4 dr Vs. 2 Dr on the Track?

[Terry]

Hehe. I think they are all beautiful and worthy cars /argument

Ian, do you get out to the track often? I've taken a very long sabbatical. So I am what is refered to as a 'moving chicane.' Will you be going to Chuckwalla with the San Diego Chapter? I'll be there..

Terry

[Johnmadd]

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!

I just started reading this and hoped I would be the one to say this but oh well. It is true, I found this out when doing research a long time ago on e30's.

[Johnmadd]

^^^^^


I can't offer insight based on track experience but I will say that after having a 2 door e30 and Chevy Cavalier, I love the accessibility of having a 4 door e46. I know they are night and day - different body styles and what not - but the 4 door just seems to be the right choice for me. Hauling family and friends as passengers make a four door seem the obvious choice for my daily driver.

Good luck with your decision!

And with a sedan that rear window is way easier to clean than a coupe.

[billschusteriv]

^^^^^





I can't offer insight based on track experience but I will say that after having a 2 door e30 and Chevy Cavalier, I love the accessibility of having a 4 door e46. I know they are night and day - different body styles and what not - but the 4 door just seems to be the right choice for me. Hauling family and friends as passengers make a four door seem the obvious choice for my daily driver.



Good luck with your decision!

And with a sedan that rear window is way easier to clean than a coupe.

Just about everything in the backseat is easier to do in a sedan instead of a coupe. Cleaning windows, rear seat removal/wiring/stereo speaker install, vacuuming the upholstery/carpet, using a shop vac to suck up bugs that got stuck between the rear window and deck....the list goes on.

[wagerd]

Seems I remember reading an artical about e46 sedans actually handling a little better than the coupes. Only remember because I was surprised by this. I can't imagine a car being much more nimble or well balanced than my sedan, even compared to a 335 coupe.

[C Withers Media]

Four doors for more whores.

/thread.

Structurally more rigid, but if tracking is your concern.........Look for the car with the best driver and you will see the fastest car on the track.

[bcleaver]

In addition to rigidity, I think the weight difference between the two (330i and 330ci is like 20lbs or less). So I think in terms of which will make a better track car...they're probably about the same. So if you wanted to pick the sendan because it's more practical but didn't want to sacrifice performance, don't worry, you won't be.

[murph]

Yeah, I don't think I've seen any numbers to suggest the CG is any different between them, but if anyone wants to measure their coupe, my sedan came out to about 21.47".