huh?

No car runs to 60 at a discrete number. No car runs the 1/4 at a discrete number.

The mags reported the s2k at best (R&T) at 5.3, 5.5 C&D, and 6.1 (don't remember whether it was C&D or R&T; it was in their first test at one of Honda's test tracks). Throwing out the one low R&T number, and some other numbers (like Autombobile, that was like 6.5), let's say the s2k can run to 60 in 5.5.

Now, turning to the M3, 4.8 has been reported in just about every test I've read. Look at the most recent Car and Driver issue, 4.8 and 13.5 1/4. I

You can try to twist the numbers all you want, the M3 will smoke the s2k in any straight line acceleration shootout. It'll be neck and neck with the M5, the vette, and the 911 carrera. That's a whole new league above the s2k.

Read Sev's post above. 7-10 car length lead in the 1/4. He's a drag racing monster, and knows much better than I.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Chui:
[B]Actually, BMWs are among the best when it comes to structural rigidity. The Z3 chassis is every bit as stiff as the S2000.

 

y2ks2k,

The 5.5 for a S2K is just about best case scenario (as far as repeatable times go). The BMW spec for the M3 is 5.2 0-100 kph. The BMW USA spec is 4.8 0-60. BMW always under-rates its cars on paper (as do most German manufacturers, as others have said).

For example, the M5 specs at 5.2 0-100 kph also. However, John Hennesy (the Viper guy) has taken to making parts for the M5. In his base line tests (stock) he found that the M5 and Viper GTS were dead even 100-160 mph, neither gaining on the other.

Long story short, the M3 is probably more like a 4.6 sec car, as Sev said. At higher speeds (+60) its performance will likely escalate (like the M5's) leaving the S2K in the dust through the 1/4 mile.

Of course this is all speculation and conjecture on a car I've never driven but I think my conclusions are valid. And it in no way lessens my appreciation of the S2K.

 

S2K should be able to hang with new M3 with Comptech SC for $5K...

 

Silver S2K/frayed


Maybe its the fact that I have spent my fair share of time on the drag strip but the simple fact is that the S2K has been shown to pull pretty solid 14.0-14.2 second quarter miles in just about every magazine. Almost every drag time I have seen posted here has been in that ball park and every time I have personally dragged my S2000, it has been in that ball park. So on this bases, a 5.0 second quarter mile is the "probably" S2000 time when done by experienced drivers. A few of YOU have claimed a 4.8 second time for the new M3 so for a third time I say their strait line performance is extremely close with a slight nod to the M3. Any arguers are welcome to come with me to the drag strip next time, pick your day.

On the other hand the M3 has not been fully tested yet as the S2000 has and you performance numbers are pure bull at this point (wasn't it motor trend who actualy tracked the S2000 using a GPS system).

Feel free to post some hard numbers to disprove this, I

 

are you kidding?

 

I say give credit where credit is due...the new M3 is going to be kick ass, no doubt. The S2K is one helluva car, but the M3 in terms of straight line speed will blow it out of the water.

 

y2ks2k,

The 4.8 is straight from the M3 brochure from BMW (see below). The 5.2 0-100 kph and 13.5 1/4 mile is the quote all the mags use from BMW. One of the reviews listed at the link in my first message states they got a 1/4 mile of 13.2. That would be 8 car lengths ahead of a 14.0 sec S2K.

Some more hard numbers. BMW was able to lap Nur..., uh that German road course I can't spell , 15 seconds faster in the new E46 M3 than the old E36 M3. And the old E36 M3 is a ~14.2 sec 1/4 mile car.

Let me approach this from another angle, a 13.5 1/4 and 4.8 0-60 == hardtop C5 Corvette. Are you saying the S2K can hang with a Vette at the drag strip?

And again, BMW always under rates its M cars



P.S. the fine print says "* BMW of North America test results. Obey local trafic laws."

[This message has been edited by Silver S2K (edited November 19, 2000).]

 

Y2ks2k,

Well, you can cherry pick the best posted data for the s2k, but here are the facts:

M3:
333 hp
262 ft lb
.097 hp/wt ratio
.076 tq/wt ratio
has similar 'magazine numbers' with the vette (not the z06 though)

s2k:
240 hp
152 ft lb (I think)
.086 hp/wt ratio
.054 tq/wt ratio

So lets see, that's 39% more hp, 72% more torque, 13% better hp/wt ratio, and 41% better torque/wt ratio. (I think my math is right, only one cup of coffee this morning)

I tried to line up against a 2000 vette in my s2k about a month ago. I got crushed, particularly when the vette hit second gear. I had no engine bog, clutch drop at 65000 rpm. If the new M3 is near the vette, the s2k will plead 'no contest' to the M3.

I'd say the current E36 M3/S2k are pretty even in terms of performance. Alternatively stated, close enough that it is purely up to the driver. You'll find people on bimmer.org all day long posting 14.0 to 14.5 numbers, and low to mid 5's 0-60 times.

peace.

 

I personally think the S2000 is a great car, but it cannot beat vettes, 911's or.....E46 M3's.. except at reliability & cost

The 333hp M3 is listed by BMW at 4.8 seconds to Sixty.