2002 Honda Accord Euro R

[horsemeatscandal]

Picked this up from Torque GT yesterday:



2002, 85k miles. Was for sale as standard apart from a Mugen exhaust, however I asked them to fit Dixcel front pads and discs and HEL lines prior to purchase. I believe they also changed a few bushes, too.

Had a good 7 hour drive home in it yesterday and I'm very pleased. The only thing that lets it down is the standard suspension which I'm assuming is just showing it's age, can get very unsettled and bouncy. As a result, I'm in the process of ordering some Tein Flex Z coilovers. Generally though, the VTEC is surprisingly brutal and I can see why people might describe it as 'addictive'. Granted I have a penchant for slow, Japanese cars, but this feels genuinely brisk.

I'm anticipating a full change of bushes in the near future, and a headlight restoration at some point soon too. Maybe a few minor cosmetic changes. No doubt that list will grow and my bank balance will decrease, so I'll keep this thread updated with how I get on. I'm hoping to have the car driving how I want it by August as it's going on a road trip 'round Ireland, so there'll be plenty of dramatic photos from that trip.

There's another good thread on here on the same model by a user called skewy, I learnt a lot about the car there and it informed my buying decision, worth a look if you're interested as I've not much to say at the moment.

And on the dealer, there's not much I can add to what's already been said, but there's a reason they have such a good reputation.

Any questions, fire away!

Edited by horsemeatscandal on Thursday 11th May 11:28

[d_a_n1979]

Fantastic car

I'd looked at a similar one with them myself before talking myself out of it haha; they had a few estates in too that I really liked and one of them is up this way (Lancashire) as it was at my pals workshop, Grinspeed, a few weeks back getting fettled

Enjoy, they're superb cars and the K24 is a superb engine...

[Laira]

I had my eye on that when they had it on their site, i think it's the perfect solution to what i need. my EP3 CTR is a bit of a nightmare for sitting at 60/70 cruising as it revs quite high, the accord IIRC has a longer 6th gear so just wondering as i assume you cruised a fair bit on your way home, whats it like at those speeds? Will be following this for sure, a lovely car

[horsemeatscandal]

Laira said:

I had my eye on that when they had it on their site, i think it's the perfect solution to what i need. my EP3 CTR is a bit of a nightmare for sitting at 60/70 cruising as it revs quite high, the accord IIRC has a longer 6th gear so just wondering as i assume you cruised a fair bit on your way home, whats it like at those speeds? Will be following this for sure, a lovely car

70 is about 3500 rpm. Not loud or intrusive at all, even with the Mugen exhaust which is pretty subtle. I've come from an MX5 with a loud exhaust though, compared to that the Accord is pure luxury.

[horsemeatscandal]

d_a_n1979 said:

Fantastic car

I'd looked at a similar one with them myself before talking myself out of it haha; they had a few estates in too that I really liked and one of them is up this way (Lancashire) as it was at my pals workshop, Grinspeed, a few weeks back getting fettled

Enjoy, they're superb cars and the K24 is a superb engine...

Thanks, hopefully turns out to be a good 'en. I keep seeing Grinspeed pop up in my research, and it's not that far from me, so I'm sure I'll be paying them a visit at some point.

It's the K20 in these mind, K24 is the UK-spec Type S or whatever it's called.

[MDMA .]

horsemeatscandal said:

d_a_n1979 said:

Fantastic car

I'd looked at a similar one with them myself before talking myself out of it haha; they had a few estates in too that I really liked and one of them is up this way (Lancashire) as it was at my pals workshop, Grinspeed, a few weeks back getting fettled

Enjoy, they're superb cars and the K24 is a superb engine...

Thanks, hopefully turns out to be a good 'en. I keep seeing Grinspeed pop up in my research, and it's not that far from me, so I'm sure I'll be paying them a visit at some point.

It's the K20 in these mind, K24 is the UK-spec Type S or whatever it's called.

Might have been the JDM Type S estate that TGT often sell. Come with the K24 and auto box.

[d_a_n1979]

MDMA . said:

horsemeatscandal said:

d_a_n1979 said:

Fantastic car

I'd looked at a similar one with them myself before talking myself out of it haha; they had a few estates in too that I really liked and one of them is up this way (Lancashire) as it was at my pals workshop, Grinspeed, a few weeks back getting fettled

Enjoy, they're superb cars and the K24 is a superb engine...

