How hard would it be?...

BlackMoupe · 02-16-2011, 07:28 PM

I've always thought the Z4 Coupe should have had a Targa roof, the perfect compromise between roadster and Coupe. I was just thinking, how hard would it be? Our roof panels are simply a bolt on/sealed part. So remove the roof panel, cut out the headliner in the center, create a "Clip in" system, and fabricate a new roof panel, and wala? Very Supra/NSX, but keeping the pillars in place.

OR do the same but create a permanent sunroof similar to Z3MC.

tlrominger · 02-16-2011, 08:39 PM

as easy as voila....

r4gs · 02-16-2011, 08:44 PM

i've thought about this too as i'm a fan of the carrera targas. besides being enormously cost ineffective to fabricate a completely glass roof, one would lose the attractive double-bubble design of the stock roof and increase weight. not to mention being baked by the sun (unless it's tinted or has the expensive mercedes-esque photoelectric tinting thing). would be very unique though and i'd be interested in the change in feel of space and luxury with a targa-type roof.

BlackMoupe · 02-16-2011, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by r4gs

i've thought about this too as i'm a fan of the carrera targas. besides being enormously cost ineffective to fabricate a completely glass roof, one would lose the attractive double-bubble design of the stock roof and increase weight. not to mention being baked by the sun (unless it's tinted or has the expensive mercedes-esque photoelectric tinting thing). would be very unique though and i'd be interested in the change in feel of space and luxury with a targa-type roof.

Unless it has no glass and is simply a removable panel. Then the double bubble could be kept.

mfanatic325 · 02-16-2011, 09:19 PM

re: thread title -----> THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID!
lol jk.

iono if you guys have ever owned T-Tops before, but they're really not all that great lol. My MR2's glass T-Tops leaked water, so I had to replace all the rubber seals (over $100-worth of OEM stuff) and make some adjustments to the fasteners to make them clamp down tighter. And it still lets some water through every now and then, especially if it's a downpour. I personally rarely ever take the T-Tops off too, so it's really not all that worthwhile imo. I figure if you bought a coupe, you obviously did not require open-top wind, so just put the windows down

Moonroofs are a different story. I wouldn't have minded a moonroof, but since the coupe is more performance-oriented rather than not, I guess they didn't bother with the extra heft and costs while sacrificing structural rigidity

Diokaef · 02-16-2011, 10:10 PM

I gave some thinking to that idea on the beginning but it price tag at 10K to be done by west coast custom at the time so i did not think was very reliable plus you have to loose some body rigidity.

Also only a CF or aluminum would be possible says West Coast Custom.

BlackMoupe · 02-16-2011, 10:18 PM

I'm saying KEEP the pillars above the windows, and take out the center panel.

r4gs · 02-16-2011, 11:28 PM

removable glass roof would probably be more expensive, way more inconvenient (not seeing myself hassle with removing and replacing it as and when i feel like by hand) and not as secure as a 100% bolted-on replacement glass roof. still stand by what i feel would be a pretty invigorating change in cabin-feel, but by far too expensive to be a rational endeavor.

ZStig · 02-16-2011, 11:33 PM

'tis no issue with the roadster

thenewkid · 02-17-2011, 07:37 AM

^^^

bhoch · 02-17-2011, 08:16 AM

My vette had a targa top. It was nice, but noisy compared to a true convertible. One issue you have to deal with is storage of the top when it's off. Vettes have a nice locking system setup in the back that keeps the top bolted down so you can still HA when you want.

I found the top easy to put on off and very light (I think they only weigh in about 18-22 lbs) so it was easy to put on off. But I also find it very noisy and the wind really whipped round in the cabin when the top is off - was a lot harder to hear your music with it off once you got up to the usual 80+ MPH speeds I would usually cruise round the hill country in.

tlrominger · 02-17-2011, 11:40 AM

Would it be easier to buy a roadster...Every car I have owned wuth t tops or a targa top really did not compare to a true roadster.

The HACK · 02-17-2011, 11:59 AM

Holy crap that would make the coupe chassis no stiffer than the roadster. There's a TON of reinforcement that goes into that side pillar between A and B pillars.

mfanatic325 · 02-17-2011, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The HACK

Holy crap that would make the coupe chassis no stiffer than the roadster. There's a TON of reinforcement that goes into that side pillar between A and B pillars.

totally not worth it imho. I never really understood the need for top down

My first car was a 2001 Z3 roadster 2.5L 5spd manual. I barely ever put the top down. Even though I live in Cali, where the weather is pretty decent. Iono, I feel that windows down is more than adequate for air lol..

Huz-Z · 02-17-2011, 12:32 PM

While I love the lines of my roadster, I also love the lines of the coupe. I bought my roadster because I wanted the top down experience. But, I think the coupe is perfect as it is. Why mess with it?

Ciao!

Swashplate · 02-17-2011, 12:34 PM

Yuck, go buy a trans-am.

