n00bjabi

Well, right now I'm in the market for a number of cars, and I'm going around to each car's respective forum/discussion board and asking members of what kind of problems they encounter with their cars and what I can expect in maintenance costs, reliability, stuff like that.


So far, the folks over at bimmerforums.com have been GREAT at helping me learn more about the E36 (1999-1999) BMW M3. I like it a lot, but I think the S2000 is another good sports car. So, I ask you guys, what kind of problems have you encountered with your 2000's? Any quirks you dislike about them? Any tips for a buyer?

Tell me as much as you can, I'd be grateful.

iam7head

search search and search


top rattle
rag top wear
1-2gear grind(ap1 mostly but i never have that problem with my 100k ap1)
shiftfork bent
diff whine
autodown window stopping half way
idle stall
leather wears
clutch buzz
ap2 rear bumper corner pop out

m3 is great but s2k>m3 any day

try the 350z also, i saw a 6k miles 06 siliverstone hardtop z for sale for 25k, great freakin deal.

gomarlins3

After almost 5 years of ownership, no problems that were not self-inflicted.

The 00-01 had a plastic rear window and one set of door speakers.

The 02-03 added a glass rear window and two tweeters higher on the door.

The 04-05 changed to the 2200 engine and received (approx.) 18 lbs. of tq. Same HP though. Lower red line though. A different reduction gear in the tranny changed the gears ratio in 1-4th gears and Honda softened the rear suspension. There were also exterior and interior changes such ad the bumpers and lights.

The 06 added drive by wire throttle control as well as traction control.

There are other suttle changes, but to be honest, there has not been any real major changes to the car since 1999.

n00bjabi

Is the same true on the track? I've been to the local auto-x events and I've seen those old E30 and E36 M3's tearing up everything in their class and some cars outside their class.

crazzy448

I've had mine for app. 2 month now. Love it most of my searching berfore i bought . showed no real problem. f eng has a good rep. not a whole lot of bolt on tha gain real power but was is there give great gains

p nut

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by n00bjabi &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Is the same true on the track? I've been to the local auto-x events and I've seen those old E30 and E36 M3's tearing up everything in their class and some cars outside their class.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Auto-X:

E36's are BS. Currently, RX8's are demolishing everything in their path in BS. Same could be said for S2000's in AS.

I was going to get an E36 M3 a few years ago, before getting my S2000. For me, there is just too much maintenance to keep up in the older German cars. I mean, I do enjoy working on cars, but not repairing rear sub-frame tear-outs, the infamous oil-nut, RTAB's, etc. If doing all of that stuff doesn't bother you, go for it. They're great cars.

spectacle

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by gomarlins3 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The 04-05 changed to the 2200 engine and received (approx.) 18 lbs. of tq.</TD></TR></TABLE>

ummm no. try again.

gomarlins3

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by spectacle &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

ummm no. try again.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

**EDITED POST**

AP1 tq.= 153
AP2 tq.= 162

Sorry, it was 9 not approx. 18.




Modified by gomarlins3 at 2:19 PM 12/14/2006

Mr. Projekt

Actually it's only 9lbs peak, 153 to 162, but a lot more area under the curve.

gomarlins3

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by FR-MOB: Projekt &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Actually it's only 9lbs peak, 153 to 162... </TD></TR></TABLE>

You are correct sir, I stand corrected. I will edit my post, thank you.

B serious

iTrader: (1)

I always say you dont always have to have money to buy a BMW/Audi/VW/Benz....but you do have to have money to OWN one. Meaning that maintanence costs are excessive. There are some annoying engineering quirks that i dont want to get into that also bug the hell out of me about german cars. That being said, I think the S2000 will offer you much more. I had my 00 for a week and i took it to a track event at road america, and i have NEVER been more impressed with a car. It tore Elkhart a new one. Corvettes, S4s and EVOs (even one MR) would get away from me in the straight aways, but i would brake late, and harass so much during the turns, that during the touring session, people in those cars would just pull to the right and wave me past at the next straight. The car felt incredible, and it was BONE STOCK. I have owned it for a few months now, and i have nothing bad to say about the car at all. Plus, its a REAL sports car. The bimmer comes close to being one, but it's not pure like the S2K. This means that the S2000 drives like a sports car...which is a ton of fun even if you're on the street. And at the end of the day, it's still a Honda...low maintanence, reliable, and good on gas.

SlammedDC2teg

I had a E36 M3, It was a good car if you have deep pockets, Lots of problems and expensive. I went back to honda for pure driving fun and reliablity that cant be beat. Now i dont Have an S2k, But I will be getting one for next summer. Just my 2 cents

camera obscura

I had an E36 for a while. I still love the styling of those cars... one of my all time favorites. Now I've got an S.

Bottom line, I was always scared to really drive the car. Never had a serious problem (however did have problems with electronics), but stereotypes are usually created for a reason. Granted, there are plenty of Bimmers driving around with very few problems but just knowing that the car could potentially run into so many issues really took away from the experience. I was always scared to really put the car through it's paces. Definately something to consider.

You can beat the hell out of the S2000 and it always asks for more. This car was desinged to run fast and hard which is the reason so many people don't "get" it. This relates to the only complaint I've got about the car which is that in normal, day to day driving it can be a little bit moring because it just begs you to do more.

It does take some getting used to, though. For the first six or so months that I owned it, I thought I was going to have the same issue I did in my BMW. I really wasn't comfortable with cruising on the highway at 4,000 + RPM or shifting at 5,000 RPM, but I got over that... way over it.

