I am glad i read your post.
There is a MINT Star Wars Episode 1 Pin 2000 game located on site here on the Gold Coast and it is doing exactly what you have described above.
I am waiting for the owner to contact me re selling the game. I will take the risk it is like what u have described. Just a plug issue etc. If i buy it cheap enough, and its only simple, all good, or i can still go the NUCORE way anyway, and update it forever. 
Good to see yours mainly fixed itself.
I don't think there's much risk. I have given my game a major work out gameplay wise and had no problems since my posting. Like you stated, you can always go the nucore way in the end. Hope you get the SWEP1, I have one as well as enjoy it very much. Just crank it up in the feature adjustments and get the latest software and its as good as any pin out there gameplay wise. What I like about the P2000 is you have to complete missions before starting the next. So you have to play the shots required. When playing my TZ, I can start heaps of modes and just flip and most times a mode or two will just time out without makign a shot and yet I'm closer to the wizard mode.
You have to get a RFM or at least the playfield if you buy the Swep1 to compliment it. Good luck
