Hey guys,

i have a dilemma. I currently own a fairly stock 02 S2k and IS350. I'm debating if I should SC the S2k or pick up a used E46 M3 vert. What do you guys think?!!?!?

 

I think making decisions on your own is very hard and I consult online message boards for every decision.

Seriously man, sit down with a notepad or open up a Word doc and list the pluses and minuses of each.

 

Have you driven an e36? Have you driven a SC s2k? What do you want for your sports car? If I were in your shoes, DEFINITELY supercharge the Honda, but that's me.

 

Obviously the decision will be up to me. Just wanted to get other's opinions.

I drove an E46 M3 before, but never a SC S2k. I've tried doing the +/- and there's def more + for the s2k.

Thanks for everone's time!

 

The M3 is a completely different animal! I know, because my best friend has a vert!...

Maintenance is a b I tch

Valve adjustment every 30k or so depending on how out of spec they are miles and rotors and brakes are a arm and leg... tires that cost exceptionally more then that of an S2k's

but there is a plus!

brand new hard top for 1200! and good used ones for 700 or so hahaha


but really, I think the performance of the M3 is very much adequate and comes with the standard rear seats...

 

if you love the handling of the s keep the s. an m3 might be quicker around most tracks, but the way they drive is very different. also, if the m3 you drove was not a vert, go drive the vert version. like all coupe to vert cars it loses a good amount of its rigidity.

my personal plan it to drive the s until it gets boring and then sc it. i do love the idea of an m3 like car though.

 

Boost.

E46 M3s are expensive to modify and maintain vs an SC'd S2000.

 

all very valid points. From cost perspective, it is definitely cheaper to maintain the SC S2K compared to the M.

What I like about the M is really the looks and the fact that I've never owned a BMW. Its probably just one of those itch I just need scratched.

 

Uggh...here we go again. What maintenance exactly are you referring to that is such a 'bitch'? I recently sold my heavily modified E46 M3 with about 100K miles on the clock and the car was never in the shop for anything other than routine maintenance. Not once did my rotors need replaced and I was on my 2nd set of pads when I sold the car. Stock tires cost SLIGHTLY more than S02's that came stock on my S2000. BMW recommends an 'Inspection' about every 30K miles and that includes a valve adjustment if needed and those inspections run about $1,500-2K depending on what all is being done at the time. I have never been a big fan of the E46 M3 vert...drive one back to back with a coupe and they feel like different cars, the weight of the vert really makes a big difference.

 

every time you look at a coupe e46 m3, you'll regret it =\

+1 to all these "high maintenance" posts. sure, if anything goes wrong it will cost an arm and leg but the e46 is a pretty solid car. i would venture to say more solid than the e36's but only time will tell.