Picked up a new ride

[radiantm3]

After about 38 track days in my E92 M3, I started to get the feeling that I wanted to get into something much lighter and cheaper to run at the track. So I started parting out my M3 so I can enjoy the car stock and have extra funds to buy another car that's better suited for track duty.

I wanted to drive something with different characteristics than a BMW. Something mid or rear engined. I thought about the boxster spyder/cayman r, but they are worth more than my M3 so I probably wouldn't be pushing them to the limits. I also looked into the Elise/Exige, but the fragility of their clamshell bodies kind of scared me away. So my next option was the S2000.

After a few weeks of searching and checking out a dozen cars, I finally found one that was in great shape and with fairly low miles. Yea I know condition and mileage normally isn't a huge deal for a "track" car, but just like my M3, I still love driving these cars on the street. Dual duty cars if you will. So now I get to enjoy 2 different naturally aspirated cars that rev to over 8000rpms.

[cenix]

congrats on the s2000. still one of the best driver's cars ever made!

[AP3X_FTW]

Wow, I am shocked to see you make this change. The S2k has a brilliant gearbox and a great high revving NA powerplant (another torque-less powerplant albeit), but can be quite twitchy at the limit, no?

I often feel guilty about tracking the e92 with its price tag and running costs, but I said that about my 3rd e46 M3 which was a rare slicktop ZCP that was worth more then your avg e46 M3. In 5 years from now, do you think you will be kicking yourself for not keeping your well built e92? At that point it will become today's e46 and would be well sorted to your liking.

I battle with this all of the time, so I am interested in your decision. I hope to follow your S2k build, will it be posted here or on S2Ki?

I thought about picking up a 996 911 (I am aware of the terrible IMS failures) for a cheap weekend/track car, and since most enthusiast call it the ugly duckling of 911's, it has managed to be the only 911 that has not skyrocketed in price over the last 5 years. Also considered a 987 Cayman S, and to go back to the e46 M3 platform for the fourth time, but I digress.

[STooK]

Congrats, every time I see a s2000 it makes me sad for selling mine. As much as I love my M3, the s2000 was probably the best car I've owned in my life.

I have no doubt you will love the car. Enjoy it in good health!

[B8bydesign]

Congrats! I almost had a Silverstone AP2 at one point, still regret not following thru with that purchase, always had a soft spot for those cars. Enjoy!

[Ezio]

cute yellow car!

[IcemanM]

Fantastic choice. I've had two (02 Sebring Silver/Black AP1, 07 White/Red & Black AP2) and loved every minute of both. The first S2000 I'd driven in 05 was Rio Yellow, and have always had a soft spot in my heart for that color. I'm constantly looking for a low mileage AP1 >10,000 mi. as a complimentary toy to the M. My GPW/Red S with BBS LM's was certainly the car I should've never parted with.

[jeff@autocouture]

nice pick up

[mkPOTO]

congrats, AP2s are so much fun! minus the lack of awesome redline like the ap1

[Sephiroth]

Welcome to the club!

[radiantm3]

Originally Posted by AP3X_FTW

Wow, I am shocked to see you make this change. The S2k has a brilliant gearbox and a great high revving NA powerplant (another torque-less powerplant albeit), but can be quite twitchy at the limit, no?

I often feel guilty about tracking the e92 with its price tag and running costs, but I said that about my 3rd e46 M3 which was a rare slicktop ZCP that was worth more then your avg e46 M3. In 5 years from now, do you think you will be kicking yourself for not keeping your well built e92? At that point it will become today's e46 and would be well sorted to your liking.

I battle with this all of the time, so I am interested in your decision. I hope to follow your S2k build, will it be posted here or on S2Ki?

I thought about picking up a 996 911 (I am aware of the terrible IMS failures) for a cheap weekend/track car, and since most enthusiast call it the ugly duckling of 911's, it has managed to be the only 911 that has not skyrocketed in price over the last 5 years. Also considered a 987 Cayman S, and to go back to the e46 M3 platform for the fourth time, but I digress.

The M3 is very easy to drive. The S2000 will make me a better driver because of its mid-engine characteristics. As much as I loved how my E92 looked and felt, cars are more like tools to me and the S2000 is just a better car to improve my driving. You can be slow in the corners and fast in the straights in the M3 and pull decent lap times. Not so in the S2000. It's a momentum car that requires enough skill to carry tons of speed into the corner since it has no power. And those S2000's are running as fast as most E92 M3's at the track. Being around all those really quick S2000's at the track are really what sold me on the car. I want to be a fast driver in a slow car as opposed to a slow driver in a fast car.

I think at some point I'll end up selling my M3 to pick up a rear-engine car. Just as you mentioned, a 996 911 seems like a great starting point.

Originally Posted by Ezio

cute yellow car!

