NSX or M3?

[freedom_honda]

My driving instructor stopped me in view of a roundabout and told me to watch all the BMWs that go past and see how they drive. In a couple of minutes we watched 3 BMWs and each driver commited an offence on the roundabout that would lead them to fail their driving test. No other car we saw did anything wrong, my instructor explained that the kind of people who buy BMWs usually think they're the best on the road and perform stupid and dangerous manouvers, and he's right, its quite scary to watch.
Obviously not all BMW drivers are like this, my mates dad is a good careful driver in his estate, but its a good reason to avoid them I suppose, you'll turn more heads in an NSX too.

i remember there was actually a survey pointed out the exact same thing..


NSX for sure, no doubt about it.
and absolutely no problem for everyday driving as the NSX is known as the "everyday supercar".
oh dont forget AYTON SENNA helped the development of the car as well.
so yeah i would go for the NSX if i was you

[mx_tifoso]

Maybe if BMW drops the weight to around 3200 lbs they would have something great in their hands.

Currently the E92 M3 weighs in at 1655 kilo/3648lbs, BMW would have to take away 400 lbs or so to get it there. It would definately be a great accomplishment and would improve the car a lot, but I doubt it will be done, nice to dream about it isn't it though?!

For some reason, I am still considering purchasing an E46 M3 over the new E92 M3 (in a few years time of course). I'm sorry to say that the E92 and the rest of Chris Bangle's designs just don't do it for me.

If possible here in the states, E46 M3 CS, otherwise a standard M3 version will do.
http://www.worldcarfans.com/1060428.001 ... -bmw-m3-cs

[m3_lover]

No you can get the CS package on your M3 in North America. Mines a 04, but I hear anything from 01 to 02 there is a problem with the subframe that will with alot of mileage will need to be replaced, and it is quite expensive. So go after anything above a 03 and make sure the car had the mandatory recall to the engine because some blowing up.

[mx_tifoso]

No you can get the CS package on your M3 in North America. Mines a 04, but I hear anything from 01 to 02 there is a problem with the subframe that will with alot of mileage will need to be replaced, and it is quite expensive. So go after anything above a 03 and make sure the car had the mandatory recall to the engine because some blowing up.

I understand, and the model year I am contemplating on purchasing would be '04 or newer, but for some reason or another those years are a bit more pricier. My goal would be for a CS, but if it turned out very difficult or near impossible to find it, a standard M3 would certainly be good enough, to start with. As I would most likely make some major modifications regarding weight (remove the rear seats) and other mechanical aspects (slotted discs f/r).

And I do know about the S54 having major issues for some owners, but since its a manufucturer's design flaw it would be covered by BMW.
Although I don't recall hearing about the subframe problems for this model. Are they specific only to the '01-02 years? What was the exact cause, too much mileage?

Seeing how its a very practical every day car, its perfect as I have a family history of putting a lot of mileage on our vehicles ( my current vehicle is a '00 and has about 161,000 miles on it!). Just hope its overall reliability is up to the task, because I understand that every single vehicle has little problems here and there, nothing unusual.

As I have said previously, this would be in a few years time still, as I am currently attending college and I am not in the financial position to purchase this type of vehicle yet. I have admired the E46 M3 for many years now, and find it very alluring, hopefully I will be a proud owner some day soon.

Since you have an M3, would you care to share some info over it with us? Such as color, modifications (if any), or anything about it worth mentioning.
You're pretty lucky to have one, are you content with owning it? Do any track time with it?

[m3_lover]

I got 04 M3, it took me a long time to save up since I am at school still. The Mileage sucks is my chief complaint, I never gotten over 23.8 mpg on the highway and that was using it gently. So your gas bill is going to be more then usual if you drive it alot in the city. Also do not forget your insurance, I turn 24 this year so it went down, but it is still alot. The Drivers Door panel, the lower part, you will start to see a lot of scuff marks on it after time. The only other complaint is that my g.f says it is too loud and stiff, but she drives a 05 Audi so it is a big difference for her. But if you get it, you will not be disappointed.

Im not a big fan of modifications so I have done nothing to the car. Carbon Black with Red Leather. No Track time as of yet. I am content with owning it but I really am loving the new Cadillac CTS so I might trade/sell in a years time.

I think West had a M3 too or a couple of BMW's so he can message on here too about his experience.

M3forum.net is a good place to check out if you have any questions and there are a lot of topics and threads about the E46.The Subframe issue is what I read from the M3 forum, I can not remember the exact reason but I know there a lot of threads dedicated to that issue.

