I am wondering if the following has happened to anyone else, and whether I should be concerned about what this firm plans to do. In other words, would you do this?

I got a letter from an engineering firm that has asks me to let them borrow my 2005 S2000 for tests of the emissions control system. According to the letter, this test is being conducted at the request of Honda, although a person at the firm said on the phone that it is mandated by the EPA. My car was apparently chosen at random.

In return for letting them have my car for 1-2 weeks, they will give me (1) a replacement vehicle (!) from Enterprise Rent-a-Car, (2) inspection of the emission control system and any necessary repairs, and (3) $500.

They say: "Exhaust emission testing will be performed indoors on a chassis dynamometer under normal driving conditions and your vehicle will be safeguarded and fully insured by xx engineering and Honda. Work performed will not impact the warranty."

This is in Michigan, where we are currently experiencing the 6 weeks of nice weather we have every year. So, giving up my car 1-2 weeks, in exchange for $500 and an Enterprise Rent-a-car, isn't sounding all that great. (They originally offered $100 but then raised it to $500, apparently because no S2000 owners would do it!)

So I'm wondering, have any of you done this? How harsh is the dyno test likely to be? Is there a problem with our emission control system?

Thanks for your thoughts.

 

I wouldn't do it

 

I remember reading about this before. It's a SCAM, don't do it.

 

It's very STRANGE.

the thing is, the S been out for how many year? NOW they want to do some testing? the could find an S new, overstock, used, certified used, wrecked, swapped, jacked, raced, abused and they somehow wants your's

500 is nothing if they messed up or messed with your car, 500 is not even worth the peace of mind imho.

there is alot of aftermarket part testing for new car, i know a guy that got a free catback from skunk2 because they use his car for the prototype exhaust.
the funny thing is, the prototype(which skunk2 gave him after all the testing) felt off while he is driving on the street.

they replace it with a production unit or something.

 

sounds VERY fishy. I wouldn't do it.

 

What's the name of the company?

 

REPORT THIS T HONDA!

 

The company is Boshart Engineering, http://www.boshartengineering.com. There is a letter on Honda letterhead accompanying their letter, and they give a Honda customer service number to call with questions, 800-999-1009. I have not done that yet.

 

I agree w/ the others here. I wouldn't do it. No way. There's no telling what this so called company will do to it.

 

Don't do it.They'll mess up your car.