EP3 Just bought an '03 EP3 Type R and WOW

[Jazz_1980]

Hello Everyone,

New to this site. Just traded in my Seat Altea 1.9TDi for one of these Honda's and WOW what a machine Honda have made. I use to own a 52 plate Vauxhall Astra SRi Turbo limited edition model (basically a Astra GSi turbo) and this is a far better machine! Tried to upload some images of the car but I think the file size are a bit big. I kind of bought the car without doing too much research and took it for a test drive and ended up letting my heart rule over my head (I know that's a big NO NO!! when buying a used car)

Ok its just been a week of ownership but handling, sport seats, engine and gearbox are still in my opinion one of the best I've used. Had some work done on it 2 days ago

Changed battery (didn't need to but my work place had an offer on them)

Changed oil Quantum 5w 40 fully Synthetic (Again Work had an offer and its made by Castrol) Ended up putting in 5.5ltrs is this ok?

Genuine Honda oil filter and sump plug (COX honda parts)

Genuine Honda Air filter (Cox Honda parts)

New Genuine front brake pads (Cox Honda parts)

Genuine Honda MT fluid 2 bottles (COX Honda parts)

NGK Laser Iridium Spark plugs (Ebay) (do these need gapping? had a quick look on NGK site and it had a cross next to it)

cars done 119,700 gearbox when cold is still good with no gears getting in hard or crunching and when warm its beautiful to use, only two problems I have (but don't upset me from driving the car) is on first start up the starter makes a slight grinding noise then throughout the day it won't do it again (I hope its the starter! lol) and there is a wirlling sound but when I press clutch in the sound goes away? but again the car drives effortlessly and when that Vtec kicks in to overtake a slow moving vehicle I have a massive grin on my face. I work for the Volkswagen Group and I won't be buying anything from them for a while!

Anyway Thanks for reading just wanted to share my thoughts and hope I've posted this in the right place and any advice will be most welcome!

 

[Stoo.]

5.5l of oil is quite a lot.

Usually only needs around 4.5l.

Check your dipstick that it isn't over filled and remember to check it when it's hot and has been standing for a few minutes.

 

[Jazz_1980]

Hello Stoo

I've just gone out and checked and its bang on maximum mark but I will be keeping an eye on this each month as its vital for the Honda. I will ask my brother in law (he serviced it and is a fully trained mechanic ex BMW) again maybe I've got my figures wrong of 5.5ltrs but thanks for help Stoo want it running nicely. At Work (VW) they think i've made the wrong call and should of brought a golf turbo, TT, Seat Leon turbo or Audi S3 naturally lol I disagree with them.

 

[Sam R]

The whiring sound you are referring to, does it sound like a bearing kinda noise?

 

[Jazz_1980]

Hello Sam R

Yeah it kind of does sound like a bearing noise? clutch release bearing or input shaft bearing? I will be getting this looked at in the near future because its only heard while the car is in natural and while driving It can't be heard.

 

[Sam R]

wont be clutch, most likely input shaft bearing, i was having my clutch replaced yesterday as it was due one, so i asked them to check the input shaft bearing while the box was off as mine made the same noise. mine stopped while clutch was pressed down and started when it was up, didnt get louder while in gears or anything else

 

[Jazz_1980]

Cheers Sam R for the info very much appreciated.

 

[Stuart89]

The cold start up noise will be the VTC gear on the intake camshaft. £110 for the part only.

You made the right choice, I can only imagine the difference you must feel coming from a vauxhall. I would also ignore the VW club, the cars they listed in the same price range as the CTR are terrible options... I can hear them understeering from here.

 

[jimbothemagnificent]

Welcome mate. Always good to see new converts!

The grinding noise on start up is almost certainly the starter motor not disengaging, it's a common complaint and not a problem at all. Have a search on here and you will find lots of people discussing it.

The clutch release bearing is a common failure point. At your mileage it would be worth thinking about a clutch replacement sometime in the next 20k, and while you're at it get the timing chain checked for stretch.

 

[Jazz_1980]

Cheers lads for helpful reply's. Yeah the Astra turbo and VW Group car's are a bit soulless in my opinion. The Civic reminds me of the old school hot hatches of the 80's and early 90's. Will defiantly be looking to get the clutch done before the new year a few people have told me its pointing to a clutch release bearing.

