Should I Have Bought An S2000?

[@oscarkabowski8413]

I had absolutely no idea that the Z4 is only packing 150kw and 250nm…the S2K has infinitely more character in every department.

[@KiwiCarLife]

Well, I mean maybe but it is subjective

[@Michael-he1uj]

the 3L of this generation is so nuts, mate has a 130i and it absolutely rips. something like 260hp

[@KiwiCarLife]

@@Michael-he1uj yeah they go very very well. N52b30 is a sensational engine

[@LilTemha]

170 kw is so incredible for a stock 2L 4 cylinder and how reliable and easy to maintain it is as well, just so amazing I wish Honda still made cool naturally aspirated 4 cylinder manuals

[@KiwiCarLife]

Yeah man it's nuts aye

[@seshelbow336]

Had an S2000 as my first RWD car....a lot of other FWD Hondas.....but no other RWD cars in my History. Ended up Selling it to a friend, and getting a 996 Turbo. Now although the 996 was AWD, it had a load of torque, and far more power. Also with 90% to the rear until rear slip is detected it was far more "tail happy" than the s2000 ever was.....fast forward and my friend who bought my old tired '04 130k S2000 from me loved it so much he decided to buy a '06 20k one.....and i went with him to view it. He ended up buying the car so it was my job to follow him home in the old S2000 (my old car).....That drive home gave me an entire new perspective of the S2000. I did love the car when i had it, but now with the confidence i had from the 996 stepping out at rediculously small throttle inputs, that 60 miles or so home around some of the UK's quetest windiest roads......The combination of the razor sharp turn in (996 Turbos are light at the front so you really need to be on the brakes for any reasonable front grip) and the amount of revs and throttle required to upset the rear......was a revelation. Probably one of the most exhilerating drives ive ever had. I had thought i had driven the car "fairly hard" when i owned it.....but that one drive home is a memory that will live with me forever.....the handling was so sublime i nearly hit the inside kerb a few times.....the fact it only stepped out a bit when youre right up at the redline giving it everything meant to stop it you didnt need to worry about lifting off, youre already at 7-8k......theres no more torque to come.....just keep it planted and a tiny dash of counter steer was all that was required. I loved my s2k when i had no idea how to drive a RWD car.....and when i knew a tiny bit more it was incredible.....god knows what a really good driver could do with one.

[@KiwiCarLife]

Nice!

[@beauwulf]

I own both (z4 e86 coupe 3.0si manual and AP2 s2000). Both are amazing in their own ways. I take both to the Canyons of LA often. The s2000 is much more raw and loud, but the z4 has equal performance and much more refinement.

[@KiwiCarLife]

Agree

[@sdlausen1]

Refinement is... boring. Raw is the way to go!

[@KiwiCarLife]

@@sdlausen1 that is highly subjective

[@sdlausen1]

@@KiwiCarLife To me, a sports car needs to be raw. They need to keep you at the edge of your seat while striking your emotions with sound, edgy handling, and thrill. The s2000 embodies that.

[@KiwiCarLife]

@@sdlausen1 yeah I agree, but it's all a spectrum aye... The z4 is just that little bit more useable where you could realistically use it every day while still having 80% as much fun on a back road

[@TheIrishRossonero]

Haven't watched the video yet but i own an S2k and the answer is yes XD

[@KiwiCarLife]

Haha classic

[@nakoma5]

Hard riding, noisy, no torque S2K is best a weekend car. The Z4 is a much more well rounded and enjoyable package for daily use AND spirited driving when you want. So personally I'd say you made the right choice in this situation with a Z4. It's as beautiful too in and out! Although values will probably never catch to S2K levels.

[@KiwiCarLife]

Agree

[@_saifr]

S2000 is more drivers car, that manual gearbox is one and only and last time i drove it i remember it felt like i was a fighter pilot. There is a reason it is considered one of the greatest cars ever made.

