8000rpm cheap daily
Discussion
As a small number of you, or none at all, may remember I seem to do these readers car threads on a fairly regular basis 
Well after just over a year with an E46 M3, and not really enjoying it to the degree I thought I would do, a house purchase has happened ai the M3 went up for sale. After an absolute ball ache trying to get rid of it, it finally went to Germany of all places last weekend.
This mean that the hunt for something cheapish to run was on, it had a simple brief of be fun to drive on the odd occasion the mood takes me, fit a mountain bike or possibly 2 in the back and sometimes be a dog carrier. The mountain bike issue was dealt with slightly by purchasing a seasucker carrier as I hate leaving roof bars on all the time and they're a faff to take off and put on constantly
The list of potentials I had in mind was ridiculous to be honest even for me, everything from a VRS Octavia to a 325d/330d touring, Impreza WRX, Leon Cupra's, Golf GTI's and anything else that popped into my head really, then I settled on the idea of a C30 D5. I'd got my eye on one or two that were for sale and then when it came to arranging a viewing they were both not for sale anymore. Balls.
So last Saturday night was spent with beer in hand thinking/browsing for ideas, those who have seen my threads in the past will have noticed I've had a few Honda's, 2x EP3's, S2000 and a DC5 Integra. And my girlfriend also has a DC5 Integra and a CRX Del Sol, as with most of my car searches it eventually results in me searching for Type R's just to see what's about and that's when I found this car.
It's a 109k mile GT spec FN2 Civic Type R, full main dealer history, mechanically it seems to be spot on even plenty of meat left of the discs and pads, and also plenty of meat on the Nexen tyres all round, they wont be lasting for long though. The bad points are all bodywork related really, there's a few bits of lacquer peel that will be sorted in the next few weeks but aside from that all is well. Oh and the wheels could ideally do with a refurb, at the moment I'm thinking Championship White.
Plans for the car are pretty simple, a new double din headunit is on order so I have some DAB radio options plus phone/USB connectivity. I'll probably end up with some Tein lowering springs for a subtle 15-20mm drop and get a fast road geo setup done and some 15mm hubcentric spacers just to get the wheels sitting a bit more pleasing in the arches. One other job will be an engine bay tidy up, someone has attempted to try and paint the cam cover in the past but have done it by just going over the paint that was already there, it looks terrible so that will be changed to Subaru WR blue and a couple of small odds and sods to brighten it up a bit. Here's some pics as it stood when I got home this morning, albeit a bit dirty.
The shocking cam cover
Well after just over a year with an E46 M3, and not really enjoying it to the degree I thought I would do, a house purchase has happened ai the M3 went up for sale. After an absolute ball ache trying to get rid of it, it finally went to Germany of all places last weekend. This mean that the hunt for something cheapish to run was on, it had a simple brief of be fun to drive on the odd occasion the mood takes me, fit a mountain bike or possibly 2 in the back and sometimes be a dog carrier. The mountain bike issue was dealt with slightly by purchasing a seasucker carrier as I hate leaving roof bars on all the time and they're a faff to take off and put on constantly
The list of potentials I had in mind was ridiculous to be honest even for me, everything from a VRS Octavia to a 325d/330d touring, Impreza WRX, Leon Cupra's, Golf GTI's and anything else that popped into my head really, then I settled on the idea of a C30 D5. I'd got my eye on one or two that were for sale and then when it came to arranging a viewing they were both not for sale anymore. Balls.
So last Saturday night was spent with beer in hand thinking/browsing for ideas, those who have seen my threads in the past will have noticed I've had a few Honda's, 2x EP3's, S2000 and a DC5 Integra. And my girlfriend also has a DC5 Integra and a CRX Del Sol, as with most of my car searches it eventually results in me searching for Type R's just to see what's about and that's when I found this car.
