Yeh was years ago. The bushes were about £1200 in just labour and one of the guys had to go to hospital to get metal from behind his eye. Nightmare !
S2000 owners thread. 9,000rpm of goodness in here.
- Thread starter hurfdurf
- Start date
Oh seems Tony bones who was the suspension guru passed away in September 2022 
He did a thread on my car
www.wheels-inmotion.co.uk
He did a thread on my car
Honda S2000 Poly install
The S2000 has biblical problems when it comes the chassis calibration. Basically the adjuster bolts and the bushing's metal core are metals in conflict meaning they fuse together worse than a skint mate on a night out. This car has handling issues that needed attention and typically the adjusters...
www.wheels-inmotion.co.uk
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Soldato
r2 automotive in essex have been really good for me and a few people I know with s2ks.
It's far lighter, 300kg or so, its massively noticeable. The handling is much sharper, although you feel less through the wheel. The gear box is much better in the S2000, the handling and chassis is leagues better. The only thing its down on is power, but the engines more responsive and fun than in the Z4M.
I didn't get on with my Z4M in many ways, and whilst the E89 Z4iS was a massively more comfortable car, I didn't get on with that either, it wasn't even genuinely sporty.
I have gone through a few cars looking for something that can put a smile on my face like my MX5's did but with a bit more power so I can over take things, I think I have found it.
Already got the PS4's on.
Do I really have to check the oil weekly? I've heard do it every time I fill up with petrol.
Soldato
You don’t need to. Early cars consumed more oil than later but it seems to depend on the way the engine was ran in. Mine needs no top ups between changes for e.g.
Keep an eye on it and see what your car is like.
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your OP said you were using it daily so assumed weekly checks would be about in like with that.
If you're using it regularly then just monitor it.
Mine didn't use oil but I know a lot of owners who had to top up frequently. It's worth doing a check at least anyway.
Oh seems Tony bones who was the suspension guru passed away in September 2022
He did a thread on my car
Honda S2000 Poly install
The S2000 has biblical problems when it comes the chassis calibration. Basically the adjuster bolts and the bushing's metal core are metals in conflict meaning they fuse together worse than a skint mate on a night out. This car has handling issues that needed attention and typically the adjusters...
He did the same on mine when I had all the Cusco stuff fitted
Honda S2000
We have been fortunate to have a little project about to start thanks to Gareth A.... owner of this Honda S2000 We will be stiffening the chassis using Cusco "sprung/ unsprung bracing" and a Powerflex Polly install, followed by a unique Geometric chassis calibration. .....Oh and fitting a new clu...
www.wheels-inmotion.co.uk
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Originally, with Honda Main Dealer choice of oil, it would use a reasonable amount in each tank of fuel - definitely enough to top up.
@Simon on here recommended a Castrol oil for S2Ki to use - I think it was a GTD one, simply met more standards - that after I moved to, it never used a drop between services... and that includes track day usage.
Any tyre recommendations in particular? People are saying a stiff sidewall is a must. I don’t want track day tyres but as sporty as possible would be ideal.
Current got MPS4… I know the 5 is out, and the MPS4s. Don’t know the differences.
Current got MPS4… I know the 5 is out, and the MPS4s. Don’t know the differences.
Other than the Michelins this is the only other solid recommendation.
I actually just kept with the original bridgestones that came with mine when I had it. Potenza something or other. It's been a while. Miss that car.
Soldato
Michelin tend to have softer tyre wall.
Not sure if the new Asymmetric 6 are available in that size? Probably what I would look at
Not sure if the new Asymmetric 6 are available in that size? Probably what I would look at
Don
Just necro'ing this thread. How's the ownership of the S2000 going?
I'm seriosuly considering buying another S2000 myself. It's the one car I've owned that I regret selling. Looking to buy something fun in the £15k ballpark that won't depreciate too much if at all. Another S2000 seems to tick all the boxes for me. Having owned one for 5 years, I know what to look for too and the pitfalls.
I'm seriosuly considering buying another S2000 myself. It's the one car I've owned that I regret selling. Looking to buy something fun in the £15k ballpark that won't depreciate too much if at all. Another S2000 seems to tick all the boxes for me. Having owned one for 5 years, I know what to look for too and the pitfalls.
In short, it’s great.
I’ve put 10k miles on it and I think I bought just as values dipped so have probably lost a small bit on it, but I’m not playing with big money toys so I’m not bothered and no plans to sell.
