335i Coupe vs Sedan Performance Differences?

[ncastellano22]

Are there any differences in performance between the sedan and the coupe for the 335i? I might be able to get the sedan for the wholesale price the dealer pays for because I have connections with the biggest dealer in Connecticut.

I was wondering if I should save the 5grand for the sedan if it has the same performance as the coupe. Any help would be appreciated. As well I think the coupe looks MUCH better than any 4door just because of how much athletic the car looks. But that 5 grand is a lot of money these days, and that 5 grand could be spent towards paying for the gas I'm going to burn in the next year or so.

-Nick

[galahad05]

Performance differences are negligible.

The coupe is very slightly lighter--like 30-50 pounds. And I understand the coupe's chassis is a little bit stiffer (not sure about this one).

[E90DTM]

http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Content/Vehicles/2008/3/335iCoupe/Features_and_Specs/335iCoupeSpecifications.aspx

http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Content/Vehicles/2008/3/335iSedan/Features_and_Specs/335iSedanSpecifications.aspx

[GOZ 2 11]

Everything else being equal (and all subjective/emotional points of view aside...it wasn't easy) I got the 4 door simply because it's easier to get people in and out of the back.

[thekurgan]

Performance differences are negligible.

The coupe is very slightly lighter--like 30-50 pounds. And I understand the coupe's chassis is a little bit stiffer (not sure about this one).

Sedans are generally stiffer due to the more forward placement of the B pillar, but BMW may have extra stiffness in the coupe. The coupe I test drove creaked over the driveway while the sedan was rock solid, but then again, the sedan did not have folding rear seats.

[ncastellano22]

Everything else being equal (and all subjective/emotional points of view aside...it wasn't easy) I got the 4 door simply because it's easier to get people in and out of the back.

Yeah, considering it will be easier to get people in and out, I might go ahead and buy the sedan.

And when you mean stiffer, do you mean worse?

[mryakan]

Yeah, considering it will be easier to get people in and out, I might go ahead and buy the sedan.

And when you mean stiffer, do you mean worse?
stiffer = better handling, but probably the difference is marginal.

[cemman]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the coupe comes standard with the sports suspension whereas it is an option on the sedan.

[Beer Goggles]

The BMW website explains what's standard and optional in all their cars, and rather go by people's memory just head over there.

I chose paying more for the car I wanted, even if the sedan was a "better buy"

In the end get what is going to make you the happiest over the time you have with your car. If you're going to say for the entire term that you got the sedan, but wanted the coupe...then you should have gotten the coupe. They are both really nice cars and you can't go wrong with either.

[carguy7]

Are there any differences in performance between the sedan and the coupe for the 335i? I might be able to get the sedan for the wholesale price the dealer pays for because I have connections with the biggest dealer in Connecticut.

I was wondering if I should save the 5grand for the sedan if it has the same performance as the coupe. Any help would be appreciated. As well I think the coupe looks MUCH better than any 4door just because of how much athletic the car looks. But that 5 grand is a lot of money these days, and that 5 grand could be spent towards paying for the gas I'm going to burn in the next year or so.

-Nick

Based on your comments you landed where I did. Sedan is kind of boring looking IMO. Coupe has better lines and looks much sportier and has a better driving feel than the sedan.

[The HACK]

Based on your comments you landed where I did. Sedan is kind of boring looking IMO. Coupe has better lines and looks much sportier and has a better driving feel than the sedan.

Placebo.

[ncastellano22]

Yeah I'm aiming for that coupe in black. We'll see in the next month or so, I'm still negotiating prices with the dealer and seeing what they're going to have in the near future.

Another thing I forgot to add was that I'm going to mod my car. So I'm guessing the coupe would be a much better canidate for mods. I mean, I'm sure many companies have mods for both but I'm sure theres a wider selection for the coupe.

I'll post back with anything else relating to this.

[Bandit335]

Coupe hands down. I paid close to invoice and it was one of the first 08 coupes last September. IMO sedan lacks in looks. Coupe has better standard features like folding rear seats. I love washing and waxing the coupe. It has gorgeous lines. Performance is awesome in both cars. The coupe was the nicest car out there for the price until I recently saw the Audi S5/A5.

[ncastellano22]

Yeah I've seen the brand new s5 in black and my god, that thing is really sexy. It's a lot more money though?

[Beer Goggles]

The Audi is more expensive and has less performance. Good looking, but over priced a bit. The A5 that I saw at the dealer was way more than I paid for my Coupe.

[cemimms]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the coupe comes standard with the sports suspension whereas it is an option on the sedan.

yea, i can't believe it took even that long for someone to mention this.

so you could look at that as an extra grand saved if you dont want to get sport package on the sedan to match the standard sport suspension of the coupe.

[thekurgan]

The Audi is more expensive and has less performance. Good looking, but over priced a bit. The A5 that I saw at the dealer was way more than I paid for my Coupe.

