S2000 gearing question

[Mayboy]

Hi

I am thinking about buying an S2000 and have read that the gearing is quite low i.e. 4000rpm at 70mph. Having had an S1 106 Rallye with similar rpm at 70mph this puts me off slightly as i imagine it's not too economical on a motorway run. Is it possible to change the 6th gear ratio? If so what costs are involved and is it worth it? Do all s2000 variants have the same gearbox?

I should say i haven't driven one yet so might be asking pointless questions..

Thanks

[Hollywood Wheels]

I'd have a drive of one first before you decide. I was very surprised by mine, I drove down to the South of France three days after buying it, and if you cruise at anything 80 and below it's very good, or at least I thought so.

[Dracoro]

No problem with economy on motorway, actually it's rather good economy on the motorway, does just as well as our MY06 1.6 Focus.

Yes it does 4k at those speeds but that's less than 1/2 total revs and isn't that loud with the roof up. Certainly it will be quieter than a 106 Rallye.

All have same gearboxes.

Try www.s2ki.co.uk for advice regarding changing 6th gear ratio but it's a pointless expense IMO.

Edited by Dracoro on Sunday 24th January 16:55

[Qube]

Mayboy said:

Hi

I am thinking about buying an S2000 and have read that the gearing is quite low i.e. 4000rpm at 70mph. Having had an S1 106 Rallye with similar rpm at 70mph this puts me off slightly as i imagine it's not too economical on a motorway run. Is it possible to change the 6th gear ratio? If so what costs are involved and is it worth it? Do all s2000 variants have the same gearbox?

I should say i haven't driven one yet so might be asking pointless questions..

Thanks

I recently owned a 04' S2000 for approx 4 years. I found the economy for a 2.0 pretty good, at worse 24 commuting to 34mpg on a motorway run. Forget about changing the final gear to a higher ratio as the car won't pull at all. The engine may produce 237bhp but without using the gears to extract the power my previous Renault Megane 1.5dci diesel had more pull in top gear.

Personally, I found motorway performance down right poor in 6th speed. Wind noise, drivetrain thrashy, can't hear the CD, etc..

The idea behind the S is to use the gears combined with the revs of the engine to get the max out of it. This is when the car truly comes to life.

If your looking for a motorway car don't buy the S buy a Mondeo..

But, If your looking for a sharp refined instrument to play with buy a S2000. Great handling, turn in, brilliant brakes and an engine happy to give it all within a percentage of it's life..

[rsmithinfo]

Agree with the above - the only time people change the gearing is to go the other way normally. Mine's fine on the motorway but it does depend what you're used to. I have a beater now and only use the S for fun and overall I think that's a good way to go if you do a lot of motorway driving. Motorway miles are not the ones you want to be doing as Qube said.

[maz8062]

The stock gearing is fine but I'm not sure an S2000 is the best car for travelling up and down a motorway. A hardtop will help reduce wind noise.

I went the other way and installed a 4.77 final drive (stock is 4.1) and I love it.