Selling my 98 NSX for 02 M3

[charleysung]

I am contemplating selling my 98 NSX for a 2002 M3.

When I sold my BMW 330ci and bought my car, I had to decide between an M3 and NSX. It was a tough decision, but I decided on the NSX primarily because they are so rare, whereas you see several M3s a day.

I love my NSX. It turns a lot of heads ... certainly more than an M3 ever will. But I am a little disappointed with the quality of the car. The mechanical quality of the car (i.e., engine, suspension, etc.) are awesome. But, otherwise, the car feels too plastic-like. It rattles and all the interior panels feel like a fragile plastic toy. It doesn't have the solid German car feel. It's also a 98, so it's pretty old.

For my NSX, I think I can get a 2002 M3 with less than 20k miles. I miss the heavy thud you hear when you close the door of a BMW. You may hate me for this, but I also miss the useless amenities ... like the heated seats, the seat memory, the rain sensing wipers, etc.

Anyone make the mover from NSX to M3 or vice versa?

 

[svalleynsx]

Well, to each his own. How much will you be asking for your car? Stock? Any mods? Picture?

 

[wctsao]

You may want to check out the S2ki site and look for KaiWang. I think he's also in the DC area.

I think he still hangs out there. He use to own a 95 NSX-T and now has an M3 and S2000 I think.

 

[jorligan]

I have been driving my M3 exclusively while my 98 is getting some work done. I agree that the "useless" amenities are nice but I do miss the NSX. The M3 clearly doesn't handle as nicely as the M3 and there is certainly less road feel. The M3 is clearly a great sedan but you may miss the NSX more than you think. I would also get the '01 M3 and save a few dollars or use the money to get some aftermarket goodies. I get a lot of looks, almost as much as the NSX but my M3 is Carbon Black with Breyton 19" Magic wheels with 35 series tires and it is lowered. When compared to a stock M3, huge difference.

 

[RyRy210]

Hmm... my NSX doesn't feel that way at all. And yes, I had an M3 before with the dreaded engine problem. The dealer gave me a refund and I got myself a fully loaded 330xi instead.

To me the 330xi, or ci for that matter, isn't all that different from the M3 interior.

If you say you went from a 330ci to an NSX, and then say that you prefer the M3 interior, I don't know why you didn't stick with the 330 to begin with, or make the leap straight to an M3.

Seriously, all the 3 series interior layouts are pretty much the same.

My M3, and my 330xi, when new, does not even come close to my '01 NSX. My NSX is solid and built like a rock.

Let me ask you this, did you buy your car used? Caused if you feel that the quality is subpar compared to the 3 series/M3, then I sincerely think you got a poorly maintained '98 to begin with. To me quality vs interior layout/luxury options are 2 totally different things. It just seems like you think the NSX is poorly built inside and out and I just think that is not true.

Here is my 330xi and NSX side by side. I have also attached an interior shot of my 330xi.

 

[Wickeddeus]

I would wait for the new M4 or the likes because that S54 engine are still blowing even into the 2003.5 make year.

 

[donwon]

Charley,

I just got a 330, and I can identify with the points you've made. If you are used to driving the bimmers,

 

[donwon]

Charley,

I just got a 330, and I can identify with the points you've made. If you are used to driving the bimmers, then I can understand how you can associate the bmw feel with (good). Comes down to matter of preference. I appreciate the bimmers solid feel and tank like driving, but you talking about a luxury car versus a sportscar. Either way, seems like most who sold the nsx, eventually bought another one. Tough choice. Personally, I think you should fix your rattle, then make a decision. Good luck

 

[Tantheman]

Two of the best 6 cyclinders in the world. One is the highest NA V6 and the other is the highest NA straight 6 and both are 3.2 liters. You can not go wrong with either IMO. Both are exceptional cars in different classes. I like these cars in general so I will not bash one over the other.

Tan

 

[PKim]

Charley,

The only reason that I would contemplate such an idea is if I needed more passenger space. If you have a wife and kids to haul around then it makes sense to to a sporty sedan. I don't know about your 98NSX but my 91 is solid, I have no rattle and I think the interior is alittle out dated but I love the way the seat fell low and snug.

