First G29 Z4 Roadster Prototype Spied, Returns to the Soft-Top!

ORIGIN M. · 01-02-2017, 07:48 PM

Outside untreated sure sure sure.

However all modern soft top BMW's have sun products on the Leather as well as the Top itself to protect against fade over time.

I use 303 products on my vert. Every top I have treated with it remains damage free from sun etc. A must for a Texan.

Quote:

Originally Posted by M3 Adjuster

Perhaps ragtop vehicles are timeless , but the tops are not. They definitely can wear out.

dmboone25 · 01-02-2017, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M3 Adjuster

Perhaps ragtop vehicles are timeless , but the tops are not. They definitely can wear out.

Thanks for the info on the upcoming 4 series... so ... that being the case ... then None of the lineup will be a hardtop anymore ?
That's saying something.

Part of the price of admission if you ask me.

Not a terribly expensive replacement either - in the ~$1000 range for my buddy's 997 C2S. Hardly cost prohibitive for a 50-60k car after 9 years.

M3 Adjuster · 01-02-2017, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmboone25

Quote:

Originally Posted by M3 Adjuster

Perhaps ragtop vehicles are timeless , but the tops are not. They definitely can wear out.

Thanks for the info on the upcoming 4 series... so ... that being the case ... then None of the lineup will be a hardtop anymore ?
That's saying something.

Part of the price of admission if you ask me.

Not a terribly expensive replacement either - in the ~$1000 range for my buddy's 997 C2S. Hardly cost prohibitive for a 50-60k car after 9 years.

Yes. Exactly.

ORIGIN M. · 01-02-2017, 07:56 PM

The fact that BMW added a bloody lift to the current 4er Vert just to get the luggage in is saying something. Way to complex and takes up way to much space, and is now clearly going out like Disco. Lightweight, compact, and timeless by design.

Quote:

Originally Posted by M3 Adjuster

Perhaps ragtop vehicles are timeless , but the tops are not. They definitely can wear out.

Thanks for the info on the upcoming 4 series... so ... that being the case ... then None of the lineup will be a hardtop anymore ?
That's saying something.

M3 Adjuster · 01-02-2017, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by red-sauerkraut

The fact that BMW added a bloody lift to the current 4er Vert just to get the luggage in is saying something. Way to complex and takes up way to much space, and is now clearly going out like Disco. Lightweight, compact, and timeless by design.

Quote:

Originally Posted by M3 Adjuster

Perhaps ragtop vehicles are timeless , but the tops are not. They definitely can wear out.

Thanks for the info on the upcoming 4 series... so ... that being the case ... then None of the lineup will be a hardtop anymore ?
That's saying something.

You're just killing tranquility

dmboone25 · 01-02-2017, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by red-sauerkraut

The fact that BMW added a bloody lift to the current 4er Vert just to get the luggage in is saying something. Way to complex and takes up way to much space, and is now clearly going out like Disco. Lightweight, compact, and timeless by design.

I think so too - we are getting to a place where significant horsepower and performance increases are going to be harder and harder to achieve - weight loss and a reduction in complexity can at least be a holdover until smaller gasoline engines + electric power aren't reserved for super cars.

tranquility · 01-02-2017, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M3 Adjuster

You're just killing tranquility

Not really. Can we bring back the engine crank starter while we're at it?

It's obvious why they keep using the rags, it's the most cost-effective and lazy method. Heck, why do they still give us those NASTY stick antennas when even Hyundais have low profile ones? What's the answer to 99 out of 100 questions? Money.

ORIGIN M. · 01-03-2017, 02:29 AM

AKRAPOVICOWNS · 01-03-2017, 07:41 AM

Taking a better look at these spy pics, it seems that the upper part of the tail lights (red ones) are actually fake, giving the units a really sleek appearance. Also they might even extend to the boot lid, but they're still covered in camo so we cant see them yet.

Also i wish they guy taking photos could've overtaken the prototype for some front shots..the headlights might even have be the production ones, who knows.

julienjj · 01-03-2017, 07:46 AM

We have an E550 cabriolet, that thing has a ragtop too. The soundproofing using the ragtop is better than my uncle clk and the cabin lose less heat in the winter.

Personally I care less about the type of top than the stupid square exhaust tips BMW seem to be starting to use on all it's lineup.

nick3753 · 01-03-2017, 09:27 AM

Roadsters/ conv. sports cars should have rag tops to reduce weight and lower the center of gravity. It just makes sense for the purpose of the vehicle. Reserve the expensive, complex and heavy hard tops for the GT cars.

kihtay · 01-03-2017, 11:59 AM

As I recall in the articles, they were discussing a possibility of a M and Coupe

I'm sure hoping so <3

dmboone25 · 01-03-2017, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kihtay

As I recall in the articles, they were discussing a possibility of a M and Coupe

I'm sure hoping so <3

+1 - definitely need an updated M coupe in this segment.

Josh (PA) · 01-03-2017, 01:38 PM

any chance it offers a manual transmission?

Edit: and I'm all for a soft top i/o a folding coupe. The e93 and f33 are a joke. I know a number of owners who's top got out of alignment and cost $$$. The trunk is worthless even when the top is up. My extreme dislike of the folding hardtop was a big reason I went for an e88 over an e93 m3 when i got my car.

Germanauto · 01-03-2017, 04:07 PM

Looks huge.

I miss the days of the Z3 and 1st gen Z4. Puny little true sports cars. At least the soft top is back.

kihtay · 01-03-2017, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Germanauto

Looks huge.

