Hey guys, I was just wondering who has put a lot of miles on their S2Ks and how is your S2K holding up? Any problems showing up so far? I heard that the original tires didn't last for long, maybe 10K or so?

I should have my S2K soon (but not soon enough!), so.... thanks for the input.

 

This has come up before (many times), but since you're a new guy looking to become an owner soon here's a simple answer:

I replaced all four tires at about 11,000 miles. I don't do any drag racing, but like to enjoy myself in the local canyons. My front tires wore out before the rears. When I took my car in for its first service at about 5000 miles the dealer recommended that I replace the fronts soon because the inside edges were quite worn. Instead, I had it aligned and they held up fine until 11K miles.

You can read old topics for the various problems that show up on some cars. I had to have some transmission work done on mine, but it was fully covered under warranty. The car is definitely worth any minor bothers you might have to go through like transmission repairs or new tires every 10K miles.

The only problems I've seen on the cars with higher mileage is always due to owner abuse.

 

Luft46,

This weekend...I will probably hit 45,000 miles.

Here are a couple items that I would like to communicate to you...

Tires:

You are right...the stock tires don't last for squat. If you plan to do some occational drag racing...expect to hit the wear bar on the tires before 8,000 miles. For aggresive driving without drag racing...10,000 miles. With that said...I still love the stock tires for dry weather. The stock tires are amoung the best dry weather tires for the stock wheels...but I really perfer not to drive on them during a storm.

Solution: Get another set of wheels & tires...or just change out the stock tires to non-oem when they wear out. Recommended non-oem sizes are 205/55/16 and 245/45/16.

Transmission:

If you have heard...this issue really bothered me. I'm talking out the 1st to 2nd gear "grind". This problem has reported more common in the early production runs of the 2000 models. For exaple...my S2000 vin # is < 5000, and I had the grind. I don't think the newer S2000 models will have this problem...or at least it is less common.

Solution: There is a service bulletin out for the grind...and it will be covered under warranty. I had my car done...and the problem has since gone away.

Differential:

I keep hearing about how the differential on this car is weak and will go out on you if you drag race it. More specifically...the differential housing is not strong. I don't doubt this...but feel that it is a bit overhyped. I have dropped the clutch at 6,000-7,000 RPM...I would think...more than 50 times...it's hard to estimate. Let me try to list the times that I can remember:

Dropped the hammer:

Just For the hell of it. x 10 (at least)
300Z x 2
Z28 x 1
M3 x 4
Civic (GSR engine) x 1
Civic (Type R head) x 1
IS300 (nitrous) x 2
Integra GSR x 4
WRX x 4
Mustang GT x 2
Golf VR6 x 2
Prelude x 1
S2000 x 5
Talon (16 lb. boost) x 4
A4 x 1
Charger x 1
GS300 (nitrous) x 1
Boxter x 1

I can't think of any more at the moment...but that is ~ 50 times that I can remember. I feel the occational street drag racing is o.k. in the S2000. But...I will say that the S2000 differential can't take the abuse of going to the local drag strip every weekend. Superchargers and aftermarkent clutches are also under the list of abnormal abuse. Some goes for doing donuts in a parking lot.

Solution: Buy a Mustang. Or you can try upgrading the drive train as you increase the power output of the car. I may spend some $$$ upgrading the differntial housing in the near future...writing this article has made me realize that I am probably under the "abusive" category as far as the differential goes.