Discuss: s2000 vs e36 m3
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From: i <3 ny
I had the UUC Evo3 SSK, upgraded black tranny mount enforcers, DSSR, redline atf, along with a new guibo all at the same time and mated to my existing UUC clutch/flywheel thinking it'd fix the 5th gear gate lean before I had learned what the problem really was (spring in transmission, known defect).
I felt most comfortable with the ssk at the middle height when mated to my Robknob. The tranny did shift a bit smoother, the side to side play pretty much eliminated, but gear selection was still a bit notchy, and even notchy-er than stock in some gears and scenarios. All in all, shifting was a bit more precise and quite a bit shorter but still not up to par, nor even close to the S2000.
I felt most comfortable with the ssk at the middle height when mated to my Robknob. The tranny did shift a bit smoother, the side to side play pretty much eliminated, but gear selection was still a bit notchy, and even notchy-er than stock in some gears and scenarios. All in all, shifting was a bit more precise and quite a bit shorter but still not up to par, nor even close to the S2000.
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Originally Posted by madkimchi,Aug 20 2007, 04:07 PM
where can i find a turbo kit for s2k for $5k and makes 400hp? and with installation? shit i am in. **** make my s2k a twin turbo for me for $10k with installation and better make 800hp!
but its kind of funny you said this, when i was viewing the page a banner ad for INLINEPRO was at the top. check it out.
Inlinepro.com
you'll see the turbo kit for under 5k.
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From: Orlando
Originally Posted by sexycheto88,Aug 21 2007, 10:53 AM
seriously you sound just plane out foolish. why mock someone? and honestly i hope this is a joke, cause adding another turbo doesn't mean double horsepower...
but its kind of funny you said this, when i was viewing the page a banner ad for INLINEPRO was at the top. check it out.
Inlinepro.com
you'll see the turbo kit for under 5k.
but its kind of funny you said this, when i was viewing the page a banner ad for INLINEPRO was at the top. check it out.
Inlinepro.com
you'll see the turbo kit for under 5k.
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Originally Posted by weneversleep,Aug 20 2007, 07:37 PM
I currently own both. 2004 S2000 and 1999 E36 M3. (yes, they still made the E36 M3 in 99; mine was made in the last month of production)
Getting past the obvious (vert vs. non-vert, 2 vs. 4 seats, more room in the M, etc.), but not getting too deep, the cars are actually kind of similar. Front engine, RWD, almost 50/50 weight dist, great handling, 240 HP.
Going deeper, the S is a better handler out of the box. It's just "crisper". Shifter, no contest. Honda quality (nothing really breaks).
However, the M3's much greater low and midrange torque (compared to the S) is addictive. You can't beat that straight 6 for smoothness, and the stock exhaust sounds amazing. It's getting old, though, and BMW parts wear out. Cooling system must be replaced, almost regardless of mileage at this point. Almost all rubber in the car, especially things like suspension bushings, must be replaced as well. Interiors don't hold up as well. Germans do incredible engines, but something happens to the rubber and leather when it crosses the pond.
My S was my track car for my first 2 years of HPDEs. Then, I bought the M3, intending it to be a fun DD while I turned the S into more of a "serious" track car (bar, seats, harnesses, etc.)
But, I made the mistake of taking the M3 to the track, just to see what it's like. Incredible. Much more confidence-inspiring handling. Much more forgiving at the limit. Torque is really nice coming out of low-speed corners. Having a tintop over your head is a nice safety feeling. (I know, it's no substitute for a cage, but it's better than the stock S)
Now, don't get me wrong... the S is an incredible car on the track as well. I love it. But, I just love the M3 more. Maybe it's because I'm not an "expert driver" yet. I also know that if I didn't learn to drive on the track with the S, I wouldn't be as fast as I am in the M3. The S is a great learning car on the track.
So, the M3 is currently in the race shop, getting a whole new suspension, motor & tranny mounts, short shift kit, weld oil pump nut, harnesses... basically, making it a more serious track car but still keeping it street legal.
