Hi all,

This may be a stupid question, but if you were to get an M3 for track events/ ProSolo type events, would you get a coupe or sedan?

There are many advantages to a coupe, the main one being 95 M3s are the cheapest and only exist as coupes. They are easier to maneuver in/out of with a cage because of the door size, and also more of them exist, so finding a wrecked one for parts etc would be a lot easier.

However, I remember that when BMW/Schnitzer went racing in the DTM back in the day, they used sedans for a long time. I also remember that the M3 sedan was always claimed to be better balanced than the coupe. Now was this just BS? A marketing move? Or some obscure rule that mandated the car have at least 4 doors?

I realize the difference in cost between a decent 95 coupe and a 96/97 sedan could be as much as 10k, and I don't think a 1% difference in balance (or whatever it is) is worth it for what I need, but opinions would be great.

Thanks,
Bassem

p.s. My interest not only stems in having a track car, but in doing the conversion myself (i.e. I don't want to buy someone else's track problem).

See post #2 here: http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=496366&highlight=coupe+sedan

Seems like it would be a lot easier doing a cage/bar in a sedan.

However, 5 speed sedans can be bit more expensive because they are newer (3rd model year) and are rarer. But that can depend a lot on timing too.

My 0.02 cents.....as you say that the goal is doing more HPDE's and Solo stuff....you probably won't be trailering right?

Having a both a coupe and a sedan ..I would recommend the sedan b/c you can load/unload the car easier...but that's just me not liking the loading thru the rear for wheels/tires/jack etc...

If you trailer the car....it's a toss-up.

Wheelbase = same on both cars....stiffness...always up for debate...could be relatively equal as you add things such as cage etc....

So...go with the 4 Door Grocery Getter..hehe..and hey...you get a bit of extra torque 3.2 vs 3.0....it'll be a bit newer...and they seem to be lower in price lately...at least in the southeast.

Best of Luck

Having a both a coupe and a sedan ..I would recommend the sedan b/c you can load/unload the car easier...but that's just me not liking the loading thru the rear for wheels/tires/jack etc...

Since he wants to add a cage, this is a non-issue as there won't be room in the back seat for stuff.

So...go with the 4 Door Grocery Getter..hehe..and hey...you get a bit of extra torque 3.2 vs 3.0....it'll be a bit newer...and they seem to be lower in price lately...at least in the southeast.

You can still get the 3.2 with 2 doors. After you add a cage, a racing seat, a window net, a HANS, etc, etc, I much prefer the wider exit of the 2-door when trying to exit the car in an emergency.

Since he wants to add a cage, this is a non-issue as there won't be room in the back seat for stuff.

You can still get the 3.2 with 2 doors. After you add a cage, a racing seat, a window net, a HANS, etc, etc, I much prefer the wider exit of the 2-door when trying to exit the car in an emergency.

As related to cage addition...I agree.....but thought it would be much as my projects...first street car..then migration to occasional track duty..then full bore track beast.....4 door would allow some ease before the full conversion to race machine...after the cage...whole different story (I hate...did I say hate....loading wheels in my 2dr with cage...it sux)

3.0-vs 3.2...meant to say 95 - vs Sedan..

I still feel the sedans are going for less and less these days...guess i'll keep mine....kindof sitting around doing nothing since I got a company car...ohh well....back to work.

As for the loading of junk, a Harbor freight trailer is the ticket. The hitch can be installed to hide under the bumper so you never see it, but when you install the receiver.

This is a common thing over on the z3 forum.

I've never owned either, but know of competent race shops needing lots of time and labor to get fia race seats to fit in the E36 sedan. YMMV.

Thanks for all the responses. Would it be fair to assume that the weight of either car once emptied and prepped would be virtually identical?

WRT the stiffness issue...its a non-issue. Also balance would be a non-issue if the car is corner weighted properly.

Speaking of which, would you recommend a perfectly even weight distribution, or a slight rear bias?

Thanks again,
Bassem

Thanks for all the responses. Would it be fair to assume that the weight of either car once emptied and prepped would be virtually identical?

Doubtful. The 4-door has 4 extra window mechanims, door hinges, doors, etc.