Please help: has anyone had (or driven) both nsx and E36 M3?

[TigerNSX]

I am trying to replace my 96 M3 (w/ 70k miles) w/ 91 nsx (w/ 70k miles). I am not sure whether this is a good choice that I am making. If you could help me with this, I will appreciate it.

I haven't driven 91 nsx yet since it's located a bit far from where I live.

Thank you.

Also, is $34k for 91 nsx w/ 70k miles a good price?

Thank you.

 

[nsxtasy]

I am trying to replace my 96 M3 (w/ 70k miles) w/ 91 nsx (w/ 70k miles). I am not sure whether this is a good choice that I am making.

It depends on why you are replacing it. They are very different cars. What is it that you like about the M3? Its ability to carry more than two occupants? Its ability to blend in with other cars on the road and remain inconspicuous? Those qualities will not be present in the NSX. OTOH, the NSX is significantly faster than the M3 (no surprise, with 12 percent more power and 6 percent less weight). It handles like a sports car with a low center of gravity. Fit and finish and overall quality are higher than the M3.

is $34k for 91 nsx w/ 70k miles a good price?

Only if it's a five-speed in excellent condition, with complete records, clean title, and not in snap ring range. Otherwise it may be a few thousand on the high side.

[This message has been edited by nsxtasy (edited 30 December 2001).]

 

[NetViper]

Having driven both cars, I really don't think there is much of a comparison. The NSX feels much more refined. However, the BMW does feel a lot more torquey. I have driven the M3 auto and standard and while the standard was more fun, It doesnt feel as good as the NSX.

Another thing that dissapoints me about the M3 is that compared to the newer model, the interior really looks dated. The NSX interior however, even in 1991, still looks great.

You will also really notice the lack of power steering on the NSX vs the M3.

As for the price, I think 34K is way too high for 70K miles. Do some searching on autotrader and you will find a couple of 94 NSX's with that mileage for around 36. Going that route you dont have to worry about snap ring range, you also get the newer wheels and a car that is 3 years newer.. all for 2 grand. It is probably also easier to finance a 94 vs 91.

Anyway, hope that helps!


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NetViper -= 100% Stock EBP 2000 Civic Si =- Still looking to get an NSX, but at least I can live life at 8,000 RPM!

 

[smoore]

having owned a 95' dakar yellow m3 and many nsx's the choice is easy for me (nsx) the m3 is great looking car but the tranny sucks i blew up two motors in the car from shifting into 2nd instead of 4th and the car has the torque to put the valve right through the top of the piston :-( unless its the driver? even though m series beefed up the whole car a seemed to left the 318i tranny in there. as the nsx the shifting alone is flaw-less. my m3 was as fast as my nsx stock 91 nsx when the m3 had no interior (seats alones are like 85lbs each!!!!) i/h/e chip mass air etc.
anyway drive the nsx and then you too will see

 

[TigerNSX]

Thank you so much for your input! I will be mainly driving the car for summer and weekends.

I will let you know what I decide upon.

Thank you.

 

[ScienceofSpeed]

Ken's right, they are very different cars. If you don't need the functionality of the M3, you will be very thankful you went with the NSX.

$34k for a 91 with 70k miles is on the high end. You can find cars for much better $$$ if you look around. Don't settle for one because it's close. Do your research (start here: www.NSXPrime.com/toc.htm) and you'll be rewarded with a nice car. There are a lot of very nice ones out there now!