Took it in for a full service including all fluids at the local Honda specialist, £600. Had to have a tyre repaired. Other than that, it’s been perfect cost wise.
I’ve changed the stereo so have Bluetooth and hands free. Important on a daily. As it’s a daily I’m not spending mega bucks on go faster mods, it’s already great fun stock with good tyres. Anything I change is just going to be every day comfort stuff without compromising anything. Took me a little while to get used not to having parking sensors!
Next on my list is going to be some cheap speaker upgrades and under-seat subwoofer, and a BYS seat rail install so I can lower the stock seat a tiny bit. I’m 6’0 and I’m just a little too big to be sat in it perfectly, I’m not uncomfortable, but it’s not exactly where I want to be. I also might change to a sportier steering wheel so my legs have a bit more room.
One tiny barely noticeable annoying thing is the key position. My house keys dangle down and touch my leg, I have no idea how to prevent this other than having the key not on any kind of keyring.
One of my weekly clients lives from my house down a great driving route on some perfect B roads and it never fails to entertain on my face on the way back late at night when there’s no other traffic. Makes me realised how privileged I am to run a classic sports car as a daily.
I’ve had some nice compliments from blokes into cars who’ve asked me about it at petrol stations and car parks which is always kind. One of the things I missed about my MX5 was all the other owners waving, S2000 owners do so but there are no where near as many, buts what’s nice is I’ve realised MX5 owners have started waving again.
The only time I wouldn’t want to drive it and would borrow someone else’s car is when I have to do anything 1 hour plus, especially on the motorway. Luckily I’ve got options to borrow much more suitable vehicles for that kind of journey.
I’ve put 10k miles on it and I think I bought just as values dipped so have probably lost a small bit on it, but I’m not playing with big money toys so I’m not bothered and no plans to sell.
Took it in for a full service including all fluids at the local Honda specialist, £600. Had to have a tyre repaired. Other than that, it’s been perfect cost wise.
I’ve changed the stereo so have Bluetooth and hands free. Important on a daily. As it’s a daily I’m not spending mega bucks on go faster mods, it’s already great fun stock with good tyres. Anything I change is just going to be every day comfort stuff without compromising anything. Took me a little while to get used not to having parking sensors!
Next on my list is going to be some cheap speaker upgrades and under-seat subwoofer, and a BYS seat rail install so I can lower the stock seat a tiny bit. I’m 6’0 and I’m just a little too big to be sat in it perfectly, I’m not uncomfortable, but it’s not exactly where I want to be. I also might change to a sportier steering wheel so my legs have a bit more room.
One tiny barely noticeable annoying thing is the key position. My house keys dangle down and touch my leg, I have no idea how to prevent this other than having the key not on any kind of keyring.
One of my weekly clients lives from my house down a great driving route on some perfect B roads and it never fails to entertain on my face on the way back late at night when there’s no other traffic. Makes me realised how privileged I am to run a classic sports car as a daily.
I’ve had some nice compliments from blokes into cars who’ve asked me about it at petrol stations and car parks which is always kind. One of the things I missed about my MX5 was all the other owners waving, S2000 owners do so but there are no where near as many, buts what’s nice is I’ve realised MX5 owners have started waving again.
The only time I wouldn’t want to drive it and would borrow someone else’s car is when I have to do anything 1 hour plus, especially on the motorway. Luckily I’ve got options to borrow much more suitable vehicles for that kind of journey.
Don
I wouldn't bother with an under-seat sub. They don't sound great. What I did with mine was make a custom box in the space in the boot for the toolkit. I lined it with plastic then made a fiberglass mould of the well. Fitted an MDF top and added two 10" subs (one would have been fine though). Sounded great with Focal components up front.
If you do go down the better hifi route, one tip I will give you that actually made a huge difference to the sound on mine was to put dynamat or some other sound deadening mat inside the doors. It stopped the resonation of the metal from the speakers.
I'm glad it's being good to you. They are great cars and easy to live with. I think next month will see me in another one. Just need to find one that hasn't got siezed suspension adjusters or holes in the roof where the metal frame shoulders rub. That could be a challenge. I might give holes in the roof a pass though as a 3rd party replacement roof isn't mega expensive.
If you do go down the better hifi route, one tip I will give you that actually made a huge difference to the sound on mine was to put dynamat or some other sound deadening mat inside the doors. It stopped the resonation of the metal from the speakers.
I'm glad it's being good to you. They are great cars and easy to live with. I think next month will see me in another one. Just need to find one that hasn't got siezed suspension adjusters or holes in the roof where the metal frame shoulders rub. That could be a challenge. I might give holes in the roof a pass though as a 3rd party replacement roof isn't mega expensive.
