I purchased a new MY04 at invoice, accepted delivery in Aug '04 from Hopkins Honda (edited - originally said BC, in error).

I've had transmission warranty work done (2nd gear would pop out), and a couple call-backs related to the work (fixing a scratched valve cover, torn gasket). I suspect that the majority of their work is non-S2K. I have been satisfied so far, but it's a long haul from Woodbury.

A couple questions -

1. Of the twin cities Honda dealers, which provides the best service in warranty?

2. Of the independent mechanics and tire shops, who would you recommend for doing routine maintenance and tire replacements? I'm aware of the arrangement for tire purchases w/ Tire Rack - but who's the best for mounting and alignment? I'd like to avoid having my rims scratched up.

Thanks, tjc.

 

1. I have a friend (Mark) at Hopkins Honda who is a service tech. and I'm sure he'd take really good care of your car (Honda fanatic). I am not a fan of Brookdale, but Hopkins seems fine IMO. I was never impressed with Brookdale's work/care/customer service on my ex-girlfriend's Civic. I've never taken my S to either though, its only been to Krenzen Honda in Duluth for its warranty work.

2. Any of Tirerack's recomended installers will be able to mount tires w/o scratching your wheels. Tirerack makes sure they have adaquet (sp?) training and use quality machines. You can even compare pricing on their site.

3. As for routine maintenance, do it yourself and save some cash plus have the peace of mind knowing it was done right and some high schooler didn't touch your car in the process If you insist on taking it somewhere, I'd just use a Honda dealership or find a guy you trust and bring your own oil and filter (if you're particular like a lot of us here are). Other than oil changes and the ocassional tranny/diff fluid change your car shouldn't need anything. I'd be willing to lend a hand next spring/summer if you haven't done any sort of car work yourself.

 

I must have been totally out to lunch yesterday - what I meant to write was that I'd originally gotten a quote from BC, but they weren't competitive.

I actually bought the car and have ended up having warranty work done at Hopkins - so it sounds like you've had good luck with them; I'll stick with them (btw their fleet sales rep Elizabeth is very easy to work with).

As for preventive maintenance, I'll take you up on the offer. I already do tranny and oil changes on my camry, but I haven't done anything with the Stook yet. I'd like to do oil, transmission and diff myself, and possibly brake pads. I don't do any track days with the car, and it's in storage for the winter (*sniff*).

Are you still up in Duluth? I frequently travel up to Silver Bay or parts north - I'm always up for a drive during the summer. It would be fun to get a group of owners up there for a run on hwy 61.

 

You travel to Silver Bay?! What would ever posses you to do something like that. Summer drive? Hwy -1 between Isabella and Ely is always fun ( minus the deer and moose of course).

 

I've never brought my cars to dealerships for service. I usually do it myself. After I bled and changed my brake fluid 3 times, the brakes still felt soft. I brought my car to Hopkins Honda as a last resort. After I dropped my car off, I walked outside along Excelsior Blvd only to see and hear my S2K bouncing off the rev limiter and being ham-fisted shifted down the street! I was crazy pissed. This car is my first major purchase, and first nice car, and I don't let ANYONE drive it. I felt completely violated. I complained to the manager but both the mechanic and manager denied doing anything out of the ordinary. I will NEVER go back to them, again. Maybe I just got a bad mechanic...but it's enough to never go back.

I would definitely recommend finding a mechanic that you or a friend knows that you can talk to and go into the shop with.

 

Brox - don't blame you for being agitated. My results with them have been pretty good - the mechanics have made errors, but the service writer and mgr. have been cooperative.

I haven't seen or heard any evidence of abuse - though I imagine it all depends on who the tech is and who's around to watch. I didn't let them use mine for test drives before delivery, and they respected that ('course, I simply wouldn't have accepted the car with more than a few miles on the odo).

C-Zap - I have family up on the north shore, so I go up pretty frequently. The deer do suck (forest rats). My neighbor is a big goldwing fan, and smacked one about 5 years ago on 61 up towards Grand Marais, on his wing. He still rides, but switched to trikes.

Sounds like there a few Minnesota owners here - other than the freshwater tour, does the 10,000 flakes crowd get together much? I've only seen a handful of others on the street up here; no more than a dozen or so a year.

 

Yeah, S2000 sightings are very rare this far north (one or two a year).
I've grew up on the shore and might have even met some of your family members over the years, who knows.?

I've had a few close calls on my sportbike this past summer (forrest rats are a real problem).

If your ever in the neiborhood and want to go for a cruise, 2 or 4 wheels let me know.

c-zap

 

There have been no other formal S2k meets in MN (at least not last year), but I did meet up with one guy last year at a MNSC meet. I'd love to set something up for the MN guys alone sometime though! I am in Duluth just for the school year. Come May, I'm selling my house and moving back down to the Cities. I'd be willing to do a 2-wheel ride sometime too

 

I go on several long drives up/down WI-35 and MN-95/US-61 along the St. Croix and Mississippi during the summer. My neighbor takes his trike and I take the S.

A couple of hawg riders joined us last year for one ride, and it seemed like a friggin' motorcade. The trike was up front, the S in the middle, and two softtails. Only thing we needed was some flashing red lights.

More seriously, wouldn't mind doing a long ride up to Taylor's Falls, across to WI and down to Lake Pepin, or something along those lines, once the weather warms up. Unfortunately, it will be 4 wheels for me - no bike.

 

I took mine to a few dealerships when I first got it but the best by far was Richfield Honda, the mechanics name is Ben.

I've had my diff and tranny replaced under warranty and while that was being done I bought a aftermarket clutch and flywheel witch he threw on too for free. And I also got a loaner car. When I got my gears he set them up for me and did a fantastic job. And last fall I was having some trouble figuring out what the grinding noise was in the rear, I thought it might be the diff again but I wasn't sure so I gave Ben a call at a lil after midnight to see if he could give me any pointers and he told me he would be over after he got out from work at 1am! So he came and figured out pretty quick that part of my axil was cracked. I never had to pay a dime but I usually pay him with cases of his favorite beer.