Paul

 

[elixer]

Charley,
i was in the same shoes about 3 months ago.
Look what i ended up with - 2nd NSX...

i've had 3, 5, 7, even X5, sure BMWs are much better overall comfy cars, BUT no matter which car you end up with, you'll miss your old NSX. I did!! very much!!

No cars (includ. M3s) can give you the RAW sports car feel, un-erasable grin from one ear to the next whenever you drive (my daily driver), 'what kind of car is that'-looks from people, smell (just had cat by-pass put in) and sound of incredible motor right behind your head, and lastly 'WHOAAAAOOOWWW' everytime i hit the 8,000 rpm note.....

trust me dude, been there done that many and many times (my wife hates that)

DON't cross over cause ya'll come right back, i guarOnteeeee!!!

'some people DRIVE their cars, we WEAR our cars'

my 02 cents


Jon

 

[2slow2speed]

My suggestion would be for you to drive the M3 back to back with the NSX and follow whatever your heart tells you to do.

I own a 02 SMG M3 with the AC Schnitzer Sport Suspension and AC Schnitzer Wheels (245/35/19, 275/30/19), prior to that I used to own a stock 01 M3 with the 6 speed, neither of them compares to the feeling of driving the NSX.

Even with the AC Sport Suspension (it feels better than the stock) and wider tires the M3 understeers like a pig, the cars feels heavy, the 01 shifter was balky with extremely long throws, nothing compared to the precise shifting of the NSX.

With the M3, I feel very detached when I am driving, I can be driving at 50mph, 70mph or even 100mph and it all feels the same, the steering is very numb, and does not communicate much. The stock brakes on the M3 have better pads so it actually feels better than the stock NSX brakes, but the braking on the M3 is inadequate at the track.

The interior ergonomics of the M3 leaves a bit to be desired, the arm rest gets in the way of the shifter (on both the SMG as well as the 6 speed), the clutch engagement is a bit abrupt.

The M3 is an excellent cruiser for long trips if you have the Seat Package, but the stock seats lacks proper lumbar support, and you start feeling it after long trips.

Every time that I give a ride at the track to people who own E46 M3's on my NSX, they are amazed at the feeling of raw speed that you feel on the NSX. Even if the laptimes are similar to the E46 M3, the drivers always think that my laptimes on the NSX are lower simply because it gives you a much faster sense of speed.

Overall if given a choice between the M3 or the NSX as the only sports car that I can have, I would choose my 97NSX and stick with a beater car for my daily driving.

Good luck in your decission.

Ken

 

[jlindy]

IFor my NSX, I think I can get a 2002 M3 with less than 20k miles. I miss the heavy thud you hear when you close the door of a BMW. You may hate me for this, but I also miss the useless amenities ... like the heated seats, the seat memory, the rain sensing wipers, etc.

Anyone make the mover from NSX to M3 or vice versa?

That heavy thud you hear is the extra 300 plus pounds, but I understand where you are coming from on some points. I contemplated it so I would have a car with more room, but aesthetically, the NSX is sooooo much prettier. I would love to have the M3 in addition to my NSX, but it would be hard to replace it. Who knows, someday I may.

 

[Joel]

You wouldn't have the german feel on the NSX any more than you would have the japanese feel on the M3. Of course not. But good luck with the M3. It's a nice car.

 

[wagyshag]

elixer: very well put!!!! I couldn't agree more!!!

 

[charleysung]

Thank you for your valuable inputs.
I was about 50/50 before, but now I think I am about 70/30 in favor of keeping my NSX.

I think Ima go for a drive and let the v-tech roar deafen the incessant "emm three - emm three" chant in my head that keeps me up at night.

 

[charleysung]

I'm getting a lot of differing info.
Based on accurate 0-60 times, does anyone know for sure which car is faster on a straight away, stock to stock?

 

[2slow2speed]

I'm getting a lot of differing info.
Based on accurate 0-60 times, does anyone know for sure which car is faster on a straight away, stock to stock?

Your 98NSX and a stock E46 M3 with the 6 speed have comparable 0-60 and 1/4 mile times and trap speeds. So it's a toss up..

Ken

 

[Joel]

Thank you for your valuable inputs.
I was about 50/50 before, but now I think I am about 70/30 in favor of keeping my NSX.

I think Ima go for a drive and let the v-tech roar deafen the incessant "emm three - emm three" chant in my head that keeps me up at night.

