well my bro is the used car manager at a toyota dealership and he gets to bring home whatever car he likes to each night...tonight a S2000. All I have to say is wow...I never knew there could be soo much power out of a 4 banger. Anyway I'm driving on the freeway and just admiring the power and feel of this car, when I look to the side and an E36 M3 passes me. So I drop into 3rd pull up look at him and we go. BMW got the jump on me but not for long. The 9000 redline of the S2000 proves very able when doing high speed races, and the 6th gear helps as well...anyway the M3 did end up beating me but it was neck and neck, and the next time the outcome could be different. This car is pretty cool, very fun to do donuts with also! LIGHT and POWERFUL, I like...so although I usually give no respect to imports the S2K get's my seal of approval, however I don't like the feel of the clutch...not a bmw, I guess.

My friend took me for a spin in his S2K, and we had a blast, that things can REALLY move, it was one hell of a night, but like u said, its no bimmer :)

Imagine what all cars would be like with a 9k redline.

Yeah, those stook's are pretty good cars. The engine doesn't really suit my driving style, but they are every much the equivalent performance-wise of an E36 M3.

Originally posted by 328isRob
Imagine what all cars would be like with a 9k redline.

ummm....9k redline....why doesn't bmw do that in their e36's. the e46's are what...8k?

Originally posted by toofast4U


ummm....9k redline....why doesn't bmw do that in their e36's. the e46's are what...8k?

Well, there is some conjecture that the 8500(?)rpm redline of the S54 in the E46 M3 is to blame for some of the engine failures that have not occured in the same S54 in the M Roadsters/Coupes that have a lower redline. The redline on the Euro E36 M3 engine is higher than our S52, IIRC.

You know what. I am NOT impressed. Not to mention the fact that the torque is so low, that if you're not at 8000rpms, you're not going anywhere...

I have written 2 letters now to Honda NA regarding my friends S2000 blown engine. Since he has less experience writing those sort of letters, I took it on.
The engine failed in June, and we still have not heard back from Honda! The dealer was sending him for a loop asking for $8K, so we have been trying to solicit Honda NA.

Customer Service is a big 0.

Sorry to complain, and this is certainly not a flame, but I am furious at Honda.

Wow, NO response from Honda? Was it a mis-shift or something? That totally sucks.

The engine failed during an upshift.
It was not a mechanical downshift like the classic 5th to 2nd.

At first they said it was his fault without opening the engine up.
Then they said it would cost $350 to open the engine up to determine IF it was his fault or mere failure.

They dropped the ball, and no one wants to fix the situation...

Originally posted by toofast4U


ummm....9k redline....why doesn't bmw do that in their e36's. the e46's are what...8k?

Multiple reasons. But mainly piston speed and hydraulic lifters. M50/S50 motors have a longer stroke than the F20C. At 9k rpms, we'd be turning much higher piston speeds than the S2000, and that motor is already operating at F1-like pistons speeds.

The S2k is a nice car, but has no rwtq. You have to keep the revs high to get anything out of it.

so how would u get your e36 up to a 9k red line? anyone done it?

Mechanical over-rev.

Fun little cars, I've driven them at the track, but I gotta have some torque, the S2000 is not for me...