Of course this will lead to biased responses, but I believe that this forum is comprised of true enthusiats that won't give out blind opinions. I'm in the market for a used car, and was thinking either e36 m3 or s2000. They both are great handling cars, and seem to have similar acceleration times. The extra space is not really an issue for me, plus a pristine e36 m3 is just so hard to find. It also seems like I can get a newer and lower mileage s2k over an m3. I'll have to take some test drives to make the eventual decision, but until then which is my best bet?

 

You'll give up some comforts if you take the S2k over the M3. The M3 is a sports machine but when it comes down to it it still began life as a passenger car (vs a sports car convertible). The M3 has more usable torque. They have similar gas mileage, even though the M3 is a 6. Opinions may vary but the M3 is better on long trips.

...if it matters to you, I have both; a 97 M3 sedan and an 05 S2k. And the M3 is my daily driver. The S2k is my fun weekend car, good weather only.

 

well...what do you want...

your right in saying they are both very nice cars...the M3 is probably easier to squeze N/A horsepower out of...I like it myself. Also, having that backseat will probably come in handy. The thing I would personally think is that the S2 is very driver oriented, its raw, and fun.

I'm sure a lot of people will mention the convertable factor about the S...where as most E36 M3's are Coupes, I don't know if there are convertable's? However, to me, the convertable factor isn't soo big...I'd actually like to get a hard top and take all of the convertable equipment out.

The S is a very fun car for me, its fun to drive, everytime I get in it, I love it...I love the style...

So yes, go drive both, figure out what you want from a car, then make a decision

 

Can the s2k be made into a practical daily driver? Also, which car do you ultimately prefer in the debate of fun vs practical?

 

I was in the same boat and I got the S2K... if reliability was not an issue I might have gone with the M3, but I can't afford BMW maintenence. The M3 felt faster to me, but the s2k is so much more fun to drive. I do sometimes wish I had some extra space and a quieter ride. Overall, both are great cars, but the S2K should give you less trouble.

 

I daily drive mine...and its perfectly fine...I eventually plan for a turbo, EMS, fuel mods...etc etc. and still plan to daily drive it...I don't think it will be a problem.

Also, the M3 should feel faster...it has a lot more torque...but as the numbers and as races show, in accel...they are quite similar

 

I had to make the same decision.

I don't need the extra room.
I like the hard, sports car feel.
I like driving oversides go-karts.
I like Honda maintainance.
I like the glove-fit interior.
I like the cheaper mods (sometimes).

I wish I could say "I drive a BMW"
I would prefer more luxury sometimes.

Tough choice, can't go wrong with either one.

BTW, I'm 17 and my S2K is my daily driver. No complaints.

 

I think my S is as practical an "everyday" car as my Mustang was. Most (90%) of the time I drive by myself. I don't need to haul a bunch of stuff around, so trunk space is no issue and I drove the Mustang with the top down as much as I do the S (all the time).

 

I also went with the S2k over the E36 M3. Before the S2k i had a 00 prelude and just wanted something with some more preformance and preferrably rear wheel drive. Some of the reasons i went with the S2k was because of proven honda reliability (we have had numerous honda vehicles over the year and currently have 4 on the driveway), cheaper repair costs over the BMW, the car is newer (mine is a MY01 with warranty remaining) and also was kind of wanting the convertible top. The pros of the M3 was the rear seat and softer ride for just normal day to day driving. That being said the S2k is still my daily driver now. Once i complete university i see myself getting into something like a E46 M3, but for now i am just loving my S2k!!

 

I sold my E36 and bought S2k. Both great cars performance wise, but they have a very different feel inside. Drive them both back to back and go from there.