JFReturns' Honda S2000

[JFReturns]

RichyBoy said:

"A litre of oil every 600 miles." I had two of them and neither used anything like that.

I'm going by the manual Richy. I quote: "The amount of oil consumed depends on how the vehicle is driven and the climatic and road conditions encountered. The rate of oil consumption can be up to 1l per 1,000km/600 miles. Consumption is likely to be higher when the engine is new."

[PlayersNo6]

Thanks for the views Gaz, appreciated.

JF - JF Sebastian = 'Bladerunner' character.

This looks to be a nice car :

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2985008.htm

[JFReturns]

PlayersNo6 said:

Thanks for the views Gaz, appreciated.

JF - JF Sebastian = 'Bladerunner' character.

This looks to be a nice car :

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2985008.htm

Gah, why didn't I get that!!

That car looks good tbh, well worth a view (personally not keen on the blue interior). Let us now how you get on. Make sure the wheel locking nut is present.

[JFReturns]

Gaz. said:

JFReturns said:

Gah, why didn't I get that!!

The law of sod, see something as good as your new car for less, or better for the same price you paid, it's why I don't look in the classifieds after a purchase

I meant the Bladerunner reference

Of course, your point is very, very valid and I no longer look at the S2000 adverts!

[ady_GTi]

"The S2000 is not so transparent, and though the steering is weighty it has little feel. Well, actually, the steering is pretty good but I am comparing it to the '5, and not much else this side of an Elise/VX220 will be better."

Couldn't figure out how to quote on the iPad

From what I have read the undercar cross braces do a lot to improve the steering feel, I don't know how close it would get to the mx5 but even 8/10ths would be good!

[jsl20]

OP: you say you got 340 miles out of a tank-is this on regular or high octane fuel?

[JFReturns]

ady_GTi said:

From what I have read the undercar cross braces do a lot to improve the steering feel, I don't know how close it would get to the mx5 but even 8/10ths would be good!

Hmmm, interesting. I'll look into it, cheers.

jsl20 said:

OP: you say you got 340 miles out of a tank-is this on regular or high octane fuel?

I use premium fuel only.

Note that was on a long trip too, I would say normal driving would result in 250 - 280 miles per tank.

[JFReturns]

Nice day today, and a great drive in to work. I cycle in most days, but Fridays Wanda gets a run out

Some pics:

[russy01]

jsl20 said:

OP: you say you got 340 miles out of a tank-is this on regular or high octane fuel?

I use premium fuel only.

Note that was on a long trip too, I would say normal driving would result in 250 - 280 miles per tank.

Just came back from a nice trip to cornwall, used just over two tanks of fuel and did about 650 miles (all roof down). So looking at about 300 miles a tank, however half of the trip (so half of each tank was 75-80mph top down dual carriage way cruising)

However have a fast week and you could empty a tank in 200miles quite easily.

[JFReturns]

russy01 said:

Just came back from a nice trip to cornwall, used just over two tanks of fuel and did about 650 miles (all roof down). So looking at about 300 miles a tank, however half of the trip (so half of each tank was 75-80mph top down dual carriage way cruising)

However have a fast week and you could empty a tank in 200miles quite easily.

I think that is pretty damn good, considering the performance on offer

But yes, I can imagine 200 miles on a tank is possible. Better than my Scoob though, where I had to try in order to get over 150 miles, and that had a bigger tank!

[paulmoonraker]

JFReturns said:

I think that is pretty damn good, considering the performance on offer

But yes, I can imagine 200 miles on a tank is possible. Better than my Scoob though, where I had to try in order to get over 150 miles, and that had a bigger tank!

You must have been wearing clogs 150 miles indeed...

[JFReturns]

paulmoonraker said:

You must have been wearing clogs 150 miles indeed...

Not you again!

I admit, my Scoob was especially juicy

[paulmoonraker]

JFReturns said:

paulmoonraker said:

You must have been wearing clogs 150 miles indeed...

Not you again!

I admit, my Scoob was especially juicy

[zombies]

I have just bought myself an S2000 as well (I don't give them names).

yr2000 with 46k on, mostly FHSH (minus a couple of stamps)

I would have had another Impreza (had 2 classics) but the missus wanted a MX5 (she had one years ago)
So, the S2000 seemed a good compromise.

I did want a Boxster but after going to view one twice (4 week gap) at a dealer it had starting and running probs so it put me off and I started looking at S2000s.

Mine has roof tears in usual place but window is okay so im hanging on for a while before I decide what to do with that.

