Back in a Honda, EP3 Civic Type R
Discussion
I've now covered just over a thousand miles since picking it up so figured I would do a little update. It drives superbly, agile, sharp and the power builds to a frantic surge at the top end, the noise is delightful and it never fails to raise a smile.
The suspension will require attention in the not so distant future, the ride height is a little low so speed bumps need to be avoided, any suggestions on this front would be appreciated? I'm torn between getting the 15mm eibach pro kit or meister r coilovers which have a good reputation on the Honda forums.
Here's a few more photos.
The suspension will require attention in the not so distant future, the ride height is a little low so speed bumps need to be avoided, any suggestions on this front would be appreciated? I'm torn between getting the 15mm eibach pro kit or meister r coilovers which have a good reputation on the Honda forums.
Here's a few more photos.
Cheers, it's currently got the Eibach sportlines and it's just a little too low, the speed bumps aren't a massive issue as I can generally avoid them but we reguarly stay with my wife's dad in Cornwall and the car will need to be used on occasion for the journey, unfortunately it won't get down his driveway in current state. The prokit should sit at least 15 mm higher which will give me the clearance required, a few friends have suggested coilovers but im sceptical about how they will perform on the road, for a start meister are advising 8kg front and 14kg rear spring rates for road use which seems excessive.
We are coming down to Cornwall this year to stay with family in Bodmin, can you please get the car ready for summer please Butterface, so you can take me for a spin? 
EP3 looks great in those pics MR, really need to take mine for a thrashing, might take it to Cornwall this year (usually take different cars) or could be the SLK, my EP3 just about made it to Bodmin on one tank from West Yorkshire last time i took it down but i chickened out and bought some petrol on the A30
EP3 looks great in those pics MR, really need to take mine for a thrashing, might take it to Cornwall this year (usually take different cars) or could be the SLK, my EP3 just about made it to Bodmin on one tank from West Yorkshire last time i took it down but i chickened out and bought some petrol on the A30
Martin_Hx said:
We are coming down to Cornwall this year to stay with family in Bodmin, can you please get the car ready for summer please Butterface, so you can take me for a spin?
EP3 looks great in those pics MR, really need to take mine for a thrashing, might take it to Cornwall this year (usually take different cars) or could be the SLK, my EP3 just about made it to Bodmin on one tank from West Yorkshire last time i took it down but i chickened out and bought some petrol on the A30
Cheers Martin, that's good to know I should make it without stopping for a fill up, some good roads in Cornwall it can just get really busy at times. EP3 looks great in those pics MR, really need to take mine for a thrashing, might take it to Cornwall this year (usually take different cars) or could be the SLK, my EP3 just about made it to Bodmin on one tank from West Yorkshire last time i took it down but i chickened out and bought some petrol on the A30
I've finally got around to taking some photographs of the interior.
The car is running superbly and I've now covered nearly 5,000 fault free miles including a few runs to Wales. It will be getting a good service in the next month or so and I'm going to be booking a few trackdays for later in the year.
The car is running superbly and I've now covered nearly 5,000 fault free miles including a few runs to Wales. It will be getting a good service in the next month or so and I'm going to be booking a few trackdays for later in the year.
That's a properly nice example there! Decent mods and well cared for clearly. It's hard to find in fast Honda's these days.
How does it compare to the 182, mods aside? I've always wanted a Clio 172/182 but i'm just a bit put off by the same reason you made the change to this EP3. They do seem very fragile. I've never been that keen on Honda's but these do seem to be a good balance of performance and reliability, which is ideal really.
How does it compare to the 182, mods aside? I've always wanted a Clio 172/182 but i'm just a bit put off by the same reason you made the change to this EP3. They do seem very fragile. I've never been that keen on Honda's but these do seem to be a good balance of performance and reliability, which is ideal really.
Sillyhatday said:
Very nice. I forgot how spartan they are inside. Which is quite nice coming from more modern cars.
I always thought that the EP3 had a different gear gaiter material. I thought the lower models had a rubber boot. Interesting
Some days I miss my EP
Cheers, it makes a pleasant change from my wife's Mini Clubman that's got buttons and screens everywhere, no distractions just get in and drive. I'm not too sure on the gear gaiter I know it's common for people to change them though.I always thought that the EP3 had a different gear gaiter material. I thought the lower models had a rubber boot. Interesting
Some days I miss my EP
culpz said:
That's a properly nice example there! Decent mods and well cared for clearly. It's hard to find in fast Honda's these days.
How does it compare to the 182, mods aside? I've always wanted a Clio 172/182 but i'm just a bit put off by the same reason you made the change to this EP3. They do seem very fragile. I've never been that keen on Honda's but these do seem to be a good balance of performance and reliability, which is ideal really.
The Clio's are great fun and in standard form I would take a 172/182 over the ep3 on driving experience alone, there's a lot that the ep3 does better, comfort, reliability, engine, gearbox it's an all together better package but it's not as composed when the going gets really tough on a b road with bumps, dips, camber changes etc. On a track I think the ep3 would have the upper hand however and you would never really have to worry about it letting you down.How does it compare to the 182, mods aside? I've always wanted a Clio 172/182 but i'm just a bit put off by the same reason you made the change to this EP3. They do seem very fragile. I've never been that keen on Honda's but these do seem to be a good balance of performance and reliability, which is ideal really.
Definitely give a Clio a go they are superb and if you are handy with the spanners keeping on top of things isn't too difficult.
It's fast approaching Mot and service time and up until now it's cost me two bulbs so I've decided to treat it to a couple of upgrades while it's in with Grinspeed. First off is suspension, the eibach springs on stock shocks are great for comfort but they rub occasionally on the driver's side front arch so I've been looking around at something adjustable. The options are endless in this regard but one company always gets recommended so I've ordered a set of Meister CRD coilovers with 8kg front and 12kg rear spring rates. I've been passenger in an FN2 with these fitted and they certainly seem impressive.
I've also decided to get a Clockwise motion baffled sump fitted at the same time, the temptation to get a few trackday's in needs addressing and with these engines suffering from oil starvation I'd rather be safe than sorry, oil and filter are included in the cost so it makes sense to do it at service time, It's booked in on the 18th of July.
Some more photos from recent trips, my favourite being a late night run around North Wales, I couldn't sleep so what better way to kill some time.
I've also decided to get a Clockwise motion baffled sump fitted at the same time, the temptation to get a few trackday's in needs addressing and with these engines suffering from oil starvation I'd rather be safe than sorry, oil and filter are included in the cost so it makes sense to do it at service time, It's booked in on the 18th of July.
Some more photos from recent trips, my favourite being a late night run around North Wales, I couldn't sleep so what better way to kill some time.
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff