Coupe or Sedan?

[E30SCragtop]

So I ditched my 7 series a few months ago and am itching to get back into a driving machine again. Had a E36 325is. Loved the car. I get bored so I changed.

I need some input as I am looking into a M3.

Coupe or Sedan?

I would prefer a coupe but I have a family and like the thought of multi use if needed. I found an 97 M3 sedan, silver, with 137k on it for $5500. It's automatic though.

Pros and cons? Can I convert to standard? Should I keep looking or is that a decent price?

[Xiphos]

Both cars are pretty much identical except one has 2 doors and the other has 4. Get what suits your purpose.

Yes, you can convert it to a 5 speed.

[AgentHubcap]

I've had two sedans and would never consider a coupe again. You can convert to 5-speed, but you are probably better off getting a 5-speed from the start.

[desynch]

+1

Get what suits your purpose. And a 5 speed swap may be slightly pricey and a little involved if you go through with it. Plenty of documentation can be found here. Would just go find a 5 speed right off the bat.

[Tony Soprano]

the sedan is stiff and better looking. go for a sedan.

[Gugsbmw]

Sedans look good too, but I am prejudiced. Costs too much to swap transmissions, so be patient and find a nice M3/4/5.

[geoffm3]

Now that I'm no longer single and have baby #2 on the way, and a nearly 2 year old, I wish I had opted for the sedan. I'd be able to keep the car then. :(

[E30SCragtop]

I'm not stuck on having a manual. Looks like the conversion would cost about $2500 for parts. My father-in-law is a mechanic and with his help and his lift I could do it if I really wanted to.

$5500 a good price you guys think? May try to get it for $5000.

[scoobiedoo2029]

im very positive you could use a normal e36 m50/52 manual transmission to cut costs drastically on the trans, everything else should be available on lesser e36's as well. i think the normal e36 transmission is more of an overdrive 5th gear then the M trans. seeing how every time i get on the highway with my m3 i am dying to have a 6th gear i would not be angst using a normal e36 gearbox one bit. or better yet go get a getrag 265 with an m20 bell housing an bend your shift lever, might require a custom driveshaft though. but its the best bmw trans ever by far you will not be able to break it with an s52 people use them for built big block v8's....

i spent forever looking for a nice clean cosmos/black 4door that was a 5 speed, its not an easy search.

[l1ttlej7]

Sedan is WAY better, everyone has a coupe = boring!

[bpeters]

I say sedan. I have a coupe and love it unless I have more than one passenger which tends to happen more lately. But I'm also single so I usually drive by myself. My next one will definitely be a sedan.

[MarkDML]

I just got my M3 4 door 5 speed Silver/ White interior.

I got it for $5000…

Depo Projector Head lights with HID low beam (high beam will be gold/ yellow)
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b13/MarkDML/DSC_1629.jpg
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b13/MarkDML/DSC_1626.jpg
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b13/MarkDML/DSC_1625.jpg
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b13/MarkDML/DSC_1612.jpg

I have all 4 AC Schnitzer wheels (these will be powder coated flat black...
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b13/MarkDML/DSC_1611.jpg
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b13/MarkDML/DSC_1609.jpg

DDM Coil Over Shocks

I always love these cars… Back in 1998, I was salivating all over it. Now, my dreams of owning it actually came true.

[JohnnyBgood95]

Not reading to the bottom, but I bought my coupe when I found it. I would have preferred a sedan, but I needed a car. A buddy of mine co-drove a sedan and when I offered to trade cars, he said he prob would as the coupes handled better than the sedans.... Needless to say I kept my coupe :buttrock

[kevinwilly]

Coupes do not handle better than sedans. If anything, it's slightly better to have a sedan for handling... but it all comes down to how the car is set up. If you drive a worn out sedan and a coupe in good condition, you'll obviously think the coupe handles better.

4 doors is 10 times as practical as 2 doors. That's what sold me on it.

And converting to a 5 speed is not going to run you 2500 bucks. You can get it done for 1000 bucks pretty easily. You can get conversion packages in the classifieds for 500-700 bucks, and you need a few other odds and ends. If it costs you more than 1500, you're really doing it wrong.


BTW- I have a sedan. I've never regretted it. I also went out of my way to get one. But as has been said- finding a clean one with a manual is NOT easy.

