Known Civic Type R Faults?

[catman]

Hi, my son is planning to buy a Type R in the near future.

I know that they have a good reputation, but are there any common faults to look for?

Thanks

Tim

[catman]

Thanks, Hora. Assuming that the service history checks out, are they reliable to high mileage?

My son's budget means that the car will probably be no later than an '04, with possibly 70,000 miles.

Thanks

Tim

[catman]

could you elaborate, Hora? I'm only familiar with the term in relation to a flooded engine.

Thanks

Tim

[GingerWizard]

If you fit a cold air induction kit like the one AEM sell (CAI AEM) and go waiding in water deeper then half the alloys height you can achieve hydrolock. However the door sill is lower then the centre line of the alloys so you would be a bit of a nobber if you did this.

Steering racks can clunk, check this at low speed turning lock to lock.

Oil level. If its not within 2mm of the top mark when you visit, be wary. Bomb proof engines but they use oil when driven hard and go pop when they are low.

Gwiz

Edit, the air filter and induction pipe are housed behind the front fog light when using the CAI AEM.


very reliable cars btw, love mine, and i won't be selling it for many years, I have learnt to trust it you see.

Edited by GingerWizard on Wednesday 11th May 20:04

[catman]

Thanks for that! I think that he'l be looking for a standard one anyway, due to the insurance!

Thanks

Tim

[SteveS Cup]

They're bullet proof from my experience.

The only one I know that's had issues was a mate who bought a new Premier edition, through a tunnel in 3rd gear, redline, went for fourth and got second! Engine went pop! They ecu had recorded some phenominal rpm!

Not Civic but DC5 (similar engine), guy hadn't had it serviced for 35k miles, still ran perfectly, had service, still runs perfectly now on 70k miles plus.

I'm not saying "don't worry about service history" as I certainly wouldn't buy one without it nor would I not service it but it's a testiment to the longevity of the engine.

Unless he is very restricted by budget (which 04 at 70k miles wouldn't suggest really) I'd be very picky as there are bloody loads out there.

1 thing I get stuck up on is tyres. Good quality tyres which are the same make all way round to me show's a caring owner... mickey mouse budgets with a different tread pattern on all 4 corners to me shows a lack of love.

[catman]

I think that his budget is around 5K, so should get a decent one for that.

As you've said there are quite a few on Pistonheads with full S/History for that.

Thanks!

Tim

[300bhp/ton]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

I'm sorry but what?????????????????

This is EXACTLY the same for ALL cars. So the CTR is no different, nor a special case.

[300bhp/ton]

SteveS Cup said:

1 thing I get stuck up on is tyres. Good quality tyres which are the same make all way round to me show's a caring owner... mickey mouse budgets with a different tread pattern on all 4 corners to me shows a lack of love.

I sort of agree and certainly with the CTR. Shouldn't always take this view though. I run odd tyres front/rear on one of my cars, mostly as when the fronts needed replacing they no longer sold the tyres I had. It seemed pointless to bin the other pair as they where actually fairly new.

As for budgets, again depends. I've run some so called budget/mid brands and found some excellent tyres. I've also run some "premium" tyres that are shockingly ste.

[300bhp/ton]

catman said:

I think that his budget is around 5K, so should get a decent one for that.

As you've said there are quite a few on Pistonheads with full S/History for that.

Thanks!

Tim

While important, I wouldn't get too hung up on full Service history. Firstly it actually proves very little and secondly offers no assurances.

Buy on condition - always.


And logic to support this. How long are they likely to keep the car? 12 months, a couple of years maybe? So long term reliability isn't really likely a concern.

And if they do keep it a long long time. You'd just sort out any issues that arose and wouldn't be able to directly trace them back to a lack of service history.

Not too mention, the car will still devalue. Sure it's a cult car, but over the next 5 years or so prices will continue to drop until they are near banger money. This is just the way with cars of this nature.

[300bhp/ton]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

I think they'll be fine. Reckon you worry far too much about such things

All high revving engines, especially when a bit older will use a bit of oil. I really wouldn't worry about it and I suspect if you look it up Honda probably quote something like 0.5 litre per 1000 miles oil consumption (or something similar) is within tolerances for a new one. Most car makers say something along these lines.

[zax]

Issues I had - steering rack replaced under warranty, see previous comments about knocking. Rear suspension control arms replaced under warranty - causing excessive and uneven tyre wear at the rear. Headlamp unit replaced under warranty, levelling motor broken. Outside warranty Ive also had one failed injector and another replacement headlight (same levelling motor issue).

Everything else has been general wear & tear items. 8 years, 200,000km and still in good shape. 70,000 miles is nothing providing it's been well cared for.

[insanojackson]

Which type r are we talking about?

ek9, ep3, fn2 ???

[dbvilla]

It'll be an ep3. His budget doesnt stretch past a 70k 04 plate, so it wont be an fn2. That sort of budget pretty much rules out a decent ek9 aswell.

[dowahdiddyman]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

So true, had vredsteins fitted all round on my Hyundai coupe for 4-5 years, absolutely brill, dealer stopped doing them so put some pirelli`s on, absolute pants. Wouldn`t call vred budgget either,100 a corner.
Bloke at work has got a CTR and still drools over it,reckons it1s best car he`s had.

[insanojackson]

dbvilla said:

It'll be an ep3. His budget doesnt stretch past a 70k 04 plate, so it wont be an fn2. That sort of budget pretty much rules out a decent ek9 aswell.

well I had an ep3 04 plte from new and i had absolutely no issues at all with it.

Used a set of front tyres and brake pads fairly quickly, but I suppose thats ormal for this type of car.

[MorrisCRX]

insanojackson said:

Which type r are we talking about?

ek9, ep3, fn2 ???

Most likely a breadvan at the price mentioned.


I dont rate FSH either. I service my honda my self and I'm perfectly capable of doing so.

[SteveS Cup]

300bhp/ton said:

SteveS Cup said:

1 thing I get stuck up on is tyres. Good quality tyres which are the same make all way round to me show's a caring owner... mickey mouse budgets with a different tread pattern on all 4 corners to me shows a lack of love.

I sort of agree and certainly with the CTR. Shouldn't always take this view though. I run odd tyres front/rear on one of my cars, mostly as when the fronts needed replacing they no longer sold the tyres I had. It seemed pointless to bin the other pair as they where actually fairly new.

As for budgets, again depends. I've run some so called budget/mid brands and found some excellent tyres. I've also run some "premium" tyres that are shockingly ste.

Yes totally agree... the Michelin's on my TT when I bought it were pretty poor imo. The Pirelli P Zero Nero's on my 106 GTI were poor. I love my Toyo's, Parada Spec 2's and Vred's... I didn't mean "unless they're Michi's, Pirelli or Bridgestones then steer clear"... You know what I meant!

[SteveS Cup]

Just to add to this...

A good friend of mine has just bought an absolutely mint Silver 05 CTR which is completely standard from a dealer, 2 owners I think with 40k miles for £7000 (was advertised at £8500).

[RobCrezz]

2nd gear can be a bit notchy when cold, but changing the gearbox oil can often sort this (did on my old one).

Also, if it throws up a CAS problem, sometimes it can be because of the timing chain stretching if highish mileage.

Also at that around 70k (IIRC) the valve clearances need to be adjusted, but thats not a major issue.