I am a driving enthusiast and would appreciate if someone who has driven both these cars can give me their impressions on how both these cars handle.

I am a family man and am looking at one of these two as my second car. The 2006 325 with sports suspension looks good, but I have always liked the S2000 handling and would like to know what I would be sacrificing by going with the BMW.

 

I prefer the feel of 3-series with sports package or performance package over S2000's feel.

It's such a personal thing, that you've got to test drive for yourself & drive the one that fits you.

I was deciding between a 330i zhp (E46 model) & S2000. I went with a S2000, 'cuz I couldn't find any 330i zhp w/ 6-speed at the end of it's cycle (& alphine white). The 2006 handling is not as crisp as 330i zhp, but it's got a better feel than S2000, IMHO.

If I buy a 3-series, it would never be a 325 though... the engine seriously lacks power.

 

1. LOOKS
2. HANDLING
3. COVERTIBLE

 

The s2k will out handle any stock 330

 

4. POWER
5. COST FOR UP KEEP

 

You can't really compare a sedan and a roadster, both possess different purposes and are pretty much polar opposites on the practicality scale. Since this will be your second car, why not choose a fun roadster to play with on the weekends and whatnot?

On the other hand, because you're a family man, the E90 is a good choice as well. The 325i SP's handling is excellent, as with most BMWs. However, compared to a light weight roadster, you won't have that go-kart-like handling.

I suggest you go out and test drive the 325i, even if you can't find one with the Sports Package, you can still get a general idea of what to expect and how it compares to the S2000, handling-wise.

 

As a second car, I can't see how you could consider the 325. I think its a great car, but its more of a sporty car than an all out performance car. I've never driven a 3 series with the sports suspension so maybe it makes a huge difference, but I still wouldn't think of it as a good second car ...

For me, and its just my opinion but a second car (assuming you mean a weekend car -- a fun car, whatever) would be something impractical, not necessarily what you'd want as a daily driver, something you'd be driving only when the weather permitted ... For me the S2000 really fit the bill. I guess being impractical wasn't a "must have" but it wasn't a negative for me either since it wasn't a daily driver. The convertible was a must have for me as a weekend car too...

The 325 just seems too tame to make a good weekend car ... Just my 2 cents. I think acceleration wise and handling wise though the 325 would be taking a back seat to the S2000.

Good luck with your purchase, I'd definitely test drive both of them and see what your preference is.

 

whats with the caps?


anyways, to the OP, a 325's handling in no way comes close to the s2000's. not even an m3. I've never driven a 330 ZHP, so I can't speak to that.

the BMWs feel smoother(deader?).. the s2000 has more raw feedback.. I can always tell instantly what all 4 wheels are doing on the car..

oh I also haven't driven a BMW with that active steering bs, but I heard that sucks big ones from just about every reviewer out there

 

I have a '05 330i ZHP

I think you mean BMW's fantastic driver-feedback in the steering rather than actual handling though.

 

you guys are comparing steering feel to handling... those related, but two different things.

Handling can be measured using a device. (lateral g's)
Feel of a car, the way it reacts to the driver is subjective.

I prefer the way the steering feedback was on the 330i ZHP over S2000. Does that mean the 330i ZHP grips the road better at the limit? I've got no clue... probably not. But, S2000's steering feedback is not as perfectly weighed as a 330i ZHP, in MY humble opinion.

And, E30 M3 has the best raw feel ever of any sport compact sporty car. But, that's going on a tangent.

edit: subjective