.. on something. I recently have owned a black on tan 2003 330i manual. I have finally gotten rid of it, and planned on buying a S2000 to replace it with. The thing is, I didn't really think it all the way through. It's been a little over a week and I miss my underpowered tank a lot. Which led me to start look at some E46 M3's. Now I've done a fair bit of reading on here, and it seems a quite a few of the members on here who sell their S2000's are usually looking to upgrade to E46/E9X M/335i.


I am a 20 year old college student. My current budget is only ~$18k depending on insurance quotes. I have thought very carefully about each vehicle, and here is what I have come up with:


The S2000 would be incredibly nice, considering I live in SoCal (Huntington Beach to be exact) and would benefit greatly from an open top. It's also a Honda, so I can expect good reliability (better than a BMW anyways). It's relatively cheap used, and I hear people raving about how it's the most fun car to drive. I've only driven a S2000 twice, and both times I never went above 2nd gear or revved higher than 4k RPM, so I can't really comment on that. There are some difficulties I need to consider though. I used my backseat for a lot of things, whether to carry people or just to throw stuff back there. Although not having a backseat might make me more organized and save me gas from not having to carry people lol. Also, I was involved in a near fatal accident before, and I think I would be on the edge of my seat every time I drove the S2000. Also, this is just me nitpicking, but over the past year there have been 4 people from my old high school that have picked up a S2000. I know this isn't a good reason to not get one, but it just feels as if they've killed the magic of owning one lol.


I see many members on here and on M3forum who upgrade from a S2000 to a M3, whether they want to look more professional for a job, or because they need the back seat for whatever reason (expecting a child). I feel that I have opportunity to potentially skip the S2000, and go straight for the M3. Considering I'm already thinking about the backseat before I even actually 'lost' it, this might be a smart decision. Some gripes I have about the M3 is the maintenance and reliability. There is just no arguing that a M3 will not be as reliable as a S2000. Not only that, when the time does come that I need to repair something, it's probably going to empty my wallet and bank account. I've been fortunate with the 330i and never had any major issues, but I'm sure it will happen someday if I continue down the BMW path. Also, I don't know if I really want to spend so much money on a car that will probably feel exactly the same as the 330i besides the obvious increase in power.


I had some other choices floating around, but they were all either too expensive (Supra/NSX/M Coupe. Sky high insurance too), too common and similar to my previous car (STi/Evo, don't want to jump from a sedan to another sedan no matter how good it is, and soooooooo many people have it where I live), or just too much of a handful (my cousin's FD RX7.)


I don't plan on tracking my car, but still wouldn't mind knowing I have a car that could carry its own weight. Maybe head up to Mulholland/Stunt/Malibu/Willow Springs once in awhile, but nothing serious. I don't plan on modding the crap out of either car, just probably some exterior changes like cosmetic parts and coils + reliability parts. Both cars have expensive as hell mods that garner no significant increase in power anyways (excluding FI). For the S2000, I'm looking to spend ~$16k, and for the M3 I'm looking to spend ~$22k, both with ~40k miles (my dad is loaning me some $ for the M3, he wants to drive it too lol). If anyone has been fortunate to own both, please chime in. I hope I don't ignite a S2000 vs M3 argument. Thanks for reading this long winded post .

 

Since you're in college, get the most expensive car that you can possibly afford. Borrowing money from your parents should help. Be sure to shop around at multiple banks to see which one will give you the largest loan.

 

get the S2000 and crash it, that way mine will be worth a couple pennies more

no but in all seriousness, if your already questioning the car, it sounds like you dont have the passion for it like most of us do, and you will probobly want out soon. just go buy your bmw... lol

 

^ You seem as if you've done your homework. But if you get the BMW, definitely factor in high maintenance costs. The S is easier on the budget. Very reliable car in addition to being a blast to drive.

 

For me, the "magic" is in driving the S, not thinking about others who own an S. If it's not there for you (probably wouldn't be if you haven't gone past 2nd or 4K or taken it on some good, twisty roads) then it probably isn't the car for you.

I've seen quite a few miss the S as well. "Upgrade" is subjective. The M3 has more power and nicer appointments but the driving experience is very different (not necessarily better) from what they've said.

It sounds like, as with most considering different car options, you need to spend more time test driving. One of your options should clearly stand out to you.

I'm not saying ignore the practical considerations. IMO the driving experience tends to matter most. You have to evaluate the options based on your own priorities though.

 

Horse droppings. Usual "more fervent than thou" self-serving post.

 

Kudos to you for an articulate, well-thought out post.

My $0.02.

I don't think you can go wrong with either. At this point in your life, your focus should be on your studies so you don't have to downgrade later. Either car will be fine.

It's easy to think about "upgrading" and if I only had one car, I might consider an M3 over an S2000.

However, the S2000 is a fantastic car. We have an RS4 and I still prefer driving the S2000 (except in snow).

Don't be in a rush to grow up too fast. You'll miss all the great things that come along with youth. It's the intermediate steps that you'll look fondly back upon...

 

i would suggest that you go drive both back to back in a place where you can get a feel for what each car is actually about. definitely be safe about it, but you really just can't read what we all find so special about the s2k.

if you drive the s and it doesn't feel special, and the lack of torque bothers you go for the m3. it will be a lot like your 330, but with a much better engine, better balance,and much better suspension.

i haven't owned an m3, but i have driven several. i am always impressed by the power, and how well they handle for a somewhat heavy car. as for people who have switched that i know. all miss the s2k at some point, and about half ended up selling the m3 and going back to the s2k.

if you like the powerful luxury gt-ish style car the m3 is a great car. if you like the more simple, light and raw driving feel the s2k is more your ticket.

 

I only got this far into your post. Go test drive an S before considering your decision further. It will make up your mind for you.


Plus, why not enjoy an S while your life doesn't require a back seat? You can get a good one for well under $18. Save your $ and get a brand new M3 after you graduate and begin your career.

 

Exactly my thoughts. You haven't driven an S until you have let her loose and have run on some twisty roads.

Get it, have fun with it and when the time dictates, she will be paid off and then you can just go buy a new M3 and have both!