Mk2 CRV 2.2 iCDTI still viable?
Discussion
Hi all. I’m currently driving a BMW 320dGT (I know - the ugly one!) but I quite like it and it’s been great for my 20k miles per year of mixed, but mainly motorway driving. This all said, I’m really hankering after a Mk2 Honda CRV diesel for agricultural old-school charm (I had and loved a Volvo 240 years ago. I’m wondering about your expert thoughts on the diesel CRV as a 20k a year workhorse? Too long-in-the-tooth, or a safe-pair-of-hands? Thanks all
That's a curious hankering, but since when has choosing a car been a logical process for a lot of us?!
It's a Honda, so it's highly unlikely to let you down, just keep an eye (or ear) on the timing chain on the diesels...OHs father has driven them for years, loves them, can't remember him having a single problem...so go for it!
It's a Honda, so it's highly unlikely to let you down, just keep an eye (or ear) on the timing chain on the diesels...OHs father has driven them for years, loves them, can't remember him having a single problem...so go for it!
Is your 320D equipped with the ZF8? The reason I ask is that 20k a year is quite a lot (50miles a day for work, bit more at the weekends) and your current BMW is a very capable, easy way of doing this.
A Mk2 2.2 diesel CRV will be around 15yrs old (assuming you mean Mk2 and not the Mk3 that came out in 2007?) and will be much harder work than your beemer. Slower, probably manual, noisier, thirstier etc.
I test drove a 2.2 Mk3 manual a few years ago. It wasn't bad, but it is a 10second 0-60 car and you are currently in an 8second 0-60 car with mod cons. I wonder if you would go off this idea after a short time.
Alternative view - cash in Beemer now and take advantage of sky high used prices! Maybe get lucky on old, diesel SUV!
A Mk2 2.2 diesel CRV will be around 15yrs old (assuming you mean Mk2 and not the Mk3 that came out in 2007?) and will be much harder work than your beemer. Slower, probably manual, noisier, thirstier etc.
I test drove a 2.2 Mk3 manual a few years ago. It wasn't bad, but it is a 10second 0-60 car and you are currently in an 8second 0-60 car with mod cons. I wonder if you would go off this idea after a short time.
Alternative view - cash in Beemer now and take advantage of sky high used prices! Maybe get lucky on old, diesel SUV!
Great cars, have had two of these. One petrol, one diesel. A few things to look our for:
2.2 diesels have common problems with the clutch and flywheel, definitely worth looking for one which has these replaced already. If you find one done over 100k miles, than this is incredibly important.
Common problem with the diff on these. The way to test it is do full lock stationary, and move off in 1st gear. If you here a grumbling noise, the diff might be on its way out, or needs an oil change immediately.
Parking sensors are problematic on these. Its quite rare to find a mk2 now with parking sensors that actually work. Bumper off job to replace. However, if you go for the EX model, or ES with nav, you get a reverse camera anyway. Hence, I switched off the parking sensors and just used the camera on my previous one.
Black and red CRV's have a common issue for thin paint. Hence very easy to chip and mark. Honda UK are aware of this, but never did anything about it.
17 and 18 inch wheels are fine, however the 19 inch Onyx and Blaze wheels look great, BUT the road noise is awful and the ride is quite shaky.
If you can stretch to a later Mk2 with the iDTEC engine (approx late 2009 onwards), these are a much much better engine, a lot quieter and refined. Better fuel economy too.
Another common issue is the Bluetooth unit (which is really crap to use anyway in these). Issue is where they don't switch off when you switch off the ignition, therefore causes constant battery drain. You end up having to pull apart the interior to pull out the Bluetooth module to switch it off completely.
On EX models, the pan roof electric blind is a common weak point, where the mechanism breaks and the blind doesn't retract properly.
The EX models with the ADAS or Advanced Safety Pack aren't worth the extra premium. Basically, these have radar cruise, collision mitigation braking, and xenons. The radar cruise is a very dated system, and is pretty rubbish. From late 2008 onwards, xenons were standard on EX models (without ADAS). Prior to this, they were halogens.
If you can fine one with the Aero kit (basically an original Honda bodywork consisting of larger front and rear bumpers and roof spoiler), these look far better than the standard car. That's my opinion anyway.
It probably sounds like I'm having a moan about these CRV's, but they are genuinely great cars and I do miss the one I had a few years ago. The above issues are just common issues, which of course most cars do have common issues.
