My S2000 - One year on

[Adam_D200]

I'd imagine things on the z4 that im doing would all be comparable costs?

Tyres would be more for the zed, they use the RE050A run flats and cost an eye watering amount considering how quickly they can wear on the back - M sport suspension also has a tendancy to eat up the inner edge of the front tyres too 225/45/18 and 255/35/18 cost ~£190/230 a pop

Weak points of the Z4 (non M), roof motor can be troublesome on earlier vehicles although mine is thankfully fine - big job to replace at main dealer prices (I use it often so it doesnt get chance to crud up). They also share the E46 weakpoint of rear coil springs snapping at random - bmw will usually contribute if you threaten them with enough bad publicity.

On the plus side they have long service intervals (16k miles variable) and the drive train and engines seem well matured. Its pretty much turn key motoring with brakes and consumables easy to replace yourself, only needs to see a dealer for a stamp in the book The fact that the Z4 came with a heated glass rear screen from the outset was a really nice thing to have too (over the S2000 and boxster S which didnt gain them till ~2004).

Do you find the S2000 relaxing to drive on a long run?

 

[mr tommo]

I'd imagine things on the z4 that im doing would all be comparable costs?

Oh of course, didn't mean it like that. I meant reliability wise, I presumed Japanese cars were all rock solid and would never go wrong. Im sure when My Z4 goes wrong it will cost a fortune too.

Tyres would be more for the zed, they use the RE050A run flats and cost an eye watering amount considering how quickly they can wear on the back - M sport suspension also has a tendancy to eat up the inner edge of the front tyres too 225/45/18 and 255/35/18 cost ~£190/230 a pop

Luckily my previous owner ditched the runflats!

 

[dale1uk]

Thanks for the write up, been seriously considering an S2000 for my next car, hopefully in the next few months Insurance is pretty good for what it is - £800ish with 0 points and 7yrs no claims, and due to having a company van for mon-fri it would only come out to play at weekends and maybe the odd night.
What kind of money shold I expect to pay for a pre 2001 cheap tax model? I know that they start very cheap @ £6k on PH but I also know that the cheapest enrty level examples of any car are usually cheap for a reason. At what price do the cheaper ones start to be worth it??
Will be looking into a few test drives in the new year once I've read through the buying guides on s2kuk and s2ki a few more times. Are there any major things to check for that if missed will leave me with a huge whole on my pocket?

Many thanks

 

[Adam_D200]

With the very early ones beware of imports being marketed as uk cars, you also dont get the glass rear screen Anything from 1999 is likely an import.

 

[dale1uk]

With the very early ones beware of imports being marketed as uk cars, you also dont get the glass rear screen Anything from 1999 is likely an import.

Is there an easy way of telling its an import or is it just a matter of double checking with the seller before going to see it? Have seen that the rear screen on the earlier ones are plastic and go 'milky' over time so will be looking out for that. Any idea of cost to get a new glass rear screen fitted?

 

[Conanius]

Oh of course, didn't mean it like that. I meant reliability wise, I presumed Japanese cars were all rock solid and would never go wrong. Im sure when My Z4 goes wrong it will cost a fortune too.

But nearly everything I've done are just consumables? reality is on a soft top car the roof will wear out, and the suspension I see in my eyes effectively was a modification.

*lots of stuff*

Big thing I would say is get a car off s2ki and ensure its had the suspension bolts done at CoG and that its got a clean bill of health there.

Id imagine you could get a good one for about 8500-9000 with a new roof, or accept the fact you'll have little nicks in the roof at the bottom behind the doors and maybe on the shoulders of the roof

 

[ineed2upgrade]

Is there an easy way of telling its an import

ring honda,they should be able to tell you if its an official import.

 

[Ladforce]

Thanks for the write up, been seriously considering an S2000 for my next car, hopefully in the next few months Insurance is pretty good for what it is - £800ish with 0 points and 7yrs no claims, and due to having a company van for mon-fri it would only come out to play at weekends and maybe the odd night.
What kind of money shold I expect to pay for a pre 2001 cheap tax model? I know that they start very cheap @ £6k on PH but I also know that the cheapest enrty level examples of any car are usually cheap for a reason. At what price do the cheaper ones start to be worth it??
Will be looking into a few test drives in the new year once I've read through the buying guides on s2kuk and s2ki a few more times. Are there any major things to check for that if missed will leave me with a huge whole on my pocket?

Many thanks

The insurance puts me off when people like you with 7 yrs no claims say it still costs 800 quid. I pay 610 for my dc2 integra fully comp with 1 yrs no claims so it'd cost about 1.5-2k for me on an s2000 by the looks of it

 

[Simon]

Ive had mine about 2.5 years, in that time I have done nearly 30k miles.

Other than consumables I have only replaced the clutch and both rear calipers (prone to siezing). So go figure I have found it to be 100% reliable.

 

[Simon]

Sounds like a money pit?! But as long as you enjoy it, thats the main thing Defo needs pictures too!

Money pit? Nah Gareth just has OCD

 

[Adam_D200]

Is there an easy way of telling its an import or is it just a matter of double checking with the seller before going to see it? Have seen that the rear screen on the earlier ones are plastic and go 'milky' over time so will be looking out for that. Any idea of cost to get a new glass rear screen fitted?

Lack of documented service history, no manuals, lots of jap stickers in japanese over the car - non standard radio (oem jap one wouldnt work so most have a aftermarket one fitted).

Biggest giveaway is usually the square number plates and a crap foglight drilled into the back bumper.

 

[Conanius]

Money pit? Nah Gareth just has OCD

I just want it as perfect as the day it left the factory !!

(in seriousness, im getting new boot carpet as the existing has a hole where my cd changer mounting foot was !)

 

[Lord-Jaffa]

I was considering taking mine to Centre of mavity also, how long was the waiting list before you could take it in?

Its quite a fair treck from me but i could do with getting the suspension checked out to make sure none have seized, also getting it setup for better road driving, British roads = lose!

 

[Housey]

I was considering taking mine to Centre of mavity also, how long was the waiting list before you could take it in?

Its quite a fair treck from me but i could do with getting the suspension checked out to make sure none have seized, also getting it setup for better road driving, British roads = lose!

Couple of weeks when I last checked.

 

[Simon]

Old thread I know, but how's your roof now?

Ive just sourced a cheap brand new carhoodwarehouse one and going to get them to fit it too. Can you remember what you paid in total for yours (I know you upgraded to a glass window too)

Thanks

 

[Lord-Jaffa]

Think they are about £670ish on group buys on the forums (fitted mohair glass rear).

 

[MarkDavis]

Great write up.

How have you found the car is terms of day to day practicality and refinement. For example, the Elise is hideous for driving for long distances on motorways; noisy, unrefined etc. What's the S2000 like at 80mph?

 

[L0rdMike]

What's the S2000 like at 80mph?

Noisy, engine must be near 5k in 6th at 80.

 

[loltim]

Noisy, engine must be near 5k in 6th at 80.

Really? My civic was 4k ish and with a gear less.

 

[Simon]

5k is 90mph in 6th