German Car Forum

Originally Posted by NSL

Been reading this 'hardtop convertible or soft top' debate for a while now, I feel it's time for me to chime in and put my $0.02 . I'm kind of OK with either decision BMW makes for their next gen 6er (softtop or hardtop), however I'm personally inclined to like more the soft top for these type of cars.
Here's why, as the technology for hardtops has gotten better and more reliable (with numerous articulated sections, each joint or seal is an opportunity for water leakage), lots of cars (read: less expensive cars and low end or entry luxury models) are coming out with these hardtop convertibles. On the other hand, large convertibles in the more expensive club, like this GT, continue to be soft tops (with ever more perfected systems). Look at the highest end of the spectrum, you won't see a RR Drophead with a hardtop, nor Bentley GT, Aston Martin Volantes or even the Jaguar XKs. And if Daimler were to ever unveil the S-Class Cabriolet, it would most likely pick up its design from the ocean drive concept, also with a softtop.
Bottom line, I like the highest end large convertible grand tourers to have soft tops; and due to the popularity of hardtop convertibles, it makes them much more exclusive. If I wanted a 6er coupe I'd buy the coupe, if I wanted a convertible I'd buy (and bought ) the soft top. I wouldn't care much to see a '2-for-1' bargain on a car of this caliper. Keep it exclusive by keeping it with a soft top. This, of course is IMHO.

Originally Posted by SCOTT27

The questions you need to search answers for are there to be seen on these prototypes.

Why is there a reversed hinge bootlid which wraps around the rear of the car? Should a Soft-top not sit on the rear deck?

Why is this prototype using the same soft-top hood found on the E64?

Why is there no Hoffmeister Kick at the rear quarterlight?
The 3er cabrio and Z4 have one in their latest incarnations.

Why does the roof top look ill fitting in some prototypes?

BMW has never launched a Cabrio before a Coupe - Cabrio's have a lot more to contend with especially with weight at the rear. It happened with the 3er and the 1er and it is ongoing with the 6er.

"As for I touched the roof it's soft,"
I have seen cars leave FIZ with their roofs folded for testing onwards to BMW's private proving grounds.
The Hardtop on these prototypes is an additional hardtop molded in fibreglass to the specification of the F13 roof but covered in the
E64's well-insulated soft-top to deter photographers.

Originally Posted by SKYSONY

Really? If that happens, after reading a hundread of times SCOTT saying it would be a hard top convertible the forum will get angry.

Originally Posted by bmwblog

As you have seen, we don't tend to post a lot, but when we do, it's something solid. Same when we said 2-3 weeks ago, no M1 at Geneva.

I totally trust this source and all I know is that several 6 Series previews will be taken place soon, for BMW folks, of course

Originally Posted by klier

No, you don't post a lot here. But a lot of rumors and unconfirmed things are posted on your Blog instead.....that's the same thing

Either way, it's going to be interesting. Since we hardly get any info at all, this is what I think (I take the worst case scenario so can be surprized positively hopefully):

6er CC to have both a coupé and cabrio in 1
6er CS to have something against the A7 and CLS.
No coupé because we haven't seen that car ONCE.

For the actual hard evidence we have, I can't come with anything better.
I PRAY I'm wrong. Would be such a horrible move.

Originally Posted by klier

No, you don't post a lot here. But a lot of rumors and unconfirmed things are posted on your Blog instead.....that's the same thing

Either way, it's going to be interesting. Since we hardly get any info at all, this is what I think (I take the worst case scenario so can be surprized positively hopefully):

6er CC to have both a coupé and cabrio in 1
6er CS to have something against the A7 and CLS.
No coupé because we haven't seen that car ONCE.

For the actual hard evidence we have, I can't come with anything better.
I PRAY I'm wrong. Would be such a horrible move.

Originally Posted by south

Here's what I think:

F12 6er coupe will be a hardtop convertible.
F13 6er convertible will be a soft top convertible.
F14 (?) 6er CS will be a four door coupe.

That way people can decide between having a hardtop and a soft top convertible based on personal preference and BMW doesn't have to fear that much cross-shopping between the coupe and the CS.


Best regards,
south

Originally Posted by klier

No, you don't post a lot here. But a lot of rumors and unconfirmed things are posted on your Blog instead.....that's the same thing

Either way, it's going to be interesting. Since we hardly get any info at all, this is what I think (I take the worst case scenario so can be surprized positively hopefully):

6er CC to have both a coupé and cabrio in 1
6er CS to have something against the A7 and CLS.
No coupé because we haven't seen that car ONCE.

For the actual hard evidence we have, I can't come with anything better.
I PRAY I'm wrong. Would be such a horrible move.

Originally Posted by south

Here's what I think:

F12 6er coupe will be a hardtop convertible.
F13 6er convertible will be a soft top convertible.
F14 (?) 6er CS will be a four door coupe.