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09-17-2014, 09:57 AM | #1 |
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magnetic vs non-magnetic panels?
Of course the front and rear bumpers are plastic, but I noticed that the hood and side panel (where the side turn indicators are), while metallic, are not magnetic. The other body panels are metallic, save for 1 part of the roof. Is there a reason for this...?
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09-17-2014, 12:37 PM | #2 |
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Sure is - aluminum. Aluminum is not magnetic, and saves weight. The hood and roof I was aware of, but I wasn't aware of the side panel(s) you're referring to being aluminum (aluminium for all our UK Zed owners). Anyone know if that's indeed true?
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09-17-2014, 01:46 PM | #3 |
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It's true that it's aluminum for the side panel where the blinkers are: the hood, I think the trunk and also 1 part of the roof are also. Of course, the bumpers are plastic.
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09-17-2014, 05:54 PM | #6 |
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I did not know the Z'ed body panels were Aluminum. I thought the top was a fiberglass composite?
Am I incorrect ?
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09-18-2014, 08:45 AM | #7 |
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The top is not metal for the most part I do think it is a composite material. However i think the bonnet and some panels are Al
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09-18-2014, 11:34 AM | #8 | |
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Quote:
The hood and trunk lid are aluminum, and this is also a carry over from the E85 - they were aluminum on those as well. The folding hard top is also aluminum, and thin aluminum at that. What I wasn't aware of (and seems to be speculated/confirmed about in this thread) is that the side panels containing the turn indicator and Roundel are also aluminum. |
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09-18-2014, 11:59 AM | #9 | ||
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Quote:
Quote:
Actually, I should probably clarify that those parts are not metallic, that's all I know and should be my only claim. As to the actual material/composition, e.g. aluminum or otherwise, not sure. |
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09-18-2014, 10:43 PM | #10 |
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The fender (side panel where the blinker is located) is aluminum. I had to order a new fender (OEM from BMW), and I forgot where I saw it (it was either the catalog or on the description of the item) but it was listed as "Al" for aluminum.
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09-19-2014, 03:44 AM | #12 |
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Yes, why so heavy? Why doesn't it have a more powerful engine or more enhanced for the price we paid? Why doesn't it have LSD? Why does it have RFT? Why is the leather so crappy? Why didn't they get the paddle setup right the 1st time (i.e. -/+ is best!)? Why didn't they get the roof mech right the 1st time? Why didn't the lousy fuel injectors get extended warr?
Ok, rant over. |
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09-19-2014, 02:18 PM | #13 |
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I might have been sitting in it when it ran across the scales. hahaha
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09-19-2014, 06:38 PM | #14 | |
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$20,000 Really makes you reconsider leasing as opposed to purchase as a keeper. |
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09-19-2014, 06:51 PM | #15 | |
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09-19-2014, 07:21 PM | #16 |
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Nick, have you decided if it's going to be the stingray yet?
Too bad the C63 won't be out by the time your lease is up, or I think it would be a serious contender! |
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09-19-2014, 07:32 PM | #17 |
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09-20-2014, 11:36 AM | #18 |
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Sadly enough, I wasn't and feel that they were valid rants. Still a great car, but wished that BMW gave us more 'value' for the $$$ we spent on them.
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09-20-2014, 01:08 PM | #19 |
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Because it's a modern roadster, built for today's market and focusing on tomorrow's sensibilities.
Open-topped cars were traditionally wobbly affairs, so compromised for handling and ride, not to mention safety. That won't fly now, so the structure beneath those alloy panels is built up to a strength rating, instead of down to a weight. Make a rigid car first, then add lightness. Modern safety and comfort equipment, multiple airbags, automatic climate control, iDrive; all add weight, but just try selling a car without them... Instead, the weight saving is strategic; bonnet/hood, trunk/bootlid, front wings, these overlap the ends of the wheelbase and lowering their weight concentrates more weight inside the wheelbase, improving handling. The plastic bumpers/fenders further this philosophy, whilst being cheaper to replace after a bump. The light alloy roof lowers the centre of gravity when raised and demands smaller, lighter motors to open and close it; ditto the boot/trunklid which opens to stow the roof. The doors are all-steel aren't they? This greatly improves rigidity in a crash as steel is less flexible than aluminium/aluminum; with the doors open it's just the floorpan that has to take all the punishment. Steel is also better for side-impact protection, not to mention feeling more weighty and sounding more solid when you close the doors; perceived quality is very important in the showroom. Does the suspension use any alloy components? Do the brakes have separate alloy hats/bells? These measures would help reduce unsprung weight which is very useful if kept to a minimum. At the end of the day, the car can't be all-that light as an all alloy construction, or composites like carbon fibre, would simply make it too expensive for its market segment. Being open-topped requires the roll-over hoops (high strength steel?) and reinforced windscreen frame and glass (triple laminated?). These add significant weight. The Run Flats are due to packaging; the small rear end has to contain BMW's sophisticated rear suspension, the (small) fuel tank, the entire gubbins to stow the roof, usable boot/trunk space, the driveshaft and diff,, the enclosures for the subwoofers behind the seats if fitted, enough room to recline the seats themselves for comfort... there's nowhere for a spare wheel, even a space saver. The car I'm looking at has normal tyres, thankfully; runflats would be murder on our roads. The lack of LSD is quite vexing. The obvious reason is BMW don't want the car competing with their more elite M Power machinery, but I like to think it's to make the car more of a GT; LSDs are quite twitchy I've heard. |
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09-20-2014, 02:25 PM | #20 |
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^Cmon, the Z4's wt is way too much, nothing can justify that; they're just being lazy and cost-cutting, I'm sure that they could've made it a LOT lighter.
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09-20-2014, 03:33 PM | #21 |
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Again, it comes down not just to cost but not wanting to make it "too good" or the more expensive models lose their allure.
If there were an M version of the E89, you'd probably see a lot of carbon panels to reduce weight, starting with the entire roof shell. |
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09-21-2014, 03:15 AM | #22 |
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Boxster costs the same and is 500lb lighter. I guess BMW was trying to make a discount SL and not a boxster competitor.
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