Basic maintenance...
 

Previous S2K owner looking at purchasing a nice low mileage 08. The seller has owned it since new and regularly takes it to a local import shop for oil change. Still has the original tires (<25k miles) and has replaced the battery twice. Other than that, nothing! I'm floored that an import shop wouldn't even adhere to the basics in the manual such as rear diff fluid, coolant, brake fluid, MTF, clutch fluid, air filter, cabin air filter, etc. Such an easy money maker for them.

While I'm not shy, in fact I relish the opportunity to get her up to speed, would anyone be leary buying an 11 year old S2000 with low miles without these basics done?

TIA.

Nope! Buy it

Nope. Buy it. Replace fluids, Replace tires. Enjoy.

I agree with the two responses above. Buy it and change the fluids.

Lots of threads on what to do to establish a maintenance "baseline". If you are in the NY area you can have Billman do his special. However it is not really that difficult to do some things yourself. Beside all the fluids (including the swap out over time with the clutch fluid and brake bleed) you can check the torque on the rear axle nuts and since this is a DBW throttle, you should check the valves.

Definitely check and adjust the valves as soon as you can. Sounds like a nice car.

How about don't buy it but pm me with where it is at?

Sweet, nice find. So are you planning to do all the Basic maintenance? Seems it is wortwhile and also uncover potential issues when being worked on.

Let's see the pics when you pick up the ride.

The same goes for you of course. :)

The 2006 and later cars have the Maintenance Minder in the dash electronics and it will light up when maintenance is required. There is no other schedule. A very low mileage/time car will only have a few of these and unless cleared start indicating negative mileage and other nags on the dash. Appears these are not appearing. The 2005 owners manual has all the maintenance details. Honda has all the manuals on line. I'd find the first major maintenance and do that. Suggestions are listed previously. Typical unknowing shop (or dealer!) will use the wrong oil filter and differential oil. It's in the owners manual, a small booklet that many don't bother to read...

Valve adjustment of DBW cars is vital based on indications here that they were either set too tight at the factory or got that way during use. Billman posted a Warning a couple of years ago. Excellent device and dirt simple to do. A Honda motorcycle dealer/mechanic probably has more experience/expertise in this task if you don't have time yourself. Engine has to be cold though. Fixing to check mine again in a few weeks. They were fine 20K miles ago.

-- Chuck

Any particular advice for incoming 04 S2k, Dealer 'serviced' at 50k miles. Looking to perhaps change the TCT as preventive maintenance. Clutch as bled.

Any information as to what was serviced? The owner's manual will have the specifics. 50K is not a regular scheduled service as they're in 7500 mile increments. Glance at the oil filter when you get it to determine if it is the specific S2000 filter -- not a generic Honda filter or anything else.

I changed to the Billman TCT at 40K purely as preventive maintenance. These all fail eventually. Recommend you get an engine oil analysis during your first oil change. Blackstone oil analysis has a database on the S2000 and can alert you to any problems. Get their free sample kit bottle and mailer. Think it's $25 or so when you send the oil in. Mine gets excellent grades every test with below average wear.

That's it. Take your time. Enjoy the car and learn pretty simple auto mechanics like fluid changes and valve adjustments. Better than sitting at the computer all day at work!

-- Chuck

I'll try shoot you a PM when enabled. But I am a noob when it comes to 'wrenching' so not sure how involved I can be off the jump. Happy to send you a PM and get some sage advice.

Do you send the blackstone oil analysis every oil change or annually?

If you end up gettng the valves adjusted by someone else, search for a mechanic who has done it before. Not many these days have ever adjusted valves. Sometimes a motorcycle mechanic is the best bet.

In my case they're the same interval. ;) I'm sure this is over sampling but reassuring. We didn't change the oil in our combat tanks until the oil analysis told us to change it. Engine oil in a tank engine is measured in gallons, not quarts.

Note the filter change schedule is every other oil change but it's inexpensive and you're under the car anyway.

-- Chuck