first off - i am not bashing any of the "s2k mechanics", i am just wondering what makes a mechanic for this car special. I guess what i mean is working on this car absolutely different than other hondas that it would need a specialist? i am not a mechanic and besides your routine maintenance, i leave it to the professionals. My brother and a friend of mine are both mechanics at White plains honda and they have done most of the work on my other cars. now that i have my S, i wondering they need to be so called specialists to work on my car?
Sorry if this is confusing or doesn't make sense, but if anyone can help me with this i would appreciate this.
thanks

 

I don't think you need a "specialist" to work on the car unless you going to do some specific engine/ suspension performance stuff, then the experience of a specialist can save you $$$ and headaches. The specialist knows from specifics what works and what doesn't, where a general good mechanic knows what works in general- they could be the same, might not be too... Do you want to find this out when they're getting paid by the hour or could damage the car?

 

I would let a mechanic change fluids, install shocks, or change out a clutch.

I would have a bona-fide specialist rebuild the engine.

 

just to clarify, i guess i was talking more in terms of diff fluid changes, clutch work, suspension, brakes.. using non performance/oem parts, a good mechanic should be able to do the work, correct?
If I were to go with more aftermarket performance parts/upgrades, would require more specialized attention.

how about something like Rick's gears? is that soemthing that could be done by a Honda mechanic?

 

Only have 10.6K on mine. Have used the Honda mechanic for oil and diff changes. Before I used him, talked with him to ensure he would know what he was doing. Spent time with service manager to ensure they knew my expectations. So far I am satisfied with the level of service.

 

Only one mechanic will touch my engine.
He has been working on S2000 since day one. Just got valve adjustment done. Car runs perfect. I simply don't trust anyone else.

In my mind, he is a specialist.

 

The following are "generalizations" only:

A Honda mechanic will put 0W20 oil in your car.
An S2000 mechanic will put the correct oil in.

A Honda mechanic will put in VTR-4 fluid in your rear diff.
An S2000 mechanic will put the correct fluid in.

A Honda mechanic will rotate your tires.
An S2000 mechanic will not.

A Honda mechanic will have never seen the inside of a rear diff.
An S2000 mechanic will know exactly what to do.

A Honda mechanic won't care if he leaves your oil fill cap off or your oil drain plug lose.
An S2000 mechanic will.

A Honda mechanic will put 4 qts of oil in your car and sign it off.
An S2000 mechanic will put in oil till it reaches the "full" mark.

A Honda mechanic will not know what "TSB" stands for or he'll tell you one doesn't exist for your problem.
An S2000 mechanic will know every TSB there is for your car.

A Honda mechanic will put your car up on a hoist to do a lube job and jump for joy because he can then go to lunch early since there are no grease fittings.
An S2000 mechanic will already know this, get your car off the hoist and get started on the next S2000.

A Honda mechanic will use an impact wrench to put your lugnuts on.
An S2000 mechanic will use a torque wrench.

A Honda mechanic will treat your S2000 like a Civic CX.
An S2000 mechanic will treat your S2000 like an S2000.

A Honda mechanic will wonder how come your car is missing the front drive shafts.
An S2000 mechanic will know that the CV boots are in the back.

 

Those are some frightening thoughts there, Dave. Unfortunately, they're probably true!

 

Where does everyone usually take their cars for valve adjustments? I'm the Ventura / LA county area and I'm approaching 24k on my 04" (yes, I love to drive it) and I'm thinking about getting the adjustment done, but I'm really hesitant on taking it to some random mechanic....

 

I don't really see how the S2000 is THAT much different from other FR sports cars. It has a pretty basic engine bay lay out. Every thing is in plain sight. I don't see how a "general" mechanic would have a hard time working on this car. It's not a Ferrari.

That being said, the F20C however is not your "general" four cylinder engine. I would only let Honda touch the internals of this engine. Other than actual internal engine work, I do not see why you guys would be concerned with taking this car to a "general" mechanic.