Thanks, hopefully turns out to be a good 'en. I keep seeing Grinspeed pop up in my research, and it's not that far from me, so I'm sure I'll be paying them a visit at some point.

It's the K20 in these mind, K24 is the UK-spec Type S or whatever it's called.

Might have been the JDM Type S estate that TGT often sell. Come with the K24 and auto box.

Yup; it was that one... They had a black & white one, I was interested in the white one but saw our F31 first and decided to stick with better the devil you know

Even though I've got Ste & Don on hand etc...

Looked a superb car though

[mw88]

Looks great - I also had my eye on this as a replacement for my K24 Type-S CL9, but there was an argument between head and heart I couldn't resolve

Should be pretty bullet proof, especially at that mileage.

[Cambs_Stuart]

Really brilliant car. Hope it drives as well as it looks! How's the interior? Do they come with the red recaro buckets?

[d_a_n1979]

Cambs_Stuart said:

Really brilliant car. Hope it drives as well as it looks! How's the interior? Do they come with the red recaro buckets?

IIRC the Greeny/blue seats

But depends on what they've been spec'd at factory with as I've seen a few with all leather

[horsemeatscandal]

Cambs_Stuart said:

Really brilliant car. Hope it drives as well as it looks! How's the interior? Do they come with the red recaro buckets?

Yeah, green Recaros as mentioned (not my photo but my car). They're in good nick, as is the whole interior which is delightfully old school and simple if not luxurious.

[d_a_n1979]

horsemeatscandal said:

Cambs_Stuart said:

Really brilliant car. Hope it drives as well as it looks! How's the interior? Do they come with the red recaro buckets?

Yeah, green Recaros as mentioned (not my photo but my car). They're in good nick, as is the whole interior which is delightfully old school and simple if not luxurious.

They're superb seats

Had them in my very short lived ownership with a 1999 ATR in Pirates Black; they were super supportive

[Bright Halo]

d_a_n1979 said:

horsemeatscandal said:

Cambs_Stuart said:

Really brilliant car. Hope it drives as well as it looks! How's the interior? Do they come with the red recaro buckets?

Yeah, green Recaros as mentioned (not my photo but my car). They're in good nick, as is the whole interior which is delightfully old school and simple if not luxurious.

They're superb seats

Had them in my very short lived ownership with a 1999 ATR in Pirates Black; they were super supportive

Agree. I had two ATR’s and the seats were great! Held you firmly but comfortable on a long drive.

[BEAMS 162]

That's a good buy there,it looks a really nice example.I've had my Euro R since 2020,I bought mine through Torque and found the whole experience excellent.I was in daily contact with Darren to import one at the time and after considering a couple in Japan but not pulling the trigger on a bid,he told me about a customer car coming available through them already in the UK that they had imported in 2018. A late preface car ,2005,Pearl white with 89k and some tasty modifications that they had supplied the parts for.So long story short it was a train ride down to Cornwall from Kent and drove it home same day and it was a brilliant drive home too.

They're the perfect car for a blend of practicality,4 doors,big boot,brilliantly supportive seats and that K20 with the 6 speed and LSD for blasts when the mood takes you. I know prices have continued to rise (especially for most JDM cars) and some will wonder if its worth it for an 'Accord', but they are a brilliant car, and you've got 220 bhp out the box from the legendary K20 N/A to back it up,its an under the radar winner IMO,and still rare in UK.
Same running gear as the Integra DC5,but different ECU setup though it benefits from an RBC intake mani and double wishbone rear suspension.The longer wheelbase along with this spec was what made it a bit of a favourite in Japan for racing.The Pearl White paint on the Euro's,compared with the Champ White on the ITR's,really pops when the sun hits it after a nice polish too.

