My 2003 has 37k miles on it and shifts and drives like the day I bought it. Probably the best manual transmission I've owned. Mine has seen 7 full seasons of autocross on it too.

 

Personally, I prefer the closer ratios of the AP1 transmission. The AP2 has 4% lower (numerically higher) 1-4 gears, approx the same 5th ratio, and slightly taller 6th.
Just got back from Watkins Glen the other day, where a closer 4-5 shift does make a difference.

The AP2 trans has better synchros, but I've never had any problems with shifting the AP1.

 

your friend probably read one thread about worn synchros with out looking more into the issue and the fact that it was/is caused by driver error (skip shifting). your friend is very wrong on many points.

 

Yes, it's true, your friend doesn't know anything. A number of car experts have said the S2000 transmission is one of the best manual transmissions to be found. Some of the other transmissions in that group come in cars that cost $250k+. There was an issue with the AP1 trans "buzzing" on downshifts and there was a TSB for this. My car does this but I've never been bothered by it. The main difference between the AP1 and AP2 trans is the gear ratios. The AP2 has ratios that are supposed to make the car more street/driver friendly. The newer ratios add some low end torque and reduce the RPMs a little in 6th gear. I test drove an AP2 and I could just barely tell the difference. Both transmissions are great when in proper working order.

 

my car has 93k miles on it and it shifts like butta. if you stay on top of changing the tranny fluid like the manual says then your good. if you skip shift or slam it into gear alot then expect to have the tranny grind gears.

 

[QUOTE=ZDan,Sep 18 2010, 04:49 PM] Personally, I prefer the closer ratios of the AP1 transmission.

 

Yea I had the tranny fluid changed but I still sometimes feel somewhat of a grinding here and there. The last owner had a blast.... -___-

 

The only problem I ever had with the ap1 tranny was a whine (bad bearings) that was traced back to the previous owner's use of the wrong transmission fluid.
Both ap1 and ap2 transmissions are very good, i've owned both.

 

tell ur friend to lay off the

 

the syncros in the AP2 are carbon

The gearing 1-4 are lower in AP2
gear 5 are basically the same
gear 6 is taller

I have an AP2 tranny in my 03 - makes it another car. the acceleration in gears 1-4 are much quicker and the rpms at cruise are lower.

Both are great tranny's, but they are not cable movements so they do not appear as smooth to change gears as a FWD car. I noticed this when I first got mine.