I know you are being slightly sarcastic and condescending, but an S2000 takes far more skill to drive fast than an M3. It might not have much power, but I bet you'd spin within the first lap on a track without traction control on.

Originally Posted by 1love

Welcome to the club!

[FogCityM3]

S2000s are no joke on the track, and in autocross they're lethal. An M3 will make most look like a hero. Not sure I get the mid-engine characteristics as being front-engine rear drive, isn't the weight close to 50/50? Would say that Porsches are truly mid-engined where too much throttle/power can get you into trouble (with TC off and esp with older variants).

Definitely something to be said about momentum cars...high speed in corners = fast exit speed. On most tracks at least in CA, the S2000 is perfect.

[radiantm3]

Originally Posted by FogCityM3

S2000s are no joke on the track, and in autocross they're lethal. An M3 will make most look like a hero. Not sure I get the mid-engine characteristics as being front-engine rear drive, isn't the weight close to 50/50? Would say that Porsches are probably more mid-engined like where too much throttle/power can get you into trouble (with TC off and esp with older variants).

Weight distribution is 50/50, but the engine sits far behind the front axle which makes it mid-engine by definition, not in the classical sense. I haven't taken the car to the track yet, but Andrie Hartanto (pro driver who used to race S2000's before getting picked up by Bimmerworld) said that they behave really similar to mid-engine cars. He actually recommended them highly for anyone who really wants to improve their car control and drive better at the limits.

[AP3X_FTW]

No doubt the S2K will sharpen your driving skills, and I highly respect that move.

Originally Posted by radiantm3

I want to be a fast driver in a slow car as opposed to a slow driver in a fast car.

[nicksm3]

Congrats!!! I've toyed with this idea multiple times but I'll
Stick it out with my E92. Just can't get past that exhaust note

[Exclusivs]

Nice color!

What are details on the car and what future mods planned?

[M3 Esq]

Awesome car. Your're going to love it and like you said, its a momentum car that will reward good driving. What would be interesting would be if you learned to drive the S2K then went back to the M3 to see how your driving is different.

[1MOREMOD]

Congrats but little surprised by the move.

[radiantm3]

Originally Posted by 1MOREMOD

Congrats but little surprised by the move.

In what way? Because I decided on the S2000 or that I parted my car out?

Here are a few impressions after 2 days of driving:

Power.
The car feels like it has absolutely none. Probably because I've been driving an i3 and Q7 TDI lately, both which have gobs of torque. I think the i3 is probably about as quick as the S2000 to 60 as well. vtech kicks in around 6k rpms, but it's very short-lived on the street with only 2k rpms to pull from. However like any true momentum car, once you are moving it feels fantastic.

Gearbox.
S2000 owners are right. This is the best gearbox I've ever had the pleasure of using. If you love manual transmissions, this car is heaven. Even with 66k miles, this car shifts as smooth as butter and the throws are tight and short. I was rev matching perfectly even on my very first test drive. Completely sublime. Heel/toe is a slightly different matter...at least at the start. The gas and brake pedals are much further apart than in the M3 so I was having a hard time stretching my foot over. But after a few days of adjustment I think I got the hang of it. With the gas pedal coming down from the top unlike the M3's, I think it's actually a bit easier to heel/toe rev match in the S2000.

Handling.
The S2000 weighs in around 2700-2800 lbs. It's also very low to the ground and has a pretty short wheel base. Weight distribution is a perfect 50/50 and the motor sits behind the front axles. The car feels fantastic around corners. Another thing I noticed is that you sit so close to the ground (compared to the M3 at least) that it always feels like you are going fast...like a gokart. When I first got on the freeway I thought I was doing 80, but was actually doing 60. Being a soft top convertible, there's not much sound insulation and the suspension is really tight so it all adds more drama to the driving experience. It's just so much more fun to drive than the M3 at slower speeds.

Creature Comforts.
There are none. It's been awhile since I've owned a car where I have to keep pulling the keys out to unlock and also stick into the ignition. When it starts to get dark I need to remember to flip on the headlights and micromanage the windshield wipers in intermittent rain. Then there's being extra paranoid in parking lots because there are no parking sensors or cameras. Talk about being spoiled.

[Ezio]

Originally Posted by radiantm3

I know you are being slightly sarcastic and condescending, but an S2000 takes far more skill to drive fast than an M3. It might not have much power, but I bet you'd spin within the first lap on a track without traction control on.

I would have a great time in a S2000. I heard they are great cars. but i am going to call it what it is. its a small yellow Japanese sports car, its kind of cute.

again great car i would get one for the track also.

[dragonsi]

Congrats! I've had two AP1 S2000s so far, and plan on buying another one in a few years to keep for life!

[1MOREMOD]

Both I guess. I consider my e46 a momentum car as well. I want something with different driving character also but am thinking c6 z06. Have considered an open wheel or ground pounder also. So many choices it's hard to make any rational decision.