-- Chris

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[Brettk]

I had a 98 M3 and a 94 NSX and it was pure bliss. I had the looks and functionality of the M3 and all the benefits that come with an NSX. This is probably a repeat of what everybody else is saying in this thread. But here is my opinion.
I liked the M3 for it's torque and press you back in your seat acceleration.
I also enjoyed having back seats when I needed them. I disliked the front seats (you slide all around in them when your taking turns.) I also disliked the 5 speed (the throw was too far and the gears seemed lose) Things I disliked about the M3 only became apparent to me after I started driving the NSX. (short throw shifter seats that wrap around you) It was a perfect combination I would drive the M3 on the weekdays and the NSX on the weekends.
After owning both cars if I could only choose one I would take the M3. Not because it is better, it is just more practical. There is no space to put much of anything in a NSX and getting out of the car with a coffee in your hand is an exercise in balance and coordination. But the main thing is if you drive an NSX everyday to mundane places like work and circle K you do not appreciate it as much as if you just saved it for weekend driving or on a back road after a stressful day at work.
Just as footnote I sold both cars about a year ago and last month I just purchased another 94 NSX. I drive a company vehicle Monday through Friday and the NSX on weekends. Believe me it's hard to walk past my NSX every morning in the garage and get in my 94 Astro Van. But it does make me appreciate the car even more.

 

[8000RPM]

I caught NSX fever a few years back and considered seriously to trade my '95M3 for an NSX. However, the M3 is such a great car that I knew I would miss it, so I reached a compromise: I kept the M3 and bought a '95 NSX-T.

Problem solved and I am a very happy man.

Now the M3 is my competent daily driver while the NSX gets the nod for weekend blasts up the NorCal mountain roads.

I must admit however that I feel much more confident tossing the M3 around corners than I do in the NSX. Might just be becaust I know the M3's handling traits better than I do the NSX's.

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'95 NSX-T: comptech exhaust, eibachs, bilsteins, WW front spoiler, 17/18 Work Wheels
'95 M3
'99 A4

 

[TigerNSX]

"I liked the M3 for it's torque and press you back in your seat acceleration"

Does NSX lack this feel? In what way, then, is NSX better than M3 in terms of driving experience?

Thank you.

 

[NetViper]

Originally posted by Tiger740:
"I liked the M3 for it's torque and press you back in your seat acceleration"

Does NSX lack this feel? In what way, then, is NSX better than M3 in terms of driving experience?

Thank you.

I have only driven a couple of M3's and a couple NSX's, but I would say that the NSX does lack the feel of being pushed back in your seat. It has a similar feel to my Civic Si in that you never feel pressed back, but the speed just keeps increasing (as does the noise). I really do miss that feeling. -- Again these could just be my experiences as I haven't spent a long time driving an NSX or really pushing it for more than a couple 0-60 runs on the street.

I am guessing that the BB supercharger (or any form of FI) gets that "pushed back" feeling in the NSX... does it????


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NetViper -= 100% Stock EBP 2000 Civic Si =- Still looking to get an NSX, but at least I can live life at 8,000 RPM!

 

[nsxtasy]

I've driven the E36 M3 and the NSX on both street and track.

The NSX, like most of Honda's VTEC cars, has its advantage in its wide revband. It accelerates smoothly, at a uniform rate, almost all the way to its 8000 RPM redline. This, in fact, is its advantage; you can keep accelerating at that rate in a lower gear, at speeds where conventional cars would have power drop off and need to upshift to a higher gear, losing the gearing advantage to the NSX. The NSX can still be going 81 mph in second, 115 in third... well, you know all that.

The E36 M3 starts accelerating with authority, but that acceleration falls off in each gear, and you've got to upshift at lower speeds.

Also, the perception of speed differs - the M3 with its deeper growl, vs the NSX with its high-pitched whine. The E36 M3 sounds like it has more grunt. Of course, it actually doesn't; its acceleration figures are just not as fast as the NSX.

The E46 M3, of course, is a different story.

 

[huckster]

owned a three series and loved it, and have driven the m3.

everything everybody has said is true. i think it really comes down to your needs. If you want an exotic high performance screamer then no doubt the nsx. if you want arguaBLY the best compromise of performance and practicality, then the m3.

personally, i dont think i could be married to an exotic high performance screamer, it is just too exhausting. if youre an auto polygamist, then you've got to have the nsx. but if you're a one car sort of guy, id go with the m. it is a compromise but all around is easy to live with.

