My two cents:

Shoyu Burner:

Having lived in AZ for just over a year now, I'd definitely pick up an S, especially if you may move here. Of course, I'm biased
Seriously, though, the weather here begs to have a convertible especially in any month outside of the summer. Where else can you drive top down nearly 365 days per year? Of course, in the dead of summer (i.e. July or August), you'd be advised to wait until the sun goes down...or the "dry" heat will bake you alive in a car with a black interior! In any case, I decided to go with an S and I haven't regretted it one bit. That being said, almost anything would have been an improvement over my last car...although it was pretty good for an '89 four-door!

Good luck with your decision; I like Bimmers a lot too. I almost went with a 330i before I drove the S and fell in love with it. Couldn't wait for/afford the M...

 

We'd be remiss in leaving out the fact that BMW does pick up the maintenance on new cars for the first couple of years (3?) and couple of thousand miles (36,000?). If you're not going to keep the car long, you should consider that. After that point, bend over and say ahh!!! because you'll be quickly introduced to the dreaded German part cost and German labor rate.

 

Hiya Shoyu Burner (love the handle... hehe),

I was in a similar boat early this year.... was thinking about putting myself on the list for an E46 M3 w/ SMGII. Given that
I would've had to wait over a year and with a $10k dealer
markup, I was somewhat hesitant.... Then my friend who works
at a Honda dealer invited me to come over and take a look
at the S2000. I have to admit that I am not really into
convertibles... but the S2000 seemed to offer the performance
that I want, soft-top or not. Anyways, 2 days later, I signed
on the dotted line and drove my new 2001 S2000 home,
grinning all the way. The E46 can wait.... I'm kinda wary about
the SMGII reliability (especially first year), and the regular E46 323i I got my dad has had several problems already. Yes, the service is included for the first 3 years/36k miles but having the
engine check-light come up is not a good feeling.
I don't regret my purchase at all, and I'm enjoying the time
I have with my S2000. The soft-top feature is actually quite
nice. Going out for a nice drive after a stressful workday is
rather uplifting.... and I just throw the hardtop on when I
prefer a glass rear window. Do I still drool when I see an E46
M3 on the road. sure. but maybe I'll still get one a year or two
down the road. Till then, I'm very happy with my S2000 as a
daily driver.

 

although free service is for 3/36,000....I believe the warranty is 4/50,000....which is really nice.

When I brought my e36 M3 in right before the 50,000 mile warranty was up, they replaced most of the potentially troublesome parts under "warranty"

 

I picked up a new 2001 M3 April 6th, Imola red with black interior. I drove it for 2 months, and although it was a blast to drive, I never got the kind of satisfaction and grin on my face I get when I drive my s2000. The M3 is nice but not worth the extra 20k! The best thing I can say about the M3 is that I sold it for $5,000. more than I paid for it, somthing that isnt possible now that there are more on the road. By the way I was on the M3 waiting list for over 18 months!

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Shoyu Burner
[B]My first first choice was actually a Porsche 996, but after I did the calculations I just couldn't afford it.

 

I'm on the other side from M3 Bavaria. I eschew status purchases, even though I can afford them. In fact, I hate stutus symbols and all that they represent, which is why the S2000 was the perfect choice for me: it gave me the handling and performance I could have found in a Porshce or BMW, but without the status statement. But that's just me, and I recognize and appreciate that different things motivate different people.

But I can tell you this. I once owned two E-types and I never thought I would get as emotionally attached to a car as I was to those beautiful, incredible Jaguars, even with thier total lack of reliability. Then I found the S2000, and the Jaguar infatuation was history. This car is, pure and simple, an incomparable joy and thrill to drive. I look for every excuse I can find to get behind the wheel, and I know also (unlike the Jag) that it will never let me down.

 

If I was going to spend $50-$55K for a sports car, I would take a used, perfect, low mileage, still under warranty 996 in a nanosecond before the M3...

In fact I was looking at some today.

I don't need anybody to point out the superior specfications in some areas of the M3, again, it's about driving experience and the beauty of the car!

I did the car circuit today. Test drove 2 993's took another look at a '02 M3 just to make sure, looked at a used Jag XKR, and saw a new 2002 silver/red S2000.

 

Didn't read all the post so I might be repeating here but here are my 2 cents...

- Both cars are great (looking, handeling, ....)
- both cars have a ton of power (the bimmer more)
- The bimmer has engine reliability problems that BMW has not confessed to yet. They simple extracted too much power out of the engine, and from what I've been told it's not handeling it very well (BTW, BMW has been having A LOT, and I mean A LOT, of recalls lately, dating back to the 1999 E46 sedan and 2000 E46 coupe)

I actually still have a down payment on the E46 M3 that I need to get back. I love my S2000 and I don't think the extra power from the M can't compete against the overall experience of the S2000.

J

 

Just me again.........


BUT THEN I'M A LITTLE BIASED NOW THAT I'VE OWNED THE S2000 FOR 4 MONTHS.

J