Nikki · 02-17-2011, 12:46 PM

I love Porsche Targas and I'd consider one if it were in my price range (although I hate how Porsches are ubiquitous in CA). With the amount of money spent trying to convert the M Coupe to a targa you could probably afford the Porsche instead lol.

dazed^ · 02-17-2011, 03:54 PM

It would be a travesty.

Reminds me of this gem I spotted over at the other place...

Hawkeye · 02-17-2011, 04:14 PM

^lol, what the heck is it?!?

Swashplate · 02-17-2011, 04:20 PM

Pure Evil...that's what it is.

VinnieAces · 02-17-2011, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBroker

Pure Evil...that's what it is.

QFT

tarheel91 · 02-17-2011, 04:36 PM

The thing that's most important for torsional strain is the material around the outer edge of the object. That's the part of the structure that takes on the most stress. With that in mind, you really want to remove something from the top of the car? It's not like you're going to cut weight, either.

02-16-2011, 07:28 PM	#1
BlackMoupe Mouper 114 Rep 1,064 Posts Drives: _____ Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: _____ iTrader: (1)	How hard would it be?... I've always thought the Z4 Coupe should have had a Targa roof, the perfect compromise between roadster and Coupe. I was just thinking, how hard would it be? Our roof panels are simply a bolt on/sealed part. So remove the roof panel, cut out the headliner in the center, create a "Clip in" system, and fabricate a new roof panel, and wala? Very Supra/NSX, but keeping the pillars in place. OR do the same but create a permanent sunroof similar to Z3MC.
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02-16-2011, 08:39 PM	#2
tlrominger New Member 0 Rep 26 Posts Drives: 2005 Z4 Sport Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Dallas iTrader: (0)	as easy as voila....
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02-16-2011, 08:44 PM	#3
r4gs Viper Driver 36 Rep 1,311 Posts Drives: F-16 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Singapore iTrader: (2)	i've thought about this too as i'm a fan of the carrera targas. besides being enormously cost ineffective to fabricate a completely glass roof, one would lose the attractive double-bubble design of the stock roof and increase weight. not to mention being baked by the sun (unless it's tinted or has the expensive mercedes-esque photoelectric tinting thing). would be very unique though and i'd be interested in the change in feel of space and luxury with a targa-type roof.
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02-16-2011, 09:19 PM	#5
mfanatic325 ///M-fanatic 193 Rep 3,885 Posts Drives: '01 911 Turbo Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Cupertino, CA. iTrader: (23)	re: thread title -----> THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID! lol jk. iono if you guys have ever owned T-Tops before, but they're really not all that great lol. My MR2's glass T-Tops leaked water, so I had to replace all the rubber seals (over $100-worth of OEM stuff) and make some adjustments to the fasteners to make them clamp down tighter. And it still lets some water through every now and then, especially if it's a downpour. I personally rarely ever take the T-Tops off too, so it's really not all that worthwhile imo. I figure if you bought a coupe, you obviously did not require open-top wind, so just put the windows down Moonroofs are a different story. I wouldn't have minded a moonroof, but since the coupe is more performance-oriented rather than not, I guess they didn't bother with the extra heft and costs while sacrificing structural rigidity Last edited by mfanatic325; 02-16-2011 at 09:25 PM..
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02-16-2011, 10:10 PM	#6
Diokaef Engineer 216 Rep 2,122 Posts Drives: M235I 2015, 335i 2011 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: TAMPA FL iTrader: (17) Garage List 2008 Z4M Coupe [6.33]	I gave some thinking to that idea on the beginning but it price tag at 10K to be done by west coast custom at the time so i did not think was very reliable plus you have to loose some body rigidity. Also only a CF or aluminum would be possible says West Coast Custom. Attached Images
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02-16-2011, 10:18 PM	#7
BlackMoupe Mouper 114 Rep 1,064 Posts Drives: _____ Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: _____ iTrader: (1)	I'm saying KEEP the pillars above the windows, and take out the center panel.
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02-16-2011, 11:28 PM	#8
r4gs Viper Driver 36 Rep 1,311 Posts Drives: F-16 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Singapore iTrader: (2)	removable glass roof would probably be more expensive, way more inconvenient (not seeing myself hassle with removing and replacing it as and when i feel like by hand) and not as secure as a 100% bolted-on replacement glass roof. still stand by what i feel would be a pretty invigorating change in cabin-feel, but by far too expensive to be a rational endeavor.
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02-16-2011, 11:33 PM	#9
ZStig instagram 997turbotom 279 Rep 7,377 Posts Drives: Interlagos Z4MR Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Delray Beach, FL iTrader: (4)	'tis no issue with the roadster __________________
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02-17-2011, 07:37 AM	#10
thenewkid Private 0 Rep 54 Posts Drives: 06' 3.0si Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: fort worth, texas iTrader: (1)	^^^
