well i have a bmw 330 coupe and an S... so hopefully im not as clueless as the others...

i think the e36 engine is very good...but doesnt get its credit due to the fact that the USDM 96-99 M3's got a detuned 240hp engine while the european version was the same block but produced 321hp...(different engine codes) but in USDM trim... i think the F20 is a more groundbreaking motor due to the "firsts" it has attained...

that said... both are 2 completely different cars in every aspect except performance on paper...

i think the S is ever so slightly quicker up to 4th gear... but the M3 coupe will pull ahead in 5th gear due to better gearing and aerodynamics... i dont know about the convertible...

all other types of performance/handling... its a drivers race.. but you feel and hear the car/road/everything else more on the more nimble S than the M... it is more refined, more luxurious, and is more stable/predictable in all conditions... it has more space and room for 4 or 5. ever since the E36 model, the M3 is considered the worldwide benchmark in affordable GrandTouring ...

 

The ///M3 is a hot car.....

The girlies know what it is

 

well ive driven both, and i have to say that after driving the S as my daily driver, the e36 m3 (thatts the 95-99 version) feels sluggish and as if ur steering a boat. Though they are the same speed, i feel that the s2000 looks alot better, is much funner to drive, and MUCH more reliable.

 

This is very true the E36 M3 had problems and when you had to fix them they cost money, much like the E46.

The E46 M3 thats next to my s2k right now has had some major issues before and some recalls. Luckily everything was done under warranty. I must say though I definately like BMW service over Honda's. Honda of Rt 23 in pompton lakes are dicks!!! don't go to them!!!! They cracked my headlight and are refusing to replace it!!!

BMW on the other hand replaced things that where clearly my fault under warranty.

 

yes it is...how is it not from the engine specs? at least mine was faster than my S. have u owned or driven an e36? i would still take my S though.

 

Yes I have driven an E36 M3 and I own an E46 M3 so I frequent bmw gatherings.


The E36 may feel faster and definately has more torque but the S is faster. Both have the same horsepower but the S is much lighter

 

I think it's all personal preference for sure. I've driven both on the race track (no stupid oval/straight-line tracks) and the m3 is definitely easier to drive fast...more forgiving for the beginner...the s2000 is more like a wild horse...harder to begin with but once you conquer it....u feel like Michael Schumacher. I also find it easier to go WOT at 125mph through a turn in the m3 than the s2000.

Race-talk aside....if you're just in the mood for a cruise...s2000 IS the car to have...m3 is actually boring to cruise in because of the wind-in-your-hair factor.

 

No way 240hp! It was more than that.

 

the US got a de-tuned version...

 

Check out http://m3forum.net before making that claim. M owners are just as bad as S owners for thinking their car is the best.

Many people try to compare the M to the S and I say this everytime: two totally different machines built for two totally different purposes. Compare the S to the Z4 and the M to the Accord Coupe