E46 M3 vs NSX

[NSX7]

I thought that was interesting so I am posting it

Here is what an owner of an M3 has written on one of the M3 forums




NEW KILL!! ///M3 vs NSX

I was out on euclid aproaching heil st. I was getting ready to open her up on a nice stretch of empty road, when a red NSX im guessing it was a 2000 or so. pulled up behind me really fast. I can tell already he thought he was a cowboy. But i knew I would catch him at the next light. SO i waited dsc off, s6 on. sport mode just in case. As I was driving normal he pass's me and cuts me off giving the front end of my car a nice shower of dust and road particles.. In fact the guy does it twice just weaving in and out of lanes trying to get me to chase him. I wasnt falling for it. instead I was anticipating the red light. We get to the light but there was another car **** blocking me and nothing but empty road ahead . SO I had no choice but to stay behind him, wait for him to go. then I go and play catch up.. SO i do but when the light turned green I was stil in 2nd going about 20 or 30 mph or so.. i seen him going for it. So I hit it. I start pulling on him right away like my car has a tractor beam locked to his rear bumper. We pass the other car on the left lane. and by the time i hit 3rd gear i was right next to him passing him by. SO i gave him the old wave good bye . and just started dog walking this owner of the NSX for acting foolish.. At the end of the street they went left and i went the other way. the driver and passenger both wave and give me a thumbs up.

IF I caught this bastard at the light or just a regular heads up drag race.. It would have been a slaughter.. OH well there is always next time. I havent had any kills lately. So it felt good to open her up. BTW my car is stock, just lowered



and here is my reply


I own both cars - a 91 NSX (summer car) and an 01 M3 (summer/winter) - The M3 is faster for sure but not by much - but if I had the choice of only one car, I would take the NSX without thinking - The M3 is a great great car but it doesn't compare to the NSX's beauty, handling, cornering, road feel, seating position, road comfort, front view, mid engine layout, exhaust sound, stick shift (especially the stick shift as the NSX has the best stick shift in any car I have driven (identical though to the S2000) - (M3 stick shift is really horrible) - so bottom line they are both great cars but the NSX would still win in all categories mentioned above except straight line acceleration and torque. A 97+ NSX coupe though (not targa) would be very comparable to the M3 in straight line acceleration but still not the same torque (262 for the M3 vs 232 for the NSX) - I know you can't compare a 91 to a 2001 but that's how amazing the NSX is - 0-60 times is not how you judge a car by - that's a given

I know I could have added more stuff in favor of the NSX but that's what came to mind

I still love the NSX over any other car out there - it's love from the first sight

 

[m3power222]

I have owned both cars as well. Guess what I went back too? NSX of course! Nothing beats the go-kart feel with total predictablity especially with good shoes on the car.

I think the M3 is quicker straight line for sure, but it just feels sloppy. My experience there is too much oversteer. The nsx has a bit of understeer but I rather have the front end push then the other option. Also the M3 was at the dealer every other month for warrenty issues. Nothing major, stupid plastic parts/window seals/buttons/etc. My 91 NSX has 0 issues at the moment (knock on wood) compared to the 02 M3.

Glad I'm back in the NSX and on Prime!

 

[clr1024]

Many good points, I love my NSX and while I think the M3 is a great car its no NSX. Anyway I had an E46 M3 plant himself on my tail once while going through an on ramp and I just kept dropping gears to 2nd and nailed it out of the apex, I would say we were about even, he tried again later again even. Not sure if his was an auto or stick or if he just couldn't drive, but really the cars are very close to me. M3 has more HP but also more weight, wonder how my car would fare with i/h/e. Either way I would still pick the NSX for total package of the M3.

 

[sycosho]

From rolling starts or freeway cruising speeds, my 02 nsx was faster than 2 other M3's (both my friends). We even switched cars... same results. You can see the NSX inching away.

My expereince. :smile:

 

[NsSeX]

I've raced my brother's M3 that had AFE Intake/Section 2 and eisenmann TI exhaust and I pulled on him 3/3 times on the straightaways. It wasn't a huge difference in acceleration like a 996 tt vs. NSX but still I pulled:biggrin:

 

[afterburners]

My 91 does 13.4@106 at the track and thats with 2.0 60ft. I alway make it a point to race my other favorite cars. I to also raced a m3 (owner even said it was a CSL 360hp version 3050 lbs, even tho I heard they dont' have em here in the U.S.) We went from a 40mph roll on the highway and depending on gearing we pulled on each other half a car back and forth till about 140mph where my NSX then climbed about 6 car lenghts to 150+ before we both backed off. He was stoked & I wasnt' because I see M3's run our track at 13.8-14.3 @ 102's all day even tho the BOOK says 13.4's@105. So I thought I'd pull on him more less earlier. Still a great car that seats 4!

