V6 255 Handling

[.Gsi]

I test drove a Mk2 V6 earlier this week and have to say I liked it a lot. The sound from that engine is something else, even at lower speeds. The burbling V6 is very nice indeed.

However, out on the test drive the handling seemed a little too conservative at lower speeds and it seemed to want to puch on a bit into corners.

Im used to a quick turn in and I guess that the engine position will require a different driving style than I am used to. It was also a little greasy as I didnt get a completely dry day to test it

So to other V6 Mk2 owners, was this just me? or do you have to adapt your driving style to get the car to turn in at lower speeds?

or have they compromised too much on the suspension changes from the Mk1 to make the car more predictable?

Rob.

 

[TheCake]

Im not a V6 Mk2 owner so maybe speaking out of turn but your FR (front engined, rear wheel drive) S2000 will handle different to the Clio as that is MR (Mid enginered -rear wheel drive).

I think you will have to adapt your driving style to suit this Rob.

 

[.Gsi]

Accepted, but the S2000 is nearer MR than FR because the engine is way back in the bay and the seats are well in front of the rear. Its about 51:49 Front rear biased... Whereas the V6 is more like 45:55 IIRC?

Anyway, would be good to get some more feedback as I wont get another decent chance of a test drive until I find one to buy.

 

[Jeremy Townsend]

The V6 255 requires a more slow in, fast out style - bit like an early 911

 

[v6Max]

.Gsi it is all about the weight distribution - all the v6s are notorious for being too light at the front and therefore lacking feel and bite on turn in. Some of this is inherent in any mid engined car but there are some things you can do to the v6 to improve it; some of which are cost options and some are to do with the way you drive it.

As others have said slow in, fast out with the addition of some trail braking can improve things and get the car to turn in as can tweaked suspension geometry.

I dont know what revision S2000 you had but the Mk1 variants that I have some experience of were just as" interesting" in the handling department as the Mk1 V6!

 

[.Gsi]

I have the best the original 99-01 model, 02 saw some suspension changes and the 04 suspension, wheels, tyres.

The original one is similar in handling to the V6 I would guess , but the turn in is noticeably better. I suspect that is MAINLY driving style.

Can the V6 handling be tweaked for more turn in via geometry changes? or would I be looking to uprate suspension components?

Im trying to wangle another test drive, but hopefully in dryer weather..

 

[v6Max]

The reference to the Mk1 was to do with the snappy transition to oversteer - although I was never convinced that this was really as much of a problem as people would have you believe.

The driving style is a definite contribution, I never used to trail brake until I bought the v6 but it can certainly help the initial turn in reluctance.

Primary advantage of the S2000 would have to be more weight over/near the front axle and a lower centre of gravity. It may also be worth considering that Honda were not "confused" as to the identity of the S2000 i.e. it was/is their proper sports car (lets not mention the NSX) and compromises may have been made in search of proper sports car handling etc.

I dont know if the Mk2 suspension is fully adjustable but on my Mk1 I changed to KW variant 3 and run different geo and this has noticably improved the turn in and feel through the steering.

Personally I think that you will probably not get the feel, heft etc from the v6 simply because of its weight distribution. You could try strapping 2 bags of cement to the front of the car that may help

 

[JJ172]

I drive a Mk2 172 with tweaked suspension, which is immensely chuckable. Before I drove the Mk2 V6 on the track Id heard all the horror stories about the handling. On the track however all these vanished into thin air - the Palmersport instructors @ Bedford Autodrome encourage you to push the cars as hard as you dare (and beyond sometimes!). After 20mins of thrashing and plenty of slides, drifts etc. I can honestly say youd be hard pushed to find the limit of the Mk2 V6 on the road. Even if you did (and you need to respect the sort of car/setup it is) youd still be way off unsettling it in a major way.

Ive also driven the Mk2 V6 sedately around town (no thanks to Whitehouse Renault, who imposed a very strict test drive!) and it was just like the 172 - a piece of cake to drive.

As for how it compares to my 172, sure its not as chuckable but the whole experience is so much fun youd end up taking the long route home every time.

 

[Liam]

id love to have a go in one..

 

[.Gsi]

Thanks for the info. Good to hear that it resolves itself on a track as if/when I get one itll be off to the track to see how it compares with my mates in their S2000s

Might be here in the next few months as a paid up member