[@KiwiCarLife]

Yeah absolutely

[@packed3508]

Would have been nice if you talked about car balance and feel too. Feel like the focus was much more on the engine feel rather than the chassis feel

[@KiwiCarLife]

I'll try keep that in mind for future episodes

[@evolvedparasite321]

Another great vid, love it. I sold my Teg Type S and I now have a VW Scirocco R.

[@KiwiCarLife]

Nice!

[@mitchellbaxter5851]

I mean for the price difference, the z4 is quite amazing.

[@KiwiCarLife]

Yeah definitely!

[@mickeyhartsell6096]

The Honda S2000 ROCKS and it looks super cool.

[@KiwiCarLife]

Indeed

[@billbrock8740]

I’ve loved my Silverstone 2004 Honda S-2000 since buying it from the original owner in July 2012 with only 68K on the Odo. It currently has 98K. Huge Bonus: It came with the OEM Hardtop, which makes it a real looker!! LOVE this car!!! Always EXCITING to drive!!! : )

[@KiwiCarLife]

Oh that’s awesome what a car!

[@zaceder5691]

Incredibly jealous that you got to drive this, that’s the dream 👀 also, I have to say it’s really great watching a fellow kiwi review cars, so much more relatable than all the American and British review :) keep it up 👍🏻

[@KiwiCarLife]

Thanks man!

[@kos5120]

The prolem here is the z4 does not vtec! In 10 years time the S2000 will be a cult classic (Kinda is now) The z4 on the other hand... Remember people, if the car has never featured on the Fast and Furious then it's not cool 😂🤔

[@KiwiCarLife]

Hahah yeah I guess that's true

[@endless_touge]

I was inspired by Best Motoring. Only low iq people are buying cars based on what they have seen in some movies

[@trippy_bananaz638]

in aus a s2000 is worth around 50grand my brother used to have one in 2008 was a dream to drive but too expensive to get ur hands on one now

[@sonof69star]

I rather drive the Z4 than those clown boxes from that hollywood nonsense called Fast and Furious. After all, your overhyped JDM box lost both to the Porsche Boxster and Z4 in the original Top Gear challenge. Stay in your little Honda and JDM world and keep looing inwards. I rather drive the sexy stylish no nonsense roadster like the Z4 than your fart boxes. S2K is the world's most overrated and overhyped car in the history of the automotive industry.

[@serg2963]

@@sonof69star lol. butthurtiusmaximus!

[@graceann335]

Excellent, balanced, comparitive car review. You should have bought both

[@KiwiCarLife]

Thanks! I'd still love an S2000

[@konholio2]

Ive got an EP3 and an e36 with M54B30, I know things are not exactly comparable, but I love them both for their completely different character. The K20 feels like a race engine where the M54 is just fenomenal with the power delivery in the full rpm range.

[@KiwiCarLife]

Agree

[@OsborneCox.69.420]

simple: BMW = leisurely convertible with lots of low-end torque and good balance. S2000 = dedicated performance vehicle with a high strung 4cyl and amazing balance. The two were never meant to compete against each other.

[@KiwiCarLife]

Disagree absolutely they were meant to compete against each other. They achieve the same end goal, a convertible sports car but go about it in slightly different ways

[@OsborneCox.69.420]

@@KiwiCarLifeIt’s been a very long time since I last drove an S2000. Based on my recollection, the S2000 was way sharper and felt more analog and visceral than the Z4. My basis for comparison is the E85 Z4 (a car I also adore) and not the E89. A lot of S2000 owners have owned Z4’s but not a lot of Z4 owners have owned S2000’s. My observations are anecdotal, but the S2000 never targeted the same types of buyers as the Z4.

[@KiwiCarLife]

Do an Accord and 325i compete? Do a legacy and Audi s4 compete? Ofc. Same with the S2k and Z4. They are very similar cars. Small, front engine, RWD convertibles. The only difference is the Z4 is 10 years newer so has a lot more features and refinement, but to drive there are multiple similarities.

