Cal Club Autocross Forums

Eric Clements wrote:

Morgan Trotter wrote: Im finding that the coupe has a more ridgid chasis as well.

I was told the added B pillar made the sedan stiffer...

I'm with Eric. I don't have E36 numbers, but these E46 numbers (via Google) are consistent with what I recall seeing from a factory publication:

BMW E46 Sedan (w/o folding seats) 18,000 Nm/deg
BMW E46 Sedan (w/folding seats) 13,000 Nm/deg
BMW E46 Wagon (w/folding seats) 14,000 Nm/deg
BMW E46 Coupe (w/folding seats) 12,500 Nm/deg
BMW E46 Convertible 10,500 Nm/deg

Note the huge spread. FWIW, Doug's car does not have folding seats.

Brian Peters wrote:

Eric Clements wrote:

Morgan Trotter wrote: Im finding that the coupe has a more ridgid chasis as well.

I was told the added B pillar made the sedan stiffer...

I'm with Eric. I don't have E36 numbers, but these E46 numbers (via Google) are consistent with what I recall seeing from a factory publication:

BMW E46 Sedan (w/o folding seats) 18,000 Nm/deg
BMW E46 Sedan (w/folding seats) 13,000 Nm/deg
BMW E46 Wagon (w/folding seats) 14,000 Nm/deg
BMW E46 Coupe (w/folding seats) 12,500 Nm/deg
BMW E46 Convertible 10,500 Nm/deg

Note the huge spread. FWIW, Doug's car does not have folding seats.

seems like the folding seats has the largest effect on the chassis stiffness, not the B-pillar. In the list quoted, the e46 sedan(w/folding seats) and e46 coupe are essentially the same stiffness.

from a structural perspective the shape of the B-pillar is not an efficient load path for increasing torsional stiffness.

Marshall Grice wrote:

Brian Peters wrote:

Eric Clements wrote: I was told the added B pillar made the sedan stiffer...

I'm with Eric. I don't have E36 numbers, but these E46 numbers (via Google) are consistent with what I recall seeing from a factory publication:

BMW E46 Sedan (w/o folding seats) 18,000 Nm/deg
BMW E46 Sedan (w/folding seats) 13,000 Nm/deg
BMW E46 Wagon (w/folding seats) 14,000 Nm/deg
BMW E46 Coupe (w/folding seats) 12,500 Nm/deg
BMW E46 Convertible 10,500 Nm/deg

Note the huge spread. FWIW, Doug's car does not have folding seats.

seems like the folding seats has the largest effect on the chassis stiffness, not the B-pillar. In the list quoted, the e46 sedan(w/folding seats) and e46 coupe are essentially the same stiffness.

from a structural perspective the shape of the B-pillar is not an efficient load path for increasing torsional stiffness.

Based upon that, you ought to get the wagon. Get your folding seats, and more structural stiffness. Plus it might be closer to a 50/50 weight distribution than any of the others.

We may have an E46 wagon for sale sometime in the future. ;)

Richard Jung wrote:We may have an E46 wagon for sale sometime in the future. ;)

5 speed manual?

Ira Cruz wrote:

Richard Jung wrote:We may have an E46 wagon for sale sometime in the future. ;)

5 speed manual?

Steptronic, sport suspension, manual sport seats in faux black leather, no sunroof, custom ordered. I never could understand why the E46 325it wagon handled better than the 330ci coupe or the E46 M3. I thought maybe it had a different steering rack or slightly lighter motor? Brian's stiffness #s probably has more to do with it. Also while it has very low ride ht., the wagon has stiffer rear springs in anticipation of heavier cargo wt.

Richard Jung wrote:

Ira Cruz wrote:5 speed manual?

Steptronic

Is that Bimmese for "automatic?" }:)

Kurt Rahn wrote:

Richard Jung wrote:

Ira Cruz wrote:5 speed manual?

Steptronic

Is that Bimmese for "automatic?" }:)

Yep, with sequential manual control.