I currently have a '99 BMW Z3 Coupe, and the paint is notoriously soft due to EPA regulations on the paints used in the US build cars. Stone chips are an extremely common occurrence, and many people have opted for the clear bras to prevent them. In your experience, how resistant is the S2000 paint to chipping?

John

 

Funny thing, I also currently have a '99 Z3 coupe, owned it since new. And an '04 S2000- guess you found the right guy to answer your question, huh?

Yes, the Z3 paint is pretty soft- my bumper and hood have plenty of pits and so would the leading edge of the rear fenders if I hadn't used the magnetic stone guards.

Too early for real data on the S2000, but my first impression is that it's actually even worse. I was walking up to my car the other day, somehow scuffed my shoe against the ground and accidently kicked up a small stone- heard a little *clack* on the door and sure enough- a nice little chip.

I guess it's just a reality nowadays for all the reasons you mentioned- our 23 year old merc diesel sits outside every day, hasn't been waxed in 10 years, washed in 10 months, and the paint is in nearly perfect shape- a little TLC could get it back to showroom condition. Of course the painting process on that car was probably as bad for the environment as the carcinogens that flow freely from the tailpipe!

Peter

 

I have a MY00 with about 31K miles. It is my daily driver. With that being said the paint has held up very well. I don't think that there is a paint that will with stand coming in contact with a rock at 70 mph. It has with stood massive amounts of bug collections at high speeds with out chipping.

 

I drive on the Autobahn at speeds up to 260kmh every now and then, and the paint chipping hasn't been a problem. I do keep my distance from trucks and the like, but there aren't many pits and damage. I had much worse luck with an E36 ///M3.

I did lose a front emblem at high speed once. That was unnerving, seeing a little "H" fly past my head!

Once during a driver school event, I was in line behind a MR2 for an autocross trial. He took off and launched lots of stones at my bumper but caused no damage.

///Robin

 

not that this is exactly on your topic, but of interesting note is that I read Ford has developed a new technology/technique that allows them to utilize lead or something like it in their paint again. the technology is recycling the bad stuff out before it can harm the environment, workers etc etc. They have already tested it and it works great, supposedly it has to go into some certification process I believe. If it all works out, I would imagine all the manufacturers will soon catch on, meaning a comeback for harder, more luxurious paints.

 

My S200 paint is holding up better (so far) than previous cars , Vette and Boxster. The Porsche was the worst. My Miata is the best so far as not chipping on the front end.

 

my $0.02 says that the silverstone paint on my S's hood is pretty pathetic.

 

I have a black MY00 S2000 and the paint is rather dull. It almost has a brownish tint to it. I get it waxed twice a year and wash it with quailty stuff. My neighbor has a black MY00 Lincon LS that she washes with dish detergent and never waxes and it looks better than my car. My car also chips way too much. More that my Civic did after 4 years. For a $30+ car, I am dissapointed with the paint. It could be much better.

 

Paint chipping is a major problem on my '00, and many I have seen. It is the the least durable paint I have ever experienced on dozens of cars.

I guess that those that do not have the problem travel on clean roads without heavy traffic, but it seems I am peppered on most highway trips and the front of my car shows it.

If I knew it was going to be this bad after four years I probably would have taken the offers for clear protective treatment more seriously.

 

paint chipping will occur no matter what paint on the s2000. It's just if you have black, you'll tend to notice them more. Many have opted for CF hoods or 3M Clear Nose Bra.