No top down if empty trunk set-up for full

Did anyone catch that comment from one of the reviewers that you need a spacer in place in the trunk to lower the top. I'm assuming you leave this spacer at home if you need the full trunk space. So, at any time away from home (road trip) if you need the full trunk space you will not be able to lower the top into an empty trunk because you don't have the spacer with you.

Only one review mentioned it but it got me thinking about the inconvenience.

I wouldn't be surprised. Convertible hardtops, as with everything else, are a compromise. You get the insulation and security of a hardtop, but they take up more room, are heavier, and are more expensive to maintain (generally) than a ragtop. I had a 3000GT with a convertible hardtop in 1996; it was sexy as hell, but in that particular car you actually had ZERO trunk space with the hardtop folded. (There was a sensor in the trunk and if you had anything at all in the trunk, it wouldn't let the top fold down.)

Originally Posted by westface

Did anyone catch that comment from one of the reviewers that you need a spacer in place in the trunk to lower the top. I'm assuming you leave this spacer at home if you need the full trunk space. So, at any time away from home (road trip) if you need the full trunk space you will not be able to lower the top into an empty trunk because you don't have the spacer with you.

Only one review mentioned it but it got me thinking about the inconvenience.

It's probably the same kidn of thing that was on my 07 335. ....when the thing is up you have more room in the trunk...but it must be down in order to leave adequate space for the top. ...it obviously minimizes the room in the trunk.

Originally Posted by SailinSand

It's probably the same kidn of thing that was on my 07 335. ....when the thing is up you have more room in the trunk...but it must be down in order to leave adequate space for the top. ...it obviously minimizes the room in the trunk.

Looks like I misread it. This is probably like the 335.

BMW Z4 sDrive35i (2009) CAR review
By Ben Barry

19 March 2009 23:00


It says something that the first-generation BMW Z4 is already off-sale, yet it still looks ahead of its time, and is still fun to drive. The second-generation model, then, has quite an act to follow. CAR has just driven it, in twin turbo 35i trim – a 23i and 30i are also available – and we can report that it’s a very good car, but quite a departure from the model it replaces.

This new BMW Z4 looks a bit bigger to me...
It is. The old 3.0-litre soft-top was 4091mm long, 1781mm wide and 1299mm tall and weighed 1340kg, where the new one is 148mm longer, 9mm wider, but 9mm lower, and a full 240kg heavier. The proportions are similar – especially that cartoonishly long snout and the doors’ side scallop – but the rear is less truncated than before, giving more luggage space.

And some stowage capability for that folding hard-top, I’d say.
Indeed. This compact two-piece roof folds quickly (around 20 seconds) and neatly into the boot (the rear screen section first lifts up to sit on top of the roof, then both sections drop into the boot) at the press of a button, but only if the roof storage tray is in place. This tray ensures that no luggage will get in the roof’s way (and in doing so reduces stowage space from 310 to 180 litres) but has to be manually put in place even if the boot’s empty. You also can’t open or close the roof unless you’re completely stationary – because the process would momentarily obscure the rear parking brake, apparently.

There are worse hardships in this world, sure, but it can be quite annoying to be forced to come to a complete stop, press the button, then find that your empty boot won’t accept the roof because the tray isn’t in place.

Roof up, it’s coupe quiet, and with it down you’re very well protected from the airflow, even at high speed.

>> Click 'Next' below to read how the new BMW Z4 is on the road


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Statistics
How much? £37,060
On sale in the UK: Now
Engine: 2979cc 24v twin-turbo straight-six, 302bhp @ 5800rpm, 295lb ft @ 1300rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch, rear-wheel drive
Performance: 5.1sec 0-62mph, 155mph, 31.4mpg, 210g/km CO2
How heavy / made of? 1580kg/steel
How big (length/width/height in mm)? 4239/1790/1291

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CAR's rating

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Performance

Usability

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Readers' rating

The "thing" is hinged and stays in the car; keep it up for more space and down to limit cargo/retract the top.





I was surprised to see Tumi luggage would fit, not a chance of that in our current 99 & 01 M Rdstrs.

So Randy, was this a customer's car, or is there something else you want to tell us

Originally Posted by The Other Tom

So Randy, was this a customer's car, or is there something else you want to tell us

This particular car still belongs to Yark BMW; the salesman asked if I would take it home and take a few pictures. See: http://www.rfdm.com/gallery/album142

I really wish there was more to tell...

Originally Posted by Randy Forbes

This particular car still belongs to Yark BMW; the salesman asked if I would take it home and take a few pictures.

Well, that's how it starts, doesn't it
Of course, IMO, the best way to buy one is through Europen Delivery (ED). You can tell all your friends you got ED.
Serously, though, let me know if you're interested in picking one up in Europe.

Originally Posted by Randy Forbes

The "thing" is hinged and stays in the car; keep it up for more space and down to limit cargo/retract the top.

I was surprised to see Tumi luggage would fit, not a chance of that in our current 99 & 01 M Rdstrs.

Great pics. Thanks!

I was looking through the gallery (thanks again) and it made me wonder - would the smaller, but thicker bag fit in the back of the trunk and the larger bag fit in the front? It looks to me like it would and then the smaller thicker bag wouldn't have to be tilted up and the panel wouldn't have to squish it.

Originally Posted by Randy Forbes

The "thing" is hinged and stays in the car; keep it up for more space and down to limit cargo/retract the top.


I was surprised to see Tumi luggage would fit, not a chance of that in our current 99 & 01 M Rdstrs.

Will they fit, and still allow you to lower the roof?

Originally Posted by bten

Will they fit, and still allow you to lower the roof?

Yes.