What tipped you into a sedan vs. coupe?

[amrazM]

Its just the lines, look at that rear fender.

[AceBeezy]

Originally Posted by Longboarder

because sexy time

The fender gills look much more unique/better than the e90. The e90 fender gills just look too much like Kia Optima fender trim.

[TractionControlDelete]

Originally Posted by AceBeezy

The fender gills look much more unique/better than the e90. The e90 fender gills just look too much like Kia Optima fender trim.

I can't un-see it now 😬

[SnohoRaptor]

Mine was purchased to be a garage queen. Weekend car equals 2 doors for me.
E90's proportions are stubbier and badass, but I have a carbon fiber roof and longer window sills.
Wish I could have both.

[endur0]

Sedan looks like a badass bulldog.

[JackieChiles]

I’ve had both but prefer the style of the coupe

The proportions are better to my eye, but I like both.

The lower overall height and cf roof give the e92 the edge to me.

[kyrix1st]

My E92 is strictly a weekend/solo car. For daily I use an SUV with an auto transmission and go to sleep. Great thing about a mundane SUV is I don't really have to worry about where and how to park; keeps my irritation level in check.
For such, I probably would not get an E90 M3 unless I lived where people are nice and the roads are sensibly maintained.

That being said, I wouldn't mind a brand new Panamera for special occasions/valet places.

[fastmatt613]

I have 2 small children and the E90 made the most sense for me as far as practicality is concerned. A V8, RWD, 6 speed sedan is just so badass. I have a Mustang Cobra as well and I can't have a car seat behind the driver's seat in that, so I wanted this "fun" car to be a little more practical to take both kids with me. And I do admittedly prefer the look of the E90 rear to the E92 rear so it was a win win for me!

[torrque]

The sedan will always be a compromise. Coupe forever.

[Ultimatemj]

It's clear the 4dr works for a lot of people, but for me...and I'm sure this will irk some folk..."it's not a sports car".

FWIW I was born in the 60s, and have owned 5 2dr coupes...the only 4dr vehicles I've owned were 2 SUVs.

Thought I'd have my oem+ E46M3 forever, and then after 11yrs of ownership, it was totaled by someone staring at their phone. Bought the salvage with the expectation of replacing it and putting the suspension, tune, CSL & SS bits on it...and then a fellow enthusiast encouraged me to drive an E92, with it's evolved suspension, DCT, S65 and "comfort". I hard a hard time with the decision. I didn't love the slightly larger and heavier form, and for some reason it bugged me not having the vent windows, but being honest about it, *everything* was improved. So I added the E92 to my search and found a sweet one out of state...did a PPI and bought 2 1 way tickets, flew with my daughter and shared a road trip home together. 3yrs later, a couple of oem+ mods, and I'm loving it.

And yea, I have kids...they crawl in the back just fine

2 doors is where it's at

[Lucky1]

Originally Posted by Ultimatemj

It's clear the 4dr works for a lot of people, but for me...and I'm sure this will irk some folk..."it's not a sports car".

FWIW I was born in the 60s, and have owned 5 2dr coupes and 2 4dr SUVs.

Thought I'd have my oem+ E46M3 forever, and then after 11yrs of ownership, it was totaled by someone staring at their phone. Bought the salvage with the expectation of replacing it and putting the tune, CSL & SS bits on` and then a fellow enthusiast encouraged me to drive

On this and the previous post, does the coupe drive dramatically or noticeably different than the sedan or is this a matter of what a sports car "looks like" vs how it drives?

Not meant to incite a debate one way or another, just trying to follow the rationale.

[Ultimatemj]

Originally Posted by Lucky1

On this and the previous post, does the coupe drive dramatically or noticeably different than the sedan or is this a matter of what a sports car "looks like" vs how it drives?

Not meant to incite a debate one way or another, just trying to follow the rationale.

Can't say, I never drove the E90 4dr...I can say it feels completely different just sitting in any 2+2 vs 4dr. The 4dr form factor was simply unappealing to me...I've always enjoyed driving a coupe. Simple as that.

[akkando]

Originally Posted by Lucky1

On this and the previous post, does the coupe drive dramatically or noticeably different than the sedan or is this a matter of what a sports car "looks like" vs how it drives?

