rokkerkory

I have both cars and recently just got the S2k. Here are my thoughts:

M3: 2011.5 E92 6MT White on Red, my track car, bought new, 40k miles
+ AMAZING engine, one of the best ever, it's intoxicating esp with a nice full exhaust. I have the akra full titanium exhaust and my god the sounds!
+ Super comfy, luxurious, configurable stuff like dampers and steering to your liking and that M button!
+ much more space for people and things
- gas mpg, but who cares it's a weekend / track car
- mods have M tax $$$, this is the biggest downer... but if you mildly mod it then it's doable barely

S2k: 2006, stock (for now), weekend tops down car, bought used 39k miles
+ Awesome engine, one of the best Honda engines but pretty gutless
+ Drop top! Transmission is way nicer than M3
+ mods are CHEAP
- it's an older car so refreshing it will take some time
- Kinda slow

Overall, you can be happy with either esp if they are weekend / track cars. Pros and Cons to both but cannot go wrong either way. S2k is appreciating in value, so I'd hold onto it if I already have one and work extra hard to get into an M3. I am keeping both cars because they basically represent the best in their segment in their era. You cannot get another car with similar engines these days so these things will become super rare and hopefully appreciate. GET BOTH DIE HAPPY! lol

white98ls

My shifter feel got much better with the weighted knob from the current-gen M5, but I agree, still doesn't touch the S2k. I'd say the knob brought shift feel from like a 5/10 (meaning it's just something you do, not bad but don't really enjoy the experience) to a 7/10, while the S2k is a 10/10. Granted, nothing I've driven matches the S2k in that regard. Still pondering the more expensive step of an actual short shift kit ($400 or so).

Of course, if OP doesn't want a manual per se, there is the excellent DCT as well.

rokkerkory

The throws on the M3 are too long and tad sloppy to be effective as a track car stock. Need to change to a SS kit. I guess that's the luxury side of the M3 coming through!

Barrett54

Test-drove a 2012 2-door, 6-speed manual this weekend just to see what it was like. I will say that "torqueless" was be a bit of hyperbole, IMO, as it was just fine off the line. The engine sounded great and pulls really well. The car I looked at was a the most basic version of the M3, minus a sunroof, leather, and the competition package, so the interior was pretty spartan. Still, it was much nicer than the IS-F I drove. Hopefully I'll be able to find a DCT in my area to try out as I feel like that will be the transmission I'd prefer.

rokkerkory

I would say stick to 6MT!

Barrett54

I was pretty unimpressed with the manual in this particular car, actually. As stated before, it was functional, but not really enjoyable. I've driven quite a few older M3s, E46 and earlier, and I think those shifters felt much better. Maybe this model was ragged out and needed some maintenance.

rokkerkory

I get what you are saying yeah compared to the manual box on the s2k the m3's is vague and throws are too long. But nothing like rowing your own gears! At the track, the transmission works really well for some strange reason vs on the street. You can't go wrong with DCT if you're going for outright speed, it's damn fast.

white98ls

I agree - stock it's not bad, but not that good either. It's just kind of "there." An OEM weighted knob like the E46 330i ZHP or F10 M5 helps a fair amount. I might look at a short shift kit next at about $300-400. The DCT is quite nice and there are times I feel like it would be cool in this car (have driven it before), but I would just get too bored and the MT is not bad with a shorter, heavier knob. Plus you avoid DCT issues, which aren't super common to my knowledge but are $$.