It's a 109k mile GT spec FN2 Civic Type R, full main dealer history, mechanically it seems to be spot on even plenty of meat left of the discs and pads, and also plenty of meat on the Nexen tyres all round, they wont be lasting for long though. The bad points are all bodywork related really, there's a few bits of lacquer peel that will be sorted in the next few weeks but aside from that all is well. Oh and the wheels could ideally do with a refurb, at the moment I'm thinking Championship White.
Plans for the car are pretty simple, a new double din headunit is on order so I have some DAB radio options plus phone/USB connectivity. I'll probably end up with some Tein lowering springs for a subtle 15-20mm drop and get a fast road geo setup done and some 15mm hubcentric spacers just to get the wheels sitting a bit more pleasing in the arches. One other job will be an engine bay tidy up, someone has attempted to try and paint the cam cover in the past but have done it by just going over the paint that was already there, it looks terrible so that will be changed to Subaru WR blue and a couple of small odds and sods to brighten it up a bit. Here's some pics as it stood when I got home this morning, albeit a bit dirty.
The shocking cam cover
You might want to remove the cover & get it shot/soda blasted to remove the existing poor finish if you're spending the time to paint it - make sure you get some hi-temp paint & ideally either get it baked in a paint booth or hide it in the oven at Honda if you're on your own & quietly bake it to make sure it's fully dry 
Just don't do what a good friend did & paint it in the kitchen with the resulting overspray over the kitchen units etc. which sort of blew his subterfuge/sneaking around
Just don't do what a good friend did & paint it in the kitchen with the resulting overspray over the kitchen units etc. which sort of blew his subterfuge/sneaking around MrC986 said:
You might want to remove the cover & get it shot/soda blasted to remove the existing poor finish if you're spending the time to paint it - make sure you get some hi-temp paint & ideally either get it baked in a paint booth or hide it in the oven at Honda if you're on your own & quietly bake it to make sure it's fully dry Just don't do what a good friend did & paint it in the kitchen with the resulting overspray over the kitchen units etc. which sort of blew his subterfuge/sneaking around
Dishwasher also good for cleaning prior to painting Just don't do what a good friend did & paint it in the kitchen with the resulting overspray over the kitchen units etc. which sort of blew his subterfuge/sneaking around MrC986 said:
You might want to remove the cover & get it shot/soda blasted to remove the existing poor finish if you're spending the time to paint it - make sure you get some hi-temp paint & ideally either get it baked in a paint booth or hide it in the oven at Honda if you're on your own & quietly bake it to make sure it's fully dry Just don't do what a good friend did & paint it in the kitchen with the resulting overspray over the kitchen units etc. which sort of blew his subterfuge/sneaking around
I've got a bit lucky to be honest, a friend is doing a K20 engine swap on an EJ Civic he has to be a bit of a demo car/track toy for his garage so he's painting the cam cover off that one WR blue for me in the next week or two and doing a swap for mine at the moment. Just don't do what a good friend did & paint it in the kitchen with the resulting overspray over the kitchen units etc. which sort of blew his subterfuge/sneaking around I had to strip the one on my old S2000 a while back, so glad I haven't got to do it again. Right pain in the arse. I don't envy anyone having to strip a whole car.
5 days into ownership and nothing major to report so far. It's only really been used for the short journey to work and a trip to the tip yesterday, but I did get to give it a quick blast after taking the long way home. I've never been a huge fan of the FN2 in the past but I'm already warming to it. I'd say 95% of the fun of an EP3 but with the added bonus of a few extra toys to make life a bit more comfortable. The seats are so properly comfortable and supportive plus the car isn't as noisy inside. It's no GT car like the M3 could be but as a cheap alternative it really isn't bad. Plus VTEC will always be fun and it doesn't something the M3 will never manage day to day, 32mpg
Did manage to give it it's first wash this afternoon, had the s
tty job of going to the vets to have mum and dad's/the families dog put to sleep so something to do this afternoon was a welcome distraction.
