4 dr Vs. 2 Dr on the Track?

[Crickett]

Ah-HAH! I found the torsional rigidity stats I was looking for:

BMW E46 Sedan (w/o folding seats) 18,000 Nm/deg
BMW E46 Sedan (w/folding seats) 13,000 Nm/deg
BMW E46 Coupe (w/folding seats) 12,500 Nm/deg
(couldn't find coupe w/o folding seats, though . . . )

So, all else equal, a 300i is a bit more structurally rigid than a 330Ci. ZHP sedan FTW!

[static667]

I have heard that sedans make better track cars due to the more upright B pillar. It gives it better structural rigidity.

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[az3579]

Ah-HAH! I found the torsional rigidity stats I was looking for:

BMW E46 Sedan (w/o folding seats) 18,000 Nm/deg
BMW E46 Sedan (w/folding seats) 13,000 Nm/deg
BMW E46 Coupe (w/folding seats) 12,500 Nm/deg
(couldn't find coupe w/o folding seats, though . . . )

So, all else equal, a 300i is a bit more structurally rigid than a 330Ci. ZHP sedan FTW!

Wow, I would have expected the sedan to be less rigid due to having more "holes" in the chassis for extra doors...

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[danewilson77]

I want the coupe/sedan center of gravity data.

[kaboom]

Most cage builders find sedans to have a stronger unibody due to the b pillar as mentioned. But they also carry a bit of added weight, not sure how much.

The issue for me is the lack of affordable LSD. It really has me torn whether to invest in it and suspension for the ZHP or switch over to an "m".

Ian

[ZSP-Mafia]

Sedan surprisingly only weighs about 20lbs more than the coupe.

[Terry]

Ian, I used to bend and notch tubes in the past..Circa 2002-2003 I was in a partnership called Motion Engineering and did a handful of cages among other things. I can say that I personally prefer the sedan due to being able to simply open the rear doors and work inside..

Ian, I understand your concern with the whole LSD thing. It is vital IMO. Were you at the mafia rendezvous at the Spectrum? I ask because I do not recall us meeting yet I see my car in the photos you took. lol.

-Terry

[Hornung418]

Ah-HAH! I found the torsional rigidity stats I was looking for:

BMW E46 Sedan (w/o folding seats) 18,000 Nm/deg
BMW E46 Sedan (w/folding seats) 13,000 Nm/deg
BMW E46 Coupe (w/folding seats) 12,500 Nm/deg
(couldn't find coupe w/o folding seats, though . . . )

So, all else equal, a 300i is a bit more structurally rigid than a 330Ci. ZHP sedan FTW!

To elaborate on this, e46 coupes all have folding rear seats, thus one without them is non-existent.

If you look at all the big, German manufacturers Touring class of race vehicle, they are all sedans. I definitely think the sedan is a much better looking vehicle when in full-race dress.

So an e46 M3 CSL sedan, sunroof delete and non-folding rear seats, would have been the best track car in the time period...Pool our funds and build one from scratch? Take turns for 3 months at a time? My only request is that it get's painted Inka...fap fap fap

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Ian, I used to bend and notch tubes in the past..Circa 2002-2003 I was in a partnership called Motion Engineering and did a handful of cages among other things. I can say that I personally prefer the sedan due to being able to simply open the rear doors and work inside..

Ian, I understand your concern with the whole LSD thing. It is vital IMO. Were you at the mafia rendezvous at the Spectrum? I ask because I do not recall us meeting yet I see my car in the photos you took. lol.

-Terry

Ian was there early but had to leave before we saw you.

[M0nk3y]

I have heard that sedans make better track cars due to the more upright B pillar. It gives it better structural rigidity.

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Bingo. This is 100% True.