I know a few of you own or have owned both the s2000 and 315hp bmw M coupe.

How would you compare the two cars in terms of feel, fun to drive, handling, and power?


thanks!

 

You may want to take this to PM, given all the bad blood here towards BMW's. I've been doing some research, and talking to people on this board who have owned or do own both, and hands down, if they could only keep one car, it would be the MCoupe. The jist is they like the S2000, but the Coupe is a very special car indeed.

 

s2k rob.. if its convenient would you mind forwarding me some of the feedback u got?

I was ready to buy an M coupe today BUT now I am having second thoughts.

I noticed after a test drive of the M coupe that the S2000 is a VERY special car. In my opinion no car feels like the s2k. The driver feels totally connected to the car in the way it handles, the way the trans shifts and the engine responds to the throttle.

that said. the M coupe is very fun too due to its power.

I think i may still get the M coupe anyways as BMW is running a deep discount on the car currently..

And if I do keep the M coupe I would still like to keep the s2k.. but then im thinking. with the money of both cars, I can get a 911......

 

if you can, get the 911...it will school either of the others...
nothing handles like it!...well the previous gen was actually better most say..

 

You like the S2000 feel but wan't the power of the M-coupe? One word: Turbo. Take $12K and do her up right. M crushing power with the rush of the S2000. I can't see the need to have two cars so similar. You can't cut the top off an M-coupe or make it rev to 9K or even make it feel like the S2000 but you can make the S2000 do everything the M-coupe does and more for about the same price.

S2000 w/
6 psi intercooled Turbocharger
VFAC controller
Spoon or Mugen ECU
Headers and exhaust
Clutch and diff

And the S2000 can even be a coupe from time to time with a hardtop.

Just because it's not on the menu doesn't mean it can't be made

 

Very well put...I really like that quote.
-Brandon

 

hehe..

I thought about SC or turboing the s2000... Just dont have confidence in the reliability....

 

If you really use all the power and torque of a turbo S2000 on a daily basis, you'll be having problems with your drivetrain for sure. That $12k turbo price tag does not include stuff like stronger tranny and diff gears, axles, and basically the whole rear diff assembly.

 

If I could afford the 315 HP M Coupe...I would have got it instead.

 

I almost bought an S2000. Had an order placed and everything. Some observations for changing my mind to an '01 M Coupe:
- I have a bias toward BMWs. I've been a long time fan and decided that I really should look into buying an E36 or something.
- Thought that E36 M3s were too passe and the E46 M3s were too expensive.
- Loved the S2000's roadster feel, but decided I could live without it. Decided I didn't need four seats, though, since I was keeping the Accord.
- Wanted the car that truly epitomizes what BMW M really means ... and less marketing hype (a la M3 and M5)
- Loved the M Coupe's rock solid chassis (vs. other BMWs ... S2000 was great)
- Drove a friend's E46 M3 and fell in love with the engine. The S2000's torque is there, but it's weak. The S54 engine delivers over 200 ft-lbs all the way throuigh the powerband. Usually quite a bit more. Loved the idea of having plenty of power under the hood. 0-60 is 4.8 seconds, quarter mile time is 13.2@108 mph.
- Liked the rarity of S2000s, but the M Coupe is even more rare. Only 2,377 copies were sold in the U.S. as of Dec. 1. That's total, from 1998-2001. With the new engine, only 354 of them are out there. Production will end this spring. However, parts are readily available thanks to development done for the M Coupe directly, M Roadster (which shares most of the underpinnings of the car), and the E46 M3 (for motor work).
- The S2000 feels lighter on its feet (and it's an awesome feel!), but don't underestimate the M Coupe's ability to handle as a result. If you want to talk about racing, the M Coupe is in SCCA Solo II Super Stock, whereas the S2000 is either in A Stock or B Stock (I think it's yet to be completely decided).

It comes down to this: if you really want the roadster feel (which I gotta say I was really looking forward to), then the S2000 would be great. If you feel like you need a little more power, then you should consider the M Roadster. But if you want a real driver's car, then the M Roadster would be out of the question and only the M Coupe remains. No one here is going to contest the capabilities of either of these cars, so deciding which kind of car you want is what remains.