[woodranch]

Are the past or current M3’s or M4’s considered true sports cars or are the considered more of GT car? I would like to hear true enthusiasts thoughts.

[BryanCO]

No. Great sport sedans. But who really cares?

[turbojg]

Originally Posted by woodranch

Are the past or current M3’s or M4’s considered true sports cars or are the considered more of GT car? I would like to hear true enthusiasts thoughts.

In my dictionary the M3 is a sports sedan and the M4 is a true sports car.

[GTS Daddy]

I consider a sports car that is bespoke, made to be a 2 door, and only THAT model is offered. Examples include but are not limited to...
Miata
911
Cayman/Boxster
Supra
NissanZ/GTR
Most Lambos but the truck
All mid-engine ferrari's besides the 4 door's.

[F82G82AND]

Many people who never driven BMW M cars would disagree with me but I consider G80/G82 daily supercar

[vbb]

This again?

This is a way oversimplification, but I think if the car has usable back seats, it leans more GT than sports car. So by that very rough definition, thr M3/M4 is a GT car.

[Prossx]

Definitely not sports cars. Sport Sedan, Sport Coupe, whatever. In some ways the M4 feels like what a modern muscle car should be, esp as high performance coupes are increasingly rare…drop a massive engine (used to be displacement, now power/torque/turbos, blah blah blah) into an intermediate coupe with a lot of suspension massaging and other performance stuff, and its a modern interpretation of an old formula, although true muscle cars couldn’t really handle.

[Burrcold]

Originally Posted by turbojg

In my dictionary the M3 is a sports sedan and the M4 is a true sports car.

Huh?

[BEAR-AvHistory-2]

Too many seats. They are Sports Sedans & Sports Coupe/Convertible. Excellent GT cars. Fast, Comfortable & Agile long range cruisers. You can spend a lot of time, cover a lot of distance & not get out of the car half dead & ready for a shower.

[Humdizzle]

Nobody cares. The term sports car, supercar, exotic are all gray areas now.

Sports car would be the i8, supra, z3m coupe, CSL.

[MJBO]

“Considered” by whom, “enthusiasts”?

Firstly, you’d have to define an enthusiast, which is frankly impossible.

I just like that my dad wagon could pants pretty much anything

[Slowphiveo]

I say it's an off road vehicle.

[Needsdecaf]

No.

Also…search.

[turbojg]

In my mind... The M3 is more of a "Family" car as that is the reason people by a 4 door. To be able to carry the family or kids around easily. Just look around... buyers generally get them in more subdued colors that are less flashy and loud that can be used for all occasions such as family events. The M4 is basically a 2 seater as the rear seats are difficult to get into and used only on rare occasions which makes the car more intended for sport use as a one or two person car. The M4 also is sleeker and sportier. My "M" is a 'toy' and used for 'fun' as my family is grown and on their own. That is why I selected the "4" rather than the "3" and got it in Sao Paulo Yellow.

It's obvious I will get pushback for my thinking as I would venture to guess most people on this forum are M3 owners. However, just read the threads where they explain why they bought an "M3". I'm not saying there is anything wrong with buying an M3 as, if I was a "sports car driver" wannabe and had a family I would choose one also.

[BryanCO]

Originally Posted by turbojg

In my mind... The M3 is more of a "Family" car as that is the reason people by a 4 door. To be able to carry the family or kids around easily. Just look around... buyers generally get them in more subdued colors that are less flashy and loud that can be used for all occasions such as family events. The M4 is basically a 2 seater as the rear seats are difficult to get into and used only on rare occasions which makes the car more intended for sport use as a one or two person car. The M4 also is sleeker and sportier. My "M" is a 'toy' and used for 'fun' as my family is grown and on their own. That is why I selected the "4" rather than the "3" and got it in Sao Paulo Yellow.

It's obvious I will get pushback for my thinking as I would venture to guess most people on this forum are M3 owners. However, just read the threads where they explain why they bought an "M3". I'm not saying there is anything wrong with buying an M3 as, if I was a "sports car driver" wannabe and had a family I would choose one also.

Just opinions but the I don’t like the M4 proportions. Bought an e92 M3 last year as I think the coupe looks better than the e90 M3. Oh, one son who’s in college and my wife hasn’t even ridden in the g80.

