Silly ques: does the Z4 share the same platform w/ any other?

[tranquility]

I guess when it's designated E89, does that refer to the platform itself, so the E85 was a diff platform, even though it is the same model Z4 in name (though, of course, diff MYs)? Does that mean Z4 is the only car using its platform?

[ChuckB]

Correct

See the complete BMW road car timeline, 1980s–present here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_5_Series_%28F10%29

Scroll to the bottom of the page for all BMWs since 1980

[zEdP]

Originally Posted by tranquility

I guess when it's designated E89, does that refer to the platform itself, so the E85 was a diff platform, even though it is the same model Z4 in name (though, of course, diff MYs)? Does that mean Z4 is the only car using its platform?

Yes it does, but inherits 'components' from other platforms. For example the chassis:

BMW Z4 chassis secrets

EdP

[Memphis1]

Originally Posted by tranquility

I guess when it's designated E89, does that refer to the platform itself, so the E85 was a diff platform, even though it is the same model Z4 in name (though, of course, diff MYs)? Does that mean Z4 is the only car using its platform?

Are you confusing chassis with platform??? The platform includes things like suspension, steering, brakes, exhaust. Chassis is the underbody frame unto which all these parts are attached.

I don't know of any car manufacturing that doesn't share platforms, even Aston martins share bits with ford, mazdas and volvos.

[tranquility]

Originally Posted by Memphis1

Are you confusing chassis with platform??? The platform includes things like suspension, steering, brakes, exhaust. Chassis is the underbody frame unto which all these parts are attached.

I don't know of any car manufacturing that doesn't share platforms, even Aston martins share bits with ford, mazdas and volvos.

Yes, I think that I am. So does a platform include the chassis itself?

[zEdP]

Originally Posted by Memphis1

Are you confusing chassis with platform??? The platform includes things like suspension, steering, brakes, exhaust. Chassis is the underbody frame unto which all these parts are attached.

I guess I'm not confusing the chassis / plaform. I wanted only to illustrate that the plaform is unique for the E89, but still RE-uses components from other platforms. So the E89 plaform parts like the suspension, steering, etc. are shared or modified parts from the E9x platforms.

Originally Posted by tranquility

Yes, I think that I am. So does a platform include the chassis itself?

The way I understand it, I could be wrong...the chassis is part of the plaform. Also the electrical system is a part of the platform.
Chassic + electrical + suspension + ... + ... + etc. = platform
Platform + body = car



EdP

[teagueAMX]

Wiki had a page:

An automobile platform is a shared set of common design, engineering, and production efforts, as well as major components over a number of outwardly distinct models and even types of automobiles, often from different, but related marques.

Wiki: "automotive platform"