S2000 praise from a knowledeable Porsche owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 7,414
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
Re: the lifeless steering. It is only lifeless at low speeds. Once the EPS cuts out, there is good feedback in the wheel. Not unbelievable, but enough to tell you what is going on. I have found that EPS cuts out at about 50mph, and also I have changed my front tire pressures from 32psi to 35psi, and am reasonably happy with the steering feel, and I am extremely picky about this particular quality.
Note that this (I believe) is one of the first implementations of EPS on any car. EPS has its benefits as there is much less parasitic drag on the engine because there is no hydraulic steering pump. As development goes on, feedback will increase.
As for the no torque below 6k rpm, I don't fully agree, I just think there should be more between 4 and 6k rpm. Nothing some 4.44:1 gears wouldn't fix, I'm sure.
Note that this (I believe) is one of the first implementations of EPS on any car. EPS has its benefits as there is much less parasitic drag on the engine because there is no hydraulic steering pump. As development goes on, feedback will increase.
As for the no torque below 6k rpm, I don't fully agree, I just think there should be more between 4 and 6k rpm. Nothing some 4.44:1 gears wouldn't fix, I'm sure.
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,086
Likes: 0
From: St. Pete, Florida
How does the steering of the S2000 compare to the steering of the new BMW Z4? Here's what Car & Driver said recently:
"You might wish for a bit more steering feel if you've driven a Boxster before
"You might wish for a bit more steering feel if you've driven a Boxster before
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 594
Likes: 0
From: Rochester
Seem's like steering feel means different things to different people.
I suspect that the traditional defn has more to do with the feedback one gets as the wheels get loaded, ie lets you tell what kind of grip the tires have and when you are approaching max slip angle.
Some just think weighting. That's what the previous C&D quote seemed to be about. I would assume one can tune power steering units (traditional hydraulic or newfangled electronic) to various levels of level of effort vs speed, steering angle etc.
Some seem to think about quickness. Again, this should be tunable. Fast steering (low steering ratio) seems sporty, I'd imagine is good for auto-x, but can make for dartiness. But has little to do with feel.
Others talk about "accuracy" and use terms like "linearity". Frankly, I'm not sure what these mean. I've seen steering curves (effort vs angle) and none are linear. Sort of a preference thing I guess. Accuracy? Does this refer to a small dead-zone, hysteresis, crisp response (more likely a fcn of the suspension than the steering)?
I suspect that the traditional defn has more to do with the feedback one gets as the wheels get loaded, ie lets you tell what kind of grip the tires have and when you are approaching max slip angle.
Some just think weighting. That's what the previous C&D quote seemed to be about. I would assume one can tune power steering units (traditional hydraulic or newfangled electronic) to various levels of level of effort vs speed, steering angle etc.
Some seem to think about quickness. Again, this should be tunable. Fast steering (low steering ratio) seems sporty, I'd imagine is good for auto-x, but can make for dartiness. But has little to do with feel.
Others talk about "accuracy" and use terms like "linearity". Frankly, I'm not sure what these mean. I've seen steering curves (effort vs angle) and none are linear. Sort of a preference thing I guess. Accuracy? Does this refer to a small dead-zone, hysteresis, crisp response (more likely a fcn of the suspension than the steering)?
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 7,414
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
Steering feel also tells you what is going on at the road surface. If you cross an expansion joint, you should feel it through the wheel, same with ruts, bumps, surface changes, etc. It's a very subtle thing, and the S2000 delivers this information, it just isn't as good as others in doing so, but it is certainly acceptable.
. Nice to see a porsche person respecting the "HONDA S2000" 
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,144
Likes: 0
From: Seattle
Rick,
good writeup by your friend; very fair and perceptive.
As to steering feel: I don't have expereice in cars that others say have good steering feel, so I can't make a comparative review, but I will say that there are things that can be done to improve the S2000's feel. As mentioned, a slight increase in front tire pressure seems to help some. Also, check your alignment; going to zero toe in the front gave me a nice heavier feel and got rid of the 'dead zone' in the center.
Ted
good writeup by your friend; very fair and perceptive.
As to steering feel: I don't have expereice in cars that others say have good steering feel, so I can't make a comparative review, but I will say that there are things that can be done to improve the S2000's feel. As mentioned, a slight increase in front tire pressure seems to help some. Also, check your alignment; going to zero toe in the front gave me a nice heavier feel and got rid of the 'dead zone' in the center.
Ted
