Had an opportunity to test drive both recently (not back to back unfortunately). Have several questions that hopefully owners of the sedan can clarify.

Coupe
2008 6mt ~33K miles, 19"OE tires, 3-4/32's or so left, maybe a bit more

Impressions: Car drove like it's on rails, extremely responsive steering. Clutch uptake a bit high up, but something i'm used to already. Blipping engine for downshifts seemed rather easy with the rpms being about right for the next lower gear.

Sedan

2009 6mt ~23K miles, 18" OE tires practically shot (3/32's remaining, give or take)

Impressions: Car also felt tight, but not as tight as the coupe. Could be low tire pressure (I didn't check prior to test driving). Two issues mainly caught my attention

1) Right side arm rest is way too far back. Is this something they changed in later model years? (2010, 11, 12?)

2) Clutch feel was about the same as the coupe - numb. Those buffer springs definitely have to come out of the clutch pedal.

3) When up shifting, it seemed like the engine lost rpms too quick. I remember being able to shift the coupe relatively smoothly on the upshifts.

4) When downshifting, a slight blip of the throttle resulted in no blip. I literally had to stab the throttle to get the rpms to blips on the downshifts. I remember for sure not having this issue with the coupe.

Please advise. Thanks!

 

I'm not sure what your question is, so I'm not sure what advice you're looking for. I say get the coupe unless you need 4 doors and an effective back seat.

 

The arm rest sadly is the same I had to get used to it but do not mind. No issues upshifting or downshifting here, again the clutch engagement is different on the 12, coupe and sedan feel about the same, I have driven them back to back. Handling on the coupe will always be better stock for stock. I have KW V3's hochkis, gt spec so idk my sedan handles like a 911

 

@Itchytoe, my questions were mainly related to the arm rest and having to really stab the throttle when downshifting to get it to blip. I wonder if perhaps this car needs a throttle body service....

I do want the 4 doors and a somewhat ineffective backseat (for passengers). Seriously though, after my last coupe, I was really put off by the hassle of using the back seats.

@kaoticdemize Thanks for the info. It will take some getting used to as I do like to use the console for an elbow rest. I refuse to drive half a state away to test drive a true 2012, so I'll have to live with what I get

As for "KW V3's hochkis, gt spec", I have no idea what those are other than something suspension related (bars, coilovers?)

 

i glimpsed through your original post (sorry), so forgive me if you already mentioned this - did the sedan have any breather mods? a friend of mine had me test drive an '08 g37s coupe as well (prior to his 335i purchase), and i also had the same impressions. it was a while ago, so do take my notes with a grain of salt. revs are a bit more forced in my sedan. but again, i had exhaust so i just took it as being due to the pressure deal (then again, some say this is a myth).

not much help, but if it helps - i had the same initial impressions too i really do doubt that there's anything different between the two though. as far as the arm rest -- no change it's car back. i don't hold my shifter + rest my arm. my right arm's either on the arm rest (far back a bit) or it's off the rest between shifts.

 

KW V3's = EXPENSIVE coilovers, but a brand name that is extremely popular among the G crowd! I hear they're AWESOME...plan to get a set later down the road as well.

GT-Spec = Front in-engine tower/strut bar. Aids to reduce body roll

Hotchkis = Front and rear sway bars that replace the ones already on the car. Helps to reduce body roll as well.

All 3 = you have a car on rails. Seriously. lol

 

I have gt spec sub frame bracing too

 

@eksigned, best I could tell the car was fully stock. I didn't see anything that jumped out at me under the hood as far as CAI or other mods. The exhausted even sounded quieter when I got on the throttle than the coupe did.

It was in the mid 30's (F) when I did the test drive, but don't think the temp should affect anything once the car was fully warmed up. Supposedly the car was an acquisition from another dealer (not sure if local or not), so it's unclear how long it might have sat for, and/or started only to be moved around the lot. It idled relatively smoothly.... However, if the state of the tires is any indication, it's quite possible the previous owner didn't do all the maintenance, and a dirty/clogged air filter(s) might contribute to something like this.

As for the arm thing, that's really bizarre. You'd think arm support would mirror that of the driver door. You expect to rest your right arm in the same general area as that of your left (height, fore/aft position)

@kaoticdemize, I need to get the car first, drive it for a few non winter months. The goal is to maximize the life of the snow tires at this point, so I won't be beating the crap out of the car or cornering like I normally do. Once it warms, I can get a good feeling for what's i'm happy with and what needs changing