Hey all, I tried a search on this, but "M3" is too short for searchability...

anyhow, I'm in the market for a new car. I've got my choice of quite a few s2k's. from 00 to 02...ranging in prices from 18 -23 k all dealerships. And mileages from 20-50K.

Then i've got my choice of M3's, $15-22k, 80-120K miles....95-98...most have regular mods that m3's receive, ie...chip, exhaust, intake....

I'm sure you s2k owners would be abit biased...but I'm sure someone here has some good input on this.

The m3's have higher mileage, I've never seen a bmw over 80k miles so I wouldnt know the reliability issues. Hondas of course have some damn good reliability as I've owned 4 hondas over 260K.

Which one do you suggest? and why?

I just want some pros and cons to think about....
I think the two are pretty equal, the 0-60, quarter and that such are pretty close.... hp both at 240(i know v6, I4..torque blah). I've driven them both, they are both some very solid cars. Barely ever broke the rear wheels loose in the m3, but the s2k broke loose a few times with ease...Comfortability in both are pretty damn good. I guess it just goes down to luxury look or straight up sporty.

 

id get the s2k just because it has a new look and way less miles...y pay for an old m3 that has a newer version with more miles...plus driving with the top down in the s2k on a nice night is the best feeling in the world

 

dont do german, they have more problems w/ them that a red headed schizophrenic

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Project SSAP1 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">plus driving with the top down in the s2k on a nice night is the best feeling in the world </TD></TR></TABLE>

Glad that I'm not the only sap that thinks this.

 

^ me too

 

m3!

 

Heh, i think on those terms too, but m3's are nice, and quality.... i dunno!!! it's getting cold in minnesota...so not that much top down driving will happen. If i really wanted that top down kinda feeling, i'd ride my bike. I dont konw, I'm gonna look around for more s2k's and read up on more stuff. at least one of you thinks m3! heh

 

s2k with hardtop

 

That's a really tough call but I think I'd have to give the edge to the S2000 but if there are other issues like you need more space than it tips to the M3. Hard to go wrong with either.

btw, I have both , so it's not just a hypothetical opinion:
95 E36 M3 28,000 miles - babied and with lots of track toys
04 S2000 6500 miles, daily driver (3 months old) - all stock except alignment

I've even contemplated selling the M3 because I like the S2000 so much. Surprisingly I find the S2000 easier to drive at the limit at the track.

 

Dude, go drive both and decide for yourself. One's a sedan/coupe and the other, a roadster. Frankly, if we're talking about sedans, an Evo would kick the M3's *** all over the place, on the road or track. A used Evo could be had for about $23-25K.

 

hm. a friend of mine had a 95 e36 m3, i loved that car i drove it like a mad man and it was a blast to drive. as far as reliabity goes i dont think that the car has much of it. right when his car hit 60k his cooling system went bad (Water pump, radiator, thermostat etc) he replaced it all and another 15k later it all went bad again. his fuel pump went out after 75k and it gave him constant headaches all the way up to 120k on the odo. hes sold his car now for a tundra.
problems aside, its a great car, handles well, stops well, i feel its a little shy on the power side considering the euro sibling has 320 bhp and the us version only has 240.
my .02 cents

 

This is easy.

Both cars are pretty close performance wise but other things to consider:

Appearance: The S is more current were the E36 is starting to look dated, not bad, but dated. Plus most people would not even know the difference between the M3 and some 318 with a bodykit where the S gets plenty of stares (good and bad I guess)

Cost: Not sure if you have ever priced parts for BMWs before but it can get very expensive very fast. Mods are also very expensive (not to say that they are cheap for the S but they are definately "cheaper".) The S will at least get you a warranty if you shop wisely and get a good deal on a newer used model.

Daily use: The M would win here in most situations due to the larger interior. Guess it depends on what you want in your daily driver. The most I ever haul around is my book bag and occasionally my GF.

I had considered this venue when I was looking for another car but the biggest factor was being able to pay for the M3 in the event that something went wrong. I chose an 03 S and absolutely love the car. Nothing compares to driving on cool nights with the top down.

 

S definetely looks better. M3's don't seem very special these days.

I personally would go with an M3 because it's more practical and it's got a nice engine if you ever decide to boost it. Inline 6's are smoooooth and easy to make big power with. A high compression 4 cylinder is a bit harder.