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02-17-2011, 08:16 AM	#11
bhoch SSGT USMC - '78 - '86 13 Rep 487 Posts Drives: Z4 3.0si Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Liberty Hill, Tx iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 BMW Z4 [7.33]	My vette had a targa top. It was nice, but noisy compared to a true convertible. One issue you have to deal with is storage of the top when it's off. Vettes have a nice locking system setup in the back that keeps the top bolted down so you can still HA when you want. I found the top easy to put on off and very light (I think they only weigh in about 18-22 lbs) so it was easy to put on off. But I also find it very noisy and the wind really whipped round in the cabin when the top is off - was a lot harder to hear your music with it off once you got up to the usual 80+ MPH speeds I would usually cruise round the hill country in. __________________ Thanks, Bill 2007 3.0si Roadster Black/Red, sport, Piano Black F14 Forgestar's
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02-17-2011, 11:40 AM	#12
tlrominger New Member 0 Rep 26 Posts Drives: 2005 Z4 Sport Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Dallas iTrader: (0)	Would it be easier to buy a roadster...Every car I have owned wuth t tops or a targa top really did not compare to a true roadster.
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02-17-2011, 11:59 AM	#13
The HACK Midlife Crises Racing Silent but Deadly Class 1821 Rep 5,337 Posts Drives: 2006 MZ4C, 2021 Tesla Model 3 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Welcome to Jamaica have a nice day iTrader: (1)	Holy crap that would make the coupe chassis no stiffer than the roadster. There's a TON of reinforcement that goes into that side pillar between A and B pillars. __________________ Sitting on a beat-up office chair in front of a 5 year old computer in a basement floor, sipping on stale coffee watching a bunch of meaningless numbers scrolling aimlessly on a dimly lit 19” monitor.
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02-17-2011, 12:32 PM	#15
Huz-Z Brigadier General 851 Rep 4,057 Posts Drives: Z4 3.0si, 328 XDrive, X5 35i Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	While I love the lines of my roadster, I also love the lines of the coupe. I bought my roadster because I wanted the top down experience. But, I think the coupe is perfect as it is. Why mess with it? Ciao! __________________ Huz-Z BMW Z4 3.0si Roadster. Montego Blue Metallic. Premium and Sport Package.
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02-17-2011, 12:34 PM	#16
Swashplate Major 111 Rep 1,351 Posts Drives: in Anger. Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Newcastle, WA iTrader: (2) Garage List 2009 Mercedes ML320 ... [0.00] 2013 BMW M5 [0.00] 2007 BMW M Coupe' [0.00]	Yuck, go buy a trans-am. __________________ Gone (2006 STI, 2008 EVO MR, 1968 Mustang) AFE Intake/Euro Cats/CSL Headers/Sportline CSL/H&R Springs 1217/1815 !!! BOILER UP !!!
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02-17-2011, 12:46 PM	#17
Nikki Major General 990 Rep 6,381 Posts Drives: Sepang Z4MC Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: LA iTrader: (9)	I love Porsche Targas and I'd consider one if it were in my price range (although I hate how Porsches are ubiquitous in CA). With the amount of money spent trying to convert the M Coupe to a targa you could probably afford the Porsche instead lol. __________________ Nikki
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02-17-2011, 03:54 PM	#18
dazed^ Private First Class 4 Rep 174 Posts Drives: '07 Z4 M Roadster Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Netherlands iTrader: (0)	It would be a travesty. Reminds me of this gem I spotted over at the other place...
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02-17-2011, 04:14 PM	#19
Hawkeye Brigadier General 2070 Rep 4,365 Posts Drives: '07 Z4 Coupe, '21 X3, '16 GMC Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Iowa iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 GMC Sierra SLT [10.00] 2008 Yamaha R6 [9.00]	^lol, what the heck is it?!? __________________ 2007 Z4 3.0si Coupe • 6 MT • Black Saphire Metallic • PP • SP 2016 GMC Sierra SLT Z71 Premium Plus 4x4 2017 Harley StreetGlide • Denim Black • V&H Tune 2021 BMW x30i • Phytonic Blue Metallic • Fully loaded
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02-17-2011, 04:20 PM	#20
Swashplate Major 111 Rep 1,351 Posts Drives: in Anger. Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Newcastle, WA iTrader: (2) Garage List 2009 Mercedes ML320 ... [0.00] 2013 BMW M5 [0.00] 2007 BMW M Coupe' [0.00]	Pure Evil...that's what it is. __________________ Gone (2006 STI, 2008 EVO MR, 1968 Mustang) AFE Intake/Euro Cats/CSL Headers/Sportline CSL/H&R Springs 1217/1815 !!! BOILER UP !!!
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02-17-2011, 04:36 PM	#22
tarheel91 Private First Class 4 Rep 171 Posts Drives: ESS Z4 3.0i Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Carolina iTrader: (0)	The thing that's most important for torsional strain is the material around the outer edge of the object. That's the part of the structure that takes on the most stress. With that in mind, you really want to remove something from the top of the car? It's not like you're going to cut weight, either.
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