x2 ...no question ...9k is way more fun than 8...and thats what our cars are all about "fun" ....ive driven both as well and to me an ap2 feels like my car at 80% ..its dumbed down for the "market" ...ap1 is not !!!

 

having driven both an ap1 and an ap2, I would have to say ap1's are alot funner.
AP2's feel very conservative and didn't really feel as sporty as an AP1.

 

Because you can get a good AP1 for $11,000 and performance compared to an AP2 is 6 v. 1/2 dozen....I'd go for the AP1 as it's the best bargain...but then again I like fixing up cars and not having car payments.

 

AP1 FTW

 

Wow a lot of fail going on here. 250-275 to the wheels with bolt ons? Put down the meth pipe. You could go full bolt on and not even touch 220.

You will not hit low 13s unless you go boost, juice, or buy another e46.

Never driven an AP2 so i can't comment about fun factor but the reason I bought my car was because of price and the 9k factor.

No major problems with the car except for the top, seat theft, and AP1s tend to burn oil.

 

Go for it, a 2003 is the best year s2k you can buy for the money. Same as 02's, but all 03's have the upgraded banjo oil bolts, which is almost a must for AP1 owners. Some of the later year 02's had them. I had to upgrade mine though in my 02. Also, if your wanting to go much faster than what it is stock, go FI.

 

I still have 2 e46 m3's(2002 6spd, 2004 smg) and a gti 1.8t. I just wanna add another horse to the stable. I agree the ap1 is more raw then the ap2. Do cams do anything to these cars? Which coilovers would you guys recommend, I want to be low and have a smooth ride.

 

Such as?

 

Why do you need 2 M3's? Sell the automatic.

 

Go have a look in the Naturally Aspirated section on here. I would not recommend cams. Iv seen some brutal pics of what cams did to a guys motor on here. Basic bolt-ons are a waste of money if your wanting to get over the 220whp range. Forced induction is WAY cheaper per HP compared to NA on this car.