BMW Z3 M Roadster v Honda S2000

[Jim27]

Roughly £10k will get you a FSH '99 V plate BMW Z3 M Roadster with 50-60k on the clock - 3.2 engine (from the M3), 0-60 in 5.2 and 25 mpg.







For say £500-£1,000 less you can get a similar mileage and age, FSH Honda S2000 - 2.0 VTEC, 50-60k, 0-60 in 6.0 28 mpg.







Leaving your "Jap metal always wins my vote" hat at the door, which would you reckon is the better buy as a daily driver?

I like the S2000 but I have a soft spot for 'curvy' cars, and the S always stuck me as looking a little like it'd been neutered, whereas the Z3 M Roadster has those nice bulging arches.... Plus the S2000 is a victim of it's own success - you see a lot more of them on the roads than the Z3 M Roadster, and personally I hate being 'normal' when it comes to my cars, so exclusivity obviously has a consideration here as well. And would 25mpg v. 28mpg really make that much difference to your wallet in everyday driving? Probably not...

From what I've read though, the Z3's chassis is pretty unsophisticated and the S2000 is a far more engaging car to drive.

I know both Honda and BMW have excellent reputations for reliability, even with higher miles under their belts - unless someone knows different for these specific models?

Soooo...... discuss

[Bajie]

My initial feeling is the Z3 M purely because there is more chance of losing your license in the Honda.
Sure, you can drive the Honda at "sensible" speed, but the noise it makes when the vtec comes in is fabulous and very addictive. So you would never be driving slowly.
The BeeEm will give you just as much joy and the noise will be available earlier.
Get rid of that g_dawful phone holder though ....

Edit: Interior of BeeEm is much nicer too!

[mifn21]

I'd go for the Z3M - sounds nicer than the S2000 imo, and makes a much better daily driver due to not being flat as a pancake below 7000rpm! They look much nicer too, especially with a hard top

[Sidious]

If you can afford the insurance and running costs of the Z M Roadster then go for it, its faster and more flexible through the gears but at the expense of some agility since it weighs 1400+ KG but surely better than an M3 coupe which wasnt that bad itself in the handling stakes.

People who comment about the S2K being flat, no torque etc etc, doesnt really understand the classic "British" sports car formula. Its quick, very quick if you know how to drive it, one of the best gearboxes you'd come across, it easily outbrakes many cars and the engine noise is amazing.

One thing to watch out for with used S2000s is that they tend to drink oil, around 1 litre per 1000 miles is an average consumption rate so leave money aside for top up of fully synthetic. Also the cam chain tensioner tends to wear out at 60k miles and makes a ticking noise at warm idle, but its only £70 for the replacement part and 15-20 min DIY job to fit.

Standards shocks are not cheap to replace, around £2k to replace from the Honda dealer so people tend to go for aftermarket coilovers.

Pre 2002 cars had a more lively rear suspension set up, encourages throttle steer. While the 2002 + cars Honda dialed in more understeer and were slower on the track as a result but safer for the average driver.

I think you will have lots of fun in the summer on a winding road whatever car you pick.

[nino_brown]

I use to have an S2000, great car, great engine, lacks torque tho (duh its a honda!).
The back in is a bit twitchy on the older cars. But I would still love to have one again.

Cant comment on the Beemer, but it looks good, has a good engine and should be good to drive....

I cant decide

[mifn21]

Originally Posted by Sidious

People who comment about the S2K being flat, no torque etc etc, doesnt really understand the classic "British" sports car formula. Its quick, very quick if you know how to drive it, one of the best gearboxes you'd come across, it easily outbrakes many cars and the engine noise is amazing.

Make no mistake if I personally was going for a track car/sunday toy I'd choose the S2000, but as an everyday car it would get bloody annoying having to drop down 2 gears to overtake!

[Sidious]

Originally Posted by mifn21

Make no mistake if I personally was going for a track car/sunday toy I'd choose the S2000, but as an everyday car it would get bloody annoying having to drop down 2 gears to overtake!

I used to drive it everyday on the commute through london, it went fine in 3rd and 4th at 30 mph - granted its not as flexible as a 3 litre Supra or an M3 but FFS its a sports car, you're supposed to drop a few gears, thats the whole point of it.

