How’s it going chaps! Finally back into a Honda, had the EP3 Type R years ago and the void was never filled,
I spent 3 years in a BMW 430d and spent 2 years lusting after the FK8, finally bought one on Saturday and I’m over the moon with it! Got a few questions though so here goes.
1. Spending 3 years with the BMW meant that I had 3 years worth of the frankly outstanding Harmon Kardon audio and the Civics 11 speaker system is nowhere near as good which is a given, I never expected it to be as good but I couldn’t believe how poor the quality is once you really turn it up, it’s distorted and very disappointing as Honda emphasised the 11 speaker upgraded audio on the spec sheet as part of the GT trim, has anybody picked up on this and found out a way to make it better without blowing the bank, I’m not after subwoofers and amps, I’m not 17 but I like my music and enjoy going for night drives.
2. The second gear crunch, is that still a thing?! My EP3 done it and so does this, It happened as I pulled away from my friends house and was very embarrassing, what is the right way to shift from first to second in a Type R when flooring it?
3. After I bought the car, I took a few friends out in it and properly floored it, the first time I did, I heard a loud knock from the left side of the car, it wasn’t a nice noise. On the same drive, my friend asked me how the brakes were so I braked hard and the same noise occurred again, at this point, my mood was ruined and I text the seller asking him, he said it’s never happened and he never drove the car that hard to realise it. He wouldn’t lie as it would be a warranty issue, not like it’s a 4K car where he would hide it.. I stopped driving the car in the same manner, where it’s hard acceleration and braking, I’ve found the right way/balance of driving it in a spirited manner. It never made the noise again until I was cruising along and hit a pothole that couldn’t be avoided, the noise happened again! Now I must say the Front tyres need replacing, I bought it privately and decided to replace the tyres myself as the guy would have got them from kwikfit for a fortune which I would have had to pay for. I ordered some online so waiting for them to come. This could be a reach but could it have something to do with the VSA, loss of traction/slip etc?
I think it’s a reach for them to be associated but I hope someone can advise me, my BMW spent a lot of time at BMW for minor problems but it was very annoying and I really dont want to take it to Honda. The benefit of BMW was getting decent loan cars, I really don’t want to drive around in a Jazz while my car gets looked at haha
Long message I know but we’re enthusiasts and this forum is for help so, please make my day gents
Welcome sir - are you the chap on Pistonheads with the PMM I replied to about this small but perfectly formed forum? :lol:
1 - It's not great. I spent a bit of time in the missus' cooper s of late and we both agreed the music system in that is miles better. So I have been doing some fiddling on the civics, and to be honest just whacked the bass up..! Lots of info on civicx.com of people who have done audio installs, but I am ok with mine
2 - I'd be worried if yours is crunching now as it could be the start of bigger problems which a number of people on here have had. Mine, and others on here touch wood, has been fine from day one and continue to be, so it was a lottery it seems. Keep your eye on it, watch your 'clutchmanship' and try different styles as we all get caught out now and again so hopefully it's just that..
3 - Hmm, if you are the one from pistonheads, i thought your ride height looked a little high. Make sure the orange transit blocks are out from each suspension strut. If it's not that, pothole damage is a nightmare and can cause damage to the suspension which does make a 'clanging' noise - check this story out - https://www.topgear.com/car-news/hot-hatch/life-honda-civic-type-r-pothole-diaries
Hope i am not killing your buzz of a new car mate, but best to sort these niggles out then you can really enjoy what's a great car