High Miles on an S2K an issue?

[Lione1 Richie]

Hello all,

For a while I've been having dark thoughts about an S2K. I've like them ever since launch but there was always other cars competing for my hard earned. Still the desire to own one lingers to the point I'm giving serious consideration to picking one up this winter.

Now, I'm not wanting to spend a lot (asking for trouble I know) and I see that some are now around the 4-5K mark. However these cars are 100K+ miles. I was just wondering if there are any know issues that I should look out for when the S2K gets to this mileage?

Obviously condition and service history are paramount as well as tears etc in the roof but I'm just wondering if there are any other wear and tear items I should be looking out for?

Thanks in advance for any info

Lione1.

[James_N]

Engines are bulletproof as long as they have been well serviced. Regular oil and filter changes etc.

Engines are chain driven, so no worries with the actual chain, but the tensioners do start to rattle around 80k miles, so check the tensioner has been done.

Also, bushes. S2k's suffer terrible with siezed bushes, and by that age / mileage, they will certainly be siezed if they haven't been greased and sorted before hand - check before you buy

[Lione1 Richie]

Thanks James

[JFReturns]

Sort of agree with James. The timing chain can go, sometimes it needs tightening but there are plastic runners that wear out causing the chain to vibrate and make a racket. It's a big one to replace it, £800+ or £1100 from main dealer.

The timing chain tensioner does indeed wear out, causing a noise I would describe as card held between moving bicycle spokes. This is not a big job, and can be done yourself if you handy with a spanner. S2ki has a guide.

Higher mileage cars could have tired dampers and bushes, replacing them is a big one. It will still be fun though, just a bit crashy.

[Lione1 Richie]

Thanks guys. I'm starting to suffer, as I always do, from budget creep. After some research I could pay a little more and grab an 02 with the glass rear window, or just pay a little more and grab an AP2.....to the point where I was looking at picking up a cheap early model to thinking about selling the 197 and grabbing a nice clean one for around £8K.....

The stories about the underside not being treated, just how bad does the underside get if used through the winter?

[Dracoro]

Not heard of underside issues, however suspension adjustment bolts can (read WILL) seize in the bush. If not DIYing, it's an expensive job depending on how many bolts are seized.

AP2 is the 2.2 engine sold in Japan/US. ALL UK cars from 99 to date are all AP1s.

Best go to www.s2ki.co.uk for more advice.

[Lione1 Richie]

Thanks for the link, will do some more research!

[Red 4]

Low miles on an S2000 can be an issue

If if it one of the later cars (08/09). Long running thread on S2KI.

Be careful out there.