Tuff decision. Both are probably about the same on insurance too. Me personally M3.. because I'd love to turbo it.

 

try lookin for that on s2ki. there's a couple ppl going from m3 to s2k.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Doubledeala &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">S2k or M3??
</TD></TR></TABLE>

LOL you ask that question on an s2000 forum..

does "BIAS" ring a bell.

you will get the opposite advice if you go to the BMW forum

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by EnigmaofS2K &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Dude, go drive both and decide for yourself. One's a sedan/coupe and the other, a roadster. Frankly, if we're talking about sedans, an Evo would kick the M3's *** all over the place, on the road or track. A used Evo could be had for about $23-25K.</TD></TR></TABLE>

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Doubledeala &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> I've driven them both, they are both some very solid cars. Barely ever broke the rear wheels loose in the m3, but the s2k broke loose a few times with ease...
</TD></TR></TABLE>

Enigma...did you even read my post? It says i've driven them both...which means, I've driven both, and i cant decide right now, just looking for opinions. And i'm not looking for a race car, I'm not looking to "kick *** all over the place." This is just a toy. Not looking for FI'd cars anymore really....Maybe FI an NA, just to feel the power diff.

greenmonster - duh, i said i know they're prob biased, but people are honest on here, and I've actually taken into consideration what some of these people have said. Thanks all!

I've pretty much settled onto the S2000 after your input, and just overall thought....You guys brought up the same pros and cons i've thought up in my head. Glad to see great minds think alike

The looks are great on the s, unique and all, I've got a Mitsu Montero Sport, F150, and Legend...I've got no problem with daily drivers, I just want something that goes QUICK to school during those days that I'm running a bit late, and for playtime. heh. Ya, I agree with boostn, most people cant really tell the diff between an m3 and other 3 series. My friends always see a 325 or something and say "oohh...m3!!" i say no it's not, and i end up with my pockets 5 bucks bigger.

Oh, and I definitely like the 02+ convertible rear windshield thingy....I saw a few poorly taken care of 00-01 s2's with a messed up plastic windshield.

Oh yeah, big problem I thought about after carefully measuring the front end of the s2, and the height, its about 2 centimeters away from scraping against my driveway's incline. I'm gonna have to be VERY careful when going up my driveway...damn! i had a lowered mx6 with a shogun kit...i still have nightmares from the scraping noises.
Thanks again

 

If you had the option to get a E46 M3 then I'd def. go for it. I would surely take an S2k over the older style m3 though, even with 0 miles on it.

 

M3

 

Easy question. E36 M3. i love how this car handles. It takes corners like nothing. It has the balance of every element. Power, Handling, Quality, Luxury, Speed, Looks, etc etc etc.....Ya u get the point.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Jockdeeznutz &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Easy question. E36 M3. i love how this car handles. It takes corners like nothing. It has the balance of every element. Power, Handling, Quality, Luxury, Speed, Looks, etc etc etc.....Ya u get the point.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

Apparently, you haven't driven an S2000 then, if you don't think it can handle just as well or even better.

All the ones that vote for the M3 have probably never driven an S, much less owned one. I've driven both the E36 and E46 M3's, and while the E36 handled very well, it didn't nearly feel connected to the road like the S2K, nor did it have level of sports-car feel to it.

And don't forget, the S2K has THE BEST gear box in the world. Nothing can match it! The gear box is one of the most important aspects of a car, btw, because the driver uses it every time he drives. Power can be increased, handling can be improved, but having the best gear box in the world is unmatchable.

 

dont buy a car previously modified = no good driven hard

buy stock = most likely not abused

 

Well i would probably go with the M3 but i wouldn't be to sure because they both have there advantages and disadvantages. The S2K has the reliability of a Honda engine but the M3 gets u more power and u'll probably save more gas with the S2K ( correct me if im wrong ) hmm......decisions decisions

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by EnigmaofS2K
&raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Apparently, you haven't driven an S2000 then, if you don't think it can handle just as well or even better.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Apparently, I have driven the s200 . You just assumed that I never driven it and also assumed that i dont think it can handle as well as the m3. Personally i think the E36 Handles better. The gearbox on the s2k is great..i agree. I don't know about you but i would perfer owning Bmw instead of a Honda in the long run.

 

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

Apparently, I have driven the s200 . </TD></TR></TABLE>

S200?

 

i test drove both cars
i felt more comfortable in the s so i got it
which car fits you best