Opinions on purchasing high mileage s2000

**Mikecivic78** · 28-11-2011 04:54 PM

Did they come with front lips or as an option?

**catacaustic** · 28-11-2011 08:46 PM

In Sydney, this is the guy that I had look at mine. He is good. Very good.

http://www.carinspections.com.au/

He looked at it, and sent a 8-page report through as well as pictures... It covered everything that could be done without pulling the mechanicals to bits. The people that I bought the car from were so impressed with him that they got him to look at the next car that they wanted to buy.

And Mike, I believe that the rear spoiler and front lip were options. I know that they weren't standard - if they were there'd be a LOT more of them on the road today. From what I've seen it's a majority that have the front lip if they have the rear spoiler, but if they don't have a rear spoiler then they won't have the front lip because people normally bought both as a set when they got the car new

**Bruunz** · 05-12-2011 12:38 PM

Hey,

I bought mine a year ago with with 160K on it (2001 Model). When i bought it was fine but be prepared to spend a little. The list of things i have done are as follows and i've only put 7K kms on it since:

New Clutch (honda OEM kit with flywheel (flywheel is balanced so i wouldnt go machining your existing one) $1200 parts only)
Every oil and filter replaced and an overall check of the car ($800)
New softtop coz the original with plastic looked horrible ($900 canvas with glass - no defogger inc shipping parts only)

One of my diff mounts is broken and since my car is quite low CV's / Axles are on the way out. So i'm organising my diff to to be pulled apart and checked before i get parts for it.
Customs axles will be $1600ish and depends how the internals of my diff are i might have to spend more. Then you start thinking... since the diff is out.. do i buy that new final gear or that 2 way LSD???

Just remember that even though it is in good condition, you will need to spend money to keep it that way. After all it is over 10 years old stuff will break / wear out.

Almost thought my power window motor was on the way out too... luckily a good clean of the windows fixed that.

**aozora** · 11-12-2011 10:41 PM

Originally Posted by Bruunz

Hey,

I bought mine a year ago with with 160K on it (2001 Model). When i bought it was fine but be prepared to spend a little. The list of things i have done are as follows and i've only put 7K kms on it since:

New Clutch (honda OEM kit with flywheel (flywheel is balanced so i wouldnt go machining your existing one) $1200 parts only)
Every oil and filter replaced and an overall check of the car ($800)
New softtop coz the original with plastic looked horrible ($900 canvas with glass - no defogger inc shipping parts only)

One of my diff mounts is broken and since my car is quite low CV's / Axles are on the way out. So i'm organising my diff to to be pulled apart and checked before i get parts for it.
Customs axles will be $1600ish and depends how the internals of my diff are i might have to spend more. Then you start thinking... since the diff is out.. do i buy that new final gear or that 2 way LSD???

Just remember that even though it is in good condition, you will need to spend money to keep it that way. After all it is over 10 years old stuff will break / wear out.

Almost thought my power window motor was on the way out too... luckily a good clean of the windows fixed that.

Just out of curiousity, what leads your mechanic to believe that your driveshafts/joints are going? OR your diff for that matter?
Is it shuddering/vibrating when you accelerate at certain speeds? Is there too much free play up/down, left/right in the driveshaft?

Diff mount bushes would be normal at 160k since they're liquid filled bushes and soft as a teddy bear...! Upgrade to stiffer diff mount bushes, throttle response will improve

**Bruunz** · 12-12-2011 06:55 AM

Originally Posted by aozora

Just out of curiousity, what leads your mechanic to believe that your driveshafts/joints are going? OR your diff for that matter?
Is it shuddering/vibrating when you accelerate at certain speeds? Is there too much free play up/down, left/right in the driveshaft?

Diff mount bushes would be normal at 160k since they're liquid filled bushes and soft as a teddy bear...! Upgrade to stiffer diff mount bushes, throttle response will improve

I have a shuddering generally after 60KM/H under load. Also, when i park front end to kerb and i do it fast enough, i get the knocking sound you hear in a FWD.

**aozora** · 12-12-2011 11:52 AM

Originally Posted by Bruunz

I have a shuddering generally after 60KM/H under load. Also, when i park front end to kerb and i do it fast enough, i get the knocking sound you hear in a FWD.

I had the same issue. Basically theres a few fixes...
New driveshafts but thats $$$
Driveshaft spacers, cheap and positions the driveshafts properly for a lowered car
Swapping the driveshaft cups left to right, labour intensive but same results

Check it out... Could save you $1600 haha.

The knocking sound could be the differential mounts OR your axle nuts not being at the proper torque setting. Honda release a TSB about it. I'll try to find the link if I get a minute. Otherwise the knocking could also be loose bolts/nuts in your suspension...

I just went through this so let me know if you need a hand

**Bruunz** · 12-12-2011 12:25 PM

Originally Posted by aozora

I had the same issue. Basically theres a few fixes...
New driveshafts but thats $$$
Driveshaft spacers, cheap and positions the driveshafts properly for a lowered car
Swapping the driveshaft cups left to right, labour intensive but same results

Check it out... Could save you $1600 haha.

The knocking sound could be the differential mounts OR your axle nuts not being at the proper torque setting. Honda release a TSB about it. I'll try to find the link if I get a minute. Otherwise the knocking could also be loose bolts/nuts in your suspension...

I just went through this so let me know if you need a hand

I was speaking to ALPS about it. For $1600 i can get custom axles with inner and outer CVs. The car is lowered but if i get these axles i wont need spacers (apparantly).
I also intend to start going to the track once i replace the axles / check the diff so the customs axles are looking like the good option as i never want to think about axles ever again lol.

**aozora** · 12-12-2011 06:22 PM

New axles will have the exact same problem in time. I personally don't understand why you'd waste $1600 when there are simpler other options out there... Your call but I personally would advise it

Check out info on s2ki.

And be careful when getting advice from inexperienced S2000 people, especially mechanics - most likely they're trying to make a sale

Good luck!

**Bruunz** · 12-12-2011 06:34 PM

Originally Posted by aozora

New axles will have the exact same problem in time. I personally don't understand why you'd waste $1600 when there are simpler other options out there... Your call but I personally would advise it

Check out info on s2ki.

And be careful when getting advice from inexperienced S2000 people, especially mechanics - most likely they're trying to make a sale

Good luck!

That's why i'm waiting for my diff to be pulled apart so i can see what needs done and what not. i don't think my brother will try to rip me off

If my axles need to be reconditioned id rather just buy these newer ones. If i can avoid going somewhere that will incur a labour fee then i will try and avoid if possible.