Look at your calendar!!!!
The year is 2011 and has Honda decided to debut a more muscular legitimate last hurrah to send off their critically acclaimed S2000. What direction should they have gone? What car today embodies what we have come to enjoy so much, amplified. Well, I have that answer for you. Look no further than the BMW Z4M Convertible. Yes, many that know me personally would expect no less than an opinion piece based on a bloody BMW! Allow me to tactfully make my case.
BMW Z4 M Roadster belonging to Jacques79
Let’s start out with the blatant similarities and build on that. Take a good look at the BMW Z4M convertible. It will be very hard for some but this involves looking beyond the polarizing design. We’re looking at a convertible car that is compact, rear-wheel drive, and has a front-mid engine layout. The S2000 shares all of those important specs. Where the Z4M takes it to the next level goes straight to the heart of the S2000, its engine. The Bimmer is powered by a slightly detuned version of the E46 M3’s motor. It is a powerful naturally aspirated line-six cylinder that produces 330hp at 8,000rpms and 262lb ft of torque at 4900rpms. Your trusty calculator informs you that 6cylinder mill is pumping 103hp per liter. You really can’t argue with the figures. Honda would definitely have to add a few cylinders or forced induction to efficiently clear the 300hp mark. Either that or put the vehicle on a Lotus-like diet.
Let’s clean our loop for a second here. Dropping 800 pounds in all the right places in this regulation laden environment is definitely not feasible. Unfortunately, all of these changes along with suspension/structure beefing would add some heft. You won’t be looking at a sub 3000lb car. Then again, I can’t name a powerful and capable roadster that is. The winning combination of the Z4M Convertible equates to four and half second rips to 60mph and very low 13’s in the quarter mile. Let’s move on to the handling aspects of both cars. Both of these car’s chassis are very stiff. Forget what you heard about BMW’s legendary ability to balance ride comfort and handling. It doesn’t seem to apply much here. It really is a wash between it and an AP2 S2000 with a stock set up. Both cars exhibit very minor body roll. Where the Honda really has room to excel is in the steering feel department. The Z4M uses a hydraulic power assisted steering versus the electric in the S2000. Companies now claim single digit percentage increases in fuel economy when electric steering is used.
Therefore, both cars handle exceptionally well with no noticeable hint of under steer, at least on the road. The nod goes to the Z4M in my opinion because there is very decent amount of power everywhere for daily use. You don’t have to search for it or fear of often being in the wrong gear. It’s proof that it’s possible to have such characteristics and an 8,000 redline from an NA motor. With all that said, the Z4M is not perfect. The point is not to go backwards but realistically forward. For that to happen, Honda would have to retain certain things. For one, the preciseness of the gearbox would have to stay. The Z4M’s shift action is far from the worse I’ve driven, however, it is no S2000. The fuel efficiency would have to stay in place. You have class benchmarks like the Porsche Boxter S being rated at 20city/26hwy while being every bit as fast as the Z4M. Fuel efficiency will always be a big part of Honda’s image. It shouldn’t change with their sole sports car either. The 16/city 24/hwy Bimmer was rated at simply would not cut it.
Jacques79's Z4 Roadster
Lastly, I would have no choice to play the reliability and cost to own card. It wouldn’t even be fair to compare them. In the end, if Honda was to apply such changes to an already fantastic car while retaining its special virtues they would send a message: We have an identity crisis! But seriously, it would have been the best possible send off at a reasonable price. Once again, it would have threatened cars costing almost twice as much. For now we look to the Victor Frankenstein’s of our great community.
-Onehots2k
NOTE: S2KI welcomes the opinions of its members on the S2000 and on all topics related to the S. Should you feel the creative urge to pen a few words then by all means do so and PM Energetic, Aashish2 or Onehots2k OR send us links to what you would like us to write about and we will feature you (or your community) on the S2KI Home Page.
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on Jan 25th, 2010 at 4:52 pm
Ahhhh yes! I totally agree, I would love to have seen a more beefed up version of the S done by Honda. I think going with a more powerful N/A 6 cylinder engine would definitely have been perfect.
on Jan 25th, 2010 at 5:19 pm
I haven’t really driven a Z4M but the exhaust notes are sweet!
on Jan 25th, 2010 at 5:24 pm
Wow this was a very insightful piece as per Mr. Onehots2k. If Honda were to ever get wind of this article, I wonder if they would take some ques from the Z4M. Keep up the great in-depth reporting. Just watch the Grammar………just kidding.
on Jan 25th, 2010 at 5:53 pm
Seriously?
A Z4 to replace an S2000? :rolleyes: When was the last time you drove an S2000 and a Z4 back to back? Autocross them both? Track them both? Driven them both? To my knowledge, you haven’t autocrossed nor tracked either car at all.
