to 2 cars that I would buy...and might buy...

Between the E36 M3('98 and up) and of course the S2K!

Now...Basically, I want something that handles great, looks great and has power. I have never owned a car with torque...or a lot of it anyway, so the M3 kind of stands out there...they both handle with the best of 'em, and look great. The stook amazes me everytime I look at it and the M3 is more of a toned down classy look.

Last factor...A rag top would be great. The only thing drifting me away from the s2000 is the torque factor...to make up for it is a 9k redline though...


Anybody with experiance with both.

Or anyone else have any car suggestions. I have by no means closed the door to suggestions.

Thanks!, shea.

 

yeah, i have experience with both, as do many others here including jws and brandonb.

anyway, you seem to have summarized various attributes of the two cars fairly well.

a couple of things that you should also consider:

1. ride quality. the m3 wins this battle by a long, long margin.

2. practicality. duh.

3. modability. m3. huge aftermarket. huge support by various tuners.

4. sex appeal. s2k

5. shit eating grin appeal. s2k

6. trackablity m3. I know this sounds like blasphemy, but the M3 is fearsome on a road course and virtually untouchable by the s2k with average drivers (perhaps a superb driver can tame the s2k with its inherent flaws that are conspicuously absent in the M3, like unyielding bump steer, twitchiness, unpredictability). the s2k needs better shocks, stiffer rear springs, and better rear suspension geometry to be competitive with an M3 with tuned coilovers.

7. autocrossability. s2k hands down. it's quickness and responsiveness is tearing up on auto-x's everywhere. you'll need an aftermarket front sway.

8. highwayability. m3 a far more comfortable cruiser.

9. panty-ability. (related to sex appeal). s2k. it drops panties much easier than the m3. almost scary.

what else? can't think of any categories right now.

 

Shea-bird:

Listen to frayed: He sums it up fairly well.

I've driven a 99 M3 for two years and am getting a 2002 S2000. There was nothing wrong with having the M3. It has as much performance as anyone would need on the street. Anyone who can drive the E36 M3 to its limit should maybe consider driving professionally
If you can get a good (not-raced) E36 M3, grab it. You can come across them often since that generation sold well, even to non-enthusiasts who appreciate the cars but don't drive them hard! It will probably have 90% of the performance of the new E46 M3 at a significant lower cost. (waiting list for the E46 M3 is very long as well). Often times in street encounters, it is often the driver which makes all the difference, any ways. So unless you want bragging rights of a new E46 M3, the E36 M3 will do just fine and save you about $10,000.

Note: Torque(M3) is just as addicting as high RPM horsepower (S2000). And yes, I have driven the S2000 before ordering it.

Louie

 

If you can wait, might I suggest the new Nissan 350Z?

Nissan has its very best chassis engineers working on the car with the goal of making it the best handling Nissan ever built. It will have a 3.5l V6 making 280hp for the US market, and will weigh under 3200lb. Good power, good torque, good chassis, I personally love the looks, RWD, and a 6 speed gearbox should equal a ton of fun, all for about $30,000.

Only thing is that you will have to wait until July 2002 for it.

Also, Nissan is going to campaign it in the ALMS GTS class.

Should be very cool. Production version debuts in Tokyo October 26.

 

thanks for the 2 great reply's!! I was just checking out some websites and this company Active Autowerke has a bolt on turbo kit for it(M3) that runs between 7.5 and 8.5psi. 0-60 is 4.4 and 1/4 is 12.5. I don't like the FI route as it beats on our poor engines but those specs are hard to put aside. they have dyno charts to back it up also.

Well, anyone else that has input is greatly appreciated.

Thanks again, shea.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by S2kRob
[B]If you can wait, might I suggest the new Nissan 350Z?

Nissan has its very best chassis engineers working on the car with the goal of making it the best handling Nissan ever built.

 

shea bird,

I'm actually flying out to AA on october 8 to check out their facility. They are highly regarding in the m3 tuning world, with respect to their turbo kits. . . for handling upgrades talk to TC Kline or Turner Motorsports. Ground Control makes some fantastic components as well.

For all out straight line speed, there is nothing you can do to an s2k that will match some of the kits that AA has put together. I only mention this since it seems that you are attracted to turbo power.

On the track, keep in mind that the E36 chassis was not designed to handle 400 hp. While things can be beefed up, it likely will not put down the power to the ground like a car already designed with that much juice in mind, like the Z06.

There are also numerous tried and true blower kits available too, which are more track worthy in a way (no boost lag, spooling, or boost dump issues), from ESS, ERT, RMS, Dinan. 350 hp is just a $5k check away...

I may stick w/ normally aspirated power though, for heat issues (heat soak on the track), boost issues, tuning issues, and servicability. You can get 265 rwhp (320 hp at the crank) with bolt ons, cams, and attendant software.

I frankly don't think the comptech blower is that great for the s2k, simply b/c it relies on a band-aid fix for fuel management issues. The kits available for E36 M3's, however, include totally remapped software (with the exception of ERT's kit).

Anyway, that's a primer on E36 forced induction; I bring it up only b/c of your interest in it.
----------------------------

BTW, if you are interested in cheap, robust, well engineered, reliable, moddable fun, stop reading this and buy a WRX.

With a few bucks it will embarrass most cars on the road, and handle damn well, though I doubt a few parts from the parts bin could turn that car into an s2k killer or M3 killer on the track.

But I should stop here, as some of the militant WRX owners that parole this board are probably huffing and puffing as I type this.

LOL.

 

Once again, you are comparing a ragtop to a hard top. I know you mentioned that but I find it odd how many times I see someone thinking about getting the S2K versus some hard top. They are so different that I just don't see how people can have such a varied choice. This is just me so don't think that I am coming down on you, I just find it kind of strange.

Kirk

 

E36 M3s will always get my respect. Nice looking cars. Solid performers. But absolutely no flash.

This is where the S2000 comes in. You tell me a car that costs under $40K new that provides as much panty-pulling-power as the S2000... and you go get that car.

But then this all depends where your priorities are.

You can't go wrong with either one.

 

Also, if you like to modify your car easily and get rewarding
results... I suggest you get a 95 M3 instead of the 98+....
Or if you're lucky... a 95 M3 LTW.....