An S2000 Owner Again
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 2,804
Likes: 0
From: San Diego,CA
welcome back brotha. im in the same boat. i had my 1st s2000 back 2001. new formula red it was. but then i sold it and purchased a benz and went threw the whole europrojectz craze. but im back in a s2000 and loving it. its about 75 degrees outside clear skies here in san diego,ca enough said 
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,414
Likes: 3
Originally Posted by 1SXYCAR,May 8 2005, 03:02 PM
The 2001 M3 had only 6,000 miles on it when I purchased it (no accident history, no paintwork -- truly a cherry used m3)
It went back and forth to the shop for multitude of reasons including rampant electrical problems. The biggest of those problems prevented the car from started. Many times I'd valet park My M3 -- and the valet would have to come find me to have me "help" him start it.
Having my M3 towed into the shop to start was annoying. The Harmon Kardon stereo sucks -- and I think after 29 days in the shop last year - I'd had it.
It wasn't just the car, however, that enthused me to go back to Honda. The service at BMW was absolutely appalling.
When the service manager asked me to lower my expectations for the car because "it's not like you own a 5 or 7 series" -- i had it. Apparently buying an M3 convertible isnt enough to get resolution to repeat problems.
The kicker was -- had I purchased it new -- BMW would have bought it back under lemon law. Because I bought it used in the state of Minnesota -- I had no legal recourse.
So -- lesson learned. I've been driving my Spa S2000 all weekend and absolutely love it.
NO regrets at all.
It went back and forth to the shop for multitude of reasons including rampant electrical problems. The biggest of those problems prevented the car from started. Many times I'd valet park My M3 -- and the valet would have to come find me to have me "help" him start it.
Having my M3 towed into the shop to start was annoying. The Harmon Kardon stereo sucks -- and I think after 29 days in the shop last year - I'd had it.
It wasn't just the car, however, that enthused me to go back to Honda. The service at BMW was absolutely appalling.
When the service manager asked me to lower my expectations for the car because "it's not like you own a 5 or 7 series" -- i had it. Apparently buying an M3 convertible isnt enough to get resolution to repeat problems.
The kicker was -- had I purchased it new -- BMW would have bought it back under lemon law. Because I bought it used in the state of Minnesota -- I had no legal recourse.
So -- lesson learned. I've been driving my Spa S2000 all weekend and absolutely love it.
NO regrets at all.
It seems like BMW service was a major reason why you decided to ditch the M3. If you had been given better treatment, would you still have stuck with the M3?
Lastly, in terms of performance/brakes/handling/overall drivability experience, which of the 2 cars brought a bigger smile to your face?
Sorry for all the questions. I have an inquisitive mind.
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 3,290
Likes: 14
From: Atlanta
Welcome back Richard. Always good to hear about someone that had a bad experience with what is supposed to be a premium brand car and then read about the happy ending when you come back home to this truely unique car.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
From: Woodbury
Originally Posted by kenstyle,May 8 2005, 06:38 PM
So with the exception to the electrical problems and the sh1tty HK stereo, the BMW performed on par in the other categories?
It seems like BMW service was a major reason why you decided to ditch the M3. If you had been given better treatment, would you still have stuck with the M3?
Lastly, in terms of performance/brakes/handling/overall drivability experience, which of the 2 cars brought a bigger smile to your face?
Sorry for all the questions. I have an inquisitive mind.
It seems like BMW service was a major reason why you decided to ditch the M3. If you had been given better treatment, would you still have stuck with the M3?
Lastly, in terms of performance/brakes/handling/overall drivability experience, which of the 2 cars brought a bigger smile to your face?
Sorry for all the questions. I have an inquisitive mind.
I know that when a service manager says to me "1 in 5 BMW owners tell me they'll never buy another BMW because of the problems they have" -- I pay attention. He continued by saying that with all the new techology the new 5 and 7 series are always in the shop.
I followed up with "If 1 out of 5 BMW customers will never buy another - isnt BMW concerned about poor product quality?"
He replied "If BMW looses a customer over poor product quality -- they'll just find a new customer"
My reply "That's exactly what you get to do - you get to replace me as a customer"
In terms of handling and stuff -- I think the M3 handles great. The Dynamic Stability Control is awesome -- but doesnt cut curves quite like the S2000. I always missed the personality of my prior S2000s -- and the "built to be a roadster" handling attributes. The M3 has more room, a rear seat -- and more torque -- but it lacks personality, and is not a direct comparison for the S2000.
So my summation was that BMW M3 convertible was not worth the money. So I voted with my Title in hand and sold it.
Now I just need to figure out a personalized license plate for my new S
