I copied this from another thread in UK section, as you may have missed it. I found this really interesting. Your thougts.

The article appears in Auto Express magazine in England.

The Article:

Honda S2000
For most drivers, the Honda S2000 handles like a dream, with exactly the sort of feel you'd expect from a powerful, rear-drive roadster. But try one on a track, and only the most experienced will be able to tame its tail-happy antics. While this isn't a problem for most of us, it only takes one misjudged corner, emergency lane change or wet roundabout to discover these traits the hard way and lose that no-claims - or worse.
In response to this, Honda has reworked the car for 2002. On the outside, little has altered and even the sus-pension changes are more tweaks and recalibrations than major hardware updates. But it's all designed to make the S2000's handling more predictable. The standard front wishbone suspension and rear torsion bar set-up is retained, but messing around with the anti-roll bars, spring rates and damper settings has meant that the rear tyres are more firmly planted under hard cornering. A slight reduction in the steering gear has also been incorporated to improve feel and feedback through the wheel.

As a result, the old car's twitchy habits have all but disappeared. Where there used to be a tendency to understeer at low speeds, followed by a rapid transition into a tail-out slide, the S2000's handling is now neutral unless provoked. Even past the limit of adhesion it is easier to predict when the rear is going to snap out, and you don't need the talent of an F1 driver to catch the slides when they do happen, either. And while the S2000 is now generally more forgiving all round, it also allows those who enjoy performance driving to approach fast corners with a level of confidence not available on the old car.

Apart from being safer and easier to drive quickly, it's also a lot more fun - without resorting to the electronic stability systems or other artificial safety devices used by some rivals. And besides the out-of-sight changes, there are a few visible tweaks to help you spot the revised car - if you look closely. Several new body colours are available, and in line with rivals the rear window is now made of glass instead of plastic. It comes with a rear demister, too. Inside, the revision only stretches to a leather-bound gearstick and a CD/MiniDisc player fitted as standard.

The engine is unchanged, though. Honda's amazing 2.0-litre unit still pumps out a naturally aspirated world record of 237bhp and spins right up to 9,000rpm. Its peaky nature can be tiresome in congested cities, but out on the open road it's great fun. And the safer chassis characteristics mean you can relax and enjoy the ride.

It's hard to spot the changes on the surface of the S2000, but Honda has made the handling more rewarding and safer. Minor chassis tweaks have curbed the old model's tendency to slide - but it's still possible to have some sideways fun on the track.

At a glance

* Facelifted Honda S2000 out in March; price remains at

 

I sure would like to see something from another source that says the suspension has been changed. Even on the racing circut we have not dialed in the suspension yet.

 

Sounds quite bogus, Honda's own offical news pages says nothing of suspension changes, anyway since when do S2000's have a "torsion bar" setup for the rear suspension?
Also you cannot magically eliminate oversteer AND understeer AND increase traction AND improve handling by "tweeking" springs and stabilizer bars.

 

There must obviously be some differences as just before the car was released worldwide I read a number of articles saying that there were different setups (for different types of roads) for UK, Japan and US and final testing was in place to decide upon them.

Japanese imports in UK are usually more "crashy" on UK surfaces, e.g. Subarus have Prodrive for UK and STI for Japan to get best results.

 

Agreed..............any attempt to correct the loose characteristics of the car can only relate to more understeer... remember loose is FAST

 

>>>Agreed..............any attempt to correct the loose characteristics of the car can only relate to more understeer... remember loose is FAST <<<

I'm not sure I agree with this...the problem that some are describing as snap oversteer can be fixed WITHOUT adding ANY understeer. That doesn't mean they have done this though... Remember handling is not just a high number on the slalom and skidpad. You have to be able to control the thing with a comfortable degree of confidence that it will react as expected and that you can rein it in if you cross the line. Else you feel like driving it slower to avoid the white knuckles and sweaty palms. Another factor is bumpy corner handling. Stiffer can be slower on real roads cuz the rubber leaves the tarmac. Euro cars tend to be pretty good in the last area. Early C4 Z51 vettes were amazing on super flat smooth skidpads but slower and harder to control than later softer cars on real roads. Young tuners tend to go too stiff on the suspension and use too much cam duration etc, etc. Steering feel is also incredibly important - cars with what I consider to be good steering allow you to feel changes right through the wheel as you near the limits. Your passenger may be turning white but you're still smiling cuz it's all under your control. And you're SURE that this is the case. Crummy steering cars drive like video game cars - when the view through the windshield changes you have crossed the limit. Good steering gives you a heads up before trouble kicks in and an attaboy after you save the car.

Stan

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by E30M3
[B]I'm not sure I agree wth this...the problem some are describing as snap oversteer can be fixed WITHOUT adding understeer.

 

If this is true, all the more reason to own a '00 or '01 as these examples are more in line with the original designers vision of a no compromise pure drivers car.

The original NSX's suspension was VERY stiff, and become softer over the years (excluding R, S, S Zero) to appeal to a most people.

Based on the opinions of a S2000-R in previous threads, I would agree that most of us on the board are purists, and believe the original suspension setup is near perfect and would hate to see suspension rates become softer over the years.

 

Just to keep everyone straight ... there are no less than five (5) threads on this topic / article ... is there any way for moderators to combine them? Anyway, the threads are:[list=1][*]2002 S2000 - New suspension setup
[*]Check out a review of the 2002......
[*]rear end tweaked
[*]MY 2002 Suspension Changes
[*]2002 MY 'Driven' in this weeks Auto Express[/list=1]And here is the article

 

Stan, I have never experienced the snap oversteer as many have here. The occasions when the rear has stepped out on me it was very controlled and I was able to bring it back in line.

IMO the issue of snap oversteer has to do with the tires being very sticky and a tendency not to slide as much, like some other brands.

It seems as though when their limit is hit they just give out.

Again tire wear also plays a role in this as well. I have noticed with worn tires the car feels safer b/c I can step the rear out at will and just powerslide it thru a turn. I have driven with another owner who had lesser performance tires than the OEM's and he was able to slide the rear very easily as well as conrol the car with ease.

So if there is any truth to the car being snappy I feel it has more to do with the OEM tires, tire wear and not so much the suspension.

This is just my opinion from driving the car for 19k miles and other owners cars. I could be totally wrong.