Do you think the M3 compares more with Porsche 911s and Corvettes (hard-edged sports cars) or Audi S4s and Cadillac CTS-Vs (sport sedans)?

I think the M3 is more of a hard-edged sports car, just with a backseat.

sport coupe

unless you've got a m3/4

I've never driven a hard edged sport car but I've driven a shifter cart, and that's what I imagine a really fine sportscar like a Porsche or Ferrari to handle like. I wouldn't know, not enough experience. So I'd say it's a pretty quick family car.

Do you think the M3 compares more with Porsche 911s and Corvettes (hard-edged sports cars) or Audi S4s and Cadillac CTS-Vs (sport sedans)?

I think the M3 is more of a hard-edged sports car, just with a backseat.

M3 hard-edged? Not quite (with the possible exception of the LTW and CSL)...unless air conditioning, power windows, leather seats, cruise-control, power seats, and navigation systems are considered hard-edged. :stickoutt M3 is sport-luxury.

For hard-edged, maybe look to something like the Lotus Elise or Ferrari F40.

Its a GT car.

Definately not a "hard edged" sports car but not as saloon based as a CTS-V.

Its somewhere inbetween - and therein lies the beauty of the design.

I've heard the quote somewhere that the M3 is a gentleman's sportscar. To me that sounds about right. Raw power yet elegant and comfortable. The best of both worlds without being overstated. But thats just IMO.

Nick

I think to best sum up this question you would have to rely on the BMW's marketing ploy they used. I can't find the picture but it is the one with the E46 M3; the passenger and rear seat are removed and are sitting beside the car, a catchy phrase to the side that states. "There, it's a race car."

It's no shifter kart, but it sure is a very sportscar, proof? Look at all the car and driver, road and track, and other various magazines in which they always pit the new cars up against the M3. The M3 is a headstone in the sports car industry. Everyone wants to be like it and strives to be able to beat it.

Sports sedan

A freaking badass coupe that will send u into hyper space :alright

I think to best sum up this question you would have to rely on the BMW's marketing ploy they used. I can't find the picture but it is the one with the E46 M3; the passenger and rear seat are removed and are sitting beside the car, a catchy phrase to the side that states. "There, it's a race car."

It's no shifter kart, but it sure is a very sportscar, proof? Look at all the car and driver, road and track, and other various magazines in which they always pit the new cars up against the M3. The M3 is a headstone in the sports car industry. Everyone wants to be like it and strives to be able to beat it.
this one :D (picture taken earlier by someone, not sure who though)
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y266/shawn5096/racecar.jpg

My thinking is that "sedan" means 4 doors and "coupe" means 2 doors and "sports car" means 2 seater.

With this being said, I think the M3 is a sports coupe.