Well he's looking for a "summer car," which is why he's looking at the S2000 or M Roadster. He had an E46 330Ci Convertible and likes the feel of BMWs as he fells the S2000 lacks low-end performance (he's drive both already). As far as being able to fit, both surprisingly have good leg room. My friend is 5'10"ish and about 165 so he fits ok in either. As for driving experience, either would fulfill what he wants, Im sure. The car will not be tracked or anything by any means, but rather just something to drive when the weather is nice or to the beach and what not. Dont get me wrong, Im not saying he wont drive it hard, because he will, just not really to its limits.

Personally, Im not a convertible type of person either and would get the M Coupe, but Im not buying...

 

they are known to have 2nd gear popping out which requires tranny removal and rebuit.

 

I've never heard that before. My '04 never did it.

 

Mine is an 05. During hard deceleration, it will pop out from 2nd gear and it sometime even pops out from 1st from take off. There is a TSB for it. CR also shows problems with the S tranny starting 01 or 02 (can't remember exactly) but not sure if it's the same problem. I wished CR could tell exactly what the problems are instead of just a black circle.. .

 

S2000 probably.
whats he using this for? just everyday driving? If so, I'd look at 350Zs too.

 

The car will be used only on occassion as he has another car for daily driving. This would be just for fun more or less. The Z is not really an option as the Z Roadster is ugly and he's already had an '05 G35 Coupe. He's looking for something a little more nimble, so he says.

 

Personally I'd choose the S2000 since I've owned one before. I guess if he just wants to cruise, I'd take the BMW. If he wants to push the car and take it to track days, S2000 all the way.

 

You really have to wind that Honda to redline to get her purring. Best manual tranny on the planet bar none..Sounds amazing at redline 9k Out of the two choices I would go with the Honda S2000..

 

Another vote for the S2000....this time from a big Bimmer fan. Just a more fun car in general, and the only one I actually fit in (I'm 6'4").

 

s2k
-hass

 

Is there any info on the TSB? Is there a fix for this problem or any signs my friend might look out for?

 

Best on the planet? Among RWD units, and along with the Mazda Miata's, ONE of the best, maybe, at least as far as shifter and clutch feel is concerned....Honda really knows how to design shift linkage, especially for FWD units. But the tendency to pop out of the lower gears is a disturbing matter.

 

If he had a E46 330ci conv. then why didnt he just stick with that!? It's plenty of power.. its a newer car, and overall it looks nicer then the s2000 or a z3m...in my opinion. If i had the choice, i would have just kept the e46, id never replace it with a s2000 or z3m.

 

You must have one weird looking *****....

I would personally take a Boxster S over either of those cars.

 

Because he goes through cars pretty quickly (his car prior to that was an E46 330Ci). He traded the convertible for an '05 G35 coupe which he drove for like 13 months and then just traded that a few months ago for his CLS. He could get another one, and he knows that, but as I said, its just to play around with once in a while. It doesnt need to be practical; thats what his CLS is for...

Anyway, mmarshall, just hot bad his the thing with the gears popping out? Have you experienced this with S2000s you have driven before?