E30 4 door vs. coupe

[E46er]

I'm just wondering which would be better for track? an e30 4door or coupe.
I heard some people say that the 4 door has stiffer chassis? can anyone confirm?

Thanks.

[TwoJ's]

Should read: 2dr sedan vs. 4dr sedan

And I have no idea.

[Maluco]

You have many a options to stiffen up the suspension. I would say a coupe for the basic fact it's lighter...

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=87560&highlight=coupe

[Jscotty]

I like the way my 4 door drives much better than I like the feeling of my coupe, however, I am not so sure that one is really stiffer than the other. It would seem to me that the coupe chassis is stiffer because its slightly shorter yet it has all of the same components.

[backtrail69]

because its slightly shorter

That is wrong. They are exactly the same. Just different doors and quarters + B pillars. After thinking about it, if you swap tires at the track having a 4dr is alot nicer than trying to stuff tires in a 2dr. The 4dr is supposedly stiffer because of the reinforced B pillar for mounting doors on. They are only heavier by a tiny bit (rear door beams and window motors is most of it).

[nando]

I really don't think it matters. just buy the one that's in better shape for the least amount of money. however, one advantage to a 4 door for track use though is you can throw your tires in the back seat really easily. :)

also, all E30s are sedans (except maybe the M3). not coupes...

[E46er]

They are only heavier by a tiny bit (rear door beams and window motors is most of it).

Do you know what's the weight difference?

[backtrail69]

Its very small, like maybe 25-30 lbs at most.

[808BMW]

4do ftw

[Jordan325iC]

Don't single either one out. They are both equally adept.

[Mastrcruse]

You have to remember that heavier is better...less lean

[sticksdaman]

fo dos= mo hos

plus its usually easier to find unmolested 4 doors floating around

[bumpstop335i]

Also it will depend on if the car has a sunroof.

Sunroofs add weight cause of the big hole in the roof. lol.

If you want an ideal car for a race car then my opinion you will require the following

NO sunroof.
non-facelift models are lighter than facelift.
Manual windows.
4 door for the win!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think there is less difference than 30lbs in 2door vs 4 door.
my information i gathered shows that the 4 door is lighter than the 2 door.
only by anout 5lbs thou.

If people are familar with the Mazda RX3 will know that the 4 door is lighter than the 2 door. but the 2 door is far sexier that the four door.

Having a low car, i find 4 doors are better because you can get everybody out quickly to drive over a dogey speed humps that may beach/damage your car.

[euroshark]

I seem to recall also seeing that the 4 door is 5 or 10lbs lighter than the 2 door.

It's not really that uncommon I guess, the Alfa Milano 4 door was like 100lbs lighter than the GTV6 2 door that was on the same exact platform. The E28 is lighter than the E24 as well, even with the same equipment, though this is a bad example because the E24 has considerably more sheet metal...

[gearheadE30]

Really, I think it all comes down to how many people you want to fit in the car...