Postscript to the story: I almost sold my S, because I wasn't driving it anymore, road or track. I decided to start driving it again on the road, and a few minutes with the top down cured me of my wanting to sell it. The S is an amazing car, just like the E36 M3 is. I have the best of both worlds.
--michael
Getting past the obvious (vert vs. non-vert, 2 vs. 4 seats, more room in the M, etc.), but not getting too deep, the cars are actually kind of similar. Front engine, RWD, almost 50/50 weight dist, great handling, 240 HP.
Going deeper, the S is a better handler out of the box. It's just "crisper". Shifter, no contest. Honda quality (nothing really breaks).
However, the M3's much greater low and midrange torque (compared to the S) is addictive. You can't beat that straight 6 for smoothness, and the stock exhaust sounds amazing. It's getting old, though, and BMW parts wear out. Cooling system must be replaced, almost regardless of mileage at this point. Almost all rubber in the car, especially things like suspension bushings, must be replaced as well. Interiors don't hold up as well. Germans do incredible engines, but something happens to the rubber and leather when it crosses the pond.
My S was my track car for my first 2 years of HPDEs. Then, I bought the M3, intending it to be a fun DD while I turned the S into more of a "serious" track car (bar, seats, harnesses, etc.)
But, I made the mistake of taking the M3 to the track, just to see what it's like. Incredible. Much more confidence-inspiring handling. Much more forgiving at the limit. Torque is really nice coming out of low-speed corners. Having a tintop over your head is a nice safety feeling. (I know, it's no substitute for a cage, but it's better than the stock S)
Now, don't get me wrong... the S is an incredible car on the track as well. I love it. But, I just love the M3 more. Maybe it's because I'm not an "expert driver" yet. I also know that if I didn't learn to drive on the track with the S, I wouldn't be as fast as I am in the M3. The S is a great learning car on the track.
So, the M3 is currently in the race shop, getting a whole new suspension, motor & tranny mounts, short shift kit, weld oil pump nut, harnesses... basically, making it a more serious track car but still keeping it street legal.
Postscript to the story: I almost sold my S, because I wasn't driving it anymore, road or track. I decided to start driving it again on the road, and a few minutes with the top down cured me of my wanting to sell it. The S is an amazing car, just like the E36 M3 is. I have the best of both worlds.
--michael
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From: Corn Country
Originally Posted by scottrunsxc,Aug 20 2007, 11:28 AM
That was a particularly anticlimactic cross post. I was getting myself ready for an all out war... and everyone just kinda agreed with each other. 
Its very expensive to make their cars faster/handle better. They know this and they know there are faster cars out there for the $$$. Instead of focusing on the straight speeds, they focus on what the cars were both built for.
M3 = sport luxo coupe/sedan that seats 4-5, handles/brakes/tracks well
S2000 = 2 seat vert that is reliable and handles/shocks people (2.0L making 240hp), and tracks well
both aren't straight line cars. and the drivers have to respect it to get the full effect when driving
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From: Montreal
I know E36 M3 owners respect the S2000 a lot and all of the people I know who own S2000s love the E36 M3.
It's weird because they are very different cars, but in the end they offer the same satisfaction to the driver.
God I want a 1999 M3 as a daily driver to complement my S....
It's weird because they are very different cars, but in the end they offer the same satisfaction to the driver.
God I want a 1999 M3 as a daily driver to complement my S....
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From: the real Jersey Shore.
please keep this thread alive...
i currently have an NFR AP1 which i drive respectfully and care for as needed, after recently hitting 100k, my transmission took a dump leaving me without reverse and a hideous grinding gravel noise in gears 1-6th. This happend reversing out of a parking spot (wtf). car is currently at the shop, replacing the trans...this nuked my wallet along with it being unexpected. As awsome as the gear box is, it lacks in strength.
I have a feeling that the rear diff is next to go as it creeks and clicks at times which will be another costly yet required task. This is another weak point in the car as it is compared to a miata diff. Did some research and discovered the diff will blow under abuse. Yet i also found out someones diff blew up on the highway cruising 60-65mph. This scares me.
With all this being said. i have been dabling with the idea of parting out my mods and making my lovely NFR AP1 back to stock. I realy do love this car but reqiured repairs are affecting my day to day life.