I miss the days of the Z3 and 1st gen Z4. Puny little true sports cars. At least the soft top is back.

As someone had stated before a porpoise looking s2000

Also, if they have a paddle shift option that wouldn't be terrible- such as the e92, that was really smooth and nice!!

ORIGIN M. · 01-04-2017, 03:27 PM

It is not as big as you might think.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Germanauto

Looks huge.

I miss the days of the Z3 and 1st gen Z4. Puny little true sports cars. At least the soft top is back.

kihtay · 01-05-2017, 07:09 PM

^ That looks very sleek and elegant

Cyclops · 01-05-2017, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by red-sauerkraut

It is not as big as you might think.

And the coupe
BMW

Supra

ORIGIN M. · 01-07-2017, 03:22 AM

Lots of older renders -- The Coupe is a big maybe.

Haha - Worldcarfans in no-mo.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cyclops

And the coupe
BMW

Supra

doane2u · 01-08-2017, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by red-sauerkraut

Outside untreated sure sure sure.

However all modern soft top BMW's have sun products on the Leather as well as the Top itself to protect against fade over time.

I use 303 products on my vert. Every top I have treated with it remains damage free from sun etc. A must for a Texan.

My 2007 looks brand new. About 70K miles on it and former owner kept it in a garage, which I think most people would do who own one. I live in a relatively low sun area, but used to live in Texas. I use Ragtop protection coating which will last a few years here and would last about a year if in a really sunny, outside environment.

One other point that seems to be missed, there is nothing like driving a convertible for that open, unrestrained feeling.

coo-pey · 01-09-2017, 10:34 AM

Here is what I am seeing in this pic. As someone else pointed out, looks like this car has some bolt on panels, as I have indicated with my wonderful MS Pain skillz.

I am going to reserve conclusions on overall looks until BMW actually releases the full load.

With that being said, I REALLY hope they do a coupe with this car. I am far too pale to deal with a vert.

01-03-2017, 02:29 AM	#316
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01-03-2017, 07:41 AM	#317
AKRAPOVICOWNS Captain 567 Rep 635 Posts Drives: bmw 335i Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: brazil iTrader: (0)	Taking a better look at these spy pics, it seems that the upper part of the tail lights (red ones) are actually fake, giving the units a really sleek appearance. Also they might even extend to the boot lid, but they're still covered in camo so we cant see them yet. Also i wish they guy taking photos could've overtaken the prototype for some front shots..the headlights might even have be the production ones, who knows.
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01-03-2017, 07:46 AM	#318
julienjj Private First Class 135 Rep 134 Posts Drives: 135i 6MT Join Date: May 2015 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	We have an E550 cabriolet, that thing has a ragtop too. The soundproofing using the ragtop is better than my uncle clk and the cabin lose less heat in the winter. Personally I care less about the type of top than the stupid square exhaust tips BMW seem to be starting to use on all it's lineup. __________________ 2016 435i xdrive Gran Coupé 2011 E82 1M Custom Frozen Brilliant White 2006 E60 M5 Alpine white SMG DELETE 6MT swap. Gone : 135i 2008 \| Gone : 2008 535i Touring\|
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01-03-2017, 09:27 AM	#319
nick3753 Major 1020 Rep 1,486 Posts Drives: 2012 e92 M3 DCT ZCP Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Michigan iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 Audi S6 [0.00] 1997 BMW 328i Touring [0.00] 2012 BMW M3 [0.00]	Roadsters/ conv. sports cars should have rag tops to reduce weight and lower the center of gravity. It just makes sense for the purpose of the vehicle. Reserve the expensive, complex and heavy hard tops for the GT cars.
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01-03-2017, 11:59 AM	#320
kihtay Private 18 Rep 52 Posts Drives: 98 hellrot red m3 Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: AZ iTrader: (0)	As I recall in the articles, they were discussing a possibility of a M and Coupe I'm sure hoping so <3 __________________ ///Meow
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01-03-2017, 01:38 PM	#322
Josh (PA) Banned 230 Rep 265 Posts Drives: '11 135 vert, '13 x5, '03 e46 Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Downingtown, PA iTrader: (0)	any chance it offers a manual transmission? Edit: and I'm all for a soft top i/o a folding coupe. The e93 and f33 are a joke. I know a number of owners who's top got out of alignment and cost $$$. The trunk is worthless even when the top is up. My extreme dislike of the folding hardtop was a big reason I went for an e88 over an e93 m3 when i got my car.
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01-03-2017, 04:07 PM	#323
Germanauto Major General 9703 Rep 6,084 Posts Drives: Alfa Romeo Giulia, Rosso Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: LA iTrader: (0)	Looks huge. I miss the days of the Z3 and 1st gen Z4. Puny little true sports cars. At least the soft top is back.
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01-05-2017, 07:09 PM	#326
kihtay Private 18 Rep 52 Posts Drives: 98 hellrot red m3 Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: AZ iTrader: (0)	^ That looks very sleek and elegant __________________ ///Meow
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01-09-2017, 10:34 AM	#330
coo-pey Enlisted Member 12 Rep 36 Posts Drives: 2007 Z4 Coupe Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: East Tennessee iTrader: (0)	Z5 Here is what I am seeing in this pic. As someone else pointed out, looks like this car has some bolt on panels, as I have indicated with my wonderful MS Pain skillz. I am going to reserve conclusions on overall looks until BMW actually releases the full load. With that being said, I REALLY hope they do a coupe with this car. I am far too pale to deal with a vert. __________________ 2007 Z4 Coupe 3.0si w/sport package
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