I am really surprised with the engine, I like a quiet life but that Vtec is so addictive.
I also like the fact that everything works, no squeaks or rattles and they are quite rare compared to MX5s or Boxsters.

A Q I have is - sometimes over bumps (not always) on the drivers side it can be hard over the smallest bump, almost like no shock absorber, I cant find if its front or rear.
Any ideas on this?

[JFReturns]

zombies said:

A Q I have is - sometimes over bumps (not always) on the drivers side it can be hard over the smallest bump, almost like no shock absorber, I cant find if its front or rear.
Any ideas on this?

Well the shock absorbers do wear out over time, but also the bushes. Quite a big job apparently as they are tough to get off.

[Rich A]

Hello

I bought my 55 plate S2000 in March with 15.5k miles on the clock. I've since put another 5k on it using it as a daily driver.

They have been 5000 miles of pure driving joy, and I would recommend the S to anyone who's thinking of buying a roadster at the moment.

I just wanted to chip in and say, JFReturns: nice car! and I agree with everything said in this thread so far.

I would also add that in 5000 miles, i've averaged 31.82mpg and my oil level has only dipped slightly from when it was serviced last on March 31st. I have been genuinely surprised at how capable the car is as a daily driver. It's been even more reliable in the first 3 months than my previous two Golfs (mk5 and mk6) that I had bought new from a VW dealer.

Zombies: if you haven't already, you can very easily patch roof holes with stick on vinyl patches. Check the s2kuk forum as there is a very recent discussion on how best to do this, with links to products costing ~£5.

[JFReturns]

Rich A said:

I just wanted to chip in and say, JFReturns: nice car! and I agree with everything said in this thread so far.

Thanks

Update, and a good one As mentioned in my first post, the clutch was very heavy and there was a clonking/ticking noise coming from the engine when hot and after a run (like a piece of card held against bicycle spokes). The main Honda dealer advised a new clutch (£1100) and a new timing chain (£1200+, estimate).

I have just come back from the garage I used to take my '5 to (Freelance Mazda, also Freelance Honda) and they have fixed both issues for the princely sum of £80. They also removed my locking nuts free of charge, as I wasn't given the key.

The issues? The clutch fork was dry as a bone, and need cleaning up and re-greasing. The engine noise was narrowed down to the timing chain tensioner (TCT) which they stripped and cleaned, then put back. This stopped the noise but if it does come back then they will replace the TCT for £300.

It was likely that as the car stood for a while before being sold, the TCT didn't get as much oil as it needed. Now it is cleaned, and with use, this should solve the problem.

Moral of the story - don't trust main dealers!

[Serg2K]

Gaz. said:

Wow.

Do you have the contact details of that garage?

Incidently I've got 150 miles from half a tank so far, although my gauge gets a bit naughty towards empty.

They are all like that I think. The gauge is only accurate at full! from then on its an increasingly erratic reading.

Caught me out twice.
The first time, soon after I bought it, I parked up with a 3rd of a tank after a spirited drive. Come the next morning and it's reading 2 or 3 bars... queue the dealer ripping the tank out to investigate, nothing found.
The second time I arrived at work with 3 bars left (very risky), come home time and I cant start the car! no bars! I let the car roll downhill a bit until its level it finally started... It was a very nervous gentle drive to the nearest petrol station! During the drive to the PS 3 bars magically materialize... wtf.

[JFReturns]

Serg2K said:

Gaz. said:

Wow.

Do you have the contact details of that garage?

Incidently I've got 150 miles from half a tank so far, although my gauge gets a bit naughty towards empty.

They are all like that I think. The gauge is only accurate at full! from then on its an increasingly erratic reading.

Caught me out twice.
The first time, soon after I bought it, I parked up with a 3rd of a tank after a spirited drive. Come the next morning and it's reading 2 or 3 bars... queue the dealer ripping the tank out to investigate, nothing found.
The second time I arrived at work with 3 bars left (very risky), come home time and I cant start the car! no bars! I let the car roll downhill a bit until its level it finally started... It was a very nervous gentle drive to the nearest petrol station! During the drive to the PS 3 bars magically materialize... wtf.

Garage is Freelance Mazda, in Chatham - don't know how close that is for you Gaz.

The fuel guage is a bit hit and miss. This morning I drove to the petrol station as I was on two bars but the pumps were out, bugger. No worries though, because when I turned the engine on again it was on five bars!

[JFReturns]

Gaz. said:

I bottled it as the gauge is inacurate much past 'half a tank' so filled up - 252 miles on 38 litres, so what's that - 30-31mpg?

I make it the same (8.35 UK Gallons) so just over 30mpg. Pretty good!