[@OsborneCox.69.420]

@@KiwiCarLife we’ll agree to disagree.

[@sonof69star]

You made the right choice. Fair and objective review. You are not trapped by the internet and hollywood sensation called the S2K. S2k is a fine car but it is also the most overhyped and overrated car in the automotive industry. Only the Honda fanboys and JDM clowns will jump on the S2k all day any day bullcrap.

[@KiwiCarLife]

Mmmm true but there's a reason why one is worth double the other...

[@MCTGUN]

So true!! Lol The fast and furious crowd!

[@iCozzh]

S2K all day. Infinitely more of a special car in every department. Looks. Engine. Character. Gearbox. Sound . Performance . The z4 is just a bore imo.

[@KiwiCarLife]

Fair enough

[@serg2963]

Agreed... absolutely zero comparison between these two (other than they are both FR roadsters); I always found it hard to believe it when people cross-shopped these back in the day.

[@ElLeon7576]

S2000 is my dream car + that RPM, ITS OVER 9000!!

[@KiwiCarLife]

Oh yeah mate it's simply glorious aye

[@4dshow]

Had a F20 and can agree they’re so slow out of VTEC, was drilled off the line by a 2.4 CRV until VTEC 😅 ( not a race start, just accelerating out of a roundabout)

[@KiwiCarLife]

Hahah

[@cooperbrown1]

Its apparent by your reaction behind the wheel that the S2000 is a much more exciting and invigorating vehicle. The only thing that excited you about the BMW was it had a bit more torque but beyond that, it's a yawner to drive. You came alive while rolling thru the gears of the S2000 which is how it was designed. To me, that says it all.

[@KiwiCarLife]

The bmw definitely wasn't a yawner to drive... Both are excellent in their own unique ways

[@17t135i]

I want to see you review an E87 130i 6 speed manual, on paper it looks like a fun small rwd hatch with a manual Trans, the engine has 190kw and should be quick in terms of an NA engine, sadly the only one I've been in had an N54 swap and famous 30FF error code

[@KiwiCarLife]

Ah classic yeah I'd love to review one

[@izzy031096]

S2k all the way. I don’t own a Honda or a BMW and never have. But the S2k from what I’ve seen and read is the much better vehicle and will outlast the bimmer by a couple of hundred thousand kms

[@KiwiCarLife]

Ehh that's what all the biased fanboys and journos say

[@marcuslee1684]

Been trying to get a Z4 here in Auckland but just waiting for the right combination, silver paint, white interior with wooden panels in a 3.0

[@KiwiCarLife]

I know it's a little different but if you wanna buy mine lemme know I'll do ya a deal and I'm driving it up sometime soon to film some more videos

[@marcuslee1684]

@@KiwiCarLife oh don’t get me wrong, I have seen it on both TradeMe and FB Marketplace 👀 gotta get rid of my 2012 Audi A6 first, it been hard to sell in this current economic climate. As it’s an older BMW with a few Ks on it, have you had much issue with it?

[@KiwiCarLife]

@@marcuslee1684 nah it's been bulletproof all servicing been done it's good to go

[@marcuslee1684]

@@KiwiCarLife that's so great to hear! Gives me a bit of confidence when looking at some of the other BMW z4's on TradeMe with most of them close too or well pass the 100,000Kms mark

[@seahawkslife5823]

Please review a twin turbo legacy their everywhere and quite different from any other cars you've reviewed would be a great video

[@hamishbloxham4611]

And a legnum

[@KiwiCarLife]

@@hamishbloxham4611 maybe

[@dmark2639]

Check engine light on in the Z4...of course.

[@KiwiCarLife]

Haha nah in that clip it was just not running

[@nathanwright8477]

Wait a sec, when did you review that mps 6?? I couldn't find that video but that would be awesome!

[@KiwiCarLife]

Hah yeah I actually released this video earlier than planned to it's still to come

[@NowIknowCh]

At the start there is a Mazda 6 mps next to your accord, where is that comparison video?

[@KiwiCarLife]

Still coming

[@NowIknowCh]

@@KiwiCarLife can’t wait, as mazda 6 mps was something I was also considering before I got the accord. What’s the ETA my man?

[@Tiger-gs6xm]

S2000 compared to the Z4 is more fun to drive, more reliable and cheaper to fix…..and will appreciate in price .

[@KiwiCarLife]

Have you driven a z4?

[@Tiger-gs6xm]

@@KiwiCarLife Yes

[@realnathandsouza]

Ngl it’s a bit more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow.

[@KiwiCarLife]

Yes

[@gregneilsen2967]

Good review Liam!!

[@KiwiCarLife]

Thanks!

[@ayske1]

I saw a lot of the JDM in the late 90s and early 2000s. Probably being older now I'm a fan of decent electrics in a car..

[@KiwiCarLife]

Interesting

[@ayske1]

@@KiwiCarLife was going off your comment with your new BMW about daily practicality. I have a young family so that probably explains it 😜

[@DevasionX]

Both cars are great in their own way, S2000 is more emotion/hardcore but the Z4 has more convienience with the usable torque and space.

[@KiwiCarLife]

Yep

[@josuedavid6584]

the fact that a honda 4 cyl is competing against a 10 year newer bmw, and kicks its ass in all departments says a lot about honda

[@KiwiCarLife]

Yeah that's true

[@0nTheRedline]

We’re you actually using the indicators in that BMW? Never seen that done..

[@KiwiCarLife]

Ofc mate haha

[@Birmingham_racing]

s2000 will only go up in value and will last forever

[@KiwiCarLife]

Yeah

[@gaboaaa23]

@@KiwiCarLife in Germany they are already. No good car under 21-23 or 25000 Euro

[@Pixels1920]

They should make a type r powered new s2000

[@KiwiCarLife]

I reckon aye

[@markmcgrath9098]

Was the 3.0L Z4 much pricier? Or just not one up for sale at the time you got yours? As a lover of older BMWs (e34s for example) I reckon I’d still chose the S2000. It’d be really interesting to see a comparo of the Accord to a Suzuki Kizashi. It’s down on power but similar in weight if FWD manual spec.

[@KiwiCarLife]

We don't get 3.0L Z4 E89s here unfortunately. Otherwise I'd definitely have got one

[@markmcgrath9098]

@@KiwiCarLife ah rightio. Gah, isn’t it the most annoying thing?! Well maybe not THE most but a very bloody annoying thing... some dude in a suit in an office decides which boxes to tick on the order form and based on his decisions a domestic market either lucks in or loses out. It’s the same for the OzDM of course.

[@KiwiCarLife]

Yeah definitely aye...

[@markmcgrath9098]

So ultimately (maybe) the S2000 with a worked k24 swapped in and fixing the weirdness of the factory spec rear suspension and you’ll happy as a pig in sh...mud.

[@mrcactus245]

could you do a stock accord euro cl9 vs (if you can find it) acura tsx cl9?

[@Esdru221]

It's the same car bro...

[@KiwiCarLife]

@@Esdru221 yeah and we don't even get the tsx here

[@mrcactus245]

@@Esdru221 i know i just wanted to see the diffrences because the tsx is a luxury car and it might have some interior changes

[@Esdru221]

@@mrcactus245 no man, tsx is not a luxury car. In USA was selled as an Acura, but Acura is a fake brand, is exactly the same than Honda. It's not like Toyota and Lexus or Nissan and infinity. For example here in Europe cl9 only had been selled with the executive finish, wich is the same equipment than tsx. Liam's one is a basic one, true, but the car is the same, only change equipment extras. There is some little changes between cl9 and tsx, as ecu, cams in 06/07 ones and some chassis things, but essentially is the same

[@mrcactus245]