OR if you can only afford one, id buy an acura tl, save the extra money and get the nsx when you can afford to keep both cars.
good luck.

 

[1BADNSX]

I currently own both cars and your question is a tough one. The M3 feels faster because it is geared shorter with torque being amplified 13.57 times (4.2 1st gear and 3.23 final drive), compared to the NSX with 12.46 overall gearing(3.07 1st gear and 4.06 ring and pinion). Combine the gearing advantage with the increased torque of the M3 engine (210 lb ft for the M3 versus 188 lb ft of the NSX) and the M3 puts 21.7% greater torque to the ground. But, as Ken pointed out earlier, this works great until you have to shift into second gear and then overall the NSX will out accelerate the M3.

On the track, I think the M3 is easier to drive at the limit and for some drivers, the M3 may be faster at the track. With a good driver, the NSX should be 1-2 seconds a lap faster than the M3, but this is primarily due to an acceleration advantage, not a handling advantage (IMO).

If I had to only pick one car as your question posed, I would pick the NSX if it were going to be a weekend car and I would pick the M3 if it were going to be my only car.

Bob

 

[Brettk]

One of the things I miss about my M3 is the one touch up and down feature on all the windows. It does not seem like it is common on any cars except German ones. I guess US and Japanese car manufactures don't trust us not to roll up the windows on our selves, children, dogs, etc. Anyway I took my NSX to a local shop and when they put in the alarm they converted both windows to one touch up and down. Yahoo, German ingenuity meets Japanese innovation.

 

[SJJ28]

I currently have a 91 NSX, and a 95 M3. The NSX is a garage queen, and the third car. The M3 is my daily driver. I pretty much agree with everything stated previously, and the general consensous that if its a TRUE "TOY" car, then you have to go with the NSX. If you want to drive it with any sense of regularity (in both terms of time, and practicality while using it)then the M3 is a DAMN good choice!
The most spot on comment I've heard is that the interior of the E36 M3's seem dated! I hate the interior "look". The airbag wheel is huge, and the rim not thick enough. The dashes on all of them do not fit well around the HVAC vents, lots of them have bubbles in the door panels where an elbow may have rested...and so on. But as far as fun to drive, and easy to drive fast, The m3 is a sweet deal!
I'm no race car driver, but I have done 8 or so track days in several different cars, and one day each in the NSX and M3 at the same track. I was easily faster in the M3. I will allow that a large portion of that is that i was much more timid in my baby (the NSX), but it seemed so easy to go fast in the M3.

in summation: While the NSX is very practical for the kind of car it is, it just isnt good as a daily driver (flame suit on)
The M3 however is great at being a daily driver, and is very nearly as much fun to drive as the NSX, the one thing you lose is the shock factor of a low wide exotic.

Good luck!!!

Steve

91 NSX
95 M3 (For Sale w/only 31k miles!!)
01 MDX
02 M3 SMG (incoming)

 

[Larry]

A friend of mine just bought a 2002 M3 convirtable. Really nice car. Lot's of creature comforts, ver comfortable to ride and drive, all kinds of slick goodies, killer stereo, heated seats, sport switch, suspension switch and very, and I mean VERY quick ! I couldn't shake him during a recent run. I still love my NSX but my wife wants to know how come my car cost $20,000 more than his. I don't know the answer to this question........does anyone ??? I could've gotten an M3 Coupe but opted for the Acura. I know I made the right choice......I think...

Think seriously before you make a purchase.

 

[nsxtasy]

There will always be some cars that are faster than others, and some cars that are less expensive than others. The two do not always correlate perfectly.

I still love my NSX but my wife wants to know how come my car cost $20,000 more than his.

Yes, but your friend's wife wants to know how come his car cost several thousand dollars more than a comparably equipped Corvette Z06 that is faster than his M3.

 

[JChoice]

Yes, but your mistress will appreciate the sexy good looks of the NSX.

Just kidding...