If I had my choice again to buy one of these, I would target the following:
Late 2009 onwards 2.2 iDTEC EX with the Aero kit.
I know these CRV's inside out, so if you need any further info, please let me know. Hope the above helps.
2.2 diesels have common problems with the clutch and flywheel, definitely worth looking for one which has these replaced already. If you find one done over 100k miles, than this is incredibly important.
Common problem with the diff on these. The way to test it is do full lock stationary, and move off in 1st gear. If you here a grumbling noise, the diff might be on its way out, or needs an oil change immediately.
Parking sensors are problematic on these. Its quite rare to find a mk2 now with parking sensors that actually work. Bumper off job to replace. However, if you go for the EX model, or ES with nav, you get a reverse camera anyway. Hence, I switched off the parking sensors and just used the camera on my previous one.
Black and red CRV's have a common issue for thin paint. Hence very easy to chip and mark. Honda UK are aware of this, but never did anything about it.
17 and 18 inch wheels are fine, however the 19 inch Onyx and Blaze wheels look great, BUT the road noise is awful and the ride is quite shaky.
If you can stretch to a later Mk2 with the iDTEC engine (approx late 2009 onwards), these are a much much better engine, a lot quieter and refined. Better fuel economy too.
Another common issue is the Bluetooth unit (which is really crap to use anyway in these). Issue is where they don't switch off when you switch off the ignition, therefore causes constant battery drain. You end up having to pull apart the interior to pull out the Bluetooth module to switch it off completely.
On EX models, the pan roof electric blind is a common weak point, where the mechanism breaks and the blind doesn't retract properly.
The EX models with the ADAS or Advanced Safety Pack aren't worth the extra premium. Basically, these have radar cruise, collision mitigation braking, and xenons. The radar cruise is a very dated system, and is pretty rubbish. From late 2008 onwards, xenons were standard on EX models (without ADAS). Prior to this, they were halogens.
If you can fine one with the Aero kit (basically an original Honda bodywork consisting of larger front and rear bumpers and roof spoiler), these look far better than the standard car. That's my opinion anyway.
It probably sounds like I'm having a moan about these CRV's, but they are genuinely great cars and I do miss the one I had a few years ago. The above issues are just common issues, which of course most cars do have common issues.
If I had my choice again to buy one of these, I would target the following:
Late 2009 onwards 2.2 iDTEC EX with the Aero kit.
I know these CRV's inside out, so if you need any further info, please let me know. Hope the above helps.
SlowV6 said:
Is your 320D equipped with the ZF8? The reason I ask is that 20k a year is quite a lot (50miles a day for work, bit more at the weekends) and your current BMW is a very capable, easy way of doing this.
A Mk2 2.2 diesel CRV will be around 15yrs old (assuming you mean Mk2 and not the Mk3 that came out in 2007?) and will be much harder work than your beemer. Slower, probably manual, noisier, thirstier etc.
I test drove a 2.2 Mk3 manual a few years ago. It wasn't bad, but it is a 10second 0-60 car and you are currently in an 8second 0-60 car with mod cons. I wonder if you would go off this idea after a short time.
Alternative view - cash in Beemer now and take advantage of sky high used prices! Maybe get lucky on old, diesel SUV!
Thanks for your thoughts. My BMW is a manual. Having come from a 5 series auto I initially missed it, but the memory has faded somewhat over the three years of stick-shifting. A Mk2 2.2 diesel CRV will be around 15yrs old (assuming you mean Mk2 and not the Mk3 that came out in 2007?) and will be much harder work than your beemer. Slower, probably manual, noisier, thirstier etc.
I test drove a 2.2 Mk3 manual a few years ago. It wasn't bad, but it is a 10second 0-60 car and you are currently in an 8second 0-60 car with mod cons. I wonder if you would go off this idea after a short time.
Alternative view - cash in Beemer now and take advantage of sky high used prices! Maybe get lucky on old, diesel SUV!
I was wondering about the sky high used prices, and it is in part why I’m thinking of dropping to a cheap CRV for a few years, plus my daughter is soon to pass her test and will be relying on the bank-of-dad for a motor. All in all seems like a decent time to task a calculated risk. What could possibly go wrong…
ads_4116 said:
Great cars, have had two of these. One petrol, one diesel. A few things to look our for:
2.2 diesels have common problems with the clutch and flywheel, definitely worth looking for one which has these replaced already. If you find one done over 100k miles, than this is incredibly important.