[l1ttlej7]

Do you have the hood popped in these pics or is there something off with the hood? Have you checked this out yet as well?

http://edgemotorworks.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=24&Itemid=55

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4Z7WrN-tSE

Might be a little late since you've already bought it but somethings you might want to check out and put on your 'take a look at sooner rather than later' list.

I like the color btw!:D

[benjlv]

i have a m3 coupe and a 4dr 328i. both are stick shifts.

the 328i is easier to get in and out of and to stuff things into. The sedan has more head room. The doors on the coupe are very long, which can make getting out in tight spots interesting. The sedan doesnt have the drop down glass that the coupe has...so in theory theres less to break.

I like both cars. The sedan is more practical. i personally think the coupe looks sportier. The coupe also makes it less likely that i have to drive it with a large group of people. I dont regret buying the coupe as a toy. the sedan is a more practical DD.

[Ronan1]

So I ditched my 7 series a few months ago and am itching to get back into a driving machine again. Had a E36 325is. Loved the car. I get bored so I changed.

I need some input as I am looking into a M3.

Coupe or Sedan?

I would prefer a coupe but I have a family and like the thought of multi use if needed. I found an 97 M3 sedan, silver, with 137k on it for $5500. It's automatic though.

Pros and cons? Can I convert to standard? Should I keep looking or is that a decent price?

Sounds like you need a sedan. I love the sedan, but got a coupe, as I don't need the 4-doors. I like the frame-less doors on the coupe.

Either way you can't go wrong. I'd hold out for a manual though :)

[biggafigga]

Do you have the hood popped in these pics or is there something off with the hood? Have you checked this out yet as well?

Might be a little late since you've already bought it but somethings you might want to check out and put on your 'take a look at sooner rather than later' list.

I like the color btw!:D

Doesn't look like the hood is popped (compared to the fenders). Looks like the nose and bumper had some work done to it. Can also see in front of the front tires that the fender, nose and bumper don't line up. Last bit... the nose panel piece has holes for headlight washers, but no washers.

[psmura]

Id go for a sedan unless the look doesn't do it for you. As for an auto definitely don't get on if your plan is to just swap the tranny. Find a nice 5speed then spend the extra time and money on maintainance!

[psmura]

Id go for a sedan unless the look doesn't do it for you. As for an auto definitely don't get on if your plan is to just swap the tranny. Find a nice 5speed then spend the extra time and money on maintainance!

[M3Alpine99]

im very positive you could use a normal e36 m50/52 manual transmission to cut costs drastically on the trans, everything else should be available on lesser e36's as well. i think the normal e36 transmission is more of an overdrive 5th gear then the M trans. seeing how every time i get on the highway with my m3 i am dying to have a 6th gear i would not be angst using a normal e36 gearbox one bit. or better yet go get a getrag 265 with an m20 bell housing an bend your shift lever, might require a custom driveshaft though. but its the best bmw trans ever by far you will not be able to break it with an s52 people use them for built big block v8's....

i spent forever looking for a nice clean cosmos/black 4door that was a 5 speed, its not an easy search.


This is not correct. E36 has a 1:1 5th gear. Early trans are Getrag and late are ZF. The 328i/M3 share the ZF320 so no issue there.

That trans will cost WAY more than a ZF box and not necessary. Why spend all the money to do all of that to fit that trans?

[AgentHubcap]

Food for thought on the transmission swap:

Your DME will need to be re-coded or else you'll get a CEL. This is mainly important for areas where you need to pass DEQ/Emissions

[M3Alpine99]

Food for thought on the transmission swap:

Your DME will need to be re-coded or else you'll get a CEL. This is mainly important for areas where you need to pass DEQ/Emissions

I believe this issue has been worked out and no longer required.

[Bad635csi]

Coupe.

[THawkbh]

I say sedan. I have a coupe and love it unless I have more than one passenger which tends to happen more lately. But I'm also single so I usually drive by myself. My next one will definitely be a sedan.

I agree. I bought a coupe specifically because it is difficult to get in and out of the back seat. Can't imagine trying to put a baby into it's car seat in a coupe, or dealing with kids putting their muddy shoes all over the seats.

[Grey Phox]

sedan braaaaah