EP3 Type R Premier - Dechav
Discussion
It’s been a few years since I’ve had a “toy” car as such.
I’ve still got my supercharged jet ski and KTM EXCF 350 but never had time for a car and still don’t now………
Previous car history is a bit mad
Impreza Type R
Every model of STI up to the hatch including it
Evo 6/8GSR/8MRFQ 340
5 x E46 M3s favourite being Dakar yellow
MK2 Focus RS
Mk1 Focus RS
Escort Cosworth Big Turbo Lux this was 500bhp and so dissapointing.
S2 RS Turbo
Westfield fully caged bike engines kit car
These are the notable cars that were toys.
Daily is a 22 Ford Ranger and a L494 Range Rover Sport.
Ended up stopping cars to buy a house and pay a massive chunk of the mortgage before the kids came along.
Since then it’s jet skis and MX and children’s make up it would appear.
Anyway at 38 I’ve always fancied something vtec and I spotted this locally.
Good bits
2005 EP3 Type R Premier (Has the red carpet and recaros)
130k and doesn’t smoke on vtec
4 new tyres
New clutch
New coilovers (not good)
New calipers
New discs and pads
New alternator
New battery
Full OEM stainless exhaust (not too loud)
Non smoker cars
Spare set of oem headlights
Standard spoiler
The Bad
Genuine Mugen spoiler
Raceland coilover (very crash)
It’s very low on the rear
Has a horrible rear diffuser
Interior trims sprayed black
1 arch is rusty and solid still
Bonnet needs painted
Few dash lights need replaced
EML on for a O2 sensor because of the sports cat
Battery light on - Not sure about this as the alternator is charging it.
It’s done 200 miles since last MOT.
It’s had a sill welded but to be honest the underside isn’t rotten, I checked the common bits, it just needs tidying, it was under sealed last year and still looks good.
I know the previous owner and it’s hardly been used, he’s saving for a house so wanted to sell it cheap.
Let’s just say if I sink £3k into I’m still quids in.
Now my plans…….
Clean/Polish it
Get OEM interior trims with the oem stereo
Replace the bulbs on the dash
Paint the rocker cover and tidy the engine up
Remove the huge filter that sucks in warm air and get a better set up
Refurb the wheels
Get the body tidied up
Swap the coilovers for standard suspension and springs
Make it a fast road car and do some track days and do a ring trip next year
My wife thinks I’m an idiot……??
These photos of are me collecting it
2 flat tyres………..
I’ve still got my supercharged jet ski and KTM EXCF 350 but never had time for a car and still don’t now………
Previous car history is a bit mad
Impreza Type R
Every model of STI up to the hatch including it
Evo 6/8GSR/8MRFQ 340
5 x E46 M3s favourite being Dakar yellow
MK2 Focus RS
Mk1 Focus RS
Escort Cosworth Big Turbo Lux this was 500bhp and so dissapointing.
S2 RS Turbo
Westfield fully caged bike engines kit car
These are the notable cars that were toys.
Daily is a 22 Ford Ranger and a L494 Range Rover Sport.
Ended up stopping cars to buy a house and pay a massive chunk of the mortgage before the kids came along.
Since then it’s jet skis and MX and children’s make up it would appear.
Anyway at 38 I’ve always fancied something vtec and I spotted this locally.
Good bits
2005 EP3 Type R Premier (Has the red carpet and recaros)
130k and doesn’t smoke on vtec
4 new tyres
New clutch
New coilovers (not good)
New calipers
New discs and pads
New alternator
New battery
Full OEM stainless exhaust (not too loud)
Non smoker cars
Spare set of oem headlights
Standard spoiler
The Bad
Genuine Mugen spoiler
Raceland coilover (very crash)
It’s very low on the rear
Has a horrible rear diffuser
Interior trims sprayed black
1 arch is rusty and solid still
Bonnet needs painted
Few dash lights need replaced
EML on for a O2 sensor because of the sports cat
Battery light on - Not sure about this as the alternator is charging it.
