S2k or a M3 ??

[versace604]

Hi im new here but im having a hard choice of choosing which car i should buy ... if i get a s2k for sure im getting turbo conversion but say if i get a m3 i would still get turbo but i doubt they have a turbo kit for it ... this is a hard decision and maybe a little advice would help. btw does any1 own both cars here? if yes please tell me wuts ur opinion.. this will be a everyday driving car so yea ... thanks

[douge]

Hey, I have been looking at the S2000 and M3. How I wound up looking at an S2000 vs. an M3 is pretty simple. I realize I really enjoy wringing the car out. Whatever I buy I will drive it hard. The M3 is a very beautiful car. Powerful agile, somewhat exclusive and pretty fun. The problem is its to fast to run through the gears ALL the time. Running an M3 hard will result in lots of high speeds and tickets and maybe me not being a very cautious driver. NOT GOOD.

THe S2000 is a lot of fun. IT is nice to look at, they are somewhat exclusive, they are cheap IMO and even cheaper to own. You CAN run through the gears all of the time and though it is still a relatively fast car, you can still use a lot of the cars ability in a somewhat sane manner. Some may argue this point.

The bottom line is that I feel I can rev the valve covers off the Honda 75-80% of the time just zipping around town, whereis the BMW is more of a brute that you sneak through the gears on occassion when no one is looking. S2000 is lots of fun most of the time, M3 is scary fast but cannot be exploited as often.

S2000 has the higher smiles to miles ratio vs. the M3.

[Emporio]

i drive a s2000 as every day car and my friend has an M3 con there are both fun to drive but the m3 is way to heavy on the pocket for every day, one more things he run in 2 alot of problems its in the Dealer more than its under his foot. as for the s2000 i just take it in for the normal service some times i don?t recall when i last toke it in.

[versace604]

thanks for the advice haha imma think i mite go with the s2 then when the new m3 comes out if it looks nice ill trade in the s2 for it.... and plus s2 has more room under the hood for turbo supersharger and etc... thx

[dohcrwd]

S2000 and M3 is totally different, i would say, how much $$$ you wannay pay for a car and how often you use, what kind of driving or racing you do??? S2000 is much more like a F1 car then anyother car on the market. Ofcouse M3 is a bad ass. but i have to say. M3 is born for speed and S2000 is born for U.

[dpf]

Have owned both an E36 M3 and S2000. Both cars are tremendous at what they do, albeit they do it in different ways. The biggest difference is the amount of money for maintainance and parts. BMWs are notorious for overcharging their owners, but it is a price many consider worth the investment.

Engines
M3 is a high-revving racer, but also has an abundance of torque down low. Take it thru the hills of San Francisco, and you'll really see what I mean. The S2000 doesn't do anything until 3k rpm - but is amazing after 6k. Haven't had any problems with either one. Some have complained about M3s VANOS unit, which is VERY expensize to replace. Water pump was an issue for earlier M3s (plastic impeller). Change oil often in both.

TRANS
Heal-toeing is much easier in an M3, but that could be me. Shifts are longer in an M3, and clutch is much heavier and more succinct, but is a pain in the ass to drive in stop-and-go. S2K has much smoother clutch takeup - almost too smooth. Shifter action in S2K is near perfect.

BRAKES
Both offer great action and little fade.

HANDLING
Here is the biggest difference. M3 weighs close to 4500 lbs with all fluids; S2K weighs in at ~3000. S2000 is a pure drop-top sports car. Very quick with little bodyroll. Can get skittish over uneven pavement, and there is a weird deadspot when driving in a straight line. M3 is way more of a GT, and without any mods leans quite a bit in turns - but it holds. Rear tires break out, but it is so progressive - even at limit of tire adhesion that you never feel out of control. The worst is over doing it, and spinning your car in the front axis. Big deal, 360s are fun right? Seriously though, aside from a broken ego, neither M3 nor S2K lost grip in fronts (like some current Nissans), which gets really dicey. Both cars are very solid, though I would recommend an Xbrace for both.

TIRES
Both will make good use of decent tires. Like the Potenzas on S2K which came stock. Yokohama AVS Sport are perfect for M3.*

* - certain M3s have 15 degree off-center alignment which aids in high-speed maneuveraiity, but kills the inner inch or so on the fronts. Be careful! I had two high-speed blowouts, and it was interesting to say the least.

STEREO
Both suck.

FUN TO DRIVE
S2K is easy to enjoy. The car is so direct, even at low speeds, it is a blast. Summer are great with the top down, pushing it thru twisties. With the top up, you hear everything. The grinding of the trans, the engine howling, the thumping echo of the every single bump in the road - no matter how minor. It takes getting used to, but I think everyone here agrees it is awesome.
M3 is much happier when driven hard. Day to day driving is a bore, and almost complacent. Make this car flex its muscles and only then will it reward you. Softer (relatively speaking), but then again this car scared the shit out of me more than a few times.
You have to push both cars to fully realize their potential.

Neither of these cars are meant for the dragstrip, but both will beat a Mustang or Camaro from a stoplight if you really want to. Reliability has proven great for both IF you take care of them and don't abuse them. Both have high resale value.

Let me know if you have any direct questions.
Dan