I would say get a 06+ just because it has the option of using flashpro.

What is your budget?

 

My 08 CR with intake, test pipe, exhaust and tune easily pulls on E36 M3's at the track

 

Im 99% sure an s2k is faster than a e36 m3 in a straight line and 100% sure it's faster in a straight line from a rolling start and 1000% sure it's significantly faster on any road coarse. It will take you a little while to get used to driving it at the limit vs an e36 depending what your experience is. Oh yeah, and just add brake pads and its track ready vs an e36 that needs a bunch of work and will still keep breaking. I'm not an e36 m3 hater either. I think they are awesome, but no comparison vs the s for track use. Better daily though, IMO.

 

I have a CR and a slightly prepared 944 turbo. The 944 is probably a little lighter than the S as it sits now and it puts down 347whp/354ft-lbs. I don't miss the lack of power on the street or track with the S. You need to rev an S to redline in 3rd once. It's not the magnitude of the power that makes this car fun to drive, it's linear curve and the way the car keeps making power beyond when your mind tells you you should shift.

 

Sounds like I won't be disappointed with an S2000. I really only drove it 5-10 mins with the salesman in the car, so I didn't really get to fully test it out. I'm looking to spend around $15K so most likely a 2002-2004 with 70-100K miles. By the time you add a set of track wheels/tires, roll bar, brake pads, and misc other small items, you've added another $3-5K.

 

I had a few E36 M3s before I sold them for my current S2000.
After owning the S2000, I would never go back. M3 is a great overall car but I prefer the S2000 over the M3 on the track.
Sure it may not be as roomy compared to the M3 but it handles much better than the M3. Also, a S2000 will beat an E36 M3 any day.
So your feeling of slow is incorrect. (stock vs stock)

 

I own both a E36 M3 Sedan and S2000. I have auto-x both of them but I haven't done a track day. My M3 is far from stock (cams, intake, header, exhaust, and a slew of other things) and would rape my S2000 in a straight line. On an auto-x course the S is as a whole faster (stock prepped), but the M is a lot easier to control at the limit. The rear end is easier to get it to do what you want.

The M3 is my daily and it is great for hauling the family around, but I enjoy driving the S more.

 

I had a 944 turbo (300whp on mustang dyno) and an 09 GRB STI. My brother had an E36 M3 with cams, Konis, UUC sways - i drove it a decent number of times (bro was pretty generous). I have an S2000 now, and up until 3 months ago, it was relatively stock. I don't miss any of those cars other than for their daily utility, but when it comes to the track, the S2000 even in stock form is more enjoyable to drive (didn't track the 944 or E36 - just canyon driving).

My stock S2K times are teh track are faster than my STI times, and it's a much more rewarding experience. I have no power mods on the S2K other than an HFC, and I don't miss the power or torque that I had with the STI at all.

It's a great track car. You have to rev it all the way up to redline to really feel the power, anything under 6K will feel like a civic. When you're tracking, you have to keep it at 6K or higher. Driving the car correctly feels super rewarding. That being said, there was quite a bit of a learning curve for me coming from an STI with AWD.

Goodluck, you won't regret the trade UP as far as a track toy is concerned.

 

since you're looking at 02-04, I would recommend 04+ since there are a lot of improvements . The 2.2L will feel a bit better to you than the 2L since you're coming from an m3

list of changes in 04: https://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/483...and-2004-2005/

 

Get a 2000 MY and spend the money on go fast stuff. The 04 - 05 is the odd year out when it comes to tuning. I love my AP1 and it is over 200whhp from 7400 RPM - 9k with my mods. Which means you are always in the power band on a track. If you want to step up, get an 06 up or the CR which is the best of the AP1 and AP2.

I had a G35 and a E36 M3 at the same time. I like the TQ in both but the money spent on the M3 felt like putting money in the toilet. I sold the M3 and bought my S2K as my 3rd car. I have been pretty happy and do not regret getting rid of my M3 at all.