Hi guys, just purchased a s2000 recently and can i say, what a car! Only issue is, handling is dangerous. Like when you're driving and take it upto 4-5rpm and let go, the car starts swaying. Also, when driving and you make sharp movements with the steering wheel the car feels like a boat swaying.

I've had rear discs and pads fitted as they were shot, and whilst it was at the garage the mechanic gave the underside of the car a once over, he said it seems fine. I've narrowed it down to two things, tyres and tracking, currently the car has continentals all around and slow driving the car pulls straight - any suggestions as to what it could be?

thanks

 

Defo alignment.

Check out the FAQ as that has all the details regarding alignment.

 

I can second alignment. My car felt twitchy as hell until I had alignment done.

 

Cheapest check is tyre pressures.

Also look at drop links to make sure they are still attached (part of MOT so most places will be able to tell pretty quickly.

Does this swaying happen whilst driving in a straight line?

 

Hi gents, i posted the original post whilst i was getting the alignment done, i've just had it done and it seems ok except when going into Vtec in second gear and then letting go of the accelerator, it kinda jerks to the left slightly, the tyre pressures were all over the place and now that the correct pressure is in and the alignment is done, it seems ok, maybe i'm over thinking it or it has something to do with the fact its wet outside hence why it jerks to the left? Thanks

 

tyre pressures are critical. If they are not even the torsen diff does funny things are makes the car pull one way on acceleration and the opposite when you lift off the power.

 

Just to add, it has got Conti sports all around - if that helps.

 

What year is the car?

I am guessing that it is a pre-2004 model with the 16" wheels?

 

yes it's a 2002 with the 16" wheels.

 

I suspected as much, as these are known to have handling issues due to the anti-dive geometry Honda built into the suspension set up of the early cars. Sadly this is a trait that makes them very nervous and quick to spin in lift-off situations that wasn't corrected until the face-lift car (identified by the different front bumper and 17" wheels). This issue is why you see so many written-off early S2000s and is why these cars get a bit of a reputation for not being friendly to novice rear wheel drive peeps. The later car is much easier to drive without the lift-off oversteer issues (not that that helps you) and is much more tolerant of ham-fisted driving. The only thing I can suggest is to drive it like an old school 911 - slow in and fast out, so you don't have to lift-off and risk a spin.

This video highlights the differences and issues: