Hello there! Spare me a trinket of your wisdom!

[ldubl]

Hey! I'm Lee and live in Worthing, West Sussex.

I've just put a (refundable) deposit down on an 04 Civic Type R with 44k on the clock, it's the fourth one I've looked at - vtec and gearchange best out of the four. It's due the big 7year/75k service. Searching the forums, this service is anywhere between £450 and £700! Ouch. I'm not 100% on what's needed but think its all fluids, spark plugs and valve clearnaces. The dealer says it doesn't even need an oil service as its only covered 1000 miles since the last service in March 2010!
Q: Has everyone on here stuck to the schedule, esp if you've got low mileage cars?

I'm also planning on using the service in place of paying for an aa/rac inspection (need to check with Honda/others) - the garage I'm buying from has said it 'will do within reason - we're not turning it into a new car' anything identified at the service.
Q: Do you think this is a good idea?

The book is stamped by Honda to 25k (first owner, first three years) and then the second owner has kept the receipts of services for the last four years but not had the book stamped (big one not done yet). The garage that did all but the last service no longer exists so can't stamp retrospectively.
Q: Would you consider such a car without all the stamps in the book?

One wheel is heavily curbed but doesn't look buckled (o/s front), the others have some curbing too.
Q: Would this put you off buying?

The steering felt 'a bit tramliney' but didn't seem to suffer the pull to the right when accelerating with s/wheel at centre (the early ep3 steering rack problem). The front tyres were very worn (dealer has agreed to replace) and the car had not be used for 'a week or two' so it could also be tyre pressures. It's a 2 hour drive away and I'm paying the difference to have premium tyres so am reluctant to go back to test after the new tyres are put on.
Q: Would you be worried about this? Do you think this would be tested at the service?

Whadda reckon? Cheers!

 

[Fools_Errand]

All depends on price, £5-6k?

 

[ldubl]

yep, its £6200 with a good trade in price, they're doing an mot and putting new brakes and front tyres on

 

[Sublow]

My 75k service only cost me £310 and that was only a year ago. Can't help with anything else but if you do get it shop around for the service.

 

[Loxy]

My 75k service only cost me £310 and that was only a year ago. Can't help with anything else but if you do get it shop around for the service.

This. It's a 7 year old car so it's up to you how much you value a main dealer service. Considering the unstamped book I'd just book it into a specialist like TGM for the service.

Valve clearances are done every 25k, not necessarily every 2 years. It would be worth looking if this was done at 25k. If there is no mention in the history get it done.

Also the brake fluid is every 3 years, regardless of mileage, so check it was done at the last service, if not, get it done.

 

[ldubl]

Thanks Loxy and Sublow, I'll defo get valve clearances and brake fluid done. Gonna call CPL to see how much would cost there.

What did you get in your 75k Sublow?

 

[Sublow]

It was the works mate. They even changed the rear wiper in the price. I'll take a look and get the full run down if you want mate. If you pm me i'll give you the dealer name if you want?

 

[Rapid 17]

Hello and welcome Lee.

Geoff. :smt006

 

[ldubl]

Thanks Rapid 17!

Sublow - that'd be great, the run down. West Midlands is a bit far for me now but I may be in Kettering soon so I'll pm you then

Spoke to a Honda dealer who are happy to do the inspection first and let me know if anything needs doing/evidence of prev damage etc (if there was and I didn't want to complete, they'd only charge me £57), also they are doing a deal whereby the 75k service is discounted for 'older cars' so all in is less than £500 incl valve clearances and brake fluid!

Have seen a couple of CTRs at distant Honda dealerships that are around the same mileage and age but come with the full service and 12 month warranty for around the same price as buying this one when factoring in paying for the service and refurbs...hmmmm

 

[Chris.]

Q: Has everyone on here stuck to the schedule, esp if you've got low mileage cars?

Service should be done every 12500 miles or yearly, whichever comes first. If the car hasn't been serviced since March '10 then it's due straight away.

Q: Do you think this is a good idea?

Yes

Q: Would you consider such a car without all the stamps in the book?

Yes. Invoices > Stamps. Any mug can stamp a book and put a signature in it, however an invoice from a company is harder to fake. Make sure the company was a real one and look into the companies history to see if they're reputable.

One wheel is heavily curbed but doesn't look buckled (o/s front), the others have some curbing too.
Q: Would this put you off buying?

That's entirely subjective. Wheels can be refurbished, the question is if you are happy with the wheel.


Q: Would you be worried about this? Do you think this would be tested at the service?

No, it would not worry me, it's perfectly normal for an EP3 to tramline.

Answers in red. Moved from the newbie's section into the EP3 section.

 

[ldubl]

Thanks MilanoChris!

I've gone for a 06 plate with 54k FHSH that doesn't need all the work doing and has all stamps and invoices - bonza!

Getting full inspection and diagnostics at Honda for piece of mind, £90 - apparently it's a 3 hour inspection! Another Honda garage couldn't believe this and quoted me £200, £60 for a visual inspection. Another one offerred to do the visual check for free!

Getting very excited now! Already thinking about FRSU as would like to reduce the tramlining, maybe some Frodos, lines and brake fluid, by jove an lsd is sounding mightily attractive - can't afford any of these extras just yet, but soon... may be!