2009 BMW M3 Sedan: Versus BMW M3 Coupe

I like the practicality of four doors, and since it would be for daily driving duties, the choice is obvious. And the sedan is even cheaper....LOL
There is quite a difference in handling it seems with the coupe....track master.
Love the M3, pure love.

I would go for the sedan, I am currently looking for an '08 M3 Sedan to replace my Wife's '01 330Ci.

The performance differences here are close enough that they're neglibible. They're within the range of whatever other publications have measured as well. I've also seen sedans clock 4.3 in the 60. I'm also sure a sedan with the 19's will match or exceed the coupe's handling numbers.

Dimensions wise, the M3 Coupe is slightly lighter, a little narrower (the sedan has a slightly wider track), and has a lower center of gravity with the carbon fiber roof. However, alot of tests show the sedan lapping a little faster than the coupe (don't recall the source).

In a nutshell, their performance is near as makes no difference, identical. I don't think anyone would buy one or the other merely because it's a tenth or two quicker.

The real question is: do you think the coupe styling is worth the M3 coupe's $3000 higher MSRP?

Personally I also prefer the sedan's stance anyway, and its added dose of practicality. The fact that the sedan is cheaper makes it a no-brainer.

family = sedan.

IL Wrote:

"Is there a clear cut winner? Which would you choose?"

Yes! The consumer! I'd go for the coupe since I don't have a family...though that might change in the next couple years...

the coupe looks unprorportinal to me as it looks like a shortened 6 series from the front 1/4 view. the sedan looks more aggressive and less stylized than the coupe.

sedan.

Coupe no question
Performance is negligible, certainly
but the coupe looks way better, with the CF roof, and the taillights too.
Also, from certain angles the M3 sedan (much like the IS300 sedan) has a very wagon-y look about it.

Coupe.
Weighs less, looks better.

If you can afford the car to begin with, you can probably afford the price premium for the coupe.

Definitely the coupe. It's much better looking, while the sedan's styling is awkward.

I think the sedan looks better. The coupe just looks slightly awkward. Just personal preference though, they are both amazing cars. I have a 335i sedan and every time I see an M3 I'm jealous.

I also think the sedan looks cooler. Maybe not in white, between those two photos, but in red or blue or any real color, I actually prefer the stubby proportions of the sedan. Besides, they're so close in terms of real world performance, why not have the extra space? Maybe it's my state in life, being a "responsible adult" with a family and all, but I'd pick M3 wagon if there was such a thing.

We need information on what options these cars had. The weight difference is what makes the coupe's performance numbers better. When I look at BMW's specs the weights of the two cars are almost identical. There is a lurking variable in this test which almost renders it useless.

Based purely on the numbers, the coupe is the clear cut winner. It's 2.2 mph faster through the quarter mile, 3.3 mph faster in the slalom, has 0.05g better lateral grip, and stops 5 feet sooner from 60. Taken individually, none of those differences are that significant, but as a whole (and based purely on the numbers), the coupe is another performance notch above the sedan. The sedan's numbers are good, the coupe's numbers are great.

That said, that wouldn't stop me from picking the sedan over the coupe if I needed the space. But as it stands, I don't need the space and I've found 2+2 coupes to be nearly as practical as sedans, so coupe for me.

I'd take the coupe and rip out and sell the rear seats in a heart beat.

The sedan would be the more rational choice, but the coupe just looks so much better.

Well this one's easy. The coupe looks about a million times better than the sedan and is faster in most every category. Plus its as-tested price is cheaper even with the 19's! You guys quoting MSRP give me a break. Who really orders a stripper M3 anyway???

Sedan.

The test results are quite meaningless--atmospheric, track, and tire conditions could easly account for the differences. Most publications have the coupe and sedan performing at the same level. Equally equipped the coupe is only about 20 lbs lighter than the sedan. The options in the cars would easily tilt the weight advantage one way or another.
Some publications, as sherief said, even have the sedan lapping quicker than the coupe. The old M3 sedan had a stiffer chassis than the coupe due to the presence of B-pillars. The engineer in me would think this would remain true for the current generation.
In photos the coupe looks better. In real life I'd say the sedan looks more interesting--on one hand it's a responsible family car, but the hood bulges and wheel flares hint of its rebellous trait. It just works for me.

Sedan. I'm still somewhat ticked that the E46 M3 wasn't available as a sedan - I'd totally have one of those right now if they had made it. The performance difference is negligible - no one that isn't a professional race car driver would spot the difference day-to-day.

As far as aesthetics - the E90 sedan can match the E92 when properly optioned: http://www.ind-distribution.com/images/AT03.jpg

I think the coupe looks better as it seems better proportioned for some reason but I'd purchase the sedan just because I've grown to respect the practicality of 4 doors, especially after owning a coupe since 2003.

Although I....well.. "we" didn't want to spend the money, I could easily see a BMW sedan in my future although it will probably be a CPO 2006 330i Sport 6MT as I won't have to deal with the DI related issues (high pressure pump failures) of the twin turbo N54. Plus I enjoy that naturally aspirated engine better as it's character is more enjoyable.

Edmunds, I think your weight specs are off.

BMW website specs:

BMW M3 Coupe - 3704
BMW M3 Sedan - 3726

Also, given the slight weight difference why is there a significant difference in the trap speeds between your evaluations of the coupe and sedan? A 3 mph advantage is pretty significant in my eyes.

I have the coupe.

@e90_m3,

"The old M3 sedan had a stiffer chassis than the coupe due to the presence of B-pillars. The engineer in me would think this would remain true for the current generation."

The E92 has a full B-pillar... the 3-Series coupes have always had one, in fact it's larger than the sedan's. The doors might be frameless but that's not a structural element. The coupes have actually been stiffer because they lack giant holes in the body for rear doors. Also on the non-M E92, there is an additional U-brace that increases chassis stiffness that the non-M E90 does not have, however I believe all M cars have this. The coupes are usually released the MY after the sedan and come with improvements. BMW has traditionally given the coupes the sportier driving character, although this doesn't apply as much to the M3.

Well I have an E90 so my choice is clear. I considered the coupe and the sedan but the practicality of the sedan was a must for me. Everything I've read says the performance difference between the sedan and coupe is nill.

I just bought one on Monday and never considered the sedan. The trade-off between lacking cool and easing access for my passengers was a no-brainer. Of course, it helps to be anti-social.