Number9
Guest
- Joined
- 25 November 2000
- Messages
- 704
Caveat - these are both highly modified cars, so YMMV. I've been using the NSX as a daily driver while the M3 was being further modified, which took quite some time. Just got the M3 back so the differences between the cars was much more noticeable to me than ever before.
M3 is about torque, NSX is about smooth, continuous pull - the NSX has slightly more RWHP, but the M3 feels like it does because of the higher peak torque - NSX is faster but doesn't feel faster. Grip - stock NSX Yoko's feel grippier than Michelin Pilot Sports, so slightly unfair comparison for handling and braking. The rear weight bias on the NSX feels much better than the M3 on corner exit (for big HP implementations) as the M3 tends to break traction much more easily due to its front weight bias after you dump the spare, jack, and tools - net effect is that I can controllably squeeze more throttle sooner on exit in the NSX. Both cars have full handling mods (for a Zanardi, that just means Comptech non-compliance beam/toe-links whereas the M3 required the full catalog of Dinan S3 parts + BMW X-brace). M3 is a better auto-Xer. More torque and quicker steering ratio make this choice a no-brainer. The NSX is a better tool for Laguna Seca.
As for street driving impressions, surpisingly, the high spring coefficient Zanardi turns out to be way more comfortable and refined than the similarly modded M3. The NSX, even with CTSC, sounds stock (i.e., quiet and refined at all but WOT) whereas the M3 has all sorts of funky sounds, squeaks, rattles, i.e., the latter is all noise-vibration-and-harshness (the X-brace and racing transmission mount seemed to give rise to most of this). Stock pedal placement is much better in the M3.
Both fun cars, though I actually like daily driving the M3 better notwithstanding its lack of refinement - it draws less attention and the better pedal placement, better torque, and quicker steering ratio make it much more nimble overall. The Zanardi is the better track car. Just some random opinions, though based on extensive seat time - YMMV.
M3 is about torque, NSX is about smooth, continuous pull - the NSX has slightly more RWHP, but the M3 feels like it does because of the higher peak torque - NSX is faster but doesn't feel faster. Grip - stock NSX Yoko's feel grippier than Michelin Pilot Sports, so slightly unfair comparison for handling and braking. The rear weight bias on the NSX feels much better than the M3 on corner exit (for big HP implementations) as the M3 tends to break traction much more easily due to its front weight bias after you dump the spare, jack, and tools - net effect is that I can controllably squeeze more throttle sooner on exit in the NSX. Both cars have full handling mods (for a Zanardi, that just means Comptech non-compliance beam/toe-links whereas the M3 required the full catalog of Dinan S3 parts + BMW X-brace). M3 is a better auto-Xer. More torque and quicker steering ratio make this choice a no-brainer. The NSX is a better tool for Laguna Seca.
As for street driving impressions, surpisingly, the high spring coefficient Zanardi turns out to be way more comfortable and refined than the similarly modded M3. The NSX, even with CTSC, sounds stock (i.e., quiet and refined at all but WOT) whereas the M3 has all sorts of funky sounds, squeaks, rattles, i.e., the latter is all noise-vibration-and-harshness (the X-brace and racing transmission mount seemed to give rise to most of this). Stock pedal placement is much better in the M3.
Both fun cars, though I actually like daily driving the M3 better notwithstanding its lack of refinement - it draws less attention and the better pedal placement, better torque, and quicker steering ratio make it much more nimble overall. The Zanardi is the better track car. Just some random opinions, though based on extensive seat time - YMMV.
