Car Auto Magazine

Chassis Tuned For the Sedan

Since the weight distribution is different in a sedan and the steel roof makes for a higher center of gravity, BMW engineers embarked on a specific chassis-tuning exercise for the four-door car. The objectives were the same, however, and the company claims that the sedan will circulate the Nordschleife (northern loop) of the Nürburgring and achieve “almost the same lap times.”

Although the four-door profile and roofline gives the M3 sedan a more mature, less overtly sporting appearance, there are really very few detail differences other than the interior space and rear-seat design, whose contours were borrowed directly from the other 3-series cars. It’s clear that BMW intended the sedan to convey the same pure sporting sense as its door-challenged sibling.

Unsurprisingly, the interior styling is identical, with specific M-design gauges, steering wheel, and doorsill logos reminding occupants of the car’s special provenance. The same variable red-zone tachometer counsels the driver about appropriate engine speeds at lower temperatures, and the same six-speed shifter selects gears. Alas, even the iDrive knob is the same.

Now that technology has endowed almost all vehicles with potentially the same usable performance regardless of body style, BMW’s two-tier approach to its M3 makes more sense than ever. More doors means more practicality with the same amount of fun. Everybody wins. At least, everybody with sixty grand to spend on personal transport. Yeah, must be nice.