Keep dreaming, Barry.
on Jan 25th, 2010 at 9:07 pm
The BMW Z4 is a “sporty” luxury car. It is based on the platform of a comfortable convertible with attributes that provide sportscar capability. Although it may provide “numbers” with engine and power, many cars do that and it causes you to miss the entire point for the creation of the S2000..
The Honda S2000 is a sportscar. It is based on the foundation of everything a capable sportscar should be first, and then highlighted luxuries are added on second (very few of these at that, and rightfully so).
The target market for the Z4 is the American suit who is conscious of the BMW name and thinks a convertible bimmer will draw the attention of his fellow suit-mates. Don’t get me wrong – it has amazing qualities, but not in the same context as the S deuce.
The target market for the S2000 is the driving enthusiast who appreciates distinctive technology and innovative engineering in engines, chassis, transmissions, suspensions, cockpit ergonomics, weight distribution, and a million other things that come down to the complete and true interaction between driver and machine that is bliss.
Both great cars in their own respect – but neither one can replace the other.
on Jan 26th, 2010 at 1:55 am
If Honda would create a 3.2 inline-6 (F32C2) it would – conservatively – have 360 HP at 8000 rpm.
Reducing the stroke – reducing the displacement – to raise the RPM it could be a F30C2 having 360 HP at 10k rpm.
Now THAT would be something.
on Jan 26th, 2010 at 10:01 am
Who is the smart guy that put a Z4 on the s2000 main page?
Good job. You made a lot of senses..
on Jan 26th, 2010 at 4:35 pm
Didn’t Jeremy Clarkson give that generation of Z4s a bad review? It was mainly because the Z4s and Z4 Ms were made in the US, but also how the ride quality was non-BMW-like. There should be a comparison between the S2k and the current Z4.
on Jan 26th, 2010 at 11:13 pm
Congrats on the BMW. Just fyi, alot of owners of the s54 engine do not realize that a vanos maintenance and valve adjustment is necessary on this engine around 60k miles. If you decide to start modding the car, z4post.com and renn-spec.com is great source for info/parts!
on Jan 26th, 2010 at 11:22 pm
I agree with Matt (on Jan 25th, 2010). Both cars are meant for different audiences. As far as further improving the S2000, I am most definitely excited in what Honda is going to decide to do next. There have been some rumors that an S3000 would blend two of Honda’s most powerful sports cars into one, the NSX and S2000. It would be a site to see if this were to happen. Provided that with this blend the NSX would provide the more “beefy” aspect that driver enthusiasts are looking for while keeping the perfect balance that the S2K has.
Now THAT is something worth waiting for.
on Jan 27th, 2010 at 9:03 am
I agree with onehots2k, in certain amounts of points about the 2 cars. On paper, the z4mc is literally a more beefed up version of the s2k.
I own a z4mc and haven’t driven the z4mr, but I can tell you that this car is built to perform, period. Put aside the hardcore fan boys or people that can’t be sports car euthusiasts, I personally agree that the z4m is the best upgrade from the s2000. We will never see another sports car in the same price range that will outperform the old and beloved s2000 ever.
I agree with the op and nice article Barry. Good thing you didn’t use my car on the page cus my car is a coupe, which will probably stur another upset for being the s2000 upgrade since it isn’t a roadster. I personally liked the article:)
on Jan 27th, 2010 at 4:12 pm
We are looking for original content. I quite enjoyed the article. The posting of new worthy reading allows for more interaction on the site.
on Feb 2nd, 2010 at 6:47 am
I also enjoyed reading the article, although people will debate and argue over which car is best it is nice to read about other makes and others thoughts of them in comparison to our beloved S2K’s
on Feb 14th, 2010 at 4:59 am
On the track and auto x there is no car like the s2000.
I eat bmws for lunch at the auto x events!
The bmw is a tank! The s2000 is a go cart!
THEY ARE TOTALLY DIFFRENT RIDES!
on Feb 21st, 2010 at 12:32 pm
i’ve been in a manual z4, i’d say the z4 is something luxurious idk about racing it on a canyon,track would be all to fun because it feels sketchy, but the s2000 is pure out rawness.
on Mar 23rd, 2010 at 4:43 pm
I’ve had the luxury of having both cars in my garage (I love roadsters and through the last 8 years i’ve had an MX5, Mercedes SLK320 AMG, the S2000 Both AP1 and Ap2, and the Z4M) I must say out of all of them I would choose the S AP1 for racing anyday, I also agree with onehots2k with the above article regarding the Z4M, but it does lack the feel of adrenaline like the S. Whilist driving my s2k on a stretch of road where I live with alot of twisties and turnies (13 left and 13 right turns in total to be precise
) I was challenged by a Z4M and most of you can guess The S won =). But I might just add one more comment before I part The Z4 is a very sexy car, and it is a chick magnet (mainly has to do with brand though) anyway my fellow s2k collegues enjoy happy summer drives =)