Common problem with the diff on these. The way to test it is do full lock stationary, and move off in 1st gear. If you here a grumbling noise, the diff might be on its way out, or needs an oil change immediately.
Parking sensors are problematic on these. Its quite rare to find a mk2 now with parking sensors that actually work. Bumper off job to replace. However, if you go for the EX model, or ES with nav, you get a reverse camera anyway. Hence, I switched off the parking sensors and just used the camera on my previous one.
Black and red CRV's have a common issue for thin paint. Hence very easy to chip and mark. Honda UK are aware of this, but never did anything about it.
17 and 18 inch wheels are fine, however the 19 inch Onyx and Blaze wheels look great, BUT the road noise is awful and the ride is quite shaky.
If you can stretch to a later Mk2 with the iDTEC engine (approx late 2009 onwards), these are a much much better engine, a lot quieter and refined. Better fuel economy too.
Another common issue is the Bluetooth unit (which is really crap to use anyway in these). Issue is where they don't switch off when you switch off the ignition, therefore causes constant battery drain. You end up having to pull apart the interior to pull out the Bluetooth module to switch it off completely.
On EX models, the pan roof electric blind is a common weak point, where the mechanism breaks and the blind doesn't retract properly.
The EX models with the ADAS or Advanced Safety Pack aren't worth the extra premium. Basically, these have radar cruise, collision mitigation braking, and xenons. The radar cruise is a very dated system, and is pretty rubbish. From late 2008 onwards, xenons were standard on EX models (without ADAS). Prior to this, they were halogens.
If you can fine one with the Aero kit (basically an original Honda bodywork consisting of larger front and rear bumpers and roof spoiler), these look far better than the standard car. That's my opinion anyway.
It probably sounds like I'm having a moan about these CRV's, but they are genuinely great cars and I do miss the one I had a few years ago. The above issues are just common issues, which of course most cars do have common issues.
If I had my choice again to buy one of these, I would target the following:
Late 2009 onwards 2.2 iDTEC EX with the Aero kit.
I know these CRV's inside out, so if you need any further info, please let me know. Hope the above helps.
Thanks ‘Ads’, and thanks for your offer of further info! 2.2 diesels have common problems with the clutch and flywheel, definitely worth looking for one which has these replaced already. If you find one done over 100k miles, than this is incredibly important.
Common problem with the diff on these. The way to test it is do full lock stationary, and move off in 1st gear. If you here a grumbling noise, the diff might be on its way out, or needs an oil change immediately.
Parking sensors are problematic on these. Its quite rare to find a mk2 now with parking sensors that actually work. Bumper off job to replace. However, if you go for the EX model, or ES with nav, you get a reverse camera anyway. Hence, I switched off the parking sensors and just used the camera on my previous one.
Black and red CRV's have a common issue for thin paint. Hence very easy to chip and mark. Honda UK are aware of this, but never did anything about it.
17 and 18 inch wheels are fine, however the 19 inch Onyx and Blaze wheels look great, BUT the road noise is awful and the ride is quite shaky.
If you can stretch to a later Mk2 with the iDTEC engine (approx late 2009 onwards), these are a much much better engine, a lot quieter and refined. Better fuel economy too.
Another common issue is the Bluetooth unit (which is really crap to use anyway in these). Issue is where they don't switch off when you switch off the ignition, therefore causes constant battery drain. You end up having to pull apart the interior to pull out the Bluetooth module to switch it off completely.
On EX models, the pan roof electric blind is a common weak point, where the mechanism breaks and the blind doesn't retract properly.
The EX models with the ADAS or Advanced Safety Pack aren't worth the extra premium. Basically, these have radar cruise, collision mitigation braking, and xenons. The radar cruise is a very dated system, and is pretty rubbish. From late 2008 onwards, xenons were standard on EX models (without ADAS). Prior to this, they were halogens.
If you can fine one with the Aero kit (basically an original Honda bodywork consisting of larger front and rear bumpers and roof spoiler), these look far better than the standard car. That's my opinion anyway.
It probably sounds like I'm having a moan about these CRV's, but they are genuinely great cars and I do miss the one I had a few years ago. The above issues are just common issues, which of course most cars do have common issues.