@@Esdru221 ok so the tsx is just rebadged for the most part

[@danielthomas8507]

kiwi here..i nearly bought this actual s2000(same plate) about 10 year ago, it was 17k then, now they are way out of my budget lol....they are good cars but not worth the money they want for them. 50k for a high mileage honda is silly

[@KiwiCarLife]

Can't have, this one's been owned by the same guy since new. But similar one maybe. Agree, high teens, low 20s is the money for these. Anything over 30k better be for an immaculate low ks one, not a 200,000km one that needs work

[@danielthomas8507]

@@KiwiCarLife fair enough mate my mistake the number plate looks familiar from out west AK...cheers cool channel

[@ryanhill7140]

Gidday mate, what part of the country are you from? Would you be keen on an IS/Accord comparison??

[@KiwiCarLife]

I most definitely would, I'm in wellington

[@ryanhill7140]

@@KiwiCarLife I'm in the south island, so would have to organize some way to meet in the middle or get up there

[@KiwiCarLife]

@@ryanhill7140 hit me up on insta @kiwicarlife.yt and we'll sort something

[@trippy_bananaz638]

u know what u should try a bmw 730d vs the accord or the z4 i mean the 730d is a absolute dream i have one myself and it is crazy

[@KiwiCarLife]

7 series isn't really a direct competitor for either of those cars... Maybe an s400, a8 or LS400?

[@trippy_bananaz638]

its not a direct competitor but u should do a review

[@KiwiCarLife]

@@trippy_bananaz638 how about an E38 750iL?

[@trippy_bananaz638]

yes the e38 is a good competitor 210kw and 440nm no lag on the throttle response

[@KiwiCarLife]

​@@trippy_bananaz638 My friend has one so can do a review of that, but in what way is it a good competitor to a Z4 or Accord?

[@phillypaulwalker2155]

Ones manual s2000 the other comes manual but bought the automatic??

[@KiwiCarLife]

Did you listen to the video?

[@kdpwt]

Someone pls tell me what the exhaust is on that s2000, it sounds amazing Does this thing have itbs?

[@KiwiCarLife]

Nah it's all stock

[@apoc9154]

That sound is from the Air Filter. You can see when he opens the hood that the airbox cover is removed to get that sound :)

[@kdpwt]

@@apoc9154 thanks I thought that sound was induction noise

[@ImMrClutch]

Surely we have a review of the MS6 soon?

[@KiwiCarLife]

Mazda?

[@Sk0die]

​@@KiwiCarLife Mazdaspeed 3 would be intresting, they aren't perfect but they are super fun and quite pratical honestly.

[@otisbarclay9794]

Did the accord sell? I see its not on trade me anymore

[@KiwiCarLife]

Hmmmmm

[@ashurfakier4894]

F20c is 184kw. The 2.2(ap2) is 177kw

[@KiwiCarLife]

Not in nz

[@dekodE_]

You really like your Z4, but why are you selling it?

[@KiwiCarLife]

I shall explain in a future video

[@KavinFan0803]

because he's buying the other car in this video lol

[@KiwiCarLife]

@@KavinFan0803 hey now...

[@LilTemha]

btw bro itd get u lots of views if u could get an EK4 to review as a daily. ek4 is the vtir ek civic

[@LilTemha]

or a dc2 vtir

[@KiwiCarLife]

Got a dc2 type r coming?

[@LilTemha]

@@KiwiCarLife oh my god im keen as fuck mate ahahahh

[@MCTGUN]

I own a 2003 Z4 and there hasn't been a s2000 that can mess with me. Plus the Z4 looks better. Besides that the S2000 is so trendy

[@KiwiCarLife]

Oh yeah I mean if you got the 3.0L definitely you'll walk

[@sonof69star]

I know what you mean. The high spec e85 lightweight Z4 roadsters would shit on the S2Ks. And definitely the Z4 looks a ton better.

