Too many people been watching too much Best Motoring International and Top Gear by the looks of things.

I've had owned both AP1 (without VSA) and AP1 Facelift (With VSA)- overall the AP2 / AP1 Facelift is a much much better car. When the VSA is off, it really is OFF... When it's on it allows a little bit of slip, which is fine for the street.
I agree there are some cars where by you can't turn off the electronic aids completely - but the S2K is definitely not one!! If you think so, then you obviously haven't driven/owned one.

In regards to the car industry turning to sh*t because of electronic aids - I can agree and disagree with some points. Yes, cars are becoming softer... but they are becoming much much faster (and safer)! You can even compare the AP1 and the AP1 Facelift which have the same F20C engines --> the AP1 Facelift is quite a substantial amount faster (with the VDA OFF).

I've lost a few mates over the years in cars accidents in old cars with out much safety, which wasn't their fault. I bet their family, friends and children etc wished they were driving a safer car with air bags and roll bars etc - I WISH THEY HAD!

 

Very informative, thank you all.

(For now though, it'll be staying switched on, until I learn how not to stack one of these.

 

I wouldnt mind VSA in my ap1, not everyone is talented or skilled in driving compared to others and when certain events driving agressively or not occurs out of your control VSA can be the difference that seperate your car or you injured and something that avoids accidents at all. Truth is said though not being too reliant on it.

 

Since buyin gmy S2000 in 2003, I haven't engaged the VSA either. It might be due to the fact that the '03 didn't even come with the option. However, the only car I've ever owned that has stability control is my M3 and somehow I've never spun out, etc.

I did get a bit of a surprise in the first month after buying the S2000, however. I was pulling out of my development onto a 45mph divided road (might have even been 50mph at the time). It has been raining very briefly for the first time in months about 20 minutes earlier and there is a blind spot formed by overly tall landscape shrubs in the center divider.

I merged out, only to find a car coming at me from the blind spot, so I accelerated in a spirited manner while making a left on slick pavement-only to feel the rear end break traction and start to come around. It's amazing what a little bit of countersteer and slow adjustement of throttle can do. I'm pretty sure that my neighbor thought I was just power sliding the car around being a bit of a jerk. That's when I came onto this site and found out about the car's tendencies.

VSA or not, always pay attention to what the car is trying to tell you. It will keep you out of a lot of trouble.

 

What you need in that case is a "dynamic mode" like BMW has developed. It's essentially stability control "half way off". It doesn't interfere until you are really started to get unsettled, meaning that it isn't constantly slowing you down but isn't going to let you spin into that ditch either. You can have full stability control for the streets, off if you want to track it and dynamic if you are in circumstances that make you a bit less comfrotable.

 

I have a 2007 UK spec S2000, just imported it into Tauranga, New Zealand. Lack of VSA or Electronic stability program is proving problematic with getting a normal road certification/registration.

My question is, what would it take to retrofit the system? Is it technically possible?

Thanks in advance!

 

We're already talking about it here, bruv.

https://www.s2ki.com/forums/s2000-un...-883380/page2/