Civic Type R EP3 running costs?

[champagne_taste_beer_money]

I'm looking to buy a CTR EP3 2004-05 with probably 75K miles and I need to work out if it's worth having a Warrantywise used warranty on it.
I know they have a reputation for being bulletproof but if anyone has run one for a while, could you let me know roughly what you spend a year on running repairs. Exclude servicing & upgrades, I'm just trying to figure if it's worth £500 a year to avoid big bills which I can't afford.

[Butter Face]

Don't bother with the warranty. All parts are easy and cheap.

Apart from upgrades in the last 2 years I have paid for fuel, road tax and insurance. They're ace.

[champagne_taste_beer_money]

Thanks for letting me know. I know they have that rep but there's nothing like hearing it 1st hand.

[Butter Face]

I have had to replace 2 bulbs in the dash today at £1 each from Honda.

[Orchardab]

They are very cheap to run, had mine for 4 years and only had a few minor bits picked up at the service and MOT.
Going to sell mine, its on the market now, the mrs is preggo and need a diesel saloon!

[champagne_taste_beer_money]

That's ironic
I bought mine today and can't wait to pick it up.
And the company car is going back ...... a BMW330d MSport. Sorry couldn't have swapped - it's not mine, but its a great piece of kit.
And congratulations by the way.

[Butter Face]

What colour/year have you gone for mate?

[champagne_taste_beer_money]

2005 in Cosmic Grey. It's not a premier edition which I would have liked because of the Recaros, but it's post-facelift and it's an absolute peach.
1 owner for last 10 years, 62K, full Honda SH.

[Butter Face]

Nice, good choice.

You could buy some recaros Fromm Ebay for about £600, you'll always get your money back I you wanted to sell them.

[champagne_taste_beer_money]

Thanks for the offer.
But I've got to save up for the 75K service, and the first item on the shopping list is a Quaife LSD.

[krismccloy]

champagne_taste_beer_money said:

Thanks for the offer.
But I've got to save up for the 75K service, and the first item on the shopping list is a Quaife LSD.

Good idea, I have a 2006 Grey premier with 72k on it.

Have just bought a re-built gearbox with a Wavetrac LSD after a few circuit outings.

Cost wise:

I've had to put a genuine Honda clutch in mine (Heavy pedal, short bite & No gear changes over 7-7.5k)

OEM Honda clutch £150.00, 2L's of MTF3 £20 & £130.00 labour
O2 sensors are a common fault NGK ones are £50-60 (OEM Honda £200-240)
OEM Honda track rod ends - £100ish for the pair
OEM front pads £45-50, discs around £100 for the pair, Rears are similar
Seized calipers have been a problem for me and I bought a refurbished set front set for £200 delivered
Tyres 215/45/17 start at around £50 for anything worth talking about

Cox motorparts is great for OEM Honda service parts

In reality with an aftermarket Intake and B-pipe combined short stints to work I'm getting 28-30mpg which isn't great, 35+ on a run.

Compared to most marques and you've got your head screwed on when online shopping, Running costs are reasonable and they are reliable cars.

Edited by krismccloy on Monday 7th November 12:27

Edited by krismccloy on Monday 7th November 12:28

[champagne_taste_beer_money]

Thanks for the advice. Is there a particular reason that you went for the Wavetrac LSD?

From what you say above, it looks like genuine Honda or pattern parts for the EP3 are WAY less expensive than those for the string of BMWs I've had.
I just picked mine up today so really looking forward to getting to know it. Shame it's so cold and slippery at the minute.

[Butter Face]

Just had my first parts failure for the year, dashboard bulbs. £1.25 EACH from Honda. Disgusting

[champagne_taste_beer_money]

That's totally shocking! I will advise JD Powers to downgrade Honda.
I wish I'd known yesterday and I would have reconsidered buying the car.

[krismccloy]

champagne_taste_beer_money said:

Thanks for the advice. Is there a particular reason that you went for the Wavetrac LSD?

From what you say above, it looks like genuine Honda or pattern parts for the EP3 are WAY less expensive than those for the string of BMWs I've had.
I just picked mine up today so really looking forward to getting to know it. Shame it's so cold and slippery at the minute.

Great, Have fun!

Wavetrac is a helical which exhibits plated diff behavior essentially, It's like a hybrid.

With a normal helical when a wheel lifts off the ground or gets light footed it will only send power to one wheel like an open diff, The wavetrac will continue to send power to both wheels like a plated diff, without the maintenance trouble of the plated diff. It will probably not feel as agressive as something 1.5way plated however, But you can use relatively normal MTF with these Wavetracs which is a bonus too for me.

[MurderousCrow]

krismccloy said:

champagne_taste_beer_money said:

Thanks for the advice. Is there a particular reason that you went for the Wavetrac LSD?

From what you say above, it looks like genuine Honda or pattern parts for the EP3 are WAY less expensive than those for the string of BMWs I've had.
I just picked mine up today so really looking forward to getting to know it. Shame it's so cold and slippery at the minute.

Great, Have fun!

Wavetrac is a helical which exhibits plated diff behavior essentially, It's like a hybrid.

With a normal helical when a wheel lifts off the ground or gets light footed it will only send power to one wheel like an open diff, The wavetrac will continue to send power to both wheels like a plated diff, without the maintenance trouble of the plated diff. It will probably not feel as agressive as something 1.5way plated however, But you can use relatively normal MTF with these Wavetracs which is a bonus too for me.

I too went for a Wavetrac on my recently purchased (second) EP3. My reasons were:

- Renowned quality, lifetime warranty, 'fit and forget' (notwithstanding transmission oil changes).
- Near-silent operation, no 'lag'.
- Avoids the problem of allowing unlimited slip in zero-traction conditions, unlike every other gear-type LSD.
- No issues with gearbox wear or plate replacement associated with plated diffs.

I'd say it's worth the small premium over the other brands. It feels amazing in use and transforms the car.

Edit: as pointed out above running costs and replacement parts are generally reasonable. A few things to be aware of are:

- Front LCA bushes (and suspension bushes in general, of course it's an older car so this is somewhat inevitable).
- Many people might disagree on the need for this but I've replaced the timing chain and tensioner on both my EP3s around the 75,000 -100,000 mile mark. If the timing chain gets sufficiently stretched, worst case is skipping teeth on the cam gear and lunching the engine.
- The lost-motion assembly supporting the VTEC lobes can get sloppy and begin to rattle.
- And of course if it's spending a fair bit of time being used hard it will use oil much faster.

Luke

Edited by MurderousCrow on Thursday 24th November 09:44

[OCDave]

Thanks for the advice. Looks like Wavetrac is the way to go. However, I'll have to start saving up.
After a puncture last week means I've got to lash out £300 for 2 new tyres & 4 wheel alignment. And depending on what the camber turns out to be maybe front camber bolts & rear camber kit.
Oh well, love never was cheap.

[anonymous-user]

Glad you went for it in the end! Only just found the thread. IMO very cheap to run for the performance. I've had mine for 7 months and it's great.

I'm getting an itch to upgrade something on it, like coil overs. Not because I want to slam it or anything, but standard suspension is not much cheaper (~£100) than a new set of coil overs.