SlammedDC2teg

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by camera obscura &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I had an E36 for a while. I still love the styling of those cars... one of my all time favorites. Now I've got an S.

Bottom line, I was always scared to really drive the car. Never had a serious problem (however did have problems with electronics), but stereotypes are usually created for a reason. Granted, there are plenty of Bimmers driving around with very few problems but just knowing that the car could potentially run into so many issues really took away from the experience. I was always scared to really put the car through it's paces. Definately something to consider.

You can beat the hell out of the S2000 and it always asks for more. This car was desinged to run fast and hard which is the reason so many people don't "get" it. This relates to the only complaint I've got about the car which is that in normal, day to day driving it can be a little bit moring because it just begs you to do more.

It does take some getting used to, though. For the first six or so months that I owned it, I thought I was going to have the same issue I did in my BMW. I really wasn't comfortable with cruising on the highway at 4,000 + RPM or shifting at 5,000 RPM, but I got over that... way over it. </TD></TR></TABLE>

+ 1. I Never wanted to really get on my M3 thinking i was going to blow a headgasket or money shift it (which always happens on e36 M3s)

mckenzie

i have no problem with my ap2. i like it, but should have bought something that could handle the snow.

preludemugenpower

Bmw m3 and s2000 are nice car's but you can buy a 92 eclipse turbo awd for $2000 and put like $4000 in the motor and spank both of these car's that cost up to $50,000,that's my 2cents

Your MOm Bitch

Evo MR
Trade in ur S2k jk

2jz-s2000owner

I suggest the sjz s2000!!! It will desimate all in a straight line, and in the corners, and i can build you one for less then 30k, that includes the car and the conversion.

mckenzie

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Your MOm Bitch &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Evo MR
Trade in ur S2k jk </TD></TR></TABLE>
i was going to, but the MR is too much money for me right now.

krshultz

E36 M3s are wonderful cars. Excellent local B Stock car, and well driven can trophy nationally. Huge aftermarket support, and the book has been written on how to make one fast. There's also road racing opportunities long term, both with BMWCCA and in SCCA's new Improved Touring R class. They're also wonderful highway cars.

The M3 IMO will be a more practical only car - it's got a back seat and a reasonable trunk. They're also older cars by definition. they're probably going to be a little cheaper to buy up front, and a little more expensive to keep on the road. Contrary to popular belief, I don't think BMW parts are any more expensive than anything else. Remember that they made a crapton of E36 BMWs and most of them are still on the road.

I'm kicking around a new car purchase myself, and an E36 M3 *was* on the list for me, but I'm gravitating towards an S2000. The top goes down, it handles, it looks good, and apparently they're brainlessly reliable. Finding a good, low-mileage used example seems to be pretty easy too - they're all over eBay, even Carmax, for low 20s in pretty well any color you want.

hypnosisracing

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Contrary to popular belief, I don't think BMW parts are any more expensive than anything else.</TD></TR></TABLE>

It's true...and if you get a 98 or 99 E36 M, you'll have one of the most reliable motors BMW ever put into one of their cars. But not only that, you'll also have what i consider the most "sport" inclined M3 there is, not to mention, a platform of incredible performance.

S2000 is great, dont get me wrong...i find the M3 to be better though in many ways, especially if you plan to daily drive it.

Mr. Projekt

Always liked an E36 for a track car... before the traction control. On the other hand, some people are turning fast times with 06+ S's.

Rtzx9r

Can't go wrong with S2000, for 30K getting a pure sports car, convertible, 2 seater, handling, and long term reliability with VERY minor maintence.

THe M3 is a great car, but much more $$ to maintain and is still derived from a standard passenger car, similar to mustang GT's etc.

I am biased against all german cars, as their reliability flat out is poor, especially for the $$$ they get.

liam821

I *love* my s2000. Its reliable like a tank, handles like a dream, looks great, easy to drive, and cheap on insurance. But its not perfect, its small, no space for anything but you and a passanger, aweful stereo, road noise for days, rattles, bad on tires (at least with me driving), doesnt get that great of gas milage, and the resell value isnt that good (at least not good compared to say other hondas). But i dont think any of the negatives really matter, the s2000 is exactly what is was designed to do - its a 2 door convertable sports car and it does a damn good job at doing just that.

S2k is a great weekend car, but an aweful daily driver IMO. But again, it wasnt designed to be a daily driver. If you can live with its short comings, its one hell of a car.

With all that said i put my s2k for sale and bought a 07 bmw 335i coupe. Now its not the sports car the m3 is, but its almost as fast and you can live with it daily and be very happy.

liam

A51_RPS13

I've owned both cars, and let me say that you are going for 2 great cars. Handling in both cars are awesome, but in my opinion, I think the S2000 is much more user friendly, and more "fun" to drive. Power wise, the M has MUCH more torque than the S2000, something I wish the S2000 had. Mechanically, I think the S2000 and M3 are about the same, the S2000 a little more reliable. The clutch in my M3 went out fairly quickly, and was very expensive to have replaced. My rear end on my S2000 is making noise ( due to the previous owner ), but i have not had any other mechanical issues with it. ( there were a few other things that came up on the M3 ). I also got a hardtop with my S2000 and I love look of it.

If it was me, and since I have owned both, I'd go with the S2000. It's a newer car, and it's a great sports car. I love tq, but I love revving to 9k and the twists and turns in my S2K. I believe it's a little more loving on gas, but that may also be because I was 19 when I bought my M3. I'm 22 now and I don't drive like I did 3 years ago. Good luck, and you'll be happy with whatever you choose.