If I had my choice again to buy one of these, I would target the following:
Late 2009 onwards 2.2 iDTEC EX with the Aero kit.
I know these CRV's inside out, so if you need any further info, please let me know. Hope the above helps.
I don’t really want to go past the Mk2, I like the more rugged look. Have seen one locally which has had the clutch and flywheel done, the alternator replaced and a pioneer head unit with reversing camera fitted - now you’ve got me wondering if they changed the alternator when what was really wrong was Bluetooth draining the battery?!🤷🏻♂️
Much thanks again👍🏻
ads_4116 said:
I know these CRV's inside out...
You think you'd know that the mk2 ended in 2006 then. TBF there's not much mechanical difference between the mk2 and pre face lift mk3 so all good info.I had the same bizarre itch as the OP around a year ago. Became a bit obsessed with the things. In the end I ended up with a mk3 as it was surprisingly difficult to find a mk2 in a decent state. I think all the good ones you see about are being held onto by pensioners who intend to be buried in them while all the others are being used for activities that make them a health hazard.
I can't fault mine at all, it's dull as anything to drive but only an idiot would buy one for excitement. I bought mine with 146k miles on the clock, use it every day and have no idea what it has on the clock now. It feels like it could probably run forever if I serviced it once in a while.
Yeah, I’ve seen a lot of these on the roads recently - isn’t it always the case when you start thinking about buying something?! The majority seem to be in decent nick, but I’ve vehicle checked a number of the ones for sale and many come back with underbody rust on the previous MOT’s - almost instant turn off!
Sheddweller said:
Yeah, I’ve seen a lot of these on the roads recently - isn’t it always the case when you start thinking about buying something?! The majority seem to be in decent nick, but I’ve vehicle checked a number of the ones for sale and many come back with underbody rust on the previous MOT’s - almost instant turn off!
I thought I'd mentioned the rust issue in my post above.I noticed the same thing. Rusted subframes, rust around suspension mounting points and rust around rear seatbelt mounting point were recurring advisories on MOTs.
I had a good look underneath every one I viewed for this reason. I found I could look at 2 the same age, mileage and from the same part of the country and one would be rotten and the other fine. The worst one I viewed was a 2007 Mk3 (also the latest one I viewed). The underside of that looked like it was made of toast. It's definitely a potential area of concern but it seems some got better stone chip protection than others.
I sold my petrol auto MK2 CRV at the weekend and already regret it. Only had 106k miles, good history, no faults, full MOT... Ah well.
They are properly good cars, massive inside. The petrol ones are very quiet and refined IMO.
No experience with the diesel, but I've never heard of any horror stories.
Realistically, it is a Honda, so it'd be fine.
Diesel ones do about 35mpg on average, petrol autos do about 20-25. (I did manage to get 30mpg out of mine once on a very long drive, bloody miracle!)
I cannot recommend them enough, they will do everything you want them to. I know my experience was with a petrol, but mine was really reliable. I spend a bit in the first 6 months sorting some bits out, but then after that I had worry free motoring.
Best car I've ever had, by far.
Good luck!
They are properly good cars, massive inside. The petrol ones are very quiet and refined IMO.
No experience with the diesel, but I've never heard of any horror stories.
Realistically, it is a Honda, so it'd be fine.
Diesel ones do about 35mpg on average, petrol autos do about 20-25. (I did manage to get 30mpg out of mine once on a very long drive, bloody miracle!)
I cannot recommend them enough, they will do everything you want them to. I know my experience was with a petrol, but mine was really reliable. I spend a bit in the first 6 months sorting some bits out, but then after that I had worry free motoring.
Best car I've ever had, by far.
Good luck!
Edited by gman88667733 on Thursday 2nd September 12:15
nunpuncher said:
I thought I'd mentioned the rust issue in my post above.
I noticed the same thing. Rusted subframes, rust around suspension mounting points and rust around rear seatbelt mounting point were recurring advisories on MOTs.
I had a good look underneath every one I viewed for this reason. I found I could look at 2 the same age, mileage and from the same part of the country and one would be rotten and the other fine. The worst one I viewed was a 2007 Mk3 (also the latest one I viewed). The underside of that looked like it was made of toast. It's definitely a potential area of concern but it seems some got better stone chip protection than others.
‘Like toast’ - I noticed the same thing. Rusted subframes, rust around suspension mounting points and rust around rear seatbelt mounting point were recurring advisories on MOTs.
