[jr_s2k]

Hey, everyone. It seems like there might be more than a few of you who drove a Honda S2000 before moving to a 2 series convertible. I have a 2017 230i xDrive convertible on order and am a couple weeks away from trading in the 2007 Honda S2000 that I have loved for the last six years. I'm still a bit hesitant about the whole thing. This will be my first BMW. I've only ever owned Hondas and Acuras, but have found the 2 series to be quite compelling. Anyway, I would love to hear from anyone who has had an S2K in their past, especially those who went with the 228i or 230i convertible. Any regrets? Do you wish you had gone for the M235i/240i convertible? Cheers!

[Kolyan2k]

I went from 06 S2000 to M235i coupe. No regrets besides the depreciation and possible headaches after warranty runs out. So far it's been good.

But part of my car change was the fact that I am not a fan of convertibles and I wanted a much faster RWD car with 6-speed manual, so 228 xdrive vert wasn't even on the list for me.

[AUSf22]

I have two mates that still own s2000s both AP1s. We took turns to drive each others cars and came to a similar conclusion.

The S2000 is definitely a lot less tame and requires your fullest attention at all times, it is definitely one of the most rewarding cars to take around the twisties but very unforgiving at the same time. The F22 platform is a lot more livable if you are thinking about daily driving the car (better comfort, traction during wet weather), the 228i and above beats the s2000 in terms of straight line speed but handling on the backroads the S2000 can definitely keep up and still be a nasty pest in the corners.

Both my friends daily drive their s2000 and are too attached to them to let it go, I can see where they are coming from as the lil honda is definitely a fun machine. If you can have both cars that would be ideal. I'm currently shopping for a GPW s2000 but there are very few clean examples left in AU.

Regardless, if you do make the trade you are going from a very good car designed in the 90s to an excellent iteration of a sports car that's on offer today at the dealers.

[BEM-S4]

If it were me, I'd hang onto the Honda and add a 2 GC in a year when it's available. Not like the Honda value is going to drop a ton between now and 3-4 years from now.

[Rayscott]

I owned 2 S2000's. I owned the first S2000 in Delaware (10/99) and my second was an 04. Best sports car for the money and a redline on the first of 9K. I got stopped by so many people asking me what it was (00). A real drivers car with not many options. Unfortunately they stopped production in 09 and I moved on to a couple of Jeeps as I live at the beach. They were fun in a different sense. I got a yearning for a sports car and after many considerations I chose a 16 228ix vert Msport. It was a good decision as it stirs the same excitement I had in my S2000's. Better equipped of course and higher in price. But I can fit my grandkids and smaller friends in it and it has a beautiful interior. I got the AT so my wife can drive it. Looking back the S2000's were a blast to drive but now that I am older the 228 makes more sense and it still arouses the boy racer in me. You won't regret it. BTW, I sold my 2 S2000's and got more than the dealer offered. They have held their value very well. Go to www.s2ki.comclick on forums, click on marketplace, click on cars for sale and you will see what they are asking. Good Luck.

[Kolyan2k]

Originally Posted by AUSf22

228i and above beats the s2000 in terms of straight line speed but handling on the backroads the S2000 can definitely keep up and still be a nasty pest in the corners.

even 230i vert is pretty slow, they are heavy. should be about the same as S2k (or slower). You are looking at 1000 pounds difference and almost the same HP numbers

[f1canuck]

I'm keeping my S2K and can hardly wait for my m240i to be delivered next week. The S2000's great handling ability and the fact that you can have fun with it on the street without losing your license is why I'll keep it for as long as I can. That, plus ease of maintenance and it's great reliability make it relatively easy on the wallet (I don't put much mileage on mine so tires aren't required that often).

I've never owned a BMW either (only Honda's and Acura's too) and hope the car is reliable since it will be my daily driver. I can hardly wait to feel the torque of that smooth inline 6 again... this is the one thing I kinda wish the S2k had more of. If there's any way for you to keep the S2000, do it!

