Modifying my EP3 v buying a DC5 instead
Discussion
Bit of a first world problem this one, but I'm caught between a rock and a hard place.
My EP3 is a great car, well maintained it's whole life, wants for nothing mechanically. I've no logical reason to sell up, but being a petrolhead I'm always wanting for more and I feel my car is lacking in a few departments compared to its JDM cousin.
Basically I'm in two minds as to wherever or not I should spend a few quid basically upping the spec on my EP3 to that of the JDM variant (fitting an LSD, JDM anti roll bars etc) and getting a better pad and disc combo, polybushes and braces fitted to improve all of the areas I feel my car is lacking.
Or the alternative is to buy a DC5 with the funds from selling my EP3 and the money I would have used to modify it. As I believe it's just that little bit better in every department, it looks better, is rare, will probably appreciate in value etc etc.
Just after some opinions if anyone else has been in the same boat or has good/ bad experiences with a DC5. I have the knowledge of the differences between the two but I've never even sat in one! Thanks for reading
My EP3 is a great car, well maintained it's whole life, wants for nothing mechanically. I've no logical reason to sell up, but being a petrolhead I'm always wanting for more and I feel my car is lacking in a few departments compared to its JDM cousin.
Basically I'm in two minds as to wherever or not I should spend a few quid basically upping the spec on my EP3 to that of the JDM variant (fitting an LSD, JDM anti roll bars etc) and getting a better pad and disc combo, polybushes and braces fitted to improve all of the areas I feel my car is lacking.
Or the alternative is to buy a DC5 with the funds from selling my EP3 and the money I would have used to modify it. As I believe it's just that little bit better in every department, it looks better, is rare, will probably appreciate in value etc etc.
Just after some opinions if anyone else has been in the same boat or has good/ bad experiences with a DC5. I have the knowledge of the differences between the two but I've never even sat in one! Thanks for reading
I haven't driven an EP3, but I'm told that the biggest problem with the cars is lack of steering feel. The hydraulic assist in the DC5 is really nice, and you get good feedback on what the wheels are doing.
From a passenger perspective the EP3 is softer and quieter. IMO I wouldn't buy the Integra for a daily driver doing lots of miles, as the noise and harsh suspension annoyed me quite a bit on long journeys.
As far as modifying goes, if you want it to be more like a DC5, and that is what you want to turn your EP into, you would probably be better off buying the Integra.
From a passenger perspective the EP3 is softer and quieter. IMO I wouldn't buy the Integra for a daily driver doing lots of miles, as the noise and harsh suspension annoyed me quite a bit on long journeys.
As far as modifying goes, if you want it to be more like a DC5, and that is what you want to turn your EP into, you would probably be better off buying the Integra.
It depends on what you want.
I prefer the look of the EP3 (yeah shoot me) to the DC5. My car has been modified pretty extensively and short of an LSD has a better spec than a DC5 and I’ve probably spent less money, but I’ll never get back what I spent but meh, whatever.
The steering in the EP3 is perfectly fine IMO, a few tweaks make it better but it’s hardly the crap that some people make out.
I prefer the look of the EP3 (yeah shoot me) to the DC5. My car has been modified pretty extensively and short of an LSD has a better spec than a DC5 and I’ve probably spent less money, but I’ll never get back what I spent but meh, whatever.
The steering in the EP3 is perfectly fine IMO, a few tweaks make it better but it’s hardly the crap that some people make out.
Yeah the steering isn't quite up to scratch if you ask me. Feels like you're wearing gloves 
I miss the hydraulic PAS my old EK had!
I miss the hydraulic PAS my old EK had!Donbot said:
I haven't driven an EP3, but I'm told that the biggest problem with the cars is lack of steering feel. The hydraulic assist in the DC5 is really nice, and you get good feedback on what the wheels are doing.
Allegedly fitting an LSD improves steering feel, or so I'm told, but it's £1,000+ commitment that if I make means I keep the EP. Wouldn't be a bad thing though 
Butter Face said:
The steering in the EP3 is perfectly fine IMO, a few tweaks make it better but it’s hardly the crap that some people make out.
I’ve got Bilstein B8 shocks, eibach pro springs, Hardrace inverted track rod ends, camber bolts and a FRSU and I have no complaints about the steering feel or feedback.
I drive many different cars every day and I never get in my EP3 and think it lacks steering feel in any way.
Would I spend twice the amount on another car that is essentially the same under the skin for some hydraulic pas and an LSD? Nah. But choice is a wonderful thing
I drive many different cars every day and I never get in my EP3 and think it lacks steering feel in any way.
Would I spend twice the amount on another car that is essentially the same under the skin for some hydraulic pas and an LSD? Nah. But choice is a wonderful thing
Like I said first world problem My head is saying one thing and my heart is saying another. I like my car and there isn't any other car I'd want other than a DC5. In an ideal situation I'd have both but my wallet won't let me 
My head is saying one thing and my heart is saying another. I like my car and there isn't any other car I'd want other than a DC5. In an ideal situation I'd have both but my wallet won't let me Butter Face said:
I’ve got Bilstein B8 shocks, eibach pro springs, Hardrace inverted track rod ends, camber bolts and a FRSU and I have no complaints about the steering feel or feedback.
