Coupe vs. Sedan

E46_Driver · Feb 9, 2004

Sedans are nice and convenient for backseat passengers, children, pets, groceries etc. Try and remain objective. BMW makes a "sprorty" sedan. This is not a sports car. The M3 is a two door Coupe for a reason. A sports car by definition is a two door. Does Porsche, Ferrari, Lotus or Aston Martin offer a four door sedan? The answer is no. We can agree to disagree knowing most people understand a sports car to be a two door coupe [thumb]

Bryan330i · Feb 9, 2004

No, no, no, not this again. [?|]

[joke]

But I do not agree. Try "sporty" not sports car. I do not consider a Saturn coupe a sports car, not a Cavalier, Neon, Civic, and a number of others.

My car has 50 more HP than yours, better suspension and better handling than yours. I would kill you in a race, no question about it.

Sports and sporty, big difference! [thumb]

Akakubi · Feb 9, 2004

E46_Driver said:

I'll agree only to a part - sports cars are two doors (and most often 2 seats only) are for obvious reasons: in sports car you don't need space or luggage by definition. In this sense M3 is not a sports car either, since it has rather spacious rear seats and trunk. [:D]

Sedans are structurally stiffer than the Coupes, especially the ones w/o the folding rear seats. A lot of racer prefer the 4-doors over the Coupes (look at Turner winning cars) partially for those reasons.

M3 is a two-door because it was cheaper to design a one style model (since it is quite different from the regular E46) and they already have a premium 4-door M car, the M5. E36 had both, but then BMW didn't have an M5 available during that period.... Building a 4-door M3 would have cut into the sales of the E39 M5. But for the next gen, BMW is going to build M Sedans and Wagons alongside the Coupes/Cabrios.

Also, take a look at the EVO and STi, both are 4-door sedans but with a soul of true racecars. [driving]

Bryan330i · Feb 9, 2004

Sports car=2 seats!!!! Yes, yes, yes.....that is it! Just what I was thinking. [wave]

Bryan330i · Feb 9, 2004

Sports car!

Bryan330i · Feb 9, 2004

Well, not exactly IMO. [rofl]

epj3 · Feb 9, 2004

Bryan330i said:

Wow, i was almost beat by one of those the other nights, then i realized i started in 3'd gear [hihi]

(just kidding, i wouldnt do that to my clutch)

Bryan330i · Feb 9, 2004

epj3 said:

Bahahahahahaha [rofl]

You could probably beat one of those if you started the race outside your car with keys in your hand.

flashinthepan · Feb 9, 2004

Dangerous thread...lol

imo BMW makes a 4 door that is as capable as thier 2 door. Since the M3 is no longer a 4 door the only fair comparison is the models that are identically equipped.

I think the 4 door models perform equally well when compared to the exact 2 door model.

Its personal preference on the #'s of doors issue, I would not let anyone tell me the 4 door E55 AMG is a dog ??

I just dont see doors as a barometer for atheleticism.[???1]

bmwrocks · Feb 9, 2004

Doors are not a barometer for athleticism but the world's most athletic cars have 2 doors, not 4. Period, end of story.

Ghost · Feb 9, 2004

I agree doors don’t make a difference. IMO power, agility, control and RWD are associated with a “sport” car.

MrElussive · Feb 9, 2004

The thing is, the definition of a sports car tries to remain the same (2 doors, 2 seats, manual transmission, RWD, etc.), but the thing is, thanks to advancements in automotive technology, even SUV's can accelerate, handle, and brake just like a sports car. And if an SUV can do that, why doesn't it deserve the title of a "sports car"? Not to say that it should be called a sports car...maybe the definition of a sports car needs to change. For example, if you know about the M5, you wouldn't think twice about its status...it is a rugged sports sedan just as good (and probably better) as any other sports car out there...but it still has 4 doors and a real trunk. [:0]

Bryan330i · Feb 9, 2004

Very true MrE. I think BMW and others say sports sedan and sports coupe about the 3 series. But at the same time look at what comes up under sports cars on yahoo auto, it is too much, I think some of them require winding up.

codex57 · Feb 9, 2004

I think it's just about looks now. In the past, the lighter sports cars only had two seats so only needed two doors. They looked cool so manufacturers have stuck with it. There's not too much difference btw the coupe and sedan in the E46 though. Even Car and Driver classifies the coupe as a 2 door sedan due to the amount of space. The coupe is really just a sedan with a longer set of front doors and slightly wider body style.

E46_Driver · Feb 9, 2004

??

Bryan330i said:

I respond as follows:

1) A Saturn Coupe is sportier than a 4 door sedan
2) My understanding is that the BMW Ci & i suspensions are almost identical with different sized bushings making for a tighter shorter travel. (stiffer ride)
3) 50 more horses AND two more doors!
4) Handling has more to do with the driver and how the car is driven vs car set up (assuming cars are similar)

Appologies to the board, I did not intend on my views causing a "my car can beat your car" diatribe. To allow car envy to skew the truth is not a good thing. If you wanted a sport car you should have purchased a Coupe! [thumb]

..similar

bmwrocks · Feb 9, 2004

Step into my 4 dr 360 Modena, or my 4 dr 911 Turbo Carrera, or my 4dr Lambourghini diablo, or my 4dr Z8 .... Oh wait, these world leaders in sports cars all have 2 doors. No world class sports car has 4 doors. None.

Bryan330i · Feb 9, 2004

Coupe and sedan are the same weight. You cannot simply remove weight and keep the 50/50 distribution. Coupe has larger doors and more rear support weight.

A 330i ZHP significantly outperforms a 325 ci, so much so that it is almost not even a fair comparison. As would an M5, even with 4 doors. [rofl]

So it depends on what you like. Do you like performance? Then spend the extra $6,000.00-$7,000.00 and get the 330.

Or if you only care about looking like you have performance then keep the 325 and take the badge off. [thumb]

Bryan330i · Feb 9, 2004

bmwrocks said:

True, but those are high-performance sports cars. Where are the back seats? Sorry, BMW 2 door is not the same. Nice car yes. Screaming performance sports car, no.

330i sports sedan
330ci sports coupe
330i and ci same car

911 High-performance Sports Car

But I do get the feeling that there are some ci owners that want people to think it is an M.

flashinthepan · Feb 9, 2004

Opinions run deep !

I opt out of this thread, but in terms of Bimmers, they make some "hella" performers with 4 doors. Call em what ever ya like ??

Ghost · Feb 9, 2004

Merriam-Webster:

Main Entry: sports car
Function: noun
: a low small usually 2-passenger automobile designed for quick response, easy maneuverability, and high-speed driving.

Coupe vs. Sedan

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