Civic Type R Fd/Fn2 reliable?
Discussion
So I'm looking at a type r as my mate had the Ep3 and I liked the performance but not the looks! My question is what's the reliability, especially when they get to the 100k mark which mine will inevitably reach (probs much sooner than it ought to!) any horror stories out there? Have another mate said his blow up at 90k but surely being a Honda this is due to previous owners not taking care of it and not warming it up etc
Oil is everything, if they are kept topped up then they will last. It isn't unusual to use 1 litre every 1000 miles, although it can vary massively on a per car basis (For EP3s anyway, not sure if the newer ones are the same).
Other than that they should be fine, obviously they may need the usual things doing like bushes by that point but nothing massive.
Just an edit to add about the calipers as well, Honda ones like to stick and seize so they may also need a refresh
Other than that they should be fine, obviously they may need the usual things doing like bushes by that point but nothing massive.
Just an edit to add about the calipers as well, Honda ones like to stick and seize so they may also need a refresh
I've saw a few one owner EP3's with between 200k-250k miles for sale now.
The K20Z4 (FN2) engine's oil pump has a balancer shaft attached vs. the K20A2 (EP3), The thinking is that it's oil pump is more efficient even when oil is very low, The prime killer of Honda engines, Oil supply. High stress/heat can cause timing chains to stretch over time, Would be worth getting checked at the 100k mile mark. Have spoke to a few owners with original chains at 150k+.
I read once from a Honda/Mugen connection that the oil pump was modified because "english man don't check oil" in a Japanese voice.
But aside from that, If the gear box hasn't been ripped to bits with regular fluid changes it's a very robust package, One of the most robust out there in the performance world IMO.
The K20Z4 (FN2) engine's oil pump has a balancer shaft attached vs. the K20A2 (EP3), The thinking is that it's oil pump is more efficient even when oil is very low, The prime killer of Honda engines, Oil supply. High stress/heat can cause timing chains to stretch over time, Would be worth getting checked at the 100k mile mark. Have spoke to a few owners with original chains at 150k+.
I read once from a Honda/Mugen connection that the oil pump was modified because "english man don't check oil" in a Japanese voice.
But aside from that, If the gear box hasn't been ripped to bits with regular fluid changes it's a very robust package, One of the most robust out there in the performance world IMO.
Edited by krismccloy on Wednesday 19th July 12:39
Edited by krismccloy on Wednesday 19th July 12:39
I've got an FD2 which is well-over 80k now and the only issue is the clutch is getting heavy with a low biting point now, so I'm pre-emptively changing it so as to avoid any flywheel issues.
Otherwise it's as fit as it was the day I bought it (4 years ago on (IIRC) 33k miles). Still doesn't drink much oil, still steers/stops with more immediacy than anything this side of an Elise, still can't think of anything to replace it that's <£20k.
Otherwise it's as fit as it was the day I bought it (4 years ago on (IIRC) 33k miles). Still doesn't drink much oil, still steers/stops with more immediacy than anything this side of an Elise, still can't think of anything to replace it that's <£20k.
Short answer is 'Yes'! They are super reliable if looked after and you should generally get a grasp if they have been from the service history and condition.
I bought my fn2 last year at only 23k miles and it runs like a dream. Had the oil topped up once and had a caliper refurbed due to the sticking issue but it drives like it came off the production line like yesterday!
I bought my fn2 last year at only 23k miles and it runs like a dream. Had the oil topped up once and had a caliper refurbed due to the sticking issue but it drives like it came off the production line like yesterday!
Unlike the ep3, the fn2 has a low engine oil level warning which seems to be pretty strict! Mine took 600ml and was then overfull (to add to my frustration). I've owned k20 cars for 10+ years but this still caught me out recently, carrying 1L bottle in the boot helps.
Also, I thought the oil pump balancer was added to (slightly) refine the motor?.
To answer the original question, apart from wear and tear I've had a gearbox synchro issue (2nd gear - DC5) but no other problems.
Also, I thought the oil pump balancer was added to (slightly) refine the motor?.
To answer the original question, apart from wear and tear I've had a gearbox synchro issue (2nd gear - DC5) but no other problems.
Edited by Mark-t on Thursday 20th July 20:57
Mark-t said:
Unlike the ep3, the fn2 has a low engine oil level warning which seems to be pretty strict! Mine took 600ml and was then overfull (to add to my frustration). I've owned k20 cars for 10+ years but this still caught me out recently, carrying 1L bottle in the boot helps.
Also, I thought the oil pump balancer was added to (slightly) refine the motor?.