Thanks everyone

 

[Sam R]

Everyone thought that to with me but the clutch wont make a noise when the clutch isnt pressed in. if your getting a clutch anyway just ask them to check the gearbox input shaft bearing as the box will be off anyways, makes it cheaper if you wanted it to be done. Mine is so much better to drive since the clutch has been done, like a hot knife through butter

 

[mkb90]

I would say you have made the right choice, i always wanted a ctr since my brother got one when i was 15.
As soon as i could i got a satin prefacelift. Decided to change and i ended up getting a golf gti turbo. It had loads of work done it was a brilliant car and was silly fast, it had a silly spec audi auq engine and made my brothers 911 stand still, evos, skylines etc even a supercharged jag didnt stand a chance. I loved it but! There was something missing and 5 months later i found myself looking for (to me the best they built) a cosmic grey facelift ctr. Now im back in another ctr it feels like home, i wont be trading to something else for a very long time. And when i do more than likley it will be another ctr. Maybe the new one

 

[Jazz_1980]

Hello Everyone

Just an update, car's engine management light came on other day. Got one of those OBD2 readers so hooked it up and got a P0420 - Catalyst System efficiency below threshold bank 1. In other words cat is messed up. Car drives OK but something missing when I push on a bit. Rear sensor voltage was very erratic and not stable car was feeling a bit sluggish when I put my foot-down etc. Just ordered a new cat (non genuine as Honda prices are too much) and both Sensors too. So I'll let you guys know how the car drives when I put the new parts on in about 2 days time.

 

[Loxy]

I'd be looking at the O2 sensors before replacing the cat in all honesty.

 

[Jazz_1980]

Hi all

Just a quick update, needed a new CAT as the one on the car rattled quit a bit, so new CAT (NON OEM) and two new Sensor's (bank 1 and 2). Also got a standard exhaust system fitted too and I must say how quite these engine's are! Previous owner had a jap style sport exhaust system fitted and it was loud! not my cup of tea but each to there own I guess. I very much like the standard set up with the twin tailpipes and its whisper quite well until you go over 5000 rpm etc lol. Anyway I've cleared the error code p0420 and will see if it pops up again. Still loving the car next on the to do list is 4 tires and tracking will choose either Maxxis MAZ1 or Toyo Proxes which do you guys think? Oh does anyone know how to insert pictures up on here?

 

[EP3 Dave]

Hi Jazz,

I'd recommend Proxes - fairly good tyres but the T1Rs wear pretty quickly, as for the images; use something like photobucket and paste the URL into your post after uploading the photo to there first.

PS. If you wanted a more exciting sound but nothing too loud see about going for an induction kit (I'm running the AEM CAI, and I love it!) They give you a better sound at higher revs but maintain a standard sound at lower revs.

 

[eptrois]

Yeah the Astra turbo and VW Group car's are a bit soulless in my opinion. The Civic reminds me of the old school hot hatches of the 80's and early 90's.

Couldnt agree more. Cars get more and more "disconnected" as time goes by. I wouldnt even entertain a brand new car in my price range.

Love hearing about peoples new experiences of a CTR. I still have mine 5.5 years in. 155000 and still going strong. Cant imagine having any other car unless it is another EP3. (Might sound awfully narrowminded but it ticks so many boxes for me and has been such an amazing car for so long)

 

[mkb90]

Tyre wise i would look at goodyear eagle asymmetrics.
Brilliant tyre and affordable
the toyos i had on my punto and pumesta, they wore out pretty quick and tbh they werent all that i didnt think.
After toyos on my pumesta i got maxxis maz1 and i loved them!
great tyre all round and wear really well
i had yokohama prada spec 2 and there brilliant but pants the wet.

My most rated is the goodyears.
i have heard good reviews about the pirelli pzeros but not given them a try yet

 

[Jazz_1980]

Hello Everyone

just joined that Photobucket so I can upload images of my car plus when I was getting the car serviced too a while back. Right tire wise it will be Maxxis for the time being so will be giving a some feedback about them as soon as i've put some miles on them, also front and rear speakers will be getting changed next week as there a bit weak for some 6.5inch JVC components. Anyway here's some pics.

The day I brought the civic!

State of the old air filter!

State of one of the spark plugs don't think they were ever changed

some brand new NGK's

Here's the sports exhaust that came with the car, I've since gone back to the original twin pipe standard exhaust system.

 

[Jazz_1980]

Hello all,

Just a quick question?

As the civic is a long term car I am thinking of replacing the clutch in the new year, round about February time. Is it best to go for OEM Honda clutch kit (Cox Honda Parts £162) or these Exedy Clutches? AutoCraft Jap Specialist (Wolverhampton) do the Exedy Clutch supplied and fitted plus warranty for £450. Also has anyone heard of Autocraft? (http://www.autocraft-uk.com/) Anyway thanks for your advice.