Purchasing an S2

[Guest]

I am currently looking for an S2 Coupe.
I am due to look at one with 126k on the clock, which is a bit higher than I was hoping.
None of the buying guides seem to mention mileage too much and I've heard the engine and transmission are pretty bulletproof.
How concerned should I be with the mileage, and what problems usually occur at higher mileage?
How long should the major components last?

Thanks in advance

Simon

 

[Diver944]

Hi Simon.

High mileage is only a concern if the car has not been looked after. Properly maintained the engines are reputedly good for 200,000 miles before any rebuild is needed. The gearboxes can get a little 'whiney' but I wonder how often this is to do with previous owners not having the gear oil changed every four years. so take a good listen and check all invoices for evidence of regular changing along with the usual servicing and belt changing.

The major thing to check on S2's is the camchain and its tensioner (not the cam belt, but the chain that connects both camshafts together). This has never been part of any official service schedule and then there was a spate of them snapping a few years ago when cars reached the 100,000 mark or before. Getting it changed is a minor £2-300 bill at an independant but a rebuild if it snaps can be £1000's. []

I had mine done at 110,000 when I first heard about it and my mechanic said mine was in perfect condition []. I have heard of others going at 80,000 so again I think it all depends how regularly the oil was changed or the car was driven.

Everything else on the car is a consummable that has probably already been replaced on the 126k you are looking at ie, clutch, shocks, exhaust

To my mind it is often better to buy a car of that mileage that has had it all done as opposed to an 80,000 miler that has all its bits just waiting to wear out and cost you thousands (and of course most people are happy to pay more for a low miler - madness [&:], when its condition that is important on 14 year old cars)

Good luck and keep us informed

 

[tim court]

Would reinforce Paul's comments.... The other point to note is that when the cam chain is nearing the end of it's shelf life (well, mine anyway) the teeth on the cogs on the cams that are driven by the cam chain will also wear. Mine lost a tooth and by the grace of god did not wreck the engine.

The requirement for new cams can bump up the cam chain repair cost by several hundred pounds but then should be bulletproof for another 100,000 miles.

The tensioner used to be a complete replacement at a cost of over £200 (from memory) but you can now buy the actual bit that wears out (a little nylon follower) for just a few pounds.

The other things that can wear at around this mileage are the diff bearings. When one starts to go you get a bit of a rear end whine which sounds a little worse in reverse. When one goes the other will soon follow due to the additional wear imposed. Allow a couple of hundred for this.

Other things are clutches - 60-80k miles..... so 129k may mean a new clutch soon... (or just fitted). Ball joints used to be an issue at £400 a side as you had to buy the whole front wishbone assembly. There are companies that do an exchange unit for about £120 but I see in this months PP a firm now does a repair kit at around £40!!!

A pre-purchase inspection (essential) will tell you all of this and more..... which you can then use to negotiate a fairer price.

Good luck!