To answer the original question, apart from wear and tear I've had a gearbox synchro issue (2nd gear - DC5) but no other problems.
Some info. i picked up on a while whilst reading when I had the FN2, Could have holes in it. I know they perform better at higher RPM's with less cavitation, A problem on the s2000's as well. And your right it does refine engine vibration.Also, I thought the oil pump balancer was added to (slightly) refine the motor?.
To answer the original question, apart from wear and tear I've had a gearbox synchro issue (2nd gear - DC5) but no other problems.
Edited by Mark-t on Thursday 20th July 20:57
Reading this thread with interest as I really like the second gen UK Civic Type R. It got negative press when new compared with the EP3, but the design looks fresher and they've not yet become boy racer sheds, like most EP3 have become....
Have a feeling that in time Civic Type Rs are going to be quite sought after. The FN2 was the only naturally aspired hot hatch in its class when released in 2007. You cant beat the response of a n/a petrol.
greenarrow said:
Have a feeling that in time Civic Type Rs are going to be quite sought after. The FN2 was the only naturally aspired hot hatch in its class when released in 2007. You cant beat the response of a n/a petrol.
For that specific car I disagree about being sought-after. And you're forgetting the Clio 197/200...Until the CW edition came out (with the diff) the FN2 was dynamically inferior to its predecessor, wasn't any quicker, rode poorly and had s
t rear visibility. Looks (inside and out) are one of the few things in its favour.I can see GOOD EP3's (esp the editions - the Recaros were much better than original seats) holding a sensible value, while non-diff FN2s keep dropping past them.
The FD2 is still holding mid-teens pricing for good ones, the DC2 and DC5 are already increasing significantly, leaving the CH1 (ATR) as the undervalued outlier at the moment. That car IS 2 generations older though, with all the consequences (not as crashworthy, worse interior...), and finding a good one without rust is going to get harder.
I had an EP3 years back which I kept for 4 years plus.
Never had to put a spot of oil in it over that time. It got serviced every 12 months irrespective of mileage.
Never had any issues - other than a broken rear drop link. Quick cheap fix.
Had a FN2 more recently that I bought with 83k on the clock, ran it a year and it was still like a brand new one.
Full Honda history and previous owner was a Honda Master Technician.
Replaced the radiator.
That's all.
FN2 got topped up with 250ml of oil 3k miles after full service.
Both were driven like they were meant to be driven.
If you're not hitting the (ba-ba-ba) limiter in these you're not enjoying it enough
Never had to put a spot of oil in it over that time. It got serviced every 12 months irrespective of mileage.
Never had any issues - other than a broken rear drop link. Quick cheap fix.
Had a FN2 more recently that I bought with 83k on the clock, ran it a year and it was still like a brand new one.
Full Honda history and previous owner was a Honda Master Technician.
Replaced the radiator.
That's all.
FN2 got topped up with 250ml of oil 3k miles after full service.
Both were driven like they were meant to be driven.
If you're not hitting the (ba-ba-ba) limiter in these you're not enjoying it enough
Annoyingly enough and despite what i said above, i have had my 3rd cylinder misfire and is a expensive repair job involving the engine being removed. Wasn't the coil pack or spark plugs and valve pressure showing 78 when it should be 180.
Full service history, looked after very well with no expense spared and hardly driven hard means this is a bitter pill to swallow. Been roughly estimated at £1200-1400 for the work with £750 being labour inc vat.
Been told it does not need to be done urgently but will notice lack of power and lower mpg.
Could this cause damage to the engine?
Full service history, looked after very well with no expense spared and hardly driven hard means this is a bitter pill to swallow. Been roughly estimated at £1200-1400 for the work with £750 being labour inc vat.
Been told it does not need to be done urgently but will notice lack of power and lower mpg.
Could this cause damage to the engine?
Extremely reliable and even if it brakes from some reason everything is so cheap that it won't break your wallet. Synchros on 2nd and 3rd seem to give as they are the most abused ones, but cheap to put better ones and plenty shops that can do it well everywhere.
Just to illustrate how freakish tuff they are try to search on youtube these 2 keywords "ctr vdg" and "type r vdg" 80% of all of these cars still run on original internals and are around, I know at 10 that were used and abused pretty much everyday that still are running fresh as a daisy.
Just to illustrate how freakish tuff they are try to search on youtube these 2 keywords "ctr vdg" and "type r vdg" 80% of all of these cars still run on original internals and are around, I know at 10 that were used and abused pretty much everyday that still are running fresh as a daisy.
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