Question about view from the drivers seat

SoCalS2k · 11-10-2013, 05:58 PM

Hey all, ive always been a BMW sedan/coupe person, but thinking about the Z4..

I was lucky enough to get a drive in the previous generation Z4, and while it was a blast to drive, my one qualm was that I never could tell where the front of the car was exactly. It was a combination of the long hood, which sloped and the low seating position. I kinda was guessing at where the exact point of the front end was at all times.

How is the e89 compared to the e85 in this regard? Is this not an issue with the e89 design, or does it have the same effect/feeling, and just comes with the territory?

Thanks!

tranquility · 11-10-2013, 06:26 PM

I would imagine that the e89 would be even worse since the hood is even longer. It takes getting used to but one definitely gets used to where the nose ends after a while.

Crazykoh · 11-10-2013, 07:24 PM

It is hard to know exactly where the front end is. Parking distance sensors help and I've found that the car is shorter than I was used to, so I can leave plenty of space up front and still be okay (when parking for example). Test drive one and see for yourself, but I wouldn't let it dissuade me from the car.

tamkhan · 11-10-2013, 07:32 PM

E89 is my first Z4 and it didn't take long for me to get used to the long hood. Just adjust the seat to a level where you're able to have a clear view.

jparnes1 · 11-10-2013, 09:45 PM

The E89 is the longest hood BMW ever made. That being said, I've never run into anything. What's more of an issue is the low ground clearance. You tend to scrape things sometimes, but those scratches are underneath the front bumper and not visible. Not a reason to avoid the car.

hyper1 · 11-10-2013, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tamkhan

E89 is my first Z4 and it didn't take long for me to get used to the long hood. Just adjust the seat to a level where you're able to have a clear view.

Agree...

rezok · 11-11-2013, 02:02 AM

I ran into a concrete wall very early on - scratched the section between the grilles slightly.

Fixed and lesson learnt. Oh, and use parking sensors when unsure if fitted!

Otherwise, amazing car!

Asbjorn · 11-11-2013, 03:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jparnes1

The E89 is the longest hood BMW ever made. That being said, I've never run into anything. What's more of an issue is the low ground clearance. You tend to scrape things sometimes, but those scratches are underneath the front bumper and not visible. Not a reason to avoid the car.

I was about to say this couldn't be true, but then I checked, and it seems that the E89s hood is indeed longer than even the current 6-series. It also seems to be the lowest car currently offered by BMW.

Also, on the Z4, the angle generated by the difference between the front and rear tracks over the distance between them, seems to be greater than in any other BMW currently available. Interestingly, on the M5 and M6 it is a bit negative because they "only" widened the front track. The same is true for Audi R8, Gallardos and 911s (but only non-turbo models) btw, but of course wider rear tires compensate for this visually. Anyway, especially on Z4s with wider rear wheels, parking straight actually means parking in a slight angle. Pretty cool.

Back on topic. I did hit a cone once because it was impossible to see over the hood. I also have a friend here who owns a Z4 and had his front bumper replaced because he hit something a bit harder. So extra care is called for. On the plus side reversing is pretty easy, as you can just open the door and look at what you are about to hit. Also the turning circle is very narrow, especially with DSC=off, which is a another benefit of this particular car.

But I would agree, if the long hood becomes a big concern, you aren't enough in love with the other benefits of owning a roadster. It is really everything that for example a SUV isn't.

army_men · 11-11-2013, 07:50 AM

it was impossible to see over the hood for the first month, and I did scrape it twice, against the garage wall. Park distance assist is recommended. I didn't have that. But once I got used to the length it was just like any other car, I can place the head within an inch of where I want it to be without park distance.

Another nice thing is I will always go head into parking spots, and backing out is very easy and almost impossible to hit anything, the tail of the car is shorter than you'd think.

nicknaz · 11-11-2013, 10:29 AM

Coming from an S2000, it shouldn't take the OP long to get used to E89

tranquility · 11-11-2013, 01:36 PM

If you are reasonably competent, you should be able to get used to it after a while. Seeing the headlights' beam bounce off of objects is a good indicator of space. I don't have parking assist and do fine. Initially, I set the seat higher than natural but eventually moved it back to the optimal position once I got used to the long hood.

mbetoni · 11-11-2013, 02:15 PM

The proportions of a long hood and short rear deck are the hallmarks of roadsters, of all types, makes and models. It's actually part of what makes them attractive to some of us.

When I bought by first Z4 in 2005, my best friend - an at-the-time Z3 owner - gave me the following advice having never owned a roadster before: assume you need twice as much space in front of you as you think you do. I followed his advice, and soon came to learn the car's dimensions very well. In the beginning, you park, get out, and realize you have another 1/2 car length of space. Getting in and moving it slightly after that is a hell of a lot easier than respraying/replacing a bumper.

