NISMO vs the gutless wonder!! 86

AestheticCM1

I've driven both extensively and love both, but whereas the 86 is a fun novelty, the Z is a purpose built cornering machine. If I could only have one car, it'd be the 86 due to space, mpg, and its tailhappy fun under 40mph.

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True sports-cars have two seats.

I like my cars like my women, Asian imports.

OptionZero

we should all chill a bit

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AestheticCM1

Sorry for the zealousness, the Z replaced my bmw so comparatively the Z's cornering ability is astoundingly good.

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True sports-cars have two seats.

I like my cars like my women, Asian imports.

nis350

I too replaced my e46 M3 with the 370z. Honestly, the M3 is better in all categories compared to the Z The e46 M3 motor is amazingly smooth and interior is better with the napa leather etc... Yes, I do know that the maintenace is much higher for the M3.

The main reason for the replacement was because I really like the look of the car (my 3rd Z) and it was new to me while the M3 was old at the time.

It's probably not a fair comparison as the M3's MSRP was in the $60k's

AestheticCM1

Mine was an e36, and a 328i not an M, so your comparison is different from mine, though that's inconsequential given the subjective nature of your statement. While I'll give it a nod for balance, exhaust note, and obviously engine smoothness and torque curve (with the melodious straight six, none of those were ever up for debate), power difference aside, it didn't corner even remotely close to the Z. It was easier to feel out the limits though, whereas that certainly takes time in the Z. Interior, meh, no different from touring other than the wood finishes and inferior HK stereo (moonroof was nice though). Having only test driven new 335s back when I was looking at the Z, I can't really give any meaningful feedback on them other than the fact that their footprints felt WAY too big, their body roll was noticeable, and there was some lag in the throttle. I also didn't appreciate the lack of that analog mpg counter at the bottom of the instrument cluster. Obviously the e46 didn't suffer from that shortcoming to the same degree, but even it was a pig compared to the e36 size wise.

To counter your point though, in Motortrend skid pad tests the e46 m3 had a lateral g rating of .86 whereas the Z (sport package) pulled .91-1.01, so with respect to cornering, your memory of the e46's cornering ability may be a bit hazy. Also, the e46 m3 was only a $45k car so the comparison seems fair enough.

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True sports-cars have two seats.

I like my cars like my women, Asian imports.

nis350

The e30 and e46 M3's are my favorite. I don't have any experience with the non-M BMW's. They are more like luxury cars to me. The e46 isn't a pig over the e36. it has almost 100 more hp and one extra gear. e36 M3 is a great car, but I felt the e46 is better.

I'm doubtful you could have gotten an e46 m3 for $45k. The base model without any options in 2005 was close to $50k and in the mid $50k's fully loaded. And that is 14 years ago money.

As far as handling goes, you're right. The Z does feel better.