Correction, $250 for the pressure plate, $112 for the throwout bearing...ouch. Here's the pics of the old clutch, new clutch, and the pressure plate:



Does the pressure plate really look that bad? (note: you can click on the pics to view them at full size)

I have now been advised by a number of folks with way more automotive knowledge than I that I should really replace the pressure plate, so I guess I'm going to fork over the dough for it. I did, however, call AHM, and they said it's possible that they'd cover it as a Good Will Fix. It'll take several days for them to do the investigation or whatever, so in the meantime I'll have to just pay the piper and (hopefully) get reimbursed.

 

You are making a wise choice by replacing everything, no matter who ends up paying -- hopefully Honda will stand behind it but if not you still did the right thing. Good luck.

 

This is a surprise to me. I know the guys you're working with and they've been very good with me overall.

 

Tedow,

How many miles or on your S?

 

Due to the magnitude of this work effort, I took the car to my dealer here in town...y'know, the ones who wouldn't let me test drive an S2K originally b/c "They only let people who are serious contenders to buy the car test drive it." I'm giving their service department the opportunity to make up for the schmuck(s) in the sales dept. I'm assuming you dealt with the guys in Pensacola, where I actually bought mine? They certainly know you .

 

19,850...car had like 14 miles on it when I bought it in December '00.

 

well thats one car off the list
the last straw

 

Interesting pics. The new clutch disc looks like the dampening springs are not wound as tight (ie less turns/inch) on 2 of the springs.

 

I'm assuming you mean the list of cars you're looking to buy? Don't let this example be the deciding factor...the '02 S2000 already has an improved clutch, so this would not be an issue on the '03 you have in your list. Also, while the Bimmer is undoubtedly a wonderful machine, I can guarantee you that it will not give you the driving pleasure that an S2000 will. I don't think the verdict is in on the 350Z yet, so I don't know if it's a competitor or not.

 

Yes they do know me. It seems that they must tell the owner of every S2K about me and my car. Every time I meet a new owner in the area they know who I am. I'm really okay with that because these guys have been awesome to deal with and have gone out of their way to make my once less than perfect car a pleasure to own. Oh, they've been great and I didn't even buy my car from them.