It’s done 200 miles since last MOT.
It’s had a sill welded but to be honest the underside isn’t rotten, I checked the common bits, it just needs tidying, it was under sealed last year and still looks good.
I know the previous owner and it’s hardly been used, he’s saving for a house so wanted to sell it cheap.
Let’s just say if I sink £3k into I’m still quids in.
Now my plans…….
Clean/Polish it
Get OEM interior trims with the oem stereo
Replace the bulbs on the dash
Paint the rocker cover and tidy the engine up
Remove the huge filter that sucks in warm air and get a better set up
Refurb the wheels
Get the body tidied up
Swap the coilovers for standard suspension and springs
Make it a fast road car and do some track days and do a ring trip next year
My wife thinks I’m an idiot……??
These photos of are me collecting it
2 flat tyres………..
Thanks.
It’s a hoot to drive. Just did the 14mile run home and it sings.
I’ve had some very fast cars but this is fun, seems responsive but with the coilovers I feel I’m one bounce away from being upside down in a field.
I was looking at superchargers and turbo kids and they’re coming in around £2500 plus used. So it maybe an option.
I think a LSD would help as well.
This battery light is confusing, new battery and alternator but the red light is on, it’s charging the battery, no dimming of lights or that when driving.
It does have a huge head unit with AppleCar play.
It’s a hoot to drive. Just did the 14mile run home and it sings.
I’ve had some very fast cars but this is fun, seems responsive but with the coilovers I feel I’m one bounce away from being upside down in a field.
I was looking at superchargers and turbo kids and they’re coming in around £2500 plus used. So it maybe an option.
I think a LSD would help as well.
This battery light is confusing, new battery and alternator but the red light is on, it’s charging the battery, no dimming of lights or that when driving.
It does have a huge head unit with AppleCar play.
Battery light is a weird one. These have a voltage resistor that sometimes plays up and throws on the light and causes the lights to dim, could be that?
Turbo is the cost effective way to go rather than a supercharger (ask me how I know?!) but a Rotrex supercharger does drive more like an OEM engine.
An LSD would be a good starting point. I’ve got a (relatively) cheap Blackline one and it’s been brilliant! Brakes are worth an upgrade too!
Turbo is the cost effective way to go rather than a supercharger (ask me how I know?!) but a Rotrex supercharger does drive more like an OEM engine.
An LSD would be a good starting point. I’ve got a (relatively) cheap Blackline one and it’s been brilliant! Brakes are worth an upgrade too!
The Rotrex Kid said:
Battery light is a weird one. These have a voltage resistor that sometimes plays up and throws on the light and causes the lights to dim, could be that?
Turbo is the cost effective way to go rather than a supercharger (ask me how I know?!) but a Rotrex supercharger does drive more like an OEM engine.
An LSD would be a good starting point. I’ve got a (relatively) cheap Blackline one and it’s been brilliant! Brakes are worth an upgrade too!
I read about the electronic load detectors playing up.Turbo is the cost effective way to go rather than a supercharger (ask me how I know?!) but a Rotrex supercharger does drive more like an OEM engine.
An LSD would be a good starting point. I’ve got a (relatively) cheap Blackline one and it’s been brilliant! Brakes are worth an upgrade too!
Yep it’s the black line one I was watching on eBay for £450.
I guessed by your name it was a charged you had.
It’s got cheap motor factor brakes on it now.
I was quoted by a lad I know who is an excellent painter £600 for painting bonnet/front bumper
Both rear 1/4s and any other bits it needs
I think I paid about £400 for mine, then it’s the disassembly, reassembly, oil, might as well stick a clutch in etc etc!
I’ve had my Rotrex on for about 8 years now, if I started again I would go turbo, the support for them now is huge and there’s no many options for manifolds and turbos no.
Paint sounds a decent price, NHB is a pretty straightforward colour to paint and match which makes it easier!