At the risk of being the devil's advocate, you need to hear both sides of the argument. Go to the M3 boards and post the same question. I'm not advocating for you getting rid of your NSX, but it's a pretty important, and potentially expensive, decision to switch back and forth. That's how I'd do it.

 

[chriswtx]

The M3 is a great car also. The straight six has lots of torque and is fun to drive. I have a 93' NSX and it is very tight no squeeks or rattles. Mabey your 98' is loose, mabey you should drive a few other NSXs and compare those to your own. Just like any car there are good ones and bad ones(Even with new cars on the showroom floor).

 

[jlindy]

Based on Edmunds, it looks like the M3 is faster, but I have heard both.

Exterior
Length: 176.8 in. Width: 70.1 in.
Height: 54 in. Wheel Base: 107.5 in.
Curb Weight: 3415 lbs.
Interior
Front Head Room: 37.5 in. Front Shoulder Room: 54.5 in.
Rear Head Room: 36.5 in. Rear Shoulder Room: 52.7 in.
Front Leg Room: 41.7 in. Rear Leg Room: 33.2 in.
Luggage Capacity: 9.5 cu. ft. Maximum Seating: 5

Performance Data




Performance
Acceleration (0-60 mph): 5 sec. Braking Distance: 112 ft.
Base Number of Cylinders: 6 Base Engine Size: 3.2 liters
Base Engine Type: Inline 6 Horsepower: 333 hp
Max Horsepower: 7900 rpm Torque: 262 ft-lbs.
Max Torque: 4900 rpm Drive Type: RWD
Turning Circle: 36.1 ft.

Fuel Data


Fuel
Fuel Tank Capacity: 16.6 gal.
EPA Mileage Estimates: (City/Highway)
Manual: 16 mpg / 24 mpg
Range in Miles: (City/Highway)
Manual: 265.6 mi. / 398.4 mi.

 

[Meeyatch1]

Anyone make the mover from NSX to M3 or vice versa?

I had a BMW M3 that I sold last year because the quality was not what I would call 'acceptable'. Since then I bought a second NSX and have been thrilled. Over the long haul the NSX seems to hold up better and uses higher quality materials on the inside. The M3 was fun, but the NSX seems better built to me.

 

[Lazarus]

Mind you, if you're only going to have one car, and you've got kids, there's really nothing to consider, is there?

But for pure driving pleasure, the M3 couldn't hold a candle to the NSX. In fact, there's not many cars out there that can.

 

[NSXDreamer2]

Charles, I have the answer for your squeaking, besides your car might be a little loose, you had the JIC suspension, which, I suspect is a lot more stiffer than the stock one. A lot of people ignored that some parts of the car need to take impact from the road irregularts and bumps...

Now back to comparing the nsx with the M3... While I love the nsx suspension to death, I would not think it's the right car for "EVERYONE". It's a sport car and to me, it's just right with pure driving feelings. However, to my significant other, she absoulutely hates it, since it's noisy and bumpy. (Lets not getting to my wife/fiance madness toward my X ) Just like someone mentioned, M3 is still a luxury car. So you do get the luxury feel from steering wheel, and other amenties...

I would like to point out that it's really get down to what car would suit your driving habit and life style.

M3 is the kind of car that's easy to be fast, it's very well rounded, it had a personality that "I'll do everything nice and neat, if you ask."

Nsx is also easy to drive fast, (until you try to untap the last 10th of its potential). It's more like..." I'll do everything just fine, but if you want me to do "that", you better got something." To some of us, that's what the nsx more appealing than the M3: the real sports car personality.

 

[jorligan]

Straight line between M3 and 3.2 L NSX, almost a dead heat. This is personal experience of my wife driving the NSX and me in our 01 M3 with the 6 speed and vice versa. She nor I could pull away with either car and this was from a standing start. Will concur about the long throw on the M3 when compared to the NSX but again apples and oranges. The flip side of the M3 board, well I frequent that board also, www.bimmer.org and for the most part, not the passion for the car as on the PRIME site.

When you put on the sport mode on the M3, it feels like you are accelerating faster but then you notice that the car no longer accelerates as fast as the rpm increases when compared to sport mode off. Definitely an illusion but it does make for more initial seat of the pants fun. If you never take the RPM greater than 6K, its great but makes for jerky driving.