Soldato
New roof is a pretty straightforward job really and might get you a bit of a bargaining chip.
Hope you find a good one!
Hope you find a good one!
Associate
- Joined
- 23 Oct 2013
- Posts
- 1,207
I've not driven the S2000 car but I do know the engine quite well. I've used one (with the s200 gbox) in a Westfield kit car.
The engines aren't as bulletproof as the "not a single warranty claim" reputation that I've heard from dealers a few times. Whether it's age, or lack of maintenance, there's a few things to keep an eye on. It's probably more relevant to cars/engines spending time on a track, but worth keeping an eye on as road cars get older.
chain stretch/tensioner - the timing chain tensioner is a known weak point and as the chain stretches it can't keep it tensioned... This is usually noticed by a ticking sound on a cold start that goes when the engine heats up. I tried a few things with the stock TCT (service/clean, sandblast the worm gear, opening the oil feed, even added some pre-load washers to increase the throw) but felt I was bodging so changed to an upgraded one, think it was from Toda. I seem to remember reading that as the TCT is oil-driven that the grade of oil and the quantity is more critical than a lot of other cars - so make sure to use full synth 5w40 (I think that's the grade) and keep it near the max line on the dipstick.
Valve retainers - these were changed with AP2 as the AP1 are known to crack, thought to be linked to sustained high revs... If you've got an AP1 (can't remember the years it changed) and plan to track then worth changing to AP2. And probably worth an inspection if you ever lift the head off to check valve clearances (or fix a weeping rocker seal). While changing our engine to AP2 retainers I also changed the valve stem seals and keepers/cotters.
Piston slap - we had this fun fun issue... required a full strip down, reboring (specialist due to the FRM liners) and I rebuilt the engine with new pistons. This was not a fun job... Googling F20C piston slap made it sound more common that we expected... We believe ours came about due to a overly lean tune, so if you suspect any tune it might be worth checking.
more info:
functiontheory.com
Enjoy the car - it's a great engine, just is happiest with regular maintenance.
The engines aren't as bulletproof as the "not a single warranty claim" reputation that I've heard from dealers a few times. Whether it's age, or lack of maintenance, there's a few things to keep an eye on. It's probably more relevant to cars/engines spending time on a track, but worth keeping an eye on as road cars get older.
chain stretch/tensioner - the timing chain tensioner is a known weak point and as the chain stretches it can't keep it tensioned... This is usually noticed by a ticking sound on a cold start that goes when the engine heats up. I tried a few things with the stock TCT (service/clean, sandblast the worm gear, opening the oil feed, even added some pre-load washers to increase the throw) but felt I was bodging so changed to an upgraded one, think it was from Toda. I seem to remember reading that as the TCT is oil-driven that the grade of oil and the quantity is more critical than a lot of other cars - so make sure to use full synth 5w40 (I think that's the grade) and keep it near the max line on the dipstick.
Valve retainers - these were changed with AP2 as the AP1 are known to crack, thought to be linked to sustained high revs... If you've got an AP1 (can't remember the years it changed) and plan to track then worth changing to AP2. And probably worth an inspection if you ever lift the head off to check valve clearances (or fix a weeping rocker seal). While changing our engine to AP2 retainers I also changed the valve stem seals and keepers/cotters.
Pics of my cracked AP1 valve retainers - S2KI Honda S2000 Forums
California - Bay Area S2000 Owners - Pics of my cracked AP1 valve retainers - In case anyone wasn't following the BlackTrax thread and might not be on top of the issue of cracked valve retainers in AP1's, I wanted to start a new thread to share my experience with you. If you have an AP1 and...
www.s2ki.com
Piston slap - we had this fun fun issue... required a full strip down, reboring (specialist due to the FRM liners) and I rebuilt the engine with new pistons. This was not a fun job... Googling F20C piston slap made it sound more common that we expected... We believe ours came about due to a overly lean tune, so if you suspect any tune it might be worth checking.
more info:
4 upgrades you must do before you track your f20c - Functiontheory
About a month ago as you know Patrick blew his s2000 at Buttonwillow. (that is if you follow the blog) […]
functiontheory.com
Enjoy the car - it's a great engine, just is happiest with regular maintenance.
Don
Well, the mrs has given me the go ahead to get another S2000. When asked, the response was "I always thought you were mad to sell that car". So, there we go. The hunt begins next month.
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