[jr_s2k]

Thank you for all the responses. I'm not surprised to see the "keep the S2K" sentiment. If I had a third garage bay, I would probably do that, but I also have a 2014 Acura ILX as my winter and rainy day car, and the thinking is that I could consolidate the car situation and have the best of both worlds by trading them both in. My financial side says it's crazy to let go of an asset that is not depreciating and put the equity down on something that will immediately depreciate. I'll be getting essentially what I paid for my S2K six years ago, so that part is great and one of the reasons I even considered the BMW. Regarding depreciation, the used BMW 2 series convertibles I can find are expensive and optioned up. I'm choosing to go with a more basic new one. Having a back seat will be awesome, I think, for the occasional third or fourth passenger. I wish Acura followed Audi's approach and had a model to position against the A3 with both a sedan and convertible. Maybe base it on that 2 liter 4 cylinder turbo in the Civic Type R. Wouldn't that make sense for them? I feel they are missing out on this market, but realize I'm talking to the wrong crowd. Again, appreciate the comments from those who have been in a similar situation or are familiar with the S2K.

[pz619]

Also checking in with a AP1 S2K previously. My take is the bimmer is far less rewarding from an engagement and feel standpoint. The M235i/240i is definitely faster and a nicer place to be. If you want a better feel than maybe the 230i is a good replacement car. If you want outright speed the 240i could be better. Strongly suggest you drive both back to back.

For me, this is an emotional response, but I miss my s2000. I don't think I'd miss my M235i nearly as much.

[Kolyan2k]

^ that's why at least get faster one, rwd, manual, and not a heavy vert. It will be closer to S2000

[jr_s2k]

Originally Posted by Kolyan2k

^ that's why at least get faster one, rwd, manual, and not a heavy vert. It will be closer to S2000

Part of the compromise with this is a single car that I can drive daily including the winter and not mess around with tires. And it has to be convertible, the S2000 has me hooked on convertibles. So that's how I landed on a 2 series convertible with Xdrive. I know I would love the power of a 235i/240i convertible, but they are more expensive to buy and insure. There really aren't many other options for small, sporty convertibles.

[Kolyan2k]

Originally Posted by jr_s2k

Part of the compromise with this is a single car that I can drive daily including the winter and not mess around with tires. And it has to be convertible, the S2000 has me hooked on convertibles. So that's how I landed on a 2 series convertible with Xdrive. I know I would love the power of a 235i/240i convertible, but they are more expensive to buy and insure. There really aren't many other options for small, sporty convertibles.

You would need to change tires regardless. A RWD with winter tires is much safer then AWD with all-seasons. Dont know how's winter where you are, I drove my S2000 all year in Mass

If your goal is daily driver and you have a set price then you cant really expect it to be anywhere close in feel to S2k. 228/230 vert is much heavier, not that fast, xdrive, and automatic. Its a completely different car with not much performance in mind compared to S2k

[Lacessit]

I had an '06 s2000 that I turned in for the 230. Part of me wishes I had gone for the 240 because well, more power. The BMW is far more refined, quieter, more comfortable, and handles well.

The s2000 was honestly more fun, but far less convenient (and loud). I'm very happy, but may regret selling the Honda for the rest of my life.

In terms of longevity the s2000 is probably the last car you can keep for your lifetime. Too many electronics to go wrong in vehicles today. The S is beyond simple and easy to maintain.

