Picked up a s2000 recently and have a 330i zhp as my primary car.

The s2000 just feels so much more direct and raw, the 330 feels kind of isolated and soft after driving the s2000.

From a driving perspective, the s2000 is a lot funner to drive and handles quite a bit better (my 330 is on H&R coilovers and zhp sways).

 

I'm inclined to agree with the previous post... I absolutely love my '06 S2K, and I also love my wife's '05 330i ZHP (I think the M3 gearbox is every bit as "sweet" as my the one in my Honda).

Which car is more fun?
Short blast through the mountains - S2K!
Any freeway drive over 3 hours long - BMW!

Either way you win big time.

 

If you are looking for a fun car to drive, go with the S2000. I have owned my '00 for over 5 years and it still provides a thrill in V-TEC. And with the north Georgia mountains close by, I get to experience the superb handling on a regular basis.

 

Thanks for all the help guys. I guess i need to take a couple more test drives at the dealer and also see if i can find a supercharged s2000 to take for a spin.

 

A SC S2000 is a totally different car. I would find one, drive it, and buy it. The M3 is sweet all around, but in no way drives like the S. Go for the S...

Erick

 

M3 is a better car period.

BMW is the ultimate driving machine.

 

am I the only one that thinks the OP shouldn't do it? If you have the means, you should have BOTH: M3 as a daily driver and the S as your weekend. But, it sounds like money is an issue. Why would you take a depreciation hit on a 3year-old car (the worst time to sell it!) and buy a new car? I've read the bmwfest forum that a 01 M3 is worth about $21k wholesale, and that was last year.

Personally, if I have the $$, I would buy E46 M3 instead of an S. There is an obvious pecking order with it comes to cars. Visceral or not, the M3 is a fine "everything car".

If you are the one with a 50,000 mile M3, I would keep it for another 100,000. My father's 735i lasted him for almost 9 years which he bought used.

 

Absolutely, man. An informed purchase is a good purchase.