Mitsubishi Evolution 9 FQ320...

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Some of you may recall my previous ramblings trying to decide between a 2006 Hawkeye Impreza STI or 2004 BMW M3. After recently seeing an Evo 9 parked up, it instantly reminded me how much Ive always adored the Evos, not to mention my Fiancee even loved it, who normally dislikes such Jap cars.

I didnt ever consider being able to afford insurance or servicing, but after just being quoted £1000 a year insurance its totally give me the idea to buy on in April/May.

I understand they need to be serviced at 4500 mile intervals, just a little research seems to clarify maybe £200 per service? I'm lucky enough to work 5mins away from home, so fuel costs are of little consequence in terms of a working week. Obviously the weekend fun will justify the other petrol usage.

Any opinions on these beasties? What are the main differences between the FQ320 Evo 8? Worth the premium for an Evo 9?

I understand how raw they are and lack many creature comforts...but 0-60 in 4.4 seconds about says it all. I find them better in appearance to the STI too. The only downside is not having the rumble of the Impreza 4 cylinder.
 
would running a car like this that has such high servicing demands for 2x5 minute journeys a day be very healthy