Simon, this is such a valuable short report that it should be archived somewhere and not be lost in the nirvana of the forum in three days at the latest and forgotten again.
I had both models, and in addition also later an S3.
Simon has pointed out the most important differences.I confirm every point Simon makes based on my experience.
One difference about the engines I would like to mention (I assume Simon knows this, but didn't want to make his post too long).
The S1 engine from the Mondeo ST/Jaguar SType is more sporty in design and has bucket tappets. The S2 engine from the Ford Escape has roller cam followers.
The S 2 engine, my car was from 2008, had a very bad rev hang. It was fixed on my car at no cost by replacing the ECU from MMC. (This rev hang was the subject of my first post here on the forum in 2009).
The engine of the S2 always felt a bit docile with very nice sound, but still a bit lame. With the exchange of the ECU not only the rev hang was gone but the engine of the S2 suddenly had real life and urge. I actually regretted in retrospect to sell the S2 after the exchange of the ecu. But the S3 was already ordered. The rev hang of the S2 was worse than the lame performance...and with the exchange of the ECU was both transformed...unfortunately too late.
I would like to point out one more thing. You might think now after reading that the S2 would be much worse than the S1. But it is not that simple! And I did not have this impression at all. Except for the rev hang I liked my S2 very much!
But even without the new ECU it was for me so that I felt the sound of S2 much nicer and fuller than from the S1. I got used to the Ford box very quickly and I liked it a lot because it has that controlled "clang" when you shift into gear, which I really appreciate.
The S2 Roadster as a whole felt a bit more torquey- even with the old ECU! It really added to the character of the car as a cruiser and it matched the smoother and silkier sound of the Ford Escape engine. I don't know the data why I experienced the torque in gear three and four so much better, my guess: 1) Engines shift their power (subjectively felt) towards lower rpm when less powerful (even if in „objective measures“ the S1 may have more torque in the midband. 2) Gear three and four may be shorter than in the Getrag Box which underwrites the feel of better torque in S2.
My intention is not to bring more technical differences that may invite one or the other reader to get lost.
I have only listed it in addition to the facts that Simon has posted, and this as a premise to the conclusion I want to make:
S1 and S2 are fantastic examples of an (each specific) whole being more than the sum of its parts.
Because for me there is an important driver-typological decision support.
Namely, two cars with different characters have emerged. The sporty fast driver will be enthusiastic about the S1...with its powerful engine and perfectly tuned gearbox.
The pleasure-seeking cruiser, who is emotionally immersed in the landscape and already thinks of the red wine while driving or of other beautiful things that the evening holds in store, is perhaps better off in the S2, preferably with a replacement ecu, if the car comes from a charge that had problems with it.
I liked both cars, but in retrospect I was very fond of the sound and character of the S2...and the memory of nice trips to France.
It's not nitpicking, as the uninitiated might think. It can make significant differences, like whether I prefer a 59 neck Lespaul or a 60 neck. In the end, the condition counts a lot and the old song...will the Morgan find you?
