Warning: This post has no real substance.. I'm just looking to talk about S2K's.

It's been almost a month since my first post and my interest in S2K's hasn't yet faded. My 330i is a nice car, but frankly I'm looking for something more fun. My wife would get the 330 as a highway cruiser, and I'd be enjoying an S2000 for my daily short commute and joy rides. I'm also a beginning autocrosser (I've done 5 events in the 330) and it seems like it would be more fun in lighter, better handlling car. I think I want an 02, but I'm having a tough time deciding whether I'd be willing to deal with a plastic window to save some cash.

I do have some constraints on the purchase because I lost all credibility with the wife after claiming I'd drive the 330 for at least 4-5 years . (I bought it last August! ) So I promised to buy the S2K used and make sure that I get a decent deal; that way if I change my mind again after a short amount of time it wont' be too costly. Most likely I'll wait until this fall, or even into the winter, and try to find a smoking deal. I'll be here learning what I can in the mean time.

One question about S2K's eating rear tires. I'm assuming this is partly caused by RWD (duh) but that it must be strongly infuluenced by the car's allignment. Is this tire-eating alignment really necessary for the handling of this car, or does toning it down help tire wear with no adverse effects?

 

just dont keep peeling out at every red light, and your rear tires should last about (plus or minus) 10K.

 

I wouldn't say the S2000 "eats" rear tires. It's a sports car with very grippy tires. One of the characteristics of the tires themselves is that they wear quickly because of their relatively low treadwear rating.

Depending on how many miles you put on your car, you should probably budget yourself for new rear tires every year and new front tires every other year.

Of course you can replace the S-02s with something with a higher treadwear rating, but you may sacrifice some grip and handling.

 

you would very much enjoy the s2k if you keep your 330
autocrossing in the s2000 rocks!
if you drive normally with the occasional autocrossing and tracking....15k miles to change the rear tires would be normal
good luck with your perchase

 

I think a 330i & an S2000 would be a good pair.

My fiancee drives a 325xiT & I use the S2000 daily.

Go for it.....and spend the extra $$ on a glass rear window.

 

I'll assume that you know the 02 models have a glass window.
There were several other (minor) improvements from the 01 models also.
Waiting until there's snow on the ground will definetely get a lower price.
The OEM alignment specs are not that aggresive - it's the tires. They are soft but to date are the best choice for (dry) driving. One of the amazing things about the S is that all you really need for the track is to upgrade the brake fluid and put on race pads. That's it!

 

I would definately get 02 and above......sometimes the simple cosmetics make a big difference.

Any car will "eat" tires whether it's front or rear if your driving it hard. It's a combination of tire rating and driving style. If your high performance on both, then expect to be buying new tires. If you go conservative....you won't have the handling for auto x that you bought the car for anyway.....

Good luck

drive save....

 

Thanks for the replies.

I'm fine with sticky tires wearing faster, and RWD cars eating rear tires if you peel out at ever light. I just I thought there migth be something about the alignment of the S (to help keep the ass pointing backward?) based on the number of comments about the rear tires.

I was 0 for 2 on test drives this weekend. I visited a used '02 advertised by a dealer on ebay, but it was a tiny place and the cars were all parked in an indoor showroom. He would have had to move 10 cars to take it out for a drive.

Then I went to my nearest honda dealer, and they couldn't find their S2000! They said the owner's son must have come and borrowed it, because he does that frequently.

 

^ i don't think it's really an alignment issue. the thread wears out more or less evenly across the width of the tire. i drive my car moderately aggressive, and the rear tires last me for 8-10K miles. fortunately they're not that expensive to replace. at the tire rack, the total comes out to under $350 for 2 rears. that's peanuts considering the amount of fun you get for the money.