I want an FK2 Type-R but I'm scared. Should I be?

[Fuzzarr]

Hello,

After much pondering, I really want an FK2 next. I drove one yesterday and it was wonderful.

After digging deeper though, I'm surprised by some of the issues they have. Gearbox I'm not overly concerned about and neither is cooling, I'm not going to be doing any trackdays. But the head gasket is a real concern and I don't think I'd enjoy ownership all that much if I was waiting for the HG to fail.

Suppose I could replace it pre-emptively but that's not going to be a small bill.

Interested to get owners' thoughts.

It was of course sorted for the FK8 but I much prefer how the FK2 looks.

Cheers

[TameRacingDriver]

I have no advice for you as I was not aware of these issues but quite surprised to read it as Honda are usually renowned for reliability and all of the Honda's I've had have been almost boringly reliable.

[NicheMonkey]

Don't believe the hype! I have had my FK2 for 4 years now 66 reg. It's probably the highest mileage FK2 in the country at 103k miles! I've done about 60k of those miles.

No issues with the box or the head gasket. The only failure I have had was a coolant hose that spilt. Happened on the motorway and the car did overheat so u was expecting a big bill. Had it recovered to Honda who checked and advised the head was still good! No issues since.

My car has been remapped to 350bhp for over 2 years, still on original clutch no issues whatsoever and I've not been gentle with it.

Just had a full polybushes set fitted as the rear axle to chassis bushes were showing signs of wear. Had the timing chain replaced at 100k but the tech at Honda said it was still well within spec.

[DFNorfolk]

I’ve had an FK2 for around 2.5 years now and done around 40k miles in it with no problems unlike the Golf R I had.

Civic is always serviced at main dealer with the first one being around £250, which included valve clearance adjustment and a major service. None of the rest have been more than £180ish from memory and the Golf never cost less than £250 and often a lot more.

Just budget for wheel refurbs as they love kerbs……

[AnhBanhBao]

It’s on my radar too, OP, for my next car. The looks have me changing my mind almost every week though. Sometimes I think they’re spot-on, and sometimes they look daft. Would love to see one without dark wheels and with a chunky sidewall.

[bazza.]

Ive owned my FK2 for 8 years and never had a problem plus Ive had car the up to a 170mph with no problems at all
It motor along at 130mph all day long plus 80mph your only doing 3k rpm so I get around 40mpg

[Blanchimont]

I've had mine coming up to 9 months, which for me is a long time.
It's been modified, with different wheels, coilovers, remap, intake, exhaust, carbon bits, and extra outside stick on stuff.
It's done just over 80k. It needs a decent service come March, but it's been brilliant.

[TameRacingDriver]

Those wheels looks spot on!

[Blanchimont]

Thanks!
I'm thinking of selling them, as I fancy a change. But I do look at them when clean and think they look mega on the car.

[bazza.]

AnhBanhBao said:

It’s on my radar too, OP, for my next car. The looks have me changing my mind almost every week though. Sometimes I think they’re spot-on, and sometimes they look daft. Would love to see one without dark wheels and with a chunky sidewall.

My one is mostly on its 18" winter rims which are a little chunky compare to its standard 19" lol

[Haltamer]

For all the local FK2s I know and those on Facebook groups, I've never heard anything more than very distant whispering of the head gasket issue.

There are many around that have 70K+ with tunes & mods that are driven loony style & on the daily commute that have never wanted more than a service.

You'd be profoundly unlucky if you had a problem with it.

Even if you were to have bother, there are plenty of dedicated specialist garages and they're fantastically easy to work on for a modern engine.

Have a look around on the facebook groups would be my advice; There are often FK2s up for sale that have been very carefully cared for (As well as a few that are completely Barry'd )

[AnhBanhBao]

Blanchimont and bazza - that’s what I was looking for, I do like the look of them with a bit more rubber. I’m sure it doesn’t actually help that much with the ride (a few of us with Panda 100HPs used to go from a 45 to 50 profile, anything to try and make things less harsh).

[bazza.]

AnhBanhBao said:

Blanchimont and bazza - that’s what I was looking for, I do like the look of them with a bit more rubber. I’m sure it doesn’t actually help that much with the ride (a few of us with Panda 100HPs used to go from a 45 to 50 profile, anything to try and make things less harsh).

Fully understand this is my wife's car now and after putting the summer wheels back on following winter she asked for them to be removed
and fit the smaller red ones on again , as the black ones are 235/35/19 the red ones are 235/40/18.

Nothing wrong with a Panda mate as this is my car