Very true, and they are not the best value holders on the market either.

[aznx1nvazn]

The coupe is faster than the sedan in a straight line, but the sedan is better at cornering.

[cemimms]

The coupe is faster than the sedan in a straight line, but the sedan is better at cornering.

if the sedan has sport package...

how do you figure this anyway just out of curiousity, not trying to sound like a jerk

[StigNV]

if the sedan has sport package...

how do you figure this anyway just out of curiousity, not trying to sound like a jerk

There may be something to this, unfortunately. Look at the back of any recent Road & Track magazine with the spreadsheet of tested cars. The 335 sedan does a .90 lateral G on the skidpad where the coupe is at .86 lateral G. Nothing a stage 2 suspension kit with will fix down the road. Exists for the I model, still waiting for the xi model to be designed.

[cemimms]

There may be something to this, unfortunately. Look at the back of any recent Road & Track magazine with the spreadsheet of tested cars. The 335 sedan does a .90 lateral G on the skidpad where the coupe is at .86 lateral G. Nothing a stage 2 suspension kit with will fix down the road. Exists for the I model, still waiting for the xi model to be designed.


wow, thats a pretty considerable difference, i can't believe the engineers at BMW would let this happen, i mean coupes are supposed to be more sporty and they certainly charge more for them

[StigNV]

Yeah, it surprised me when I saw it too. In the real world I don't think it matters that much. I drive windy roads all day up here in Tahoe. Never did anything the Bimmer couldn't handle. Most people don't drive worth beans on windy roads anyways. Most drivers are courteous enough to pull over if they see you coming up on them in the coupe. The ol' autobahn flash still works pretty well too. Worse comes to worse, giver full beans on the throttle and most problems go away

[dullgirl]

none

[design9r]

dunno why but i just cant get used to the sedan's rear lights i think they're awful

[StigNV]

Looking a the coupes numbers, it almost seems like they made it the acceleration beast as opposed to the well rounded sports machine. Zero to 60 times, 0 to 100, and the quarter mile are 1/10 to 2/10's faster than the sedan. I think stiffer sway bars and tower posts can handle that problem once they are engineered.

As for the rear lights, they are behind you. Let the guy in the rear view suffer ha ha.

[mistercindy]

Some you have said that the difference in sedan and coupe performance is negligible. I know I'm a n00b here so these may be stupid questions, but doesn't the sport suspension and the 17" tires add to the performance of the coupe over the 16" tires and regular suspension of the sedan? Or is that basically inconsequential? And wouldn't that be the main reason for the nearly $3,000 difference between the MSRP of the sedan and coupe?

[StigNV]

Mine is an xi coupe with the sport package. I opted for the 18" rims. They now offer a 19" rim. Price for new rubber on a 19" goes from spendy to astronomical in my opinion.
I love the way my car performs. It handles on rails here in the twisty back road country side. I was looking at the STi, at the time. Now that summer is around the corner, they will be in the road in droves up here. I think that is the litmus test for how the car performs when I find one that wants to play. Not a very hard task to find an STi racer.
The coupe has better acceleration. That's pretty much all you would need in the Dallas area. You don't have too many windy roads do you? Seemed like it was all LBJ era superfreeways. Go fast in a straight line stuff, although you can have fun on those service road U-turns when you miss your exit. You planning on taking it to a track?

[mistercindy]

The coupe has better acceleration. That's pretty much all you would need in the Dallas area. You don't have too many windy roads do you? Seemed like it was all LBJ era superfreeways. Go fast in a straight line stuff, although you can have fun on those service road U-turns when you miss your exit. You planning on taking it to a track?
No track days in my future. But rides to the Texas Hill Country are definitely in order!

[Dice2]

IMO, power is almost identical! I test drove, the CI (convertible) then the XI Coupe then the XI sedan one after the other on the exact same road test.

Only differenceI noticed was the CI was "little" stiffer than the XI coupe b/c of sport suspension, 19" with run flats and fact it was RWD vs AWD Xi! Power Driving & Feel to me felt better on the CI. Taking sharp corners was better with XI, but no loss in power. The 4-door sedan didn't have the sport suspension and that made for a very different ride!

It's a preference... but the sport package + 18"/19" run flats was more athletic of a ride and almost always pushed me for more (like on edge). The 4 door Xi without the Sport Pack was a "smoother" ride and little softer! Felt like a true daily driver. But don't let that fool you, that car still has the same big 335 engine punch! It still handled great and actually felt more at ease hitting high speed than with the Coupes (w/sport pack) did! I was doing 180+ KM (120 MPH) before I even knew it!!! Didn't even feel it.

So, in summary, they are both great and all depends what you want in the car. Test drive all options and decide what feels best from there.

I liked the RWD Convertible the most (look & performance)! But opted for the 4 door Xi Sedan which fits better with my daily driving & commute needs at this moment in time.

Cheers...