[Alexis]

It's been a while since I've posted on this forum because I don't have the time for it, but I think I can really be helpful on this topic because I've been in both cars .

The M3 is an amazing peace of engineering, no doubt about it. It's very fast, and it has four seats and a booth... But that's it.

The NSX is a completely different car. I was lucky to be the passenger in one for 8 laps on the circuit of Zolder last summer. It was just absolute magic.... It's less practical than the M3, noisier, harder and the interior indeed is ugly. But that's just the point. It's a pure, focused supercar. In my life i've only been in a Ferrari one time and the feeling I got in the NSX came very close to the feeling I had in the Ferrari. The noise of the engine is unbelievably good, and loud and you can feel the chassis has been developped by a racing driver. The driver sitting next to me was saying that 'it handled like a dream'. If I had the choice I immediatly bought an NSX, it is a thing of beauty, a car with a soul.

The M3 sure is a good car, but it's cold, emotionless and it's a product of german hypocrisy (Yes we like the environement and we are develloping green techniques and safety programs so lets a put a big 420hp V8 in a family car so that we can crash the kids into a tree when taking them to school at 150mph.... Bloody Germans... ). Maybe I'm a purist... I think a supercar should be built from scratch instead of tuning up a boring saloon. Because that's what it is, a boring saloon that should have a 2.0 diesel engine in it. A sane person may perhaps buy an M3.
Of course I see the point of someone buying it. But a real petrolhead with a real racing heart buys the NSX.

Totaly agree on what you guys say about BMW drivers. I'm sick of executives changing lane without indicator for 5000 times in 1 km in their butt ugly 520d. I have to say the M3 driver is not this kind. These executives think they're cool because they have an exclusive BMW. The ultimate driving machine... yeah right... these people have never heard of an NSX.

[Fiero Brick]

NSX.

When I go to sleep, I dream about cars with an engine between my back and the rear tires. I get goosebumps hearing a well-tuned v6 or v12 singing. Swinging a low moment of inertia car around corners on the asphalt makes me giddy.

I don't care about passengers, cup holders, what they'll think of me at the country club, or even whether my girlfriend wants to ride in my car.

Buy the NSX.

[Belatti]

You are lucky to choose between those two cars, here I have never seen an NSX on the streets (only in exibitions) and barely one or two M3 and I´m far away from those cars.

In fact, I owed a 1996 1.4L Fiat Uno with 200,000 KM done and last week I changed it, I had 2 options:
- 1999 VW GOL 1.6L (I think its Polo in Europe), 91,000KM done
- 2000 GM Corsa 1.8L 120,000KM done
(Any car beyond a compact is way too expensive for my thin pocket)

I choose the VW, went with the money that was left to Oktoberfest (had to travel 1500KM) and mileage was 42mpg / 15km/lt. I won´t tell my beer mileage!!!

SO, WICH CAR DID YOU CHOOSE?

[West]

I think West had a M3 too or a couple of BMW's so he can message on here too about his experience.

I wish I could say I owned one... but I did not have money at the time I needed a car. Instead, I own an 06 350Z. I love it. It is fast for the price. I didn't care about nice interior stuff... I used to drive a couple of Lexus's around and although they were nice, you get complacent to them easily.

I have changed the intake, replaced the exhaust w/ a titanium one, and got some lightweight Volks (18 lbs each; they are a supplier to Williams). I thought I would never mod my car, but when I went researching and saw some nice cars, I eventually got the bug. I am not really into body kits (although NISMO makes a great one), neons, or radio stuff (although I got an Alpine).

That said, the M3 is a desirable car. The NSX is great too. But when the issue of getting a car came up, the NSX never crossed my mind. Basically, it was either a brand-new car or a used M3. In the end, the 350Z stood out. It was brand new, it had torque, it had no electronic aids or nice interior, and it was affordable. It reminds me of what a sports car truly should be.

[mx_tifoso]

BMW E46 M3 CS

Basic report by the site, with the addition of a members discussion about the car. Good read if you're into the M3. Thought I'd share it with you guys.

I see various of these M3's very often near or around my work, it's taunting me day after day! The specific one I see the most is a black coupe, looks very much stock, and clean as a whistle (from the exterior anyways).

Although theres another mod'ed one around as well, IIRC, black exterior with carbon-black BBS's, AP's or Brembos, and a just-right lowered suspension package.

And then today I saw a grey M3 fly past me as well, the sound was amazing to say the least!

Along with the M3's, theres a grey E60 M5 and a red NSX lurking around too.