Why is it that there are an unusual number of cases where the S2000 would loose control and cause it to be totalled? And, mostly on freeways too.

I know, I read the discussion on cold tires SO2s not doing well during freezing weather. But still, in my years on the BMW forum, I don't recall ever seeing so many accidents within a few months.

Is there an intrinsic problem with the car or is it just bad karma these few months? Rear suspension? The light weight of the car?

I really really like the S2000 that I hardly ever go back to the bmw forums anymore, but I'm just wondering about this. Any coments? Other than cold tires being the culprit?

Btw, I took deliver of a brand new '01 Blk/red S2000 today. I paid 44 out the door..... well.. the 1:18 model car that is. It's quite a bargain, and it has a lot of details. Maybe I should zaino it.

Tks,
Jimmy

 

Maybe I can give you some insight, being driving a BMW for 6 years now, and 3 of those years are on the track.

S2000 is a lot lighter car than BMW. also, it has peaky output. BMW is more driver friendly. The torque curve is very flat. It stayed at peak HP for a period of time also. I think driving a S2000 is like driving a turbo charged car. In a wrong gear (below 6000RPM), it doesn't have enough power. Once over 6K RPM, there is too much power for general public to handle.

Also, that SPECIAL S02 don't fair under less than perfect condition. Like driving slicks everyday. When it is cold, the tire is hard as a rock. When rain, it hydroplan too easily.

I sincerely thinks Honda should offer a S2000 driving school to teach general public how to drive this car. Sometime, I am afraid to push this car to the limit in Gingerman. I am really scared of a car that over steers.

 

I saw a quote in another thread "it's amazing that Honda had the courage to produce a car without the inherent understeer so common in todays cars produced by litigation fearing automobile manufacturers" or something like that.

This car goes right to the edge. Push it a little too far, and you fall over it.

 

My feeling is that this is a high performance car at normal car money. I think that many drivers (myself included) are not used to the handling etc. of a car like this and try to drive it like a normal FWD saloon.

It has rear wheel drive, LSD, performance tyres, light weight, peaky power, stif suspension etc. It takes some getting used to, and not everyone gets used to it before they over do things.

Just my thoughts.

 

Aus, I'm sure you mean understeer...not oversteer. And I think you are on one of the right tracks when describing what seems to be an inordinate number of wrecks...

It's late now, but I'll post more on this thread later...

 

Perry and AusS2000,

Thank ya 2 for the input.

I think the crowd here is a little friendlier than the crowd at bimmer.org. Is someone posted there "Wut's wrong with your 3 series..." then all the immature BMW owners will jump at the guy and stampede him to death. It's cool to see how this board is more civilized.. that's why I've been chillin here.

Question for Perry..... do you think going with tires.. such as .. say.. the Pirelli Supersport 7000 all season tires would help keep the S2000 more stable in all season driving conditions? It does hurt me to see pics of S2000 with the front all scraped up... what a beautiful machine it is man.

I mean, with all season tires, you're not going to hook up as well when dragging at the red light, but all around would it perform better and lessen the number of accidents at high speed?

Jimmy

 

Cool, Greg aggrees.

Good night Greg.

I'll be up another 3 hours.. I'm on the East coast s well!

Jimmy

 

Ooops, my bad. I corrected my original post.

Jimmy325 - I'd be careful with your tyre selection. The S02's are the perfect tyre in the right conditions. Maybe a certain tyre is a better average mix, maybe not. It's a bit of a gamble. And for those of you in the north, I'm sure you'll agree, the S2000 is not the best winter car.

The one thing you can change that will not only make your car safer, but also increase performance, is the nut that holds the wheel . Book yourself (that's everyone BTW) into some defensive and performance driving classes. It's great fun, you'll be amazed at how much you didn't know, and surprised at what this car can do.

For further advice on this sort of performance mod speak to Bieg !

 

I've driven a RWD for apx. 20 years now. The S2000 definitely has a problem that is very subtle but potentially very dangerous...it's easy to drive close to the edge, yet know how to recover after crossing the edge is something few S2000 drivers are aware of. This applies to going the speed limit on a cold or wet highway (that IS dangerous in high power RWD vehicle with racing tires!) or through twisties where a small patch of sand can be disastrous.

All season tires would be more prone to handle cold/wet better, but how would they effect handling? Could you anticipate the differences after being used to the S02s?

As for all the crashes, my personal opinion is that 90% (at least) are due to the drivers feeling comfortable with the car after a few months, learning that it's very easy to run this car hard ... but then finding they don't know where that edge is until they've crossed it...and most probably never understand that they crossed that edge!

I'm not excluding myself from this...240HP is a major difference from 75HP (and I've spun the Bertone twice, and nearly lost it on highway on ramps at least three times! Interestingly, now that I think of it, both times I spun were off-camber mild turns...something I didn't even know existed until I started tracking the S2000).

 

Jimmy -

Here is a problem choosing a different tires for S2000. The regular 225 is too narrow for rear tire. regular 205 is too wide for front tire. If you just get stock size, you will introduce more over steer than stock. (wider front tire and narrower rear tire). I have learned my lession, I am driving A032R all the time. 225 A032R is narrower than stock S02, but it provides more grip. Although, I get more grip on the front as well. But, the hook up is so much more than stock that I don't break traction easily. Unless I drop clutch, that I rarely do.

I know you want a S2000 as your daily driver. If you really want, you have to do what I did last year. A032R for summer and 205 blizzak all around for the winter. That will give you ability to out corner any street car in the summer and out run any SUV in the winter. (trust me, I did outran SUV in 6 inch un-plowed highway last year Dec 13th snow storm.)

It doesn't matter what you choose, it is all about compromise. There is no perfect combination. I still think the best is the upgrade is the nut behind the wheel. That will give you the highest safety margin to control S2000. It does takes a lot of practice to screw up in order not to screw up badly. (Does this make sense? )

Hope this will help, and give you more insight. I daily drive my S2000. I have 32K miles in one year of my ownership. It is a lot of fun, but pain in *ss when the weather is bad.