So i'm in the middle of exams in college and i decided that after i finished my afternoon one i would treat myself to a test drive or two.
I had driven by the BMW dealer earlier that week and noticed that they had an S2k and an M3 so i decided to go there.
First, i drove the M3. It was a 2003 6spd manual. I was expecting a lot of power and torque and was frankly a bit disappointed. I found myself waiting for that all-mighty 333hp to kick in and pin me to the back of the seat but it never happened. Also, the gearbox was terrible! Even notchier than my MSP and just didn't have that "sporty" feel in general.
Pulled back into the dealership and got into the S2k. Salesman was going on and on about how it "was no BMW" and "didn't have any power"...but he didn't even know what vtec was so... But personally, i didn't think it felt much slower than the M3 at all. The gearbox and the way the car felt in general was just a whole lot better.

I had driven several s2ks before and loved them every time, but i didn't expect to like it that much more than the M3. But i came out of there thinking that i would never pay mid 30s for the M3 when i could have soooo much more fun in the S for about half the price!!!
After college i was considering the an S, an EVO or STi, and an M3. Having now driven all of them several times (s2k prob more than the others) i can confidently say that i will be getting an S....and a hardtop and tire trailer for teh auto kross

Sorry about the length, but i knew what the S was like, and having never driven the M3, i thought i would be blown away.....but i wasn't.

Cliffs: s2k>M3 (these are all of course only my humble opinions....not trying to hate on M3's....still think they are great cars)

 

Did you turn on sport mode? Big difference in power delivery with it on. The M3 felt quite a bit faster than the S2000 but then again, how would I know . For me - M3>S2k

 

yea, thats true, especially if the m3 wasn't warmed up you'll see the tack go up, if the traction control it feels sluggish.

 

The car was definitely warmed up and the tach lights were off (or where they should be).

I was unaware the 6spd manuals had a sport mode.....perhaps this would have made it different

 

Every E46 M3 I've driven has impressed me. (Even the SMGhey's ) Definately better torque down low (a LOT easier to launch).

You should have turned off the traction control, turned on the sport mode and wailed on it.

BTW, you don't need a hardtop for auto-x.

 

sport mode really doesnt matter. I mean it'll "feel" faster but thats it. Keep in mind the E46 is N/A and peaky sorta like the S. It wont get going until probably what ... after 4k? You wont feel the "back to seat" because its no v8/v10. Same thing in an S. You will notice the other cars as you zoom by.