I just picked up a 2004 M3 cab, originally ordered as my week-end car replacement to my 2002 S2k. The BMW dealer preferred to pay off my lease but wouldn't take the car, and said I could return it early (feb 2005 it's up) or keep it. I decided to keep it, and after driving the M3, I think I'm going to buy out the lease and keep the S2k as my weekend car, and gave the M3 cab to my wife. Don't get me wrong, the M3 is a great car, smooth, and the engine feels great (although I can't go over 4500 rpms until 1200 miles). It is so much more of a real car than the the s2k, something I could take away for a long weekend, and i'd probably feel more comfortable in the m3 in inclement weather, but driving them back to back, the s2k is so much more intense, tossable, and just plain fun to drive, and I'd have to give the edge to the s2k's point and shoot handling. So my wife can shuffle the kids to the soccer games with the m3, but on sunday mornings its the s2k keys I'll be grabbing.




2004 bmw m3 cab
2002 s2000
2004 cadillac escalade esv platinum
2001 volvo xc70

 

I spent this weekend driving an M3 with SMG and would have to agree with you. The M3 has the power and seems to steer as you like, albeit a little light in the steering feel. The seating position is a little high for me. M3 is faster to 100 mph I'd bet, then the S2000 would get ahead, but maybe I am wrong?

 

M3 cab is faster than an S...but it really is a pig in the turns...doesn't it weight like 1000lbs more??

 

nothing like an s2000 for "driving experience" in its class... but and m3 is sure nice to have... haven't driven an m3 but i cant say i like the general heavy feel of bmw cars

 

I test drove a regular M3 before getting my FX45 and found that while it had a lot of ooomph, it felt heavy in turns. This also means it felt stable in turns so it is a definate plus, but it didn't have the "throwability" of my s2000 and I figured the extra weight in the cab would be even worse.

If I lived somewhere with no snow, I would own an M3 Cab. Since I need a second car in MI, I would pick the s2000.

 

Twice the price and not twice the car.

S2K all the way!

 

I believe the S54 is also peaky like the F20C and there's gobs of power to be found between 5500-8000rpm. Honda has nothing on BMW as far as making engines that can rev effortlessly to redline. Go ahead, it's not like you are violating your lease by not breaking the car in properly.

 

Gosh guys I don't know where to begin on this topic. I have owned 2 M3s ( 6spd and SMG) and a S2000 and I couldn't disagree more with what you guys have said so far for the most part. My M3 & S2k are very highly modded cars so both are extremely lively. I would say the M3 is a tad more intense.

For the guy who just bought the 04 M3 just wait till you unleash it after break in....you WILL change your tune a bit. To be perfectly honest the S2000 (stock) can't beat a M3 in hardly any category. The gearbox being the main nod to the S2K. The M3 offers soooo much more, granted at a price premium. As the saying goes, you get what you pay for. Gentlemen, don't flame here I own both cars and have had first hand experience with boths cars for a few years. Hope to hear more feedback from dual owners of the 2 superb cars!!