[Mark B]

Yep if you don't want to use the gearbox, or don't like the lack of appraent torque (it has plenty - people forget to compare it to any other NA 2 litre car) then it's not for you.

Watch for siezed wishbone bushes - it's a huge problem and can cost a LOT of money to put right. It means you can't adjust the geo - honda only sell the arms as one piece. There are other ways of fixing it but all are costly.

I wouldn't have a Z3M - floppy chassis. S2000 - monocoque.

PS - 9k will not get you a good one.

[Jim27]

Originally Posted by Mark B

PS - 9k will not get you a good one.

No, but I'd argue that unless you particularly like deprecation then there's no point buying an absolute minter and paing a premium, as using it as a daily driver will quickly wear out it's "minter" shine.

I'd look more for on with a few teeny door dings and/or stone chips, 'cos even if it's a minter t'd still get some of these as a daily driver. So no point paying the premium for one without.

So long as it's well serviced and mechanically sound (and no HPI/Cat C/D/ accident damaged) I think it'd the best route to take, yes?

[Sidious]

Originally Posted by Jim27

No, but I'd argue that unless you particularly like deprecation then there's no point buying an absolute minter and paing a premium, as using it as a daily driver will quickly wear out it's "minter" shine.

I'd look more for on with a few teeny door dings and/or stone chips, 'cos even if it's a minter t'd still get some of these as a daily driver. So no point paying the premium for one without.

So long as it's well serviced and mechanically sound (and no HPI/Cat C/D/ accident damaged) I think it'd the best route to take, yes?

9K should fetch you a good 1999-2000 year model with average mileage, FSH etc etc

Most S2Ks are in astonishingly good condition exterior wise & interior wise, just the odd chip or dent over 7 years of use. Just check the oil level and usage, as servicing does not really reflect this issue. Just ask the owner the simply question "HOW much oil does it use"

[Jags]

Z3M for me. I'm sure it doesnt weigh 1400kg, and I think in the real world they'll do the 0-60 run in around 5 secs maybe just under.

The rear suspension is more or less the rear suspension from an E30. The rear subframe can (and has in other cars) tear fom the floor of the car because the amount of power it runs- the solution is to get the re-enforcemnt plates from BMW and have them welded, not all that cheap to do as it's a bit labour intensive.

Also look out for vanos problems, it can get noisy, but doesnt mean it's knackered. If it lacks torque low down in the rev range then this could point to a vanos that isnt functioning as it should.

[sloathy]

Does it have to be a roadster as the M coupe`s are nice?

[Trev]

Neither.

Both are convertables and therefore they are very GAY!



Kidding, kidding! Personanly I'd chose the S2000

[LordeRyall]

M Coupe all the way if you don't want the rag top. You will have to pay a couple of grand more though but well worth it.

Owned one for 5 years and if I hadn't have left the country I'd still have it. A truly awesome car for many different reasons. Same engine as found in the M3 in a car that weighed less, very rare and distinctive and even 10 years on, hasn't dated a bit (in my opinion anyway) whereas you can't say the same for either of the rag tops.

As Mark B. says the roadster chassis was very flawed and the Coupe solved that issue for obvious reasons.

[imp]

I drove both a few years ago along with a Boxster S when I was making a similar decision.

Both the Boxster and s2000 were sharper and nimbler, but rather clinical and cold. The M is heavier and blunter, but I simply found it way more fun to drive. It's an animal. The S50/S54 engine is a gem with a great sound, and I think it is a better looking car than the boxster or s2k, although there are definately some naff/fussy details. The rear 3 quarter view can't be beaten.

Before buying, check the spot welds in the boot are not pulling out and check that the chassis crossmember and diff mounting ears are not cracked or split - diff ears are cheap, subframe is not although mine was cut out and replaced FOC by BMW. I'd recommend urathane subframe bushings to take some slop out and reduce diff movement which causes the problems. Apart from that, the car's been rock solid.

If it matters, girls seem to rate the looks of the M Roadster highest, and deploying the solar elbow is actually possible in the Z3 where the doors are too high in the others.