Hi Everyone!

I'm picking up my S2K AP1 with ~110K miles on Thursday (2 owner and last owner had it for 20 years)! Super excited, I daily a GR corolla and was looking for a fun RWD to have a blast with.
Given the miles of the car I wanted to touch base on what maintenance I should do, did some research and settled on doing the following this coming weekend:

• TCT Billman (already ordered)
• Sparkplugs and Coils (98079-571BH & 30520-RRA-S01)
• Differential oil (1qt): Mobil 1 75W 90
  - Fill Bolt Washer: Honda Part # 90402-PCZ-003
  - Drain Bolt Washer: Honda Part # 90401-PCZ-003
• Transmission fluid (2qt): 08798-9031 Honda MTF fluid
  - Fill Bolt Washer: Honda Part # 94109-2000 (20mm)
  - Drain Bolt Washer: Honda Part # 94109-14000 (14mm)
• Clutch/break full flush: 08798-9008 Honda Dot 3
• Oil Pennzoil platinum high mileage 10w30 + Honda OEM Oil filter (15400-PCX-306)
• Will measure breaks and tires (plus look at age) and decide accordingly

Plan is to do the Valve Retainers in a few months.
Is there anything I'm missing or should be inspecting? Motor mounts, suspension bolts, etc?

Thanks and hope to see y'all on the road

 

Download the Service Manual. Maintenance requirements are in the front -- slight variations by model year are listed.

1. Differential oil (1qt): Mobil 1 75W 90 75W110 or even 75W140. 90 grade is too thin, the SAE spec changed a few years ago -- long after our cars were built and the wide 90-range was split into 90 (lower half) and 110 (upper half) so many of us consider 110 a better match.

2. Replace the coolant with Honda Type 2 unless it's less than six (6) years old.

3. Valve adjustment. Cold engine. Set to max specs and exhaust 0.001" looser. $25 in tools. Dirt simple but tedious. Your back will thank you if you can elevate the car so you're bent less while doing this.

4. Pull a used oil sample when doing the oil change and send to Blackstone Labs. Their analysis will either be reassuring or terrifying. I've not seen any discussion here of the need for "high mileage" motor oil -- any pure synthetic 10W-30 or 10W-40 should be fine but see what Blackstone says.

5. Tires! Unless the car has Summer tires less than 7 years old start savings for new tires. If they're older than 7 years replace them now. You'll get reams of recommendations for tires but since your intent is a fun summer car I'd get Extreme Performance summer tires -- or at least Max Performance. It's only money!

-- Chuck

 

Thanks for all the recommendation Chuck!!

1. Amazing thank you missed the spec change
2. Added to my list, looks like the radiator was replaced in 2018, so guessing they flushed the coolant at that point. So definitely time.
3. Plan to do with the retainers in a few months once I'm in there
4. Awesome didn't know this existed, ordered a kit and will send out a sample.
5. Looks like the rear tires were replaced a 2023, likely is okay. Would love to throw some PS4s on them but can't seem to find a tire center near me that allows me to order them, Costco sells a full set of Fire-hawk Indy 400 for ~550 after discounts which seems like an great deal. Any other recommendation tire wise?

Thanks again for all the help

 

The S2000 likes and often insists on matching tires, including age and pressures. If you don't match what's on the rears expect less than ideal handling. Out of curiosity what's on the rear now?

The Firestone Firehawks are good -- for third tier (Ultra) tires. And if you're daily driving several thousand miles every year. But for a summer "throw it around back roads and roundabouts" you'll likely to be happier with stickier tires. I only drive a couple thousand miles a year so I'm running extreme performance summer Bridgestone RE-71RS tires. Sticky and quiet and if I wear them out in 5 years who cares? Only $200 more for a set than the Firehawks.

Discount Tire has at least 3 stores in my Zipcode. None in yours? They own Tire Rack so can get any tire Tire Rack sells in a couple of days. (They're run as separate businesses but they can get the same tires at the same prices.)

