M Roadster or S2K?

[bakaneul]

Originally Posted by z3papa

Mint -- what an understatement. You could lick that engine and hardly taste oil. My god is that clean.

Thanks for the compliment!

[bakaneul]

Originally Posted by GVFlyer

Very nice, Mint.

Here is a photo of my tranny getting checked and serviced at Blake Automotive in Suwanee Georgia. What a great Honda guy.

[pacent]

I had a 2003, the last of the AP1's.

One of my life's regrets was to get rid of that car. It really was something special.

[badbeef]

I drove an ap1 a long time ago, and a 2002 z3m not long ago.

I recall the ap1 had a great stick and a nice low center of gravity with lightweight. I also remember it feeling gutless. What's the ap2 feel like vs the ap1? Which is preferred by most?

By comparison the z seemed like a little cobra. The upright steering, the upright windshield, and the grunt.

[elinstylez]

Just picked up mine this past weekend. It's very raw much like my old Evo 9 but more nimble. I like the digital tachometer and revving it up to redline is quite enjoyable.

[GVIFlyer]

Originally Posted by badbeef

I drove an ap1 a long time ago, and a 2002 z3m not long ago.

I recall the ap1 had a great stick and a nice low center of gravity with lightweight. I also remember it feeling gutless. What's the ap2 feel like vs the ap1? Which is preferred by most?

By comparison the z seemed like a little cobra. The upright steering, the upright windshield, and the grunt.

I prefer the AP-1, it's edgier - more raw.

The Honda S2000 performs as you would expect a car with a 11lb/hp power-to-weight ratio to perform. The S2000 has 240 hp in the U.S./250 hp everywhere else, and weighs 2,705 lbs (by comparison the BMW 328i has 240 hp and weighs 3,320 lbs with the manual, for a power-to-weight ratio of 13.83/lb.). It's the driving experience that makes the S2000 unique.

Here's a representative road test.

C/D TEST RESULTS:

Zero to 60 mph: 5.4 sec

Zero to 100 mph: 15.0 sec

Street start, 5-60 mph: 6.9 sec

Standing ¼-mile: 14.1 sec @97mph

Top speed (drag limited): 149 mph

Braking, 70-0 mph: 166 ft

FUEL ECONOMY:

EPA city driving: 20 mpg
C/D-observed: 23 mpg

I always thought of the Z3m/Z4M as Teutonic Vipers. When I test drove the Z3M prior to ordering my S2000, I felt as if the handling was not as sharp and my over-all impression was that I was riding on the Z3M rather than in it. YMMV

[GVIFlyer]

Originally Posted by elinstylez

Just picked up mine this past weekend. It's very raw much like my old Evo 9 but more nimble. I like the digital tachometer and revving it up to redline is quite enjoyable.

Sharp! I always liked Berlina Black S2000s. If you haven't already, putting an AEM or K&N cold air induction kit on your car will give it an amazing intake wail.

[GVIFlyer]

Originally Posted by imserious

On the looks front, the Z3M almost looks vintage in a good way. Could be a fun cruiser for that aspect as well.

Totally agree. The Z3M has classic retro-roadster good looks.

[Amirsm3]

Originally Posted by Hi Rev V8

Why are we discussing Japanese cars? I thought this was a Forum dedicated to BMW M3 cars? If I wanted to discuss Hondas I would clearly go to a Forum that is dedicated to these cars. If I want to talk about Porsche or Corvette automobiles I go to the appropriate forum, as I own or have owned both of these marques. Let's focus on BMW M3s!!!

I mean, It's being compared to a BMW. It's not exactly an off the wall thread like 90% of the shit that's posted in the section. It's informative, nostalgic and a great vacation from the bullshit that gets rehashed over and over now that the platform is a generation old.

[sirploppy]

Originally Posted by GVFlyer

Totally agree. The Z3M has classic retro-roadster good looks.

I'm sayin it... Best wheels BMW ever made.

That rear lip/offset when I saw one in the showroom.

[imserious]

Originally Posted by GVFlyer

Totally agree. The Z3M has classic retro-roadster good looks.

Looks great. Satisfies the urge to drive something old, yet is not going to breakdown on you and has some real performance chops. Great car. Just not the track beast that the s2k is.

[OM3GAManiac]

OK, I gotta contribute to this thread....











She's No. 937 from the first year of production. She's been with me since 2 October 1999. She's in the garage for safe keeping right now, waiting for my son to come of age (he's currently 8yo). As a matter of fact, I took her out of her stable just yesterday to give her a nice wash--something she's been missing for over two years now. The first pic above was taken with her siblings. Afterwards, she went back into her stable, and under two car covers for another slumber.

[GVIFlyer]

Originally Posted by OM3GAManiac

OK, I gotta contribute to this thread....



She's No. 937 from the first year of production. She's been with me since 2 October 1999. She's in the garage for safe keeping right now, waiting for my son to come of age (he's currently 8yo). As a matter of fact, I took her out of her stable just yesterday to give her a nice wash--something she's been missing for over two years now. The first pic above was taken with her siblings. Afterwards, she went back into her stable, and under two car covers for another slumber.

Beautiful car! How many miles do you have on it? It not only looks brand new, it looks like it's ready for a concours d'elegance. Thanks for posting.

[anselmw]

Wow, I had this same decision back when the s2k came out. 98 m roadster or 00 s2k. For drivers car the ap1 was awesome and would have chosen it if I did not already have my highly modified integra GSR. M roadster especially 98 s52 is great for the street and is a classic now. S54 are monsters but too much power for the chassis to handle stock. If you really like the m roadster. Try a z3m coupe. I have an s54 and would never trade that car in. Only problem is that they are getting very pricy now to get a good one.

[OM3GAManiac]

Originally Posted by GVFlyer

Beautiful car! How many miles do you have on it? It not only looks brand new, it looks like it's ready for a concours d'elegance. Thanks for posting.

Many, many thanks for the compliments!

She's got 59K on the ODO. She was daily driven for a good couple of years before starting the family brood, and a 2002 Saab 9-3 company car came into the picture. She's still got a few chips and such that needs attention before the next Concours, but she was definitely babied with a diaper for the first 5 years.

Interestingly, I was about to trade her in for either the E46 M3 Vert, or the Z3M, but the market at the time (circa 2002), it was not necessarily the best time to make the trade. As fate may have it, I was fortunate not have listened to impulse buying, and a couple of years later, I was able to have both and not sacrificed one for the other.

As for Z3M v. S2000, there's no contest

[///Matthew]

I never should have traded in my '03 Spa Yellow S2000. Best car I've ever owned.

[opihi5]

Why not both?

Both cars are amazing, but personally the //m never gets old.
gl