You can go as far as you want with the brakes, just changing to a better quality disc and pads is worthwhile.
I’ve had my Rotrex on for about 8 years now, if I started again I would go turbo, the support for them now is huge and there’s no many options for manifolds and turbos no.
Paint sounds a decent price, NHB is a pretty straightforward colour to paint and match which makes it easier!
You can go as far as you want with the brakes, just changing to a better quality disc and pads is worthwhile.
soad said:
Don’t mind the spoiler, personally think it suits the car. Wind deflectors tend to divide the opinion too. 
You know what, I didn’t even notice them until now 😂.I don’t like them now I’ve spotted them. A couple of lads have said to keep the spoiler on, it’s carbon in the middle, apparently genuine and has the mugen badge on it but you never know with this stuff.
The Rotrex Kid said:
I think I paid about £400 for mine, then it’s the disassembly, reassembly, oil, might as well stick a clutch in etc etc!
I’ve had my Rotrex on for about 8 years now, if I started again I would go turbo, the support for them now is huge and there’s no many options for manifolds and turbos no.
Paint sounds a decent price, NHB is a pretty straightforward colour to paint and match which makes it easier!
You can go as far as you want with the brakes, just changing to a better quality disc and pads is worthwhile.
Yep my mate said NHB is easy to match. I’ve had my Rotrex on for about 8 years now, if I started again I would go turbo, the support for them now is huge and there’s no many options for manifolds and turbos no.
Paint sounds a decent price, NHB is a pretty straightforward colour to paint and match which makes it easier!
You can go as far as you want with the brakes, just changing to a better quality disc and pads is worthwhile.
Loads of turbo kits available for sale now.
So many bits cheap, even big brake conversions etc.
TheHighlander said:
soad said:
Don’t mind the spoiler, personally think it suits the car. Wind deflectors tend to divide the opinion too.
You know what, I didn’t even notice them until now ??.I don’t like them now I’ve spotted them. A couple of lads have said to keep the spoiler on, it’s carbon in the middle, apparently genuine and has the mugen badge on it but you never know with this stuff.
The Rotrex Kid said:
I would be amazed if it’s genuine Mugen, a real one would be worth a small fortune. It’ll be fibreglass, most of them are. There alright, I tried one for a bit but I didn’t like it and went back to OEM. You should be able to sell it though.
It has the carbon centre on it and looks good if it’s a replica, no dipping in the material, has a mugen badge built into it.Wonder is there a way to tell.
Next question - It has a sports car but I’m getting the EML for the O2 sensor at the cat? If I reset it, it stays off until you hit vtec and gives you the code for it.
So far I have purchased
Interior bonnet latch
Fresh mats
Rocker cover gasket as I’m going to paint it to freshen it up
It’s done 200 miles in 12 months since it’s last service so i ordered - Oil, filter, plugs
It has a sports cat so I’ve ordered a O2 emulator to stop the EML.
I think I’ve sourced standard suspension with tein springs!
Interior bonnet latch
Fresh mats
Rocker cover gasket as I’m going to paint it to freshen it up
It’s done 200 miles in 12 months since it’s last service so i ordered - Oil, filter, plugs
It has a sports cat so I’ve ordered a O2 emulator to stop the EML.
I think I’ve sourced standard suspension with tein springs!
Great buy; shall watch this 
I was looking at EP3s and FN2s as a weekend car until I decided to stick with BMW and buy my 130i
The EP3s for me felt a bit more suited to what I wanted; but they sat too high for me inside, my head was in the headliner, not good...
It was a black one local to me at c£6k I was considering but wanted to see the 130i first and that's what I came home in!
Looking forward to seeing you get this sorted; the suspension you're going to fit should get it sorted well enough
I'm fortunate I've got my pals at Grinspeed here that would have been lined up for all the work needed
I was looking at EP3s and FN2s as a weekend car until I decided to stick with BMW and buy my 130i
The EP3s for me felt a bit more suited to what I wanted; but they sat too high for me inside, my head was in the headliner, not good...