Based on your description, why wouldn’t you buy a sports car instead of a M4?

[RussV]

M4 is a Grand Tourer (GT) car. At nearly 4,000 pounds it ain’t no sports car.

[moonluv810]

I consider my car to be an ESV (Emotional Support Vehicle).

[Humdizzle]

Originally Posted by BryanCO

Just opinions but the I don’t like the M4 proportions. Bought an e92 M3 last year as I think the coupe looks better than the e90 M3. Oh, one son who’s in college and my wife hasn’t even ridden in the g80.

Based on your description, why wouldn’t you buy a sports car instead of a M4?

same with me. e92 proportions were correct. the f82 and g82 got too long and it looks off with just 2 doors. i would maybe consider the M4 if there was a performance advantage or lighter weight. but there isn't. if i didn't need back seats i'd just get a different car.

[weingarm]

So what’s the G90 M5 then?

Family car?
Sports sedan?
Super sedan?
EV?
1640lbs more than my G80 M3 6MT?

All of the above?

[Slowphiveo]

Originally Posted by weingarm

So what’s the G90 M5 then?

Family car?
Sports sedan?
Super sedan?
EV?
1640lbs more than my G80 M3 6MT?

All of the above?

I actually don't think there are categories anymore. These definitions came out of an era where cars were developed for specific purposes. Now, with modern tech and the capabilities that come with it the lines are blurred. You have SUVs that can out perform some "sports cars" on a track. You have giant electric cars like the Lucid that can out accelerate the most exotic stuff coming out of Italy or Germany. We are trying to use 20th century definitions to explain 21st century cars. The bottom line is You have cars that are fun and cars that are practical...and some that can do both well.

[turbojg]

Originally Posted by BryanCO

Just opinions but the I don’t like the M4 proportions. Bought an e92 M3 last year as I think the coupe looks better than the e90 M3. Oh, one son who’s in college and my wife hasn’t even ridden in the g80.

Based on your description, why wouldn’t you buy a sports car instead of a M4?

I have been careful to use statements like "In my dictionary" and "In my mind" as I can understand that everyone has a different image in their mind and definition of what a sports car is. I am not putting M3s down but I believe they have a different purpose. Hence that is why I often hear M3 owners state they have kids or need to cart around other people or it needs to be able to multitask as it is the only car in the family. Because of that I believe the M3s look more like family cars as it is boxier due to the 4 doors. And there is nothing wrong with that but "In my mind" sports cars are sleeker and usually coupes. I also consider smaller 2 seaters (roadsters) to be "sports cars" as are some convertibles.

Why did I buy an M4 rather than say, a Corvette which is considered by most people to be a true sports car. To me those style cars are 'race' cars that are driven on the street. I wanted a street car that can be driven on the track. I don't want a car that looks out of place on the road because it was designed for the track. I'm not interested in showing off or getting the attention of others. I didn't want a car that looked pretentious. Quality was more important to me in a car.

[BryanCO]

Originally Posted by turbojg

I have been careful to use statements like "In my dictionary" and "In my mind" as I can understand that everyone has a different image in their mind and definition of what a sports car is. I am not putting M3s down but I believe they have a different purpose. Hence that is why I often hear M3 owners state they have kids or need to cart around other people or it needs to be able to multitask as it is the only car in the family. Because of that I believe the M3s look more like family cars as it is boxier due to the 4 doors. And there is nothing wrong with that but "In my mind" sports cars are sleeker and usually coupes. I also consider smaller 2 seaters (roadsters) to be "sports cars" as are some convertibles.

Why did I buy an M4 rather than say, a Corvette which is considered by most people to be a true sports car. To me those style cars are 'race' cars that are driven on the street. I wanted a street car that can be driven on the track. I don't want a car that looks out of place on the road because it was designed for the track. I'm not interested in showing off or getting the attention of others. I didn't want a car that looked pretentious. Quality was more important to me in a car.

Yep, everyone has their opinion, perspective and use case. To me, your explanation of the M3 fits the X3/5/6M. And the M3 and M4 essentially interchangeable and are both great all-arounders and not as compromised as a sports car.

Oh, and SPY isn’t pretentious, showing off, or getting the attention of others.