Having owned and driven roadsters now for 8 years, I feel more uncomfortable in non-roadsters. I drive my wife's 128i and feel like I'm in an SUV, even with the seat at the lowest point possible. Sitting low, in a fighter-like cockpit, with the car wrapped around you like a glove is how I prefer to motor.

fl_cyclist · 11-11-2013, 03:08 PM

I think when your the primary driver you get use to it pretty quick. My issue is when wife takes the car after driving her SUV the long hood and the fact I have 19" wheels makes it challenge for her

nicknaz · 11-11-2013, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fl_cyclist

I think when your the primary driver you get use to it pretty quick. My issue is when wife takes the car after driving her SUV the long hood and the fact I have 19" wheels makes it challenge for her

In all fairness to her, I have been primary driver for 18 months and I am still extra cautious since I don't want to bottom out or ramp the front into the curb when parking

That said, I don't think the car is very hard to place when on the road and getting the car to hit turn in / apex / track out points if fine after a few sessions to get used to the dimensions

R1robot · 11-11-2013, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tranquility

If you are reasonably competent, you should be able to get used to it after a while. Seeing the headlights' beam bounce off of objects is a good indicator of space. I don't have parking assist and do fine. Initially, I set the seat higher than natural but eventually moved it back to the optimal position once I got used to the long hood.

Well said, this is the way i learned my car volume on the old Z4. Every time i thought i couldn't make a turn, i would get out to find out just how close i was to a wall/car/whatever, and remember how close you can get. It's been a year with the E86, no scratches or bumps.

rking117 · 11-13-2013, 10:15 PM

Ive owned both now. The feel from the E85 and the E89 are about the same. However i found that the E85 is a little lower in the front to the ground so clearance on that model always allowed me to scrape the nose on bumps, pavement with sharp inclines and curbs while the E89 nose is tapered a little skyward and has a lttle more clearance. At least if i mis judge it i can pull over a curb and not scrape it. Still as far as the feel, I feel like the nose goes another 10 past where it actually goes. Most of the time I stop way short. (like 3 feet).

Alpha_Zulu · 11-13-2013, 11:57 PM

My previous car was a Scion tC. At first I was worried about the long hood of the E89 but I got used to it. I didn't have park sensors and I back into most spots. The rear of the car is so short, when I think I'm close, I get out and look and I've got plenty of space. That's how I avoid hitting the front. If I *have* to park head first, just go it slow and I usually am VERY conservative. After a while you get used to it and can pull it with leaving plenty of room both in front or back.

Eltee · 11-27-2013, 07:48 PM

Someone on either this forum or the previous generation said when they pull into a parking spot they always stop when they (the driver) is even with the back wheels of the car next to them. Seems to work quite nicely but I wouldn't advise it if the car next to you is a Smartcar.