It was a black one local to me at c£6k I was considering but wanted to see the 130i first and that's what I came home in!
Looking forward to seeing you get this sorted; the suspension you're going to fit should get it sorted well enough
I'm fortunate I've got my pals at Grinspeed here that would have been lined up for all the work needed
When I saw, 'Dechav' in the title I was expecting to see something from the Max Power era peering back at me but that actually looks quite smart.
Like many a fast car, it's had some of the more typical mods done to it but it looks tidy over all. Sounds like some good plans. The red on the interior is a really nice touch on these.
Something about those kinds of cars, they weren't huge power, they were still light and they weren't overly expensive.
Like many a fast car, it's had some of the more typical mods done to it but it looks tidy over all. Sounds like some good plans. The red on the interior is a really nice touch on these.
Cambs_Stuart said:
5+ years ago I bought a clio 172 as a fun car and it's one of the best car buying decision I've made. This era of hot hatch is brilliant; revvy engines, light weight, simple mechanics and they just fun without having to do licence threatening speeds.
So, good luck to you.
It's funny as despite the Type-R being a rival to the Clio 172 at the time, I owned one back in 2003 and a guy I worked with had a Type-R. So I have a fondness for this era of hot hatch as I was 21 at the time and it was my first quick car. So, good luck to you.
Something about those kinds of cars, they weren't huge power, they were still light and they weren't overly expensive.
I'll maybe change the title as it's not as bad as many other Type Rs.
Last night I removed all the stickers off it including the "keep her lit" sticker covering the rear window.
Test polished a few spots on the car as the black paint had a tinge of changing from no being washed and it's come up lovely, so this weekend I will give it a good clean etc.
Also sourcing some bulbs for the cluster as 2 are out.
I'm looking forward to getting stuck into it.
Last night I removed all the stickers off it including the "keep her lit" sticker covering the rear window.
Test polished a few spots on the car as the black paint had a tinge of changing from no being washed and it's come up lovely, so this weekend I will give it a good clean etc.
Also sourcing some bulbs for the cluster as 2 are out.
I'm looking forward to getting stuck into it.
Finished early today as I have a conference for a few days.
Washed it
Gutted it - There were 4 leisure batteries in the back of it, 2 motorbike jackets, the standard spoiler, parcel shelf.
I filled a bin bag with all the rubbish out of it.
Washed it
Gave it a quick polish to see how it would look before I attacj it with the DA.
Ripped the rear diffuser bits off
Stickers removed
Cleaned the engine bay
Fixed the stiff book handle
Gave it a good run out the back roads where I stay, it’s pretty bouncy but not as bad as I thought.
Checked the EML code and it’s for the knock sensor and catalyst system below efficiency threshold.
Ive ordered a new knock sensor.
I’ll post my spend list on it as I go along as well.
The wheels are in desperate need of a refurb.
Good news the boot floor is very clean, zero rust
Drivers arch has a tiny bubble
Passenger needs painted, seems solid tho
The passenger rear coil over is lower than the other side, I’ll do this at the weekend
Washed it
Gutted it - There were 4 leisure batteries in the back of it, 2 motorbike jackets, the standard spoiler, parcel shelf.
I filled a bin bag with all the rubbish out of it.
Washed it
Gave it a quick polish to see how it would look before I attacj it with the DA.
Ripped the rear diffuser bits off
Stickers removed
Cleaned the engine bay
Fixed the stiff book handle
Gave it a good run out the back roads where I stay, it’s pretty bouncy but not as bad as I thought.
Checked the EML code and it’s for the knock sensor and catalyst system below efficiency threshold.
Ive ordered a new knock sensor.
I’ll post my spend list on it as I go along as well.
The wheels are in desperate need of a refurb.
Good news the boot floor is very clean, zero rust
Drivers arch has a tiny bubble
Passenger needs painted, seems solid tho
The passenger rear coil over is lower than the other side, I’ll do this at the weekend
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