[jr_s2k]

Originally Posted by Kolyan2k

You would need to change tires regardless. A RWD with winter tires is much safer then AWD with all-seasons. Dont know how's winter where you are, I drove my S2000 all year in Mass

If your goal is daily driver and you have a set price then you cant really expect it to be anywhere close in feel to S2k. 228/230 vert is much heavier, not that fast, xdrive, and automatic. Its a completely different car with not much performance in mind compared to S2k

I daily drove my S2K for a few years which included some mild Ohio winters and didn't have a problem. And that was with all season tires. I think some of the reason for that is that the S2K is so balanced. Anyway, I figured all season tires on an Xdrive 2 series convertible would be fine, and the 2 series also seems very balanced. I'm not surprised to hear from those who went from an S2K to a 6 speed manual RWD 235i/240i coupe. That would be logical for the enthusiasts. I'm not in that category, but I love the manual in the S2K. In the 2 series, I guess I'm putting comfort ahead of fun.

Regarding performance, the 230i Xdrive convertible claims 5.6 zero to 60 or something like that. I don't know that I could get my stock S2K to do that. So I figured straight line performance would be pretty much the same. Definitely agree that it's a completely different car and experience, though.

[B_Rice]

I've owned 6 s2ks and going on to owning a 7th one soon. I'd say the 2er is a better car and the S is a better toy. Don't get me wrong, the 2er is a lot of fun, but it just can't match the rawness of the S.

[DonC]

I have a 2005 S2000 and 2013 X3 3.5 MSport. This is, the best of all worlds...

[Kolyan2k]

I just remembered another regret, the sound of the engine past 6k.....m235i is just too quite for me

[B_Rice]

Originally Posted by Kolyan2k

I just remembered another regret, the sound of the engine past 6k.....m235i is just too quite for me

time for an exhaust?

[Kolyan2k]

Originally Posted by B_Rice

time for an exhaust?

Yes that would help probably. Something civilized

[Rayscott]

I had super sprints on my S2000's, Nice sound very civilized but pricey. I have a Dinan on my 228ix and love it. So does my wife who hates loud exhausts.

[B_Rice]

Originally Posted by Kolyan2k

Yes that would help probably. Something civilized

MPE with a downpipe sound nice. It has presence, without going too loud.

[jr_s2k]

Hey, everyone. Now that I am a few weeks in with the new car, I thought I would provide some thoughts for those thinking about trading in an S2000 for a 2 series convertible. I had a lot of advice to hang on to the S2000, which I would have done if I had an extra garage bay. My desire was to consolidate from two cars ('07 stock S2000 and '14 Acura ILX 2.0L auto) to one daily driver sporty convertible that is more useful and practical than the S2000.

I’ve owned a ton of manual Hondas and Acuras over the years starting with a CRX Si, several Civics, an Integra GS-R and even a red H badged Accord Sedan V6 6MT. All of them were great, but the S2000 was the best. Most people who have one or have driven one know what I mean, but it was time to move on. The S2000 hooked me on convertibles, so to keep things reasonable from a price and insurance standpoint, I decided on a 2017 230i Xdrive convertible with minimal options, just leather, CWP and DAP. Although I miss my S2000, the more I drive the 230i, the more I like it. As my first BMW, I am impressed with the quality and overall solid feeling of the car. Like the S2000, it is very well-balanced and handles great, but is a completely different experience (as many pointed out). I’m getting used to the turbo as this is the first one I’ve had. The S2000 is just light and revvy and responsive. I don’t think you can call the BMW light, but in Sport mode, it gets up and goes, so I’m happy with the performance, and the gas mileage looks to be pretty good.

A lot of the people here seem to be fans of the M235i/240i coupe with the 6MT. I can appreciate that would be a more logical successor to a car like the S2000 especially if you’re into modifying and tracking and all that stuff. I chose Xdrive and therefore auto because I’m prioritizing year-round driving and comfort, but I’m sure I would have been happy with a manual M240i.

Last comment, I was coming home from work with the top down and came alongside a guy in an M2 at a stop light. I looked over at him and gave him a nod, and he gave me a sneer as if to say, “You poor bastard!” I’m hoping he’s not typical as I really liked getting a nod or thumbs-up from other S2000 drivers. Like the S2000, I rarely see another 2 series in any form on the road. That’s another reason I like it, but hoping to see some camaraderie out there.

Cheers!