Discussion
I am considering exchanging my car pretty soon. I currently own a 1998 model M3 Evo Coupe which only gets used on sunny weekends as I have a company car and the wife is looking after a friends Polo at the moment.
Has anyone had an experience of an S2000 that they would be happy to share information on. Points regarding performance, handling, economy, service from dealers, warranty issues, component failures, etc.
The car would become an everyday runner as the Polo has to be returned soon. So the wife would be driving it to work and back (No worries as she used to drive my 300bhp Sapph Cossie, she knows not to curb wheels!!) Is an S2000 something that she would get along with.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Other possibles include the Porsche Boxster or TVR Griffith.
Has anyone had an experience of an S2000 that they would be happy to share information on. Points regarding performance, handling, economy, service from dealers, warranty issues, component failures, etc.
The car would become an everyday runner as the Polo has to be returned soon. So the wife would be driving it to work and back (No worries as she used to drive my 300bhp Sapph Cossie, she knows not to curb wheels!!) Is an S2000 something that she would get along with.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Other possibles include the Porsche Boxster or TVR Griffith.
Thankyou all for the reference material.
Very helpful.
The handling characteristics are going to be similar to the M3 in the rear drive aspect. Even though the BM has 321bhp I have never really come into trouble even in the wet as the LSD (25% slip) seems to do its job very well. I assume that the difference in the Honda's dynamics is that it is lighter and has more frontal weight distribution such that the rear gets less traction.
We propose to test drive a 2002 model at Cloverleaf Honda in Ascot on the weekend so I shall let you know how we get on. BTW Has anyone used this dealer or can recommend a more S2k knowledgeable dealer in the Surrey/N.Hants/Berks area.
I am currently paying £800 fully comp on the M3 as it is group 20 with 20% loading. However it is only on a limited mileage policy (3000pa), as the wife's commute will command more then we will probably return to Admiral who have been very good in the past.
As for servicing and running I believe that I will save a small fortune as Baron's of Farnborough charge £95ph labour and an Inspection 2 service tips the scales at £950 without any extras such as pads/discs/tyres etc. Rear tyres are currently costing me £160+ each (best from Roadwheel of Bagshot) so maybe another saving there.
Finally, what is the build quality of the interior like as I had a Honda Civic SE as a hire car recently and my god, it looked so brittle. Nasty plastic! I suppose it is part of Jap ownership. Is the S2k similar or a lot better?
TIA
James
Very helpful.
The handling characteristics are going to be similar to the M3 in the rear drive aspect. Even though the BM has 321bhp I have never really come into trouble even in the wet as the LSD (25% slip) seems to do its job very well. I assume that the difference in the Honda's dynamics is that it is lighter and has more frontal weight distribution such that the rear gets less traction.
We propose to test drive a 2002 model at Cloverleaf Honda in Ascot on the weekend so I shall let you know how we get on. BTW Has anyone used this dealer or can recommend a more S2k knowledgeable dealer in the Surrey/N.Hants/Berks area.
I am currently paying £800 fully comp on the M3 as it is group 20 with 20% loading. However it is only on a limited mileage policy (3000pa), as the wife's commute will command more then we will probably return to Admiral who have been very good in the past.
As for servicing and running I believe that I will save a small fortune as Baron's of Farnborough charge £95ph labour and an Inspection 2 service tips the scales at £950 without any extras such as pads/discs/tyres etc. Rear tyres are currently costing me £160+ each (best from Roadwheel of Bagshot) so maybe another saving there.
Finally, what is the build quality of the interior like as I had a Honda Civic SE as a hire car recently and my god, it looked so brittle. Nasty plastic! I suppose it is part of Jap ownership. Is the S2k similar or a lot better?
TIA
James
No drive yet!!!!
Went to Guildford Honda and the sales guy just wasnt interested. Even told me that the car didnt have LSD?!??!
Anyway have booked up at Cloverleaf Honda Ascot for a test on Wednesday so I shall keep you posted.
Nicer inside than I thought. That engine looks a bit small! I suppose I am used to seeing a 3.2 six pot though.
Went to Guildford Honda and the sales guy just wasnt interested. Even told me that the car didnt have LSD?!??!
Anyway have booked up at Cloverleaf Honda Ascot for a test on Wednesday so I shall keep you posted.
