Torsional Rigdity with fold down seats

[boston_bmw46]

Hi,
I'm considering getting a 04 330xi with sport package. I heard that not having the fold down rear seats greatly improves the torsional rigidity and the ride? How noticeable is it? And does it really outweigh the convenience of having fold down rear seats?
Thanks[B]

[peterkulesza]

sounds bogus. the chassis points which need firming up are the shock towers in the back. seats are flimsy, and are in an area of stiff crash box (front of the gas tank), so i really doubt that anything can imporve the chassis at this point...

[Relevart]

Sounds to me like urban legend.
Nobody puts an armor plate behind the rear seats for the sake of stiffness. The reinforcement behind rear seats is for the sole pupose of supporting back of the seat, it will buckle in a split second if it will see lateral load associated with torsional stresses.
If you're looking for torsional stiffness put shock tower braces front and rear and undercarriage brace...