It is a plausible conclusion. More miles, yet fewer starts and stops. Its called highway miles. Of course, the valve cover on its own means nothing. But could be one of several circumstantial clues to tell a cars history. Certainly there are other reasons valve cover paint might peel, that has nothing to do with city vs highway miles.

But thats what we do. Take in the whole picture, do our best to evaluate a cars condition, and try to read the tea leaves of its service history.

Valve cover condition could be one of those leaves.

I wouldn't not buy a car for something as superficial as the valve cover. But I would use its condition as one of many variables to try and judge its history.

 

Plausible, sure. Probable, not sure on that one. I'm well aware of what "highway miles" are...I don't know very many S2000's that have been used for long highway commutes to and from work on a daily basis. At least where I live, that would only be useful for a portion of the year anyways.

 

I would expect most S with higher mileage values, a significant number of those values are highway. I know that is the case with mine, since I put on those miles.

I think we are all more in agreement than disagreement about what story a peeling valve cover tells.

 

Just my personal opinion..whenever I see a cover that is peeling,discolored,cracking,etc.I think if how many times it has been removed?What work has been done to the engine?Was it just a maint.or was it something major??Who was messing with it??But that's just me..

 

The engine bay on my '03 is spotless and always has been, 55k miles. The valve cover was perfect until 2 years ago. I open the hood after a 2 hour drive in 100 degree Texas heat. I just happened to touch the passenger side of the cove and some paint flaked off. Like mentioned above, it is heat related.

 

Mine is the same way 16 yrs old it comes with age. My engine bay is spotless, i live in south Ms
Humidity and heat, its started to flake in one spot...nothing i can do about it except have re painted

 

So let me ask this...do you find yourself asking the same questions when you see flaking paint on a side mirror or fender?

 

I am not buying a S with cracked peeling valve cover paint. Just not and simply cause I don't have too.

 

Donkey..your question is pointless..

 

Quite the contrary, it's extremely pertinent to the conversation here. It's "pointless" because your answer is no, you wouldn't wonder about what's wrong with a fender or side mirror, how many times somebody has disassembled it, how many times it's been on and off the car. It's paint failure, pure and simple, especially on models that are now 20 years old. Yet, the same paint failure is present on a part in much harsher conditions with the heat that it endures and the thought is....OMG, is this engine going to explode, what's been done to it?!?!