Wheels definitely need a refurb
Did manage to give it it's first wash this afternoon, had the s
tty job of going to the vets to have mum and dad's/the families dog put to sleep so something to do this afternoon was a welcome distraction.Wheels definitely need a refurb
DanielSan said:
I've never been a huge fan of the FN2 in the past but I'm already warming to it. I'd say 95% of the fun of an EP3 but with the added bonus of a few extra toys to make life a bit more comfortable.
Pretty much sums it up for me too, we have an FN2 in the daily fleet and it's actually my second one - I got one as my first ever "performance" car back in 2010'ish. I do prefer EP3s and having been in one a few times recently it's amazing how much better they ride and just feel better put together but the toys in the FN2 go some way to making up for it.
I would like to try some different springs on mine to see if I can soften it up a touch.
I don't mind the ride too much but I think that's because I've spent years in stuff that rides hard anyway, anything soft makes me feel a bit sick now
I think first port of call for me after some tyres that aren't made of cheese will be springs and getting the geo sorted. They're both pretty cheap but effective mods.
I think first port of call for me after some tyres that aren't made of cheese will be springs and getting the geo sorted. They're both pretty cheap but effective mods.
DanielSan said:
I don't mind the ride too much but I think that's because I've spent years in stuff that rides hard anyway, anything soft makes me feel a bit sick now
I think first port of call for me after some tyres that aren't made of cheese will be springs and getting the geo sorted. They're both pretty cheap but effective mods.
I consider the FN2 too harsh compared to my Exige and that's saying something! I've only ever had 18's on my Civics and I understand they're even worse on the optional 19" wheels.I think first port of call for me after some tyres that aren't made of cheese will be springs and getting the geo sorted. They're both pretty cheap but effective mods.
Fonzey said:
I consider the FN2 too harsh compared to my Exige and that's saying something! I've only ever had 18's on my Civics and I understand they're even worse on the optional 19" wheels.
I can't imagine the 19's being enjoyable in any way on these. They certainly didn't enhance the M3 but that car just looks way cooler than if it's on the 18's. The 19's don't even suit the FN2 they just look way too big for the car. Small update, as previously mentioned I've been considering at some point in the near future having the wheels refurbished and done in white, the original plan for that was to be done closer to summer but then an eBay happened....
I just happened to be browsing through wheels on Sunday night out or boredom when I happened to notice a brand new set of Team Dynamics Pro Race 1.2's in the right size and fitment for the Civic, I added them to the watch list thinking nothing more about it until I got the notification last night that there wasn't long to go and they were still only on £250.
An hour later and one bid with 10 seconds to go I'm now the owner of a complete set of white Pro Race 1.2's in 18x8 flavour for a mere £310. Not much more half the usual price. We'll see if the sale gets honoured or not now...
I just happened to be browsing through wheels on Sunday night out or boredom when I happened to notice a brand new set of Team Dynamics Pro Race 1.2's in the right size and fitment for the Civic, I added them to the watch list thinking nothing more about it until I got the notification last night that there wasn't long to go and they were still only on £250.
An hour later and one bid with 10 seconds to go I'm now the owner of a complete set of white Pro Race 1.2's in 18x8 flavour for a mere £310. Not much more half the usual price. We'll see if the sale gets honoured or not now...
Nothing major to update, somehow getting the wheels delivered has become a major faff, hopefully I should finally get them Monday...
In other news I had to order a Connects2 unit to get the headunit working with the climate control display and steering wheel controls, 3rd one arrived on Friday as the first 2 haven't worked for some reason so hoping it's just had luck.
And finally managed to go and get some Eibach springs yesterday courtesy of ABP Motorsport, 30mm drop should get it sitting nicely on the new wheels.
Just need to get tyres ordered once they arrive and I've also noticed a noise coming from the passenger side top mount so a new pair of those will be ordered before the springs are fitted. I'll be ordering a set of camber bolts and shims ready to do a fast road geo setup once everything is fitted also.
