There hasn't been much mention of the new M-Roadster that I have scene on the board. At 315 horsepower, this is going to be a car to be wreckoned with. I am still not in love with the roadster's look, but that's a lot of Juice for a little convertible. I think in the month's to come we will see less posts mentioning the Boxster S and More with the M3 Roadster. 0-60 under 5 seconds

 

It's going to kick some tail. Period. But still, too many around and street racing is dangerous. Definitely a force to be reckoned with. And people here are going to mention you can supercharge this and that, but forget it. The new M is going to be awesome and I can't honestly say I'd rather have the S2000.

Just giving it straight!

 

I feel the car's styling is too retro. Also there are too many of them in my neighborhood. Seems like every yuppie-puppie has one. Agree the M is hot, but add a few dollars on to the S2000 and see what you get!!!!!

 

I'm more interested in whether or not the rumored 310hp twin turbo Boxster ever makes it to market.

 

I'd rather have the new M3. The M roadster supposedly is based on a real old platform... not sure the exact one. doesn't handle as well as the S2K i think.

What would be ideal is to have the new M3 I6 in the S2K engine bay! (just dreaming)

 

I attended a Dyno day 1 week after purchasing my S2000 and there was an M roadster present.
Results were interesting. He ran 212hp and about the same torque. But...he paid 42K (i think) and gets anywhere from 12mpg to 18. Given the car is much more refined on the interior than the s2000. But...
I pulled 202 hp (605miles on the car) which is sure to go up to the 212 hp area, I only had 153Ftlbs tho. I get regularly 22+ mpg and only paid 34K for my car. But my radio sucks and the car has lots more plastic, in my opinion, than the BMW. Plus my car is ulev.
Guy was dumb-founded....

 

The BMW Roadster "look" just doesn't do it for me -- regardless of what's under the hood...

 

I think the question here is more about the whole package rather than simply 0-60. If that's what you want, buy a muscle car. The point is the package, steering, brakes, acceleration, cornering, chassis but most importantly fun to drive. Making a comparison based on a single factor is silly. Simply dropping a bigger engine in a dated chassis with terrible road manners and questionable styling is missing the whole point.

 

From everything I've read, it's handling leaves a LOT to be desired. The rear suspension is about 2 or 3 generations old, and it has a fairly flexy chassis. It will be fast in a straight line, but I'd take a slower S2000 or Boxster S anyday (or a '01 M3) over the M Roadster.

 

The handling does have a lot to be desired. My aunt has a 97 2.8L I6 engine with 189hp I believe. The thing is FAST in a straight line, and it isn't even the M version. But on twisty roads, the rear end really seems to want to just "hop" out to the side. When I drive it, I feel like I'm really holding back for fear the rear end will break loose and go out of control. That I do not like.

And as far as suspension goes, it is from the old, old 3 series. Not the current 3 series, not the previous (93-97??) 3 series, but the one before that. The same models where the M3 had all those boy racer wings and such. Why would they use that stuff when they have such better stuff already in the new 3 series???

I've said it before and I'll say it again. The Miata may not be as close to as fast as the Z3 or M Roadster, but I'd take it any day over over the BMW's. The fun is in the handling, and the Miata will destroy the BMW in that area. Nimble and predictable.