Hi All,

I have ALMOST bought an s2k twice now, and am considering it a third time. Once as a weekender, but bought an older NSX instead. Second time as a daily driver, but bought a 330Ci instead. Now, I find myself in a position to potentially move from DC to NC and am again considering the S2k to replace the 330Ci as a daily driver. I've driven an s2k, but never lived with it on a daily basis.

Any thoughts on what tradeoffs I should be aware in living with an '02ish S2k as my 'practical car'? I am concerned about travel inclement weather, noise with the top up, the ability to take occasional 3-4 day road trips confortably in it, parking it in airports etc. I have never owned a convertible, and would value any experiece the forum could share. The car would be driven 15k-20k a year in all seasons and I would plan on keeping it for 5 years minimum.

Anyone made a similar transition? Thanks for any input you can provide-

 

Well, with a good summer tire (S03), you should be fine in the rain. Just don't push it. My RE050's are not too bad in the rain. I mean I can kick the rear out a lot easier when its wet, but if you drive conservatively, this car is not bad in the rain. In the snow, it's a whole different ball game. I'm not sure how much snow NC gets, but I know the state does see snow in the winter. I would maybe get a spair set of wheels with some high-performance all-season tires. Something with a little more bite for the winter months. Snow tires are great, but you're really not supposed to use them on dry pavement and so they are a bit of a pain in the arse because you have to put them on, take them off, put them on, etc... every time it snows.

Wind/road noise is going to be significantly higher than your BMW. This is a roadster and noise is all part of the roadster experience. However, with a stock exhaust, this car is pretty quiet inside during highway cruising with the top up in my opinion. I came out of a '99 Miata into the S and the S is a little more quiet (until I put on an aftermarket exhaust).

It's obviously going to have less cargo room than the 330Ci, but in my opinion, it has just the right amount of space for two people to go away for the weekend. I can fit two small suitcases and a small duffle bag (or two) in the trunk if I position them the right way. I was able to pack 300lb of cargo into my S when I moved. Twice. In the trunk, in the passenger seat and behind the rollbars.

I don't think it's a bad daily driver at all, but again, I went from roadster to roadster, so I'm used to the roadster experience. Coming from a sedan is going to be a bit more of a change.

 

Would keep the BMW 330 unless you can get an S2k and a beater truck.

 

If you are used to the BMW 3-series, the S2000 will be quite a tough car to live with on a daily basis.

The ride is much stiffer in the S2000. The noise is much greater in the cabin. A 3-4 day road trip with a passenger might be a little much in the S2000 if you plan on doing that on a regular basis. I would not park the car at any public parking lot overnight, you are just asking for someone to vandalize or steal it.

Don't know what to tell you, sounds like you are expecting it to be as comfortable as your 3, which it certainly is not.

 

Hi guys,

Thanks for the input. Just to clarify, I do not need a total creampuff daily driver. My NSX has enough space, is quiet enough, and was comfy enough to drive daily before I stiffened the suspension. The two things that keep me using it as a daily now are its total inability to handle snow and the threat of theft/vandalism when left at the airport 2-3 days a week.

The reason I asked for comparison to a 330Ci is that I find it is pefectly acceptable as a daily. Its manual, rwd and works nicely with the sport pack in the snow. BUT, it has a hard top, TCS, DSC and a second set of rims with Blizzaks. Its a nice car, but it just doesn't light my passion. Everytime I get passed by an S2k, I think about this again. There seem to be plenty of people in Balitmore/DC that use the S2k in the winter, granted its not usually mid-blizzard when I see them.

Are my theft concerns valid, and would a hard top solve them?
Is the S2k as winter friendly as a 330Ci given equal tires, no TSC/DCS and less torque (good)?
How much noiser can I expect this to be (subjectively) than a 330, NSX or even an RSX (I am a frequent passenger in an RSX-S)?

 

One thing I didn't see mentioned was your age. I think this would be a determining factor. The big question you need to ask your self is what type of ride are you looking for . Whether it is comfort or entertainment. I know my self I enjoy the entire ride whether im in traffic or cruising.

If you plan on taking the s2000 on long drives you will be sore and tired(getting back to the age thing). I don't consider the cabin noise to be of annoyance. The engine will be much louder, especially on the highway. You also really don't have any room for luggage. In this respect the 3 series would be the better choice.

The s2000 doesn't stand a chance in the snow, but you shouldn't run into that problem too much in NC. The 330 will do circles around the S in the snow. Rain isn't a problem with the right tires.

Theft is a tough one because i think it has too many factors. I don't know too many things on the S that a theif would take, considering the sound system sucks. The only thing I could see happening is a knife cut in the roof. That problem could be solved with a hard top.

 

I had a 330 coupe before the s2000. If I had a choice between the s2000 and the 330ci, I would choose the s2000. Its just so much more of a drivers car. The 330 is for people who want to feel "extra safe" in all weather conditions. However if I had an NSX I would not have bothered with a 330ci, or an s2000....

 

Thanks for the generous input everyone, I appreciate it. I'll go for another test drive here when I get back home and the roads clear up a little bit. As a final question, is there any noticeable difference driving with the top off vs top on? Room, noise, temperature control etc.?

 

The soft top will create a lot more noise both in wind and road when driving than if you had a hard top on it. I say get the hard top with the car. I SOOO wish I had. Also, The car is not going to be as generous in the snow/rain/etc as the bimmer is. An S can be twitchy, rough, loud, and tend to oversteer a lot. Now snow tires will help, and as Xviper will mention, perfectly drivable in Canadian winters, but the 330 will be MUCH more forgiving. Also, you can drive the 330 faster in all but nice weather as compared to the S. Would I do it? I can't say I would, not with an NSX next to it in the garage. If I could have a 330 or an S and it would be an only car, well...I had the choice, and I bought my S.

 

i came from a 325ci and glad i made the switch. yes its could be more prone to vandalism and theft but that what insurance is for. if you are going to worry about it you probably shouldnt get it. life too short to worry about a car.
theres more noise imo with the top up.you get to hear the engine and exhaust. with the top down its hard to hear the radio when on the highway. but i love the feeling of driving with the top down 5hrs straight no problem in awesome weather getting 29mpg.
i had 18's on the 325ci and it rode harsher than my s2k. bmw felt like it had better brakes. bmw would tramline, s2k is like a video game drive straight on the highway, probably less steering feel. but fast steering ratio so it feels like a gocart.
trunk is small but it's all i need. enough for a weekend for two. felt the bmw was too big, felt like a sedan with that interior.
it was an easy transition to a car with no traction control, rarely set mine off unless i was trying to. knowing that you had an nsx and a 330ci you are probalby aware if the dynamics of a rwd car pros and cons.
with snow tires any car can pretty much drive in the snow.
powerwise you'll probablly miss the initial punch with bmw flat torque but the s2k has the punch on the top.
the tires get eaten up more quicker, have a good set on will keep you out of trouble in the wet.
gotta change the tranny and diff fluids, so there is more maintenance involved, it is a sports car