It all started when my S2K was turning one year old. Until then, I had been taking her in to the Honda dealership for scheduled maintenance. On early model S2000s, driven under severe conditions (over 90 degrees F- which is 1/2 the year here) the maintenance schedule calls for changing the rear differential fluid annually and the transmission fluid biannually.
On arrival at the dealership, the service manager tells me this includes the basic inspections, engine oil and filter change, and tire rotation! After informing him what was actually called for and leaving my car, I started to worry. How do you know that the work is actually performed competently? Ever since then, I have been doing all my own maintenance! When it came time to change the differential and transmission fluid this year, I went to the Dealership parts department to get the crush washers. Not only did they not have them in stock, they had a conference over the shop manual, to pick out the right washers to order!
My car has 22K miles and has started to develop the infamous clutch buzz, but only after it has been driven harder than usual. Since there is a Honda service bulletin on it, I took my car in, explained the problem, offered to demonstrate the buzz. Lane, a pompous little guy, told me that I would have to leave it to be checked out and you could tell he had never heard of this problem before. So I promptly, whipped out my copy of TSB-054. Not demanding anything or being a smart ass, just for his edification! Well, I'm supposed to bring my car in Monday to be checked out. My inclination is to say screw it. My warranty doesn't expire until November, bit I am getting a SC next month...... I'm sure after I add the SC, TSB-054 won't be an option. Sorry for being so long winded.... but

 

hmm....if you really have no confidence in this dealer, maybe should try to visit another dealer that will make you more comfortable....


it depend on how much the clutch buzz bother you, there are many people can live without the TSB done, but if you must get the TSB done, it is still worth...

 

Run away from that dealer. I have dealt with most incompetent dealer in Seattle (Lynnwood Honda) and now I could smell them miles away, and you my friend are dealing with an idiot, not only they don't no sh!t but try to BS you. Save your self headache and agony, check with your local owners and get input from them and find a decent dealer experienced in repairing S2000. Good luck

 

I really don't have any other options. Allen Honda is the only dealership within 90 miles. That's why I became a weekend mechanic!

 

If you can't find a more understand and more cooperative dealer in your area, then just leave it. It's only a clutch buzz. It doesn't affect the way the clutch or the car works. Many who have had it "fixed" has said that the buzz comes right back so why go throught the dealer grief if you don't have to. Get an exhaust with that S/C and you won't hear it anymore anyway.

 

If they really think they are going to rotate your tires, they don't know some of the most basic stuff about the S2000, and at the very least, you're going to end up with tires mounted backward! RUN, do not walk, to a performance shop and let them do the maintenance. As long as you have receipts that had those things done, they really can't gripe about WHERE you had it done.

As far as the TSB goes, I'd find another dealer for that too. Never heard of TSB 54, after that TSB has been out for two years??

 

Thanks. If the clutch buzz isn't a warning of a anything more serious happening with the clutch, it doesn't bother me. I was worried it meant the clutch was going out.