Shoud i sell the AP1 for an E36 M3? will i have similar headaches? If i do go that route, I only plan on doing suspension, exhuast, and maybe some fancy wheels. Seems like E36 M3 owners are not worried about there transmissons or diffs as they seem alot beefyier then the S2000. But i do hear there parts are pricey...
can anyone elaborate??
i currently have an NFR AP1 which i drive respectfully and care for as needed, after recently hitting 100k, my transmission took a dump leaving me without reverse and a hideous grinding gravel noise in gears 1-6th. This happend reversing out of a parking spot (wtf). car is currently at the shop, replacing the trans...this nuked my wallet along with it being unexpected. As awsome as the gear box is, it lacks in strength.
I have a feeling that the rear diff is next to go as it creeks and clicks at times which will be another costly yet required task. This is another weak point in the car as it is compared to a miata diff. Did some research and discovered the diff will blow under abuse. Yet i also found out someones diff blew up on the highway cruising 60-65mph. This scares me.
With all this being said. i have been dabling with the idea of parting out my mods and making my lovely NFR AP1 back to stock. I realy do love this car but reqiured repairs are affecting my day to day life.
Shoud i sell the AP1 for an E36 M3? will i have similar headaches? If i do go that route, I only plan on doing suspension, exhuast, and maybe some fancy wheels. Seems like E36 M3 owners are not worried about there transmissons or diffs as they seem alot beefyier then the S2000. But i do hear there parts are pricey...
can anyone elaborate??
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 418
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From: VA
please keep this thread alive...
i currently have an NFR AP1 which i drive respectfully and care for as needed, after recently hitting 100k, my transmission took a dump leaving me without reverse and a hideous grinding gravel noise in gears 1-6th. This happend reversing out of a parking spot (wtf). car is currently at the shop, replacing the trans...this nuked my wallet along with it being unexpected. As awsome as the gear box is, it lacks in strength.
I have a feeling that the rear diff is next to go as it creeks and clicks at times which will be another costly yet required task. This is another weak point in the car as it is compared to a miata diff. Did some research and discovered the diff will blow under abuse. Yet i also found out someones diff blew up on the highway cruising 60-65mph. This scares me.
With all this being said. i have been dabling with the idea of parting out my mods and making my lovely NFR AP1 back to stock. I realy do love this car but reqiured repairs are affecting my day to day life.
Shoud i sell the AP1 for an E36 M3? will i have similar headaches? If i do go that route, I only plan on doing suspension, exhuast, and maybe some fancy wheels. Seems like E36 M3 owners are not worried about there transmissons or diffs as they seem alot beefyier then the S2000. But i do hear there parts are pricey...
can anyone elaborate??
i currently have an NFR AP1 which i drive respectfully and care for as needed, after recently hitting 100k, my transmission took a dump leaving me without reverse and a hideous grinding gravel noise in gears 1-6th. This happend reversing out of a parking spot (wtf). car is currently at the shop, replacing the trans...this nuked my wallet along with it being unexpected. As awsome as the gear box is, it lacks in strength.
I have a feeling that the rear diff is next to go as it creeks and clicks at times which will be another costly yet required task. This is another weak point in the car as it is compared to a miata diff. Did some research and discovered the diff will blow under abuse. Yet i also found out someones diff blew up on the highway cruising 60-65mph. This scares me.
With all this being said. i have been dabling with the idea of parting out my mods and making my lovely NFR AP1 back to stock. I realy do love this car but reqiured repairs are affecting my day to day life.
Shoud i sell the AP1 for an E36 M3? will i have similar headaches? If i do go that route, I only plan on doing suspension, exhuast, and maybe some fancy wheels. Seems like E36 M3 owners are not worried about there transmissons or diffs as they seem alot beefyier then the S2000. But i do hear there parts are pricey...
can anyone elaborate??
E36 has it's own issues. Most of these issues are easy to avoid, but the majority of people want a car they can drive into the ground without dropping a nickel on it. Parts are expensive at the BMW stealer, but can be found from reputable vendors online for a fraction of the price.
I'd suggest sticking with your S unless you really really want an E36 and know what you're getting into.