M3 coupe vs M3 Sedan

[Simba]

I tried doing the search button, but coulndn't find anything I was looking for. I am thinking of getting the E90 M3, but am scared that it might be more heavier and not as agile in driving. The sedan is more practical and makes more sense in my situation. I am just worried, that it may be too big and heavy, and not as responsive as the coupe. Anyone can reassure or comment on how they both drive? Thanks in advance

[KASM3]

I have a coupe and can only compare to what I have read in the Magazines about the e90. Surprisingly, being only 25lb-50lb heavier(Depending on where you read) the e90 is very similary(almost identical) in agility and in some magazines actualy .1 sec faster in a straight line than the coupe. I am not sure if you took both on the same track, in the same conditions with the same driver and timed the runs which would win. I would hope the coupe would come out on top but you never know. I just like the look of the coupe better. You can't go wrong with either.

[sayemthree]

coming from a Coupe guy - I dont think you will be disappointed. its virtually the same size and wieght. the only significant issue may be the taller CG due to almost being 2" higher in Ht and not having a CF roof. but unless you are a track junkie then big deal.

[gorun]

and you will have to put up with the ugly tail lights...

[Davinhci]

you should be fine with either. Front end of the Sedan does look agressive, rear ok

[sayemthree]

Originally Posted by gorun

and you will have to put up with the ugly tail lights...

no, the guy BEHIND him will!!!! LOL!!!

[shchow]

Motortrend just did a comparison of the M3 sedan vs C63 vs IS-F. Guess which car won

[Jack's dad]

I've test driven the coupe and took delivery yesterday of a sedan - needed the practicality. You'll be sacrificing nothing from a performance standpoint and picking up a great deal of utility.

[sayemthree]

Originally Posted by shchow

Motortrend just did a comparison of the M3 sedan vs C63 vs IS-F. Guess which car won

yup - i dont think he will be disappointed by the sedan.

[footie]

There is a suspension difference, it may be small but on every review they all have picked up on it saying that where as the coupe almost never understeers the saloon does, admittedly this may only be noticed at 10/10th but all the same, it's there.

[!Xoible]

this is my take on the sedan vs. coupes:

coupe is *rumored to be* 30% stiffer (i have no source to support), maybe sway bars, front and rear struts will take care of that

driving position TO ME personally is very awkward in sedan, just cant get used to it

no CF roof on sedan for some odd reason

bets for blacklines, black lines are a must on sedan IMHO

bottom line: i dont expect it to be as nimble and as good as M3 coupe, but it's still better than most sport coupes out there, and definitely still an M3

[malter2.0]

^coupe is 30% stiffer? where are you getting this information?

[Hans Delbruck]

Originally Posted by footie

There is a suspension difference, .

Please state your source, thanks.

[!Xoible]

Originally Posted by malter2.0

^coupe is 30% stiffer? where are you getting this information?

M3post.com
there was a thread on that

[par4bmw]

Originally Posted by mantis

M3post.com
there was a thread on that

I have seen a lot of post on the stiffness increase in the coupe as well. Does anybody have a reference to the actual source?

[par4bmw]

To the OP, unless you can really take cars to the extremes, I would not worry about debating whether any subtle performance differences between the two even exist. If you need 4 doors or like the looks of the sedan, go for it.

Although the coupe is .1 secs faster to 60 according to BMW. My guess is it is really less than that and just shows 4.7 vs 4.8 due to rounding and it really between .05-.1. Does not seem like enough weight for .1.

[!Xoible]

Originally Posted by par4bmw

I have seen a lot of post on the stiffness increase in the coupe as well. Does anybody have a reference to the actual source?

i dont. maybe i should take that out from my post

[par4bmw]

Originally Posted by mantis

i dont. maybe i should take that out from my post

I do not know, I have seen it a lot like you have. I just wish I would see the source.

[par4bmw]

This was in Road & Track:

"With a combination of steel, aluminum and plastic, the new Coupe body weighs 22 lb. less than the sedan’s, yet is 25 percent stiffer. Despite the sloping roofline, rear-seat space is impressive, the coupe serving up room for two 6-footers with acceptable knee room and plenty of head room; the trunk, as well, is more than adequate."

I would guess that carries over to the M. So maybe not 30% or maybe the CF roof or other changes added 5%. Would still love to see a reference for the M3 difference.

http://www.roadandtrack.com/article....rticle_id=3948

[footie]

The extra stiffness would explain as much as anything why there is a difference in the suspension.

[MrHarris]

Looks: coupe>sedan

but if you don't care about that then get the sedan as you'll save like 3k and have 2 extra doors.

[par4bmw]

Originally Posted by Laszlo

It was actually 25% and that was age old news when the e92 was introduced.

I'm sure the e90 has been stiffened up and surely as an M model.

Does anyone have recent proof that the new M3 e92 is stiffer than the e90 M3?

Still have not seen proof, but I do think it is a safe assumption that the coupe is stiffer than the sedan. BMW loves to market any improvements they make, especially when they are performance related. If they made the e90 stiffer in a model year change, they would have touted the fact. I think it is pretty safe to say the e92 is still 25% stiffer than the e90 and imagine that much of a difference remained in the M3 model. Judging by the description of the carbon fiber roof that BMW gives, "Accordingly, BMW used carbon-fiber reinforced material -- a particularly light and extremely rigid high-tech composite...," the M3 coupe might even be stiffer.