ITR DC2 02798

[S3_Graham]

Think I got the number right, will check. Just bought it. A UKDM 98 car. Got it for an absoloute steal as it needs a bit of tidying. It has full Honda service history a 2 owners from new.

I've heard TGM in Fleet are good in the south east, had a quote from them of £300 to change cambelt, tensioner and water pump. Does that sound about right?

I did some research before buying but any things I should check extra thoroughly now it's home? Should I look into valve clearances and things?

Edited by S3_Graham on Sunday 1st April 07:29

[havoc]

Valve clearances - yes, IF it sounds tappety, but FFS get an expert to do them, not a main dealer! (Solihull f'd up my S2000 ones, so much so that I went to an indy to get them fixed straight after - tried arguing to be told "we always do them within tolerances" OK, so why does it now sound like a tractor??? And local place did my ITR last year and made it slightly more tappety and slightly worse on fuel-economy - shouldn't have bothered)

Usual stuff
- rear arches and inside boot floor for rust / damp.
- wheel alignment (can adjust front and rear toe only, but it makes a genuine difference, esp. w/ tyre pressures too)
- when were plugs last done?

[S3_Graham]

Rear arches were replaced at the start of last year but there are a few bubbles on the bottom of the sills and also at the rear of the roof there is one.

It sounds nice a quiet on tick over, will ask the opinion of TGM when I get them to do the cambelt etc,

Do you think it's worth getting Honda to do instead? Don't want to effect it's future value by destroying the history but arguably the specialist may know the cars better!!

[Squating Neville]

There is nothing specialist about a integra type r all the chassis and bushes and springs are the same layout as the same year civic. the engine is the same layout as a civic of the same year also, just has more power, there a easy car to work on and maintain.

[wy906]

S3_Graham said:

Do you think it's worth getting Honda to do instead? Don't want to effect it's future value by destroying the history but arguably the specialist may know the cars better!!

I would argue ‘condition’ is more important than a Honda stamp, especially for a car at that age.

I have not used TGM but have read plenty of good feedback.

Enjoy the car!

[S3_Graham]

Booked in at TGM,

Price was the final point. TGM £350 Honda £500+

[Dave_ITR]

I can't recommend TGM enough, they looked after my DC2 the whole time I had it & were excellent every time.

[SMcP114]

I would personally never go near a main dealer for these cars, regardless of the service history!

I know they aren't exactly complicated, but I just don't enjoy paying mental money for an apprentice to learn his trade on my car, when I can have a specialist with years of experience at a fraction of the cost. Just my opinion.

[havoc]

And how many Honda specialists are there in the country, and how many owners have the time to travel that far?

One other note of caution - I believe a now-closed specialist ballsed up the cam-belt change on my first ITR and then tried to hide it. No proof, sadly, but I'm sure a main dealer would have admitted their mistake.

[Lewtyper]

TGM over main dealer any day mate

re. resale- anyone who knows Hondas will know this

[havoc]

I wasn't criticising TGM - heard nothing but good things about them.

Was just putting some balance to the "Main dealer bad / independents good, M'kay" comment above mine. A good main dealer is the same as a good independent - build a relationship with them and they'll look after you and your car.

[S3_Graham]

Lewtyper said:

TGM over main dealer any day mate

re. resale- anyone who knows Hondas will know this

The re-sale was the main reason tbh, these are fast becoming collectors cars and i thought full honda history would appeal to that sort, it's certainly what biased my decision for this particular car.

It does need tidying up, but i got a fair chunk of money off it.

If anyone is interested this is the car:

[havoc]

They'll all need tidying-up one way or another - 10-15y.o. cars now. I've looked after the mechanicals on mine but let the cosmetic side drift a bit (side bolster, rear arches) - it's still my daily driver and planned to get her mint when she becomes the weekend car, but with the NSX in the garage I'm not sure what I'm going to do.

[y2blade]

S3_Graham said:

The re-sale was the main reason tbh, these are fast becoming collectors cars and i thought full honda history would appeal to that sort, it's certainly what biased my decision for this particular car.

It does need tidying up, but i got a fair chunk of money off it.

If anyone is interested this is the car:

Lovely looking car Graham, I look forward to hearing your thoughts on it...hopefully see it in the "flesh" soon.

get some more pics posted please.

[S3_Graham]

Cheers Chris,

I move in next weekend so will have to arrange those beers when weather is nice.

Have a specialist looking at the bolsters today, still in 2 minds about the arches. TGM looked at them and one side is significantly worse than I thought. (made of filler) so when the garage said they'd been replaced... They hadnt. Slightly annoying as this was one of the main reasons I bought this particular car.

Got a quote from TGM of £1000 for both sides which is reasonable. However it came with a worrying proviso that they don't find anything else!!