My mods; Cantrell IAS, Dali chipped, comptech headers and hks exhaust.

 

[RP-Motorsports]

At the road courses, it takes a VERY talented driver to beat a talented NSX driver. The E46 is a handfull (read drift monster) while the NSX is much easier to go deep and push the corners. Down the straight, they are dead nuts even up to 140. But as soon as some technical bits come, it holds up an NSX. It is NOT and instant pass, it took a few corners to finally get into position for a pass.

 

[WingZ]

I have both. 04 6spd NSX and 05 M3 SMG. I have to say it's a drivers race and can't imagine somebody in either car pulling hard unless one driver wasn't really commited. They're both quick! I don't know how a NA1 would fare though ,but just going by magazine tests it looks like a M3 would pull on it.

 

[Steve]

93 I/E/H, lightened.......I have pulled an smg by 4 lengths from 35 to about 100.

 

[ediddynsx]

The M3 is fast, feels like it has a supercharger but the shifting on it feels so long. Feels like driving a speed boat vs the nsx like the go kart. I like them both.....I can see the M3 being a daily while the nsx being the weekend car.

 

[GHOSTRIDER]

I have owned 3 of each and the NSX is slightly faster. It is all about the sweet spot and drivers in a race this close. Whoever is in the rev range first is gonna pull a tiny bit.

 

[WealthBuildR]

I've rode in a M3 SMG, and the car did not impress me at all. The car seemed to sluggish, unresponsive, and complicated to drive with all the gadgets to change the car from normal to sports mode. The car was very comfortable and the interior was very luxurious. In my opinion, the M3 is nothing more than a Sporty Luxury Coupe, unlike the NSX, which is a Exotic/Race car on the street. Nothing about the M3's appearance stirs my emotions, the car does not have presence, and it does not evoke any excitement when looking at it. The car blends in with the everday herd of 3 Series', C-class', and A4's. The NSX on the other hand, when in the presence of everyday cars, shines out like a diamond in a coal mine. Comparing the NSX and M3 is like Comparing a Ferrari F40 to a Merc SL65 AMG.

 

[WingZ]

Funny..people here say the same things about the Nsx that the M3 guy's on their forum about the Nsx. I agree about them being in two different catagories and can't imagine why anyone would cross shop the two.

I'm probably considered a bad M3 owner though as I drive my car in the winter. My counterparts sound like NSX guy's when it comes to their M3's ( i.e car doesn't see rain or snow,get nervous when anyone is too close to it won't let anyone drive it..LoL )

Performance wise. Straight line they are pretty even except for top end going to NSX. Nsx is hands down in the corners .but M3 is no slouch in this department. Every car magazine test I've ever seen has the M3 performing at NA2 Nsx levels with the nod sometimes going to the M3 in 0-60.

 

[docdan]

I owned a E46 M3 convertible as well as 97 NSX-T at the same time. I can tell you that the accelleration was just about identical. I have raced these 2 cars against each, with me taking turns driving each car.

It really comes down to the driver. Now if we're talking a M3 coupe vs. a NA1 NSX, the outcome may be different.

 

[Wick]

Somewhat related, but not exactly on topic... I have a '93 NSX (I/E/H) and an e30 M3 ('89), also with numerous performance mods. I have driven both at the track, and while the NSX walks away in the straights, the e30 m3 wins in the corners every time (that's also true of the e30 m3 vs. the e46 M3). I love both my NSX and M3, but the e30 M3 is far more predictable and tossable at the track.

 

[The Kid]

Somewhat related, but not exactly on topic... I have a '93 NSX (I/E/H) and an e30 M3 ('89), also with numerous performance mods. I have driven both at the track, and while the NSX walks away in the straights, the e30 m3 wins in the corners every time (that's also true of the e30 m3 vs. the e46 M3). I love both my NSX and M3, but the e30 M3 is far more predictable and tossable at the track.

Always been a huge fan of the E30 M3. Ive had a 98 M3 and a 02 M3. Call me crazy, but the E46 seems to be a faster car. The car pulls very hard in every single gear and is a great handler as well. The driving experience is very rewarding and extremly comfortable. Im a huge E46 M3 fan and my best friend has an 02 6 speed in Laguna Seca with 19" Breyton Magic racings; Very Very Hot!

 

[brahtw8]

My daily driver (when it works) is a 2003 M3 6-speed. My 93 NSX was roughly equal in acceleration, particularly at higher speeds, but it was making 261 hp at the rear wheels and is lighter than the M3, so that is not surprising. The NSX was a bit slower 0-60, owing to the very tall 2nd gear and resulting RPM drop after the shift to 2nd.

The M3 is good, but the NSX is in its own class when it comes to steering feel and the overall experience of a mid-engined, low-slung exotic versus a proper coupe with a back seat and real trunk.