Not meant to incite a debate one way or another, just trying to follow the rationale.

Some people just think a sports car has to have two doors. I would argue it's a moot point in this discussion as I don't believe the m3 in any trim to be true sports car from factory period.

But for dynamics out of the box the coup is longer, lower, weighs 27 pounds less, and less stiff. It feels more airy because of the lack of B pillar but is also less rigid than the sedan because of this.

https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=836589

[neilum]

Originally Posted by Lucky1

On this and the previous post, does the coupe drive dramatically or noticeably different than the sedan or is this a matter of what a sports car "looks like" vs how it drives?

Not meant to incite a debate one way or another, just trying to follow the rationale.

They drive the same its just perception of what some people consider a sports car based on proportions.

The bigger difference in how the car drives would be more the spec sheet vs the # of doors.

A fully loaded, DCT, sunroof equipped E92 would drive differently than a stripper slicktop E90 6mt because the e90 would weigh a lot less.

[jiggz]

I like both of them equally, though I bought an E90 years ago as my kids were small and it's just more convenient. And despite what some coupe owners say in regards to putting kids in the back of a coupe not being a big deal... it's a giant PITA. Especially if you have to buckle them in (vs. them being a bit older and they just climb in on their own).

With that said, nowadays they're in high school and mostly drive themselves everywhere, so I could see owning a coupe no problem. But I've spent years getting my E90 dialed in, so can't see myself switching and having to start over with that process.

I'm just glad BMW offered a 4 door M3 for those of us who covet 4 doors, after not offering an E46 version.

[Ultimatemj]

Originally Posted by jiggz

I like both of them equally, though I bought an E90 years ago as my kids were small and it's just more convenient. And despite what some coupe owners say in regards to putting kids in the back of a coupe not being a big deal... it's a giant PITA. Especially if you have to buckle them in (vs. them being a bit older and they just climb in on their own).

Just a side note about putting kids in being a PITA, the E46M3 seats "kicked up" and made it really easy to step in and buckle a safety carseat...so I could see that being less easy in an E92. But once kids are booster seat age it's no bigs.

[Savage_M3]

Always been biased toward sedans. I am also often the family driver and the sedan is just easier with parents and siblings.

Now that I also have the X3M, I could get a coupe, but I honestly don't want to replace my E90 M3 at this point. I love that car so damn much. Even though the X3M is a rocketship, the E90 M3 just puts a smile on my face every time I rev that engine. I feel like for me to get into a coupe it will need to be a 911 or something mid-engined down the road.

[kskpsu]

Stars aligned for me. Huge fan of the E90 looks, less common, and I was seeking what would become my daily. 4 doors all the way. My other 5 cars are two doors, including 1M and M4 GTS, so I get the appeal.

[derbo]

I like the E90 LCI rear better than the coupe rear. Also like wyatth said, shorter length doors are welcomed and doors that feature window frames.

It is easier to load track wheels before a track day as well.

[wyatth]

Originally Posted by torrque

The sedan will always be a compromise. Coupe forever.

What are the sedans compromising, exactly? I'd argue the coupe is the compromising form between the two, given that they are identical in terms of objective performance while the sedan adds layers of practicality. Even in this thread, people that prefer the coupe prefer it for the looks while those who prefer the sedan do so for a combination of looks and practical reasons.


Unrelated, but I really liked the rear windows popping out in the E46. It's too bad the rear windows in the E92 are fixed, I find cracked rear windows to eliminate wind/buffeting on the freeway.

[Helmsman]

It was the E92 that first draw my attention but when it was time for me to get a M3 I felt I needed the 4 door practicality for work and family (one car/daily since almost 9 years).
Once I bought it I soon loved it even over the E92, suddenly it looked better, it was so useable, appreciated it was more rare, it all came together.
Having had lots of station wagons, a Sedan was sporty enought I guess...

[CalgaryX3]

I lusted after an E36 sedan back when they were new in the 90s. Since the E46 did not have a sedan variant, and as my budget didnt allow for an M3 purchase at the time, there was no question that a sedan was the way to go when I ordered my E90 back in 2011. As others have said, the proportions of the sedan appear more athletic to me in contrast to the coupe. The practicality was a consideration as at the time we had a newborn however, have never put a car seat in the M to this day!