11-10-2013, 05:58 PM	#1
SoCalS2k Major 450 Rep 1,035 Posts Drives: S2K! Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: LA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2001 Honda S2k [8.50]	Question about view from the drivers seat Hey all, ive always been a BMW sedan/coupe person, but thinking about the Z4.. I was lucky enough to get a drive in the previous generation Z4, and while it was a blast to drive, my one qualm was that I never could tell where the front of the car was exactly. It was a combination of the long hood, which sloped and the low seating position. I kinda was guessing at where the exact point of the front end was at all times. How is the e89 compared to the e85 in this regard? Is this not an issue with the e89 design, or does it have the same effect/feeling, and just comes with the territory? Thanks!
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11-10-2013, 06:26 PM	#2
tranquility sportscars only 3242 Rep 3,194 Posts Drives: 2011 Z4 sDrive 35i Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Montréal iTrader: (0)	I would imagine that the e89 would be even worse since the hood is even longer. It takes getting used to but one definitely gets used to where the nose ends after a while.
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11-10-2013, 07:24 PM	#3
Crazykoh First Lieutenant 92 Rep 306 Posts Drives: 2018 M3 Mineral White Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: NC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 BMW [0.00]	It is hard to know exactly where the front end is. Parking distance sensors help and I've found that the car is shorter than I was used to, so I can leave plenty of space up front and still be okay (when parking for example). Test drive one and see for yourself, but I wouldn't let it dissuade me from the car. __________________ 2018 F80 M3, Mineral White, Full Sakhir Orange, ZCP 2015 F15 X5 35i, Mineral Silver, Terra Dakota (Retired) 2012 E89 Z4 35i, Deep Sea Blue, Walnut Kansas (Retired)
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11-10-2013, 07:32 PM	#4
tamkhan Private 45 Rep 93 Posts Drives: BSM F80 ZCP (Sold) Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (0)	E89 is my first Z4 and it didn't take long for me to get used to the long hood. Just adjust the seat to a level where you're able to have a clear view.
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11-10-2013, 09:45 PM	#5
jparnes1 Colonel 242 Rep 2,387 Posts Drives: 2016 340i, 2012 Z4 35i Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: NY iTrader: (1)	The E89 is the longest hood BMW ever made. That being said, I've never run into anything. What's more of an issue is the low ground clearance. You tend to scrape things sometimes, but those scratches are underneath the front bumper and not visible. Not a reason to avoid the car. __________________ 2016 340i XDrive, EBII/black, 6 MT, M Sport, Track Handling, Cold Weather, Tech, Lighting, Driver Assistance Plus. 2012 Z4 35i, ED 2/24/2012, Melbourne Red Metallic, Black Leather, Carbon Trim, 6MT, M Sport, CW, PP, PS, NAV, CA.
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11-11-2013, 02:02 AM	#7
rezok Private 11 Rep 62 Posts Drives: BMW X3 3.0d 2018 / M2 G87 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	I ran into a concrete wall very early on - scratched the section between the grilles slightly. Fixed and lesson learnt. Oh, and use parking sensors when unsure if fitted! Otherwise, amazing car!
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11-11-2013, 07:50 AM	#9
army_men Lieutenant 45 Rep 406 Posts Drives: E89 Z4 35i Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW Z4 35i [10.00]	it was impossible to see over the hood for the first month, and I did scrape it twice, against the garage wall. Park distance assist is recommended. I didn't have that. But once I got used to the length it was just like any other car, I can place the head within an inch of where I want it to be without park distance. Another nice thing is I will always go head into parking spots, and backing out is very easy and almost impossible to hit anything, the tail of the car is shorter than you'd think. __________________
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11-11-2013, 10:29 AM	#10
nicknaz Lieutenant General 3187 Rep 10,509 Posts Drives: C6Z Join Date: May 2008 Location: NorCal iTrader: (0)	Coming from an S2000, it shouldn't take the OP long to get used to E89
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11-11-2013, 01:36 PM	#11
tranquility sportscars only 3242 Rep 3,194 Posts Drives: 2011 Z4 sDrive 35i Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Montréal iTrader: (0)	If you are reasonably competent, you should be able to get used to it after a while. Seeing the headlights' beam bounce off of objects is a good indicator of space. I don't have parking assist and do fine. Initially, I set the seat higher than natural but eventually moved it back to the optimal position once I got used to the long hood.
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11-11-2013, 02:15 PM	#12
mbetoni First Lieutenant 19 Rep 317 Posts Drives: 2014 Z435is Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	The proportions of a long hood and short rear deck are the hallmarks of roadsters, of all types, makes and models. It's actually part of what makes them attractive to some of us. When I bought by first Z4 in 2005, my best friend - an at-the-time Z3 owner - gave me the following advice having never owned a roadster before: assume you need twice as much space in front of you as you think you do. I followed his advice, and soon came to learn the car's dimensions very well. In the beginning, you park, get out, and realize you have another 1/2 car length of space. Getting in and moving it slightly after that is a hell of a lot easier than respraying/replacing a bumper. Having owned and driven roadsters now for 8 years, I feel more uncomfortable in non-roadsters. I drive my wife's 128i and feel like I'm in an SUV, even with the seat at the lowest point possible. Sitting low, in a fighter-like cockpit, with the car wrapped around you like a glove is how I prefer to motor.
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11-11-2013, 03:08 PM	#13
fl_cyclist At the Beach or On the Road 0 Rep 99 Posts Drives: Z4 35is Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: S. Fl iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 z4 35is [0.00]	I think when your the primary driver you get use to it pretty quick. My issue is when wife takes the car after driving her SUV the long hood and the fact I have 19" wheels makes it challenge for her
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11-13-2013, 10:15 PM	#16
rking117 Lieutenant Colonel 118 Rep 1,668 Posts Drives: Z4 3.0i & 320i Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Ive owned both now. The feel from the E85 and the E89 are about the same. However i found that the E85 is a little lower in the front to the ground so clearance on that model always allowed me to scrape the nose on bumps, pavement with sharp inclines and curbs while the E89 nose is tapered a little skyward and has a lttle more clearance. At least if i mis judge it i can pull over a curb and not scrape it. Still as far as the feel, I feel like the nose goes another 10 past where it actually goes. Most of the time I stop way short. (like 3 feet). __________________ Enjoying an E89 Z4, F30 320i and Fiat Abarth // E85 Z4 (sold), E82 128i (sold), Fiat Pop 500 (sold)
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11-13-2013, 11:57 PM	#17
Alpha_Zulu Private First Class 10 Rep 161 Posts Drives: 2014 Z4 35is, Alpine White Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Miami, Florida iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW Z4 35is [0.00] 2011 BMW Z4 sDrive35is [4.00]	My previous car was a Scion tC. At first I was worried about the long hood of the E89 but I got used to it. I didn't have park sensors and I back into most spots. The rear of the car is so short, when I think I'm close, I get out and look and I've got plenty of space. That's how I avoid hitting the front. If I have to park head first, just go it slow and I usually am VERY conservative. After a while you get used to it and can pull it with leaving plenty of room both in front or back.
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11-27-2013, 07:48 PM	#18
Eltee Private First Class 25 Rep 173 Posts Drives: 2011 Z4 35i Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Milwaukee, WI iTrader: (0)	Someone on either this forum or the previous generation said when they pull into a parking spot they always stop when they (the driver) is even with the back wheels of the car next to them. Seems to work quite nicely but I wouldn't advise it if the car next to you is a Smartcar.
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