Using Tire Rack as an information site I don't see PS4 tires in any 16" (AP1) or 17" (AP2) S2000 sizes leading me to think they're obsolete and out of production..

-- Chuck

 

Unsure what's on the car currently, will know when I pick it up on Thursday (will share pictures!!!). Only thing I know for now is the rears where changed 2023, which is why I'd like to put a full matching set on them.
Sounds like I fall into the same category as you, 1000-2000 miles a year as I'll be keeping the car at family garage down in Miami (live in the NE) and the extra couple hundred really doesn't make a difference over the years as you mentioned.
I usually like costco tire center but will jump to discount tire for a better tire (did so for my winters on my corolla).

I think you have me sold, given Miami weather (sudden heavy rain) do you think I'm better off with Continental ExtremeContact Sport 02 given the wet performance?
Thanks again for all the help,

 

Continental ExtremeContact Sport 02 tires are Max rated tires so a step above the Ultras. UTQG ratings are not super scientific (the tire manufacturers do their own ratings!) but about the best we can do. The Max rated Continentals are rated at 340 AA A as are the Ultra rated Firestones so the line between Max and Ultra is pretty vague. All my tires in the past 10 years have been Extreme summer Bridgestones other than one set that was "only" rated Max with a UTQG of 280 as I recall. They were discontinued when they aged out after seven years so I went back to 200-rated tires. If you don't get them you'll never know. Probably as many opinions here as to tire brand as motor oil.

Rain? If it's a named storm you're allowed to put the roof up! Otherwise don't drive stupid and you'll be fine. I've been on group drives where no one wanted to be the first to blink before or after raising the roof and no one ran off the road. I've also been on a 500 mile road trip that had rain so intense folks were pulling off the road and I cold feel some hydroplaning. Didn't change my choice of tires.

Final point of curiosity, are you buying the car in Florida or driving it down? Don't forget the AutoTrain from the DC area to Orlando.

-- Chuck

 

Awesome thanks for all the detailed input! Hopefully I can get a hardtop at some point and be immune to all forms of rain and liquids, but I might have to give up a kidney for that !
Florida own for the last 20+ years (and hopefully for the rest of its life), looks great rust wise! Thankfully not a new England one, seen a few up here that are quite rough.

Didn't know there was an overnight from DC to Orlando that sounds fun, I'm frequently around kissimmee area. If only I lived in DC (I'm in the Boston Area)

Thanks again for all the help, reach out if you're ever in Boston

 

When I bought my (used) S2000 11 years ago I started looking for a hardtop. They're beautiful on the car. Prices kept me at a distance until I accepted the S2000 is a convertible and even the soft top makes it claustrophobic! I can barely see out of the thing with the roof up. Especially hard for me to back into my driveway and garage unless I lower the roof and reset the mirrors. No problem as it only takes six (6) seconds. If I really want a coupe I'll buy a BRZ.

2001 cars are very early cars still exhibiting much of the "race car" theme of the year before which didn't even have a clock. 2000 and 2001 cars have a reputation of snap oversteer in tight corners -- these are not front wheel drive Civics. Honda spent years dialing this out with major changes every two years, the even number years. Just watch braking in the corners until you're experienced in how the car handles. If the roof is shot there are aftermarket roofs with a glass rear window like was standard starting in 2002. Also the 2004+ OEM 17" wheels will just bolt on, not mess up ABS, and will provide more tire choices. Aftermarket wheels are hard to fit due to the offsets and stagger of the Honda OEM wheels. I'm not aware of anyone with regrets updating to the AP2 17" wheels vs the smaller wheels. Tires are staggered on this car, front wheels and tires are narrower than the rear.

-- Chuck

 

Here is a link to what maintenance needs to be done on a new-to-you S2000: https://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/102...replace-first/

I am in Palm Bay, if you'd like to take a ride to the coast! Maybe catch a rocket launch or something.

 

Super clean s2000 sent a PM. Thanks for the amazing thread.

Thank you,