My car already came fitted with Tein Flex Z coilovers,plus Hardrace upper and lower control arms and balljoints,plus rear units,and a few other goodies,so I can't tell you a comparison with the factory setup,but my car is perfectly happy on short or long runs and as you would expect with all that kit on,handles superbly,I'm so pleased with it.Obviously the coilovers are adjustable to your own requirements and are not stupid ratings on springs,so would definitely recommend those,absolutely.One other thing to consider,and I got this one from Kewy,is to see if you can source the twinpot front brake caliper setup from the later UK Accord Type R. The single pot on the CL7 is a compromise on Honda's part,they are a bit underbraked from factory.The Type R calipers are a straight swap,happy days,I got a set fully rebuilt and paired with the Dixcel discs and pads is a very good improvement.Not in the same league as the Brembo's on a DC5,but still much better than stock Euro jobs.
I have the Legalis exhaust system and its sounds great but not intrusive,along with an Injen longarm CAI,better breathing and a great roar in VTEC. Nice you have a Mugen system already in place!
My car had been setup at Grinspeed before,they have a good reputation.
Kewy has done some Youtube videos on his car,check out Cars&That on there.He's done some big European trips in his,your Ireland one should be perfect for a car like this,I reckon you'll really enjoy it especially once you get your suspension to your liking.
I'll pop a couple of gratuitous pics in your thread if that's ok,my mate Mook runs Skewer who specialise in car graphics so we did a design on the car with a nod to its Touring car heritage,hope you like.
Enjoy the car and keep updating how you find it,quite a lot of things you can do to the R to improve it even more if you so wish.

Edited by BEAMS 162 on Saturday 13th May 15:36

Edited by BEAMS 162 on Saturday 13th May 15:53

[d_a_n1979]

horsemeatscandal said:

d_a_n1979 said:

Fantastic car

I'd looked at a similar one with them myself before talking myself out of it haha; they had a few estates in too that I really liked and one of them is up this way (Lancashire) as it was at my pals workshop, Grinspeed, a few weeks back getting fettled

Enjoy, they're superb cars and the K24 is a superb engine...

Thanks, hopefully turns out to be a good 'en. I keep seeing Grinspeed pop up in my research, and it's not that far from me, so I'm sure I'll be paying them a visit at some point.

It's the K20 in these mind, K24 is the UK-spec Type S or whatever it's called.

Aye; you'll not go wrong with Stevie & Don; they know these cars like the back of their hands

[polsonm87]

Brilliant looking car, looks a really clean example.

[horsemeatscandal]

BEAMS 162 said:

That's a good buy there,it looks a really nice example.I've had my Euro R since 2020,I bought mine through Torque and found the whole experience excellent.I was in daily contact with Darren to import one at the time and after considering a couple in Japan but not pulling the trigger on a bid,he told me about a customer car coming available through them already in the UK that they had imported in 2018. A late preface car ,2005,Pearl white with 89k and some tasty modifications that they had supplied the parts for.So long story short it was a train ride down to Cornwall from Kent and drove it home same day and it was a brilliant drive home too.....

Great post mate, cheers. And your car looks lovely.

Yeah I was aware of the poor brakes which is why I asked for some decent discs/pads and uprated lines. They seem fine for me on the road, can't see me upgrading them any time soon.

Flex Zs should be here next week! Hopefully that settles the ride a bit but if not I'll be opening my wallet again. I'll be asking them to set it up on the sportier side of comfortable and not particularly low. Then I'll probably never adjust them again, haha. There's a lot of squeaking going on so hopefully that goes away but if not next stop is the bushes. Anyone any suggestions on that front as there's a few brands knocking about, all roughly the same price for a full set?

[BEAMS 162]

Thanks,yeah I think once you get one of these to how you want it you can't go wrong really. I've had a few JDM cars now,including ST205 Celica GT4s which were fairly epic,and I still run a modified 1987 ST162 Celica for weekend fun and done some hillclimbing with it,but this Accord is hands down the best all rounder,it just does everything really well.6th gear comfy cruises on the motorways and high RPM VTEC'ing it on sweeping B roads.Cant fault it really.Could maybe do with the VTEC being mapped down to around 4500rpm if im being fussy,so you don't feel like you're wringing its neck,though that is the nature of the engine and a remap for a Euro isnt quite as straightforward or cheap as a JDM Civic K20 or the Integra due to its ECU setup.

Fair comment on the brakes,not like they dont do the job but after owning the car for a while I just felt they didnt quite match up to the cars performance.and its not a particularly light car.Though it doesnt spend its life battering around the track every weekend either but I wanted a bit more bite,and the UK Type R calipers do seem to give you a bit 'more' for sure.Good choice on your disc and pad combo too.
Great you have the coilovers coming,get a full geo done once they're on and you'll be well happy.Could be an idea to get the valve clearances checked as well as part of next service if you don't have any evidence they've been done.but yeah as the others have said,great buy and they are super reliable if maintained properly.

[Saleen836]

OP
Can you do me a favour and measure the triangle part of the door mirror?

[Hippea]

Great to see you’ve finally got the car, looks lovely!

I really do need to get myself something like this