Questions regarding 2door/4door performance

[m3fan11]

Recently i have started searching for a E36 M3, but had a few questions.

First off, comparing the 4 door to a 2 door. Are the handling differences between these cars different? I would love to get into a coupe, but a 4 door may better suit my needs. The car will be daily driven (about 10-15miles a day) and plan on doing the occasional track day here and there. In the future i would like to turn the said car into a track only /weekend driver vehicle. But for now im focusing on the room in the back seat for a baby seat ( obviously the 4 door is the best choice)
But also wondering how a baby seat fits in a coupe back seat? The wife usually carries the little one around, but i do want to be able to just in case.

So a quick summary...How/what are the handling differences between a 2 and 4 door, and how does a baby seat fit in the coupe back seats.

I am a competitive person, so i want to start out with the right chassis choice to make the best solid car.

Thanks in advance!
Michael

[MasterKwan]

I'm skeptical that anyone can tell the difference. Wish mine was a 4 door though simply because it would be more convenient.

[das borgen]

get the 4dr

the coupe is just a PITA to get a kid into and out of compared with the sedan

handling differences are negligible if even existent...same wheelbase, same suspension, same track, same car........the coupe is marginally less stiff though than the sedan.....but that advantage goes away when a cage is installed

[dano670]

2 doors are really awkward getting anything in and out the back. It is a challenge.

Why are the sedans 2 inches taller than the coupes? Is it the different door heights?

[QtheGenius]

2 doors are lighter than 4 doors, everyone knows that.

[bennyfizzle]

Sedans have a more attractive shoulder line IMO, especially at the back of the car where the quarter panel rounds off to the trunk/c-pillar.

also, the door handles are way easier to work on in the sedan.

also, 4 do's for mo' hoes.

[owwwch]

.Why are the sedans 2 inches taller than the coupes??

to make more head room for the rear passengers. as far as tracking, the sedan feels more rigid

[dano670]

I really want to buy the sedan, but I was offered my car for a very nice price at the time. I will own one someday.

[fsmtnbiker]

The sedans don't have frameless windows. That alone is enough reason for me.

The sedans are typically a few lbs heavier than a coupe. It's a wash if the sedan doesn't have a fold down back seat.

Neither one has any different suspension geometry, and they seem to be able to fit the same amount of tire.

[twastheglow]

I don't have any issues getting a baby in and out of their carseat in a coupe. :dunno Although I don't doubt it's easier with 4 doors.

[MasterKwan]

Like I said...no difference.

[2K6TBSS]

It's a lot easier to get car seats/kids in and out of the back seats in my sedan compared to my friends coupe.

Handling wise, I don't notice a difference between the two cars.

The frameless windows in the couple are nice, but wasn't a deal breaker for me.

[ronboM3]

I have both, it's actually easier with the coupe because the front seat you can "move forward". The front seat in the sedan you would have to move manually each time and unless you drive with the seat in the most upright and forward position will be in your way when putting in the car seat. just my $.02,

[m3fan11]

I have both, it's actually easier with the coupe because the front seat you can "move forward". The front seat in the sedan you would have to move manually each time and unless you drive with the seat in the most upright and forward position will be in your way when putting in the car seat. just my $.02,

So even with a forward facing seat (recaro) you have to move the seat all the way forward in the sedan? If thats the case then it seems like the coupe would be a better option. But i do like the sound of the more rigid chassis with the 4 door. Thanks for the insight everyone! Keep it coming.

[AggroRider1]

I have both, it's actually easier with the coupe because the front seat you can "move forward". The front seat in the sedan you would have to move manually each time and unless you drive with the seat in the most upright and forward position will be in your way when putting in the car seat. just my $.02,

sedan with coupe seats :buttrock:buttrock:buttrock:buttrock

I have vaders in my car.... the fact that I can move the seat forward like a coupe confuses some people

[BradR127]

2 doors are lighter than 4 doors, everyone knows that.

Not sure if srs..... :confused



Weights for the coupe and sedan are the same.

[das borgen]

Not sure if srs..... :confused



Weights for the coupe and sedan are the same.

2 doors are lighter than 4 doors

[Hankdoll]

So even with a forward facing seat (recaro) you have to move the seat all the way forward in the sedan? If thats the case then it seems like the coupe would be a better option. But i do like the sound of the more rigid chassis with the 4 door. Thanks for the insight everyone! Keep it coming.

Not my experience. I had no problems with car seats in my sedan over the years. car seats were behind the passenger seat, which was permanently set between 1/2 to 3/4 the way back on the tracks at normal rake.

[BeerSultan]

i saw a spec sheet that shows both sedan and coupe unloaded weight as 3175lbs...

-R

[LagWagon]

2 doors are lighter than 4 doors

2 long ass doors are actually heavier than 4 short doors

[ronboM3]

So even with a forward facing seat (recaro) you have to move the seat all the way forward in the sedan? If thats the case then it seems like the coupe would be a better option. But i do like the sound of the more rigid chassis with the 4 door. Thanks for the insight everyone! Keep it coming.


no, i didn't have to move the seat everytime, it's just a little tighter since the seat is just always where you leave it. coupe just had more room casue once you put the seat forward you can basically stand on your feet where the back of the seat was. Easier to get in and buckle. Either way you can't lose, I personally enjoy the look of the coupe more. Probably a little bias since it's an M3, the sedan being a 328.

[das borgen]

2 long ass doors are actually heavier than 4 short doors

mind = blown

[AggroRider1]

2 doors of the same size are lighter then 4 doors of the same size.

amidoingitright?

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[Donny Voodoo]

buy one of each. these cars are unfortunately becoming Bic lighters.

[BMWMPow3r]

+1, the sedan has 6 instead of the coupe's 4 true pillars. The chassis is stiffer by design, although BMW did increase reinforcement in the coupe to compensate, thats why its alittle bit heavier.


get the 4dr

the coupe is just a PITA to get a kid into and out of compared with the sedan

handling differences are negligible if even existent...same wheelbase, same suspension, same track, same car........the coupe is marginally less stiff though than the sedan.....but that advantage goes away when a cage is installed

I would think so since there is no frame around the window. But I believe the coupe doors are not only heavier due to length, but also because they need more reinforment from a lack of the window frame.


2 doors of the same size are lighter then 4 doors of the same size.

amidoingitright?

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[BradR127]

Dammit, we've been over this many times....... Coupe and sedan weights are the same (assuming manual transmission).


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v614/dbaker/Technical_Data_98_M3.jpg