I drive many different cars every day and I never get in my EP3 and think it lacks steering feel in any way.
Would I spend twice the amount on another car that is essentially the same under the skin for some hydraulic pas and an LSD? Nah. But choice is a wonderful thing
I drive many different cars every day and I never get in my EP3 and think it lacks steering feel in any way.
Would I spend twice the amount on another car that is essentially the same under the skin for some hydraulic pas and an LSD? Nah. But choice is a wonderful thing
I'd agree with Butter Face that the DC5 is nowhere near twice the car an EP3 is, and in some respects it is worse. Modifying is a personal thing, and with the money you can be more specific with what you want.
On the other hand DC5 values only seem to be going up at the moment. I was also surprised by the number of positive comments from random people on the look of the car (I thought people would just see it as a racer chav wagon).
The worst thing I found was the cost of insurance. It was almost 3 times as expensive compared to an EP3.
On the other hand DC5 values only seem to be going up at the moment. I was also surprised by the number of positive comments from random people on the look of the car (I thought people would just see it as a racer chav wagon).
The worst thing I found was the cost of insurance. It was almost 3 times as expensive compared to an EP3.
Donbot said:
The worst thing I found was the cost of insurance. It was almost 3 times as expensive compared to an EP3.
Insurance cost is a potential deal breaker. I'm up for renewal on the EP soon and I'm looking at paying about £600 fully comp, which I think is only a few hundred quid too much for a 23 year old I think I'm leaning toward sticking with what I have, as it's a fantastic little car. Maybe getting an LSD fitted once the clutch goes is a good way to go? After all it's better the devil you know, than the devil you don't
I'm definitely not ruling out a DC5, but maybe in a couple more years providing the prices don't go through the roof!
Thanks for your opinions Donbot and Butterface!
Gotta agree that if you’re being sensible with the money and looking at residual values then the DC5 trumps the EP3 (but a JDM low mileage EP3 would be a great shout) but tbh if you’re thinking about the residual value, buy a Golf 
I’d had a DC5 in my lottery garage, Blue with blue recaros
but I wouldn’t sell my EP3 for one.
I’d had a DC5 in my lottery garage, Blue with blue recaros
but I wouldn’t sell my EP3 for one.I'd say buy a DC5 but i'm biased. Pros as follows-
-better residuals and a future investment
-LSD and hydraulic steering
-More power than the UKDM civic type R
-Less common
-Nicer looking (subjective)
-practical, used mine to move house, the rear seats fold pretty flat, you can get loads in there very easily because of the way the whole boot and rear window lifts.
-you won't be wishing you bought a civic type R instead, but if you buy the civic you'll always wonder.
-better residuals and a future investment
-LSD and hydraulic steering
-More power than the UKDM civic type R
-Less common
-Nicer looking (subjective)
-practical, used mine to move house, the rear seats fold pretty flat, you can get loads in there very easily because of the way the whole boot and rear window lifts.
-you won't be wishing you bought a civic type R instead, but if you buy the civic you'll always wonder.
designforlife said:
I'd say buy a DC5 but i'm biased. Pros as follows-
-better residuals and a future investment
-LSD and hydraulic steering
-More power than the UKDM civic type R
-Less common
-Nicer looking (subjective)
-practical, used mine to move house, the rear seats fold pretty flat, you can get loads in there very easily because of the way the whole boot and rear window lifts.
-you won't be wishing you bought a civic type R instead, but if you buy the civic you'll always wonder.
Tbh, I can't see decent, clean EP3s depreciating at this point. Very neat, late ones are getting expensive. -better residuals and a future investment
-LSD and hydraulic steering
-More power than the UKDM civic type R
-Less common
-Nicer looking (subjective)
-practical, used mine to move house, the rear seats fold pretty flat, you can get loads in there very easily because of the way the whole boot and rear window lifts.
-you won't be wishing you bought a civic type R instead, but if you buy the civic you'll always wonder.
Agree with everything else - though the Civic would certainly be more practical.
DC5 is 40kg lighter, Has brembos, has nice recaros, better seating position and a better interior (IMO), Alloy front lower arms, better hydraulic PAS, 20mm wider suspension track, LSD, Lower ratio 4-6 and +20bhp etc.... My good friend has a nice example of a DC5 and I have an EP3 which I have modded on the way, Wavetrac LSD, Extra front caster, camber, coilovers, intake, pads, discs, tyres, DC5 Rear ARB etc etc... and personally, If i had the outlay for a DC5, I would have bought one instead. I kind of ended up with my '06 premier EP3 due to a house purchase, which I personally really enjoy. It has cost me 3.5k on mods so far without making it any faster on a straight, which must be considered.
Noticeable difference in the cars power wise, We've been on various circuits together in them. And as an every driver though, the DC5 would need a heavy coat of underseal since it wasn't designed for our climnate, both our cars run pretty heavy spring rates so ride quality is similar. Stock for stock I wouldn't say NVH levels were much different.
Noticeable difference in the cars power wise, We've been on various circuits together in them. And as an every driver though, the DC5 would need a heavy coat of underseal since it wasn't designed for our climnate, both our cars run pretty heavy spring rates so ride quality is similar. Stock for stock I wouldn't say NVH levels were much different.
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