster in sunny, southern California. To be honest, I'd rather be in Vancouver or Toronto...

[WhoU4]

Caution… you might get too much sun or sea breeze in the convertible!

Do it!

[ShakyDog]

Heck, do what I really wish I could afford to do...

Get one of each :-)

Steve

[epbrown]

Originally Posted by ShakyDog

Heck, do what I really wish I could afford to do...

Get one of each :-)

Steve

Ya know, I did this for a bit. My first Z4 was a roadster, and I bought my M Coupe in December so I kept the roadster until the temperatures (and prices) went up. I felt sort of silly being a single guy with two nearly identical cars (they were both Sapphire black, even). It was fun, but weird.

Even though the Solstice is a lot different, it still seems indulgent (though my teenaged nephews describe it as "cool.")