[@endless_touge]

I am over 40 now but still prefer anoying cars hard to drive that need all the attention to be driven at the limit. Useless for daily driving, impractical and something regular people will never buy... Like S2000

[@KiwiCarLife]

Well yeah true but I definitely value something that's at least a little bit useable

[@fhowland]

Sound like you need a minivan mate. You’ll have to pry my S2000 from my 39 year old hands

[@fhowland]

Wow that 99 S2000 is PRESTINE

[@KiwiCarLife]

Yes very

[@benjaminwingchun9665]

we all should have, 10 years ago

[@KiwiCarLife]

Haha true

[@t1ltedd193]

I somehow read the title as "So I have bought an s2000"..

[@KiwiCarLife]

Haha not yet...

[@t1ltedd193]

I was like, finally it happened

[@spadgm]

S2000 is a great car, but i would take the Z4 haha!

[@KiwiCarLife]

Interesting!

[@marclebrun641]

I'll keep my S2K, money in the bank

[@KiwiCarLife]

Fair enough

[@Caleb__main]

Hi again. It's me. You either do or don't remember me

[@KiwiCarLife]

I do

[@vintagetrk]

Ya dont have to rev a Z4 engine to 9 grand to get performance out of it. I have a 2010 35i Z4 that would eat the honda for breakfast with the 302hp out of my N54 twin turbo.

[@KiwiCarLife]

Yeah ofc it would and I agree having useable torque is nice. But some people love the motorbike type experience of revving an engine out for power

[@vintagetrk]

@@KiwiCarLife I think S2000's are cool and love the complicated cam system to them that allows them to rev to 9k and theres no doubt they're fast but they're not the end all be all. Hell I bought my Z4 because I couldnt afford an inferior Porsche Boxster.

[@MrMRGamer1010]

E89 till I die

[@KiwiCarLife]

Lovely car

[@loofaah6088]

S2ks are 177kw? 👁👄👁

[@KiwiCarLife]

Yup, 240hp

[@petermanwaring7862]

Yep the BMW is an old granny’s car

[@KiwiCarLife]

That's highly subjective

[@teamextreme334]

No, you shouldnt have, S2k is probably the worst daily ive ever owned. Honestly.

[@KiwiCarLife]

Yeah but I'm not getting it as a daily. I have a work car too

[@Blue_2_K]

z4 is cool but a shit show compared to an s2000...literally comparing a daily comfort convertible to a race bred roadster. my ap1 is tuned and full bolt ons, still NA and it fucking PULLSSSS

[@KiwiCarLife]

Z4 sDrive35i ain't slow... that's the biggest advantage with the Z4 is there are multiple engine options. S2k has just the one. But what an engine it is!

[@Esdru221]

Only reason that justify to buy a bmw is 300+ hp...

[@KiwiCarLife]

I guess in this power level yeah

[@jesselee4405]

You Didn't buy an S2000!? Surprised. Way classier and unique than that beemer you've got there

[@KiwiCarLife]

It's 3 times the price

[@davaunfrancis590]

The S2000 embarassed the Z4 lol

[@KiwiCarLife]

Oh yes

[@khalidsti2559]

Honda fan boys welcome 😂

[@KiwiCarLife]

Lol

[@Dinotti]

Bmw is boring and it ages fast. S2k is one and only.

[@KiwiCarLife]

That's highly subjective

[@campbellsouthan1104]

Purchase

[@KiwiCarLife]

I shall

[@MB-de5ho]

Always Honda…

[@KiwiCarLife]

Yuuurs

[@bruvuvur5630]

He should have bought the S2000 :(

[@KiwiCarLife]

Just you wait...

[@bruvuvur5630]

@@KiwiCarLife unless you turbo it ofc

[@AndyC3.0]

I drive a Z4 M Coupe and I absolutely love it , I would never drive a Honda S2000 in lieu of. I'm sure the Hondas a nice car but when it comes to Performance it's just not in the same league not to mention the fact that the Z4 is just much more sophisticated.

[@KiwiCarLife]

Agree

[@peterzingel2541]

S2000 😭

[@KiwiCarLife]

Lovely car