Nicer inside than I thought. That engine looks a bit small! I suppose I am used to seeing a 3.2 six pot though.
DRIVEN.
General - Well I must admit that the overall build quality and finish is superb and running costs are simply budget compared to the M3. 3yr Warranty is great and extendable to give up to 90k cover. Very good. Salesman at Cloverleaf was superb.
Handling - Last night in Berkshire the roads were dry and I experienced a firm but forgiving ride which appeared to ride over bad surfaces well. Turn-in on tight bends was instant with no hint of understeer and although I never really pushed it the back end kept in check. There was very little body roll. It did squirm a little as the rear tyres lit up on hard acceleration but not a great deal as the car remained pointing towards the chosen horizon.
Brakes - I slowed down when the lorry pulled out. From very fast to slow enough, (public road so I shall not reveal figures). Very good but I imagine they could fade after a couple of laps on a track.
Engine - The worst and best bit. I still don't think that I have ever heard a nice sounding 4-pot at full song, however this one came near it. It reminded me of my old E30 M3 2.3l. Very similar drive. Now do not take this personally (s2k owners). Due to the nature of the engine ie. 9000rpm peak power produced at 8600rpm I would imagine that peak torque is produced fairly high up the revs as well. This is noticeable during a road drive as you have to work the gear-box hard to make good progress. The light flywheel keeps the engine spinning nicely through the gears but a drop of 2-3 gears is necessary to get past cars/lorries safely. I found this frustrating.
Overall - Not as quick as I thought it would be and didnt leave me astounded as the M3 did after driving for the first time. The thing is the BM has reproduced that same feeling everytime I have driven it since. I dont think the Honda could do this. My wife is yet to look at the car before we make a decision. What I need to know is, are there any modifications to the car (chip, airbox, exhaust) that will give a stronger midrange? If the car had that little bit more it would have sold it there and then. I enquired about Mugen products but the dealer knew nothing about them.
Any ideas?
TIA
James
General - Well I must admit that the overall build quality and finish is superb and running costs are simply budget compared to the M3. 3yr Warranty is great and extendable to give up to 90k cover. Very good. Salesman at Cloverleaf was superb.
Handling - Last night in Berkshire the roads were dry and I experienced a firm but forgiving ride which appeared to ride over bad surfaces well. Turn-in on tight bends was instant with no hint of understeer and although I never really pushed it the back end kept in check. There was very little body roll. It did squirm a little as the rear tyres lit up on hard acceleration but not a great deal as the car remained pointing towards the chosen horizon.
Brakes - I slowed down when the lorry pulled out. From very fast to slow enough, (public road so I shall not reveal figures). Very good but I imagine they could fade after a couple of laps on a track.
Engine - The worst and best bit. I still don't think that I have ever heard a nice sounding 4-pot at full song, however this one came near it. It reminded me of my old E30 M3 2.3l. Very similar drive. Now do not take this personally (s2k owners). Due to the nature of the engine ie. 9000rpm peak power produced at 8600rpm I would imagine that peak torque is produced fairly high up the revs as well. This is noticeable during a road drive as you have to work the gear-box hard to make good progress. The light flywheel keeps the engine spinning nicely through the gears but a drop of 2-3 gears is necessary to get past cars/lorries safely. I found this frustrating.
Overall - Not as quick as I thought it would be and didnt leave me astounded as the M3 did after driving for the first time. The thing is the BM has reproduced that same feeling everytime I have driven it since. I dont think the Honda could do this. My wife is yet to look at the car before we make a decision. What I need to know is, are there any modifications to the car (chip, airbox, exhaust) that will give a stronger midrange? If the car had that little bit more it would have sold it there and then. I enquired about Mugen products but the dealer knew nothing about them.
Any ideas?
TIA
James
You are correct about the power difference between the M3 and the S2000 but I thought that the difference in body weight would compensate a little. Anyway, we are both going to go out this weekend and have a good look around at what is available. I would like to have my wife's opinion on the car as she will be driving it more than I will. I know for a fact that I would be able to use this car on a track day without any problems. Watch this space.
PS I would never go for the Audi as I really despise the styling. Just a personal thing.
PS I would never go for the Audi as I really despise the styling. Just a personal thing.
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