Huh? Other than another S2000, it has been my obervation that the car most similar to S2000 in terms of driving style and performance is the S52 M Coupe. The stock BMW suspension is not quite as good, but other than that they are very well-matched cars.

The only way they are significantly different is in cargo space and the drop-top.

 

Hi Mike, sorry I'm new here, I'm not sure if you track or autox your car, I do but not the S yet, soon once break-in is over. From the little bit of spirited driving I've done in the S I can tell you that it's a totally different car than my Coupe, and I'm comparing stock S to a modified Coupe, a stock Coupe wouldn't stand a chance against an S! The differences are in the handling dept. and power delivery. To me the '05 seems a lot easier to drive than the Coupe ever was, that rear end on the Coupe requires your full attention at all times! Didn't get that feeling in the S probably due to the much more advanced suspension.

I think we're drifting way OT here, we can open another thread and discuss it if you'd lke, would love to hear from others who have driven/raced both. Maybe we can get Ian (MrSideways), if he's still around here, involved since he's driven the S and my car.

 

Though I autoxed a few M Coupes for a run here and there, most of my coupe experience was in 2.5 seasons of running my '99 Z3 2.8 Coupe. Personally I think it's an easier car to drive than the S2000, because while it is very soft, the breakaway behavior was very progressive. It had a nice, meaty powerband and would rotate controllably on throttle. The downside was poor body motion control, huge roll angles, and limited camber in front.

The S2000 and M Coupe are similar in focus, both being driver's cars before all else. But in the little details of how they respond to inputs they are still very different. The S2000 has great power when it's in VTEC, but is more like a Miata when out of it. The S2000 has much quicker steering and all controls are extremely "short throw". The S2000 steering is more precise, but doesn't weight up as cornering loads build. This is an odd sensation at first, as you're pulling some incredible Gs but the steering is as light as it was when you were whipping it into your last parking space. The way the S2000 responds to every input is quicker, which is sometimes good, sometimes bad.

Actually one thing I like about both cars is that the effort and feel of all controls match each other. On the S2000 everything is light, quick, and precise. On the M Coupe, everything feels a bit heavier and more substantial. Not to say one is better than the other, but to me well matched control efforts are a sign that a car was designed with the total driving experience in mind. That's why I have no doubt that Cone_Killa is going to love this car once he gets used to it. It's just really hard for someone who loves driving to not fall for these cars after spending some time with them!

Peter

 

You probably just haven't pushed the S far enough yet. The M Coupe really does like to hang the back end out, I'll grant you that.

But I've run some really fun laps backing-and-forthing with experienced Coupe drivers, and in "close to stock" form the two cars are extremely well-matched when driven reasonably well.

 

Wheelspin report:

Today at Oakland I ran the 2005 S2000 for the first time. The course had several sweepers linked in opposite directions. I had the 245/275 V710 tire setup, stock shocks, alignment, and the Gendron solid bar set to the 3rd softest setting.

On my 1st run I did get some wheelspin a few places on course. I am not sure if it was due to the swaybar setting or the mold release compound. I moved the endlink on the driver's side to the next firmer hole, and didn't get much, if any, wheelspin for the rest of my runs (total of 10 including fun runs). I will be running with stiffer swaybar settings for the next event.

 

[QUOTE=PoweredByCamry,Oct 31 2005, 01:47 AM]Though I autoxed a few M Coupes for a run here and there, most of my coupe experience was in 2.5 seasons of running my '99 Z3 2.8 Coupe.

 

Glad to hear it worked better that way! So the setup to have is 245/275 with a stiff front bar. This sounds like it'll push like crazy! But everyone says it works great! And if it fixes the wheel spin then that's even better!

 

Two reasons it won't push:

1) Car has almost no front camber from the factory. -1.5 to -2.0 helps a lot.

2) Stock tire stagger is huge compared to race tires. While nominally 215/245, have you taken a look at the stock 215s up front? Contact patch is about even with most 195s if that.

The car will gain a lot of front grip with the camber and wider tires. The stiffer bar neatly balances that out and keeps the inside rear on the ground.

Peter

 

Be careful with asymmetric sway bar settings. I've never tried it, but have been warned more than once that it can cause strange handling behavior. When entering a corner after the initial straight line braking phase, the bar has already been preloaded because the two arms are swinging through different radius arcs due to the drop link attachment point.

Depending on which side has the short lever arm, left hand and right hand corner entry will either add to the existing preload, or unwind the preload and then load the bar in the opposite direction.

Is it enough to be noticeable? I have no idea, but technically it is not a good practice.

Windscreen

 

What Steve is trying to say is that, when you have an asymmetric bar setting on a ladder style bar, the motion ratio for the bar is different on each side but the pivot is in the same place on each side.

One rung off is probably OK but I wouldn't do more than that.