Having an M3 doesn't do much to eliminate my desire (read need) to purchase another NSX when the summer comes.

 

[cfra7]

I own an NSX but they aren't much competition for M3s on the track. If you want to prove differently, we have the Laguna Seca track rented for Friday February 3rd. I know some M3 owners that wouldn't mind teaching some NSX owners a performance lesson. Just bring a hot lap or an AMB. I trust you don't mind that I publish the lap times.

Having said that, I would never own an M3 and love the NSX but for the money the NSX doesn't offer a lot of performance compared with other high performance cars. It's a great street car.

 

[brahtw8]

I own an NSX but they aren't much competition for M3s on the track. If you want to prove differently, we have the Laguna Seca track rented for Friday February 3rd. I know some M3 owners that wouldn't mind teaching some NSX owners a performance lesson. Just bring a hot lap or an AMB. I trust you don't mind that I publish the lap times.

Having said that, I would never own an M3 and love the NSX but for the money the NSX doesn't offer a lot of performance compared with other high performance cars. It's a great street car.

That is not consistent with my experience having tracked my NSX in the company of many M3s. TBell and NSX 3.0 have been timing cars at Road America for years, and I expect they would also disagree.

 

[NetViper]

Just imagine what a NSX could do the the M3 Motor. Now that would be a hell of a nice car. Both 3.2 L. 333HP vs 290HP.

 

[RP-Motorsports]

I own an NSX but they aren't much competition for M3s on the track. If you want to prove differently, we have the Laguna Seca track rented for Friday February 3rd. I know some M3 owners that wouldn't mind teaching some NSX owners a performance lesson. Just bring a hot lap or an AMB. I trust you don't mind that I publish the lap times.

Having said that, I would never own an M3 and love the NSX but for the money the NSX doesn't offer a lot of performance compared with other high performance cars. It's a great street car.

Steve and I have been BMWCCA members for years, and attend EVERY SINGLE club event (of all makes) at Road America as drivers, timers, instructors etc. You will need a gutted Euro-spec E46 to "beat" an NSX.


I am not saying that an NSX will spank an E46 M3, what I am saying is that i the instructor groups, the NSX's will stay ahead of them.

 

[khappucino]

Always been a huge fan of the E30 M3. Ive had a 98 M3 and a 02 M3. Call me crazy, but the E46 seems to be a faster car. The car pulls very hard in every single gear and is a great handler as well. The driving experience is very rewarding and extremly comfortable. Im a huge E46 M3 fan and my best friend has an 02 6 speed in Laguna Seca with 19" Breyton Magic racings; Very Very Hot!

hehe you mean this color?

<img src = "http://www.icode4food.com/images/car/leanMeanSignature.jpg">

this is my friend's m3, she bought it form george foreman LOL

 

[nsx13]

I own an NSX but they aren't much competition for M3s on the track. If you want to prove differently, we have the Laguna Seca track rented for Friday February 3rd. I know some M3 owners that wouldn't mind teaching some NSX owners a performance lesson. Just bring a hot lap or an AMB. I trust you don't mind that I publish the lap times.

Having said that, I would never own an M3 and love the NSX but for the money the NSX doesn't offer a lot of performance compared with other high performance cars. It's a great street car.

I've been running with the BMWCCA for the past 2 years (great instructors and great events), and in their Advanced Group this past year. The E46 M3s, though great cars, and the '00 to '04 M5s when they're out are generally not a problem even in a straight line.

 

[The Kid]

hehe you mean this color?

<img src = "http://www.icode4food.com/images/car/leanMeanSignature.jpg">

this is my friend's m3, she bought it form george foreman LOL

Thats it. His is much hotter than that. Lowered with Breyton 3 piece 19 inch rims! Ouch Love driving that thing but its no comparison to an NSX.

 

[ediddynsx]

I own an NSX but they aren't much competition for M3s on the track. If you want to prove differently, we have the Laguna Seca track rented for Friday February 3rd. I know some M3 owners that wouldn't mind teaching some NSX owners a performance lesson. Just bring a hot lap or an AMB. I trust you don't mind that I publish the lap times.

Having said that, I would never own an M3 and love the NSX but for the money the NSX doesn't offer a lot of performance compared with other high performance cars. It's a great street car.

If you are talking stock on stock maybe due to the hp difference....but once you mod and nsx correctly with all the right parts then I would have to disagree with you. Wait for a few of us to get our stuff together and we'll see.....it also comes down to the driver also.....sure if you get a professional driver to drive the bmw and a rookie to drive the nsx obviously the bmw will win. Like I said both are great cars but m3 is not in the same league as nsx. And one more thing I think its great that a 15 year old car is getting compared to a 2002+ car with all the modern technology..........I hope we won't be comparing a full track M3 vs a every day street driven nsx......

Getting tired of all these trash talkers.......I should go buy an M3 to be my grocery getter.