I had a good look underneath every one I viewed for this reason. I found I could look at 2 the same age, mileage and from the same part of the country and one would be rotten and the other fine. The worst one I viewed was a 2007 Mk3 (also the latest one I viewed). The underside of that looked like it was made of toast. It's definitely a potential area of concern but it seems some got better stone chip protection than others.
Same experience! The only one I found that didn’t have it mentioned on previous MOT’s was local, reasonably priced, good colour. But unfortunately, as is usually the case, my inherent procrastination cost me - the car was sold…
gman88667733 said:
I sold my petrol auto MK2 CRV at the weekend and already regret it. Only had 106k miles, good history, no faults, full MOT... Ah well.
They are properly good cars, massive inside. The petrol ones are very quiet and refined IMO.
No experience with the diesel, but I've never heard of any horror stories.
Realistically, it is a Honda, so it'd be fine.
Diesel ones do about 35mpg on average, petrol autos do about 20-25. (I did manage to get 30mpg out of mine once on a very long drive, bloody miracle!)
I cannot recommend them enough, they will do everything you want them to. I know my experience was with a petrol, but mine was really reliable. I spend a bit in the first 6 months sorting some bits out, but then after that I had worry free motoring.
Best car I've ever had, by far.
Good luck!
Thanks for the info Gman. Widening the gap to look at petrol versions would certainly give a better return on options, but doing 20k miles a year at 25mpg would cripple my finances - the shine of owning a relatively cheap older car would be tarnished by paying as much in fuel as depreciation on a newer car. Does that make even make sense? I can’t get my head around the figures. What did you move onto after the CRV? They are properly good cars, massive inside. The petrol ones are very quiet and refined IMO.
No experience with the diesel, but I've never heard of any horror stories.
Realistically, it is a Honda, so it'd be fine.
Diesel ones do about 35mpg on average, petrol autos do about 20-25. (I did manage to get 30mpg out of mine once on a very long drive, bloody miracle!)
I cannot recommend them enough, they will do everything you want them to. I know my experience was with a petrol, but mine was really reliable. I spend a bit in the first 6 months sorting some bits out, but then after that I had worry free motoring.
Best car I've ever had, by far.
Good luck!
Edited by gman88667733 on Thursday 2nd September 12:15
Sheddweller said:
Thanks for the info Gman. Widening the gap to look at petrol versions would certainly give a better return on options, but doing 20k miles a year at 25mpg would cripple my finances - the shine of owning a relatively cheap older car would be tarnished by paying as much in fuel as depreciation on a newer car. Does that make even make sense? I can’t get my head around the figures. What did you move onto after the CRV?
I get that, the petrol auto is not for someone that does that many miles. A petrol one would do better MPG with that sort of mileage though.I moved onto a high mileage 2013 Volvo V60. Do I regret it? Yes and no really.
My Volvo is a nice car, but it's too new for my liking, sounds odd, I know. But I find older cars have more character and I prefer. My partner uses the Volvo now and I am using our shed 04 Panda as a commuter car.
I know for a fact that'll i'll get another CRV at some point. For me, it did everything well.
gman88667733 said:
I get that, the petrol auto is not for someone that does that many miles. A petrol one would do better MPG with that sort of mileage though.
I moved onto a high mileage 2013 Volvo V60. Do I regret it? Yes and no really.
My Volvo is a nice car, but it's too new for my liking, sounds odd, I know. But I find older cars have more character and I prefer. My partner uses the Volvo now and I am using our shed 04 Panda as a commuter car.
I know for a fact that'll i'll get another CRV at some point. For me, it did everything well.
I totally get that about character, Gman. My favourite car I’ve had to date was a 1992 Volvo 240 Torslanda estate, which I bought for £1000 back in 2005 - super practical and you had to drive the thing. Only got rid of it when my commute doubled. Very much regret selling it, I should’ve just kept it on the drive. I’m sure I’d enjoy a Mk2 CRV in much the same way. I moved onto a high mileage 2013 Volvo V60. Do I regret it? Yes and no really.
My Volvo is a nice car, but it's too new for my liking, sounds odd, I know. But I find older cars have more character and I prefer. My partner uses the Volvo now and I am using our shed 04 Panda as a commuter car.
I know for a fact that'll i'll get another CRV at some point. For me, it did everything well.
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