Hello!

I am back, not new to the site but here is my story how I came to owning my first and current S2000. I come from the German car side. Specifically BMWs. Back in 2011, I owned 00' BMW 540i. That was the devil, pure money pit. Fast? sure, reliable? NO, worth it? Hell NO. But for me, all I've ever owned were 4-door German V8 sedans. Around November 2011, a friend of mine found a 01 S2000 in an auction, clean title, and picked it up to flip. He kept nudging me to buy it, told me to try something new, get rid of BMW. I took a gamble and threw my 540i on the market, which took 3-MONTHS to sell. Mean while I was getting the S2000 (clutch, tires, other parts). Keep in mind, I was selling the 540i, never driven the S2000 (burnt clutch) but was buying it. Finally, I had a buyer on the 540i. I handed the cash over and bought the S2K. Strange going to a complete opposite, a 4cyl coupe. I eventually got the clutch put in and other parts and took it for a drive. Wow, glad I was able to ever drive one of these cars to know how great it is. I owned the car for a year, and for the year, I did literally nothing to the car aside from its fluids and maintenance. I seriously sort of forgot how to work on a car. It was weird helping friends out repairing their BMWs, and than I started to hate it. Well, moving along, in late in 2011 I had issues with DMV and decided to sell my S2000. I felt so bad. Pics below is how I got it from the auction, and how It ended up after I owned it. Fortunately, the DMV issues went away but the car was already gone... .. So, with that done, It was time to look for a car. I told myself I would never step into a BMW again, but I was stupid and bought another one. This was a "rare" imola red 740i, very few in the US. I said, well since I am buying it cheap, I will dump a little money in the motor, rebuild it and I should be good. Well, no.. I spent more money than expected, rebuilding turned into a repair, and took 2-weeks. I planned on replacing all the timing system (chains, guides, tensioners) During the tear down more and more things needed replacing. After it was done, the car was solid for a month, but than the transmission was shifting iffy and I said it was time for bail, because the thought of the S2000 kept bugging me.. the thought that I didn't have to do all this work on the S2000. So, I posted the car, which took forever to sell, again. Finally found a buyer, but I took a loss because I was desperate to get out of it. A few weeks later, I found an AP1 that needed some work and picked it up cheap. Gladly, I took my time and fixed it up good. I feel so relieved to be back in another S2000. She still isn't as mint looking as the Spa 01' in the pics below but it will eventually. I actually sold the yellow one to a fellow S2KI member. He's happy with it, and I am happy with this other one.

Basically, lesson was cemented in this time around. I am a huge BMW fan & nerd, I know almost everything there is to know about them, but to own one again? No. Aside from one with a warranty, I will not step into another one. A friend let me use his E46 M3 for a week, and I surprised that I didn't like the car at all compared to my S2000. BMWs are great when maintained, but when others who don't know what they get into own one? Stay away. Pics below are the cars. The latest S2K is in my Sig.


-Rebuilding the motor

-[/b]Rebuilding the cam-adjusters/variable valve/VANOS units


How I Bought It:


Just Before Selling:

 

Welcome back!

 

Thanks! I couldn't wait to be back.

 

welcome back into an S2k. i was the same, sold my 2000 S2k and regretted it, and found my self back into an 07 one

BTW, i agree with your assessment on BMW's. why i never bought one...

 

Yeah.. their good until they break down (warranty). Maintenance is not fluids like 90% of other cars, maintenance is parts for BMWs. You'll be replacing control arms, bushings, tie rods and what not just after 50,000 miles in a state with smooth roads. Seriously, I've driven almost all of them from 335i's to M3s, M5s and what not, and they have a great feel, but it totally kills it when it comes down to repairs. It's a luxury brand, but isn't it a luxury for the car to be reliable? I hated all those little tight spots to remove parts. Oh not to mention these motors are ALWAYS. LEAKING. OIL. Even with brand new seals, gaskets, and o-rings this thing still managed to leak oil from somewhere. Also leaked oil from power steering. Rebuilt, torqued down, and it was still leaking. Idk, like I said, lesson learned. I wouldn't have one as a second car either. Done. The JDMs like Lexus, Infiniti, are becoming just as powerful, handle just as great, yet remain their reliability. People eventually get sick of that constant repairs and issues. What's the point of having the car when your worried about oil leaks, suspension, transmission issues.

 

OMG I've always wanted an Imola E38, they're pure sex - do agree on the maintenance bit though. Welcome back to the Honda side of things!

 

Yeah...the S2K is my money pit.
Can't pinpoint the misfire issue, the rpm fluctuation, and last week my rear brakes seized. And this week, the front brakes seized.
Yeah, it's a great car when it's working right, but I am running out of nerves and money to keep it going. Note the similarities via your BMW. Would I buy another s2k? Probably not. Would I miss it? I think so, that's why I don't want to sell this one yet.

 

Great read, post it in here: https://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/101...-or-current-s/

 

Idk man, I think its hard to screw one of these cars up. These usually don't do that. If its taken a lot of abuse, sure, expect that from any car. But if its driven and maintained properly, its a charm. Da?