In marginally more interesting news I finally got to go and give it a bit of a hoon this afternoon just to try it out as standard. It is a bit crashy ride wise as standard but having spoken to a few people the Eibach's do soften it up slightly even with the drop so a comparison will be done after, and really can't wait to get some more confidence inspiring rubber on it finally.
In other news I had to order a Connects2 unit to get the headunit working with the climate control display and steering wheel controls, 3rd one arrived on Friday as the first 2 haven't worked for some reason so hoping it's just had luck.
And finally managed to go and get some Eibach springs yesterday courtesy of ABP Motorsport, 30mm drop should get it sitting nicely on the new wheels.
Just need to get tyres ordered once they arrive and I've also noticed a noise coming from the passenger side top mount so a new pair of those will be ordered before the springs are fitted. I'll be ordering a set of camber bolts and shims ready to do a fast road geo setup once everything is fitted also.
In marginally more interesting news I finally got to go and give it a bit of a hoon this afternoon just to try it out as standard. It is a bit crashy ride wise as standard but having spoken to a few people the Eibach's do soften it up slightly even with the drop so a comparison will be done after, and really can't wait to get some more confidence inspiring rubber on it finally.
Shadow R1 said:
If your going to the extent of fitting top mounts and lowering\assisted springs perhaps get the dampers done at the same time.
Unless they have been done in the cars recent past then game on.
I need to get them off and check them for any leaks, they feel pretty sharp at the moment even compared to a newer one a I test drove a few years back, so far so good on feel for now at least. If there's no leaks then I'll run them until they die and look at getting some Bilstein's I think. Decision will be made once the cars on the ramp... Unless they have been done in the cars recent past then game on.
Fonzey said:
Look forward to feedback on the springs, our FN2 is slowly positioning itself as the mile muncher in the household and would like to sort the ride out a bit.
I'm certainly hoping they help a bit, only seen good things about them so far, hopefully that proves to be the case. 
Well after a bit of a wait to get the last couple of bits and the faff of having 3 attempts at fitting the stereo and discovering that the first 2 Connects2 units to get the steering wheel controls and dash display to work being faulty, everything is now fitted.
Headunit in
ABP Eibachs, Wheels and Tyres on. Only one quick pic now until the car is cleaned properly
The car's also had new top mounts on the front and after browsing through the history I noticed that both front shocks are also less than 20k miles old so should stay pretty fresh for a while. Camber bolts and rear camber shims are also on, need to get the front camber and front/rear toe set properly as we ran out of time Saturday.
First impressions already are very positive, it rides so much nicer than standard with the Eibach springs fitted which is a pleasant surprise and I'm sure the wheels being a fair bit lighter than the OEM items helps with that side of things. I can't wait to get the geo done properly, just want to get an exhaust for a bit more noise now and it's pretty much exactly as I want it.
Had a trip up to Snugbury's ice cream farm today, it seemed rude not to park next to the FN2 on the car park with the black versions of my wheels, purely because I'm a child
Headunit in
ABP Eibachs, Wheels and Tyres on. Only one quick pic now until the car is cleaned properly
The car's also had new top mounts on the front and after browsing through the history I noticed that both front shocks are also less than 20k miles old so should stay pretty fresh for a while. Camber bolts and rear camber shims are also on, need to get the front camber and front/rear toe set properly as we ran out of time Saturday.
First impressions already are very positive, it rides so much nicer than standard with the Eibach springs fitted which is a pleasant surprise and I'm sure the wheels being a fair bit lighter than the OEM items helps with that side of things. I can't wait to get the geo done properly, just want to get an exhaust for a bit more noise now and it's pretty much exactly as I want it.
Had a trip up to Snugbury's ice cream farm today, it seemed rude not to park next to the FN2 on the car park with the black versions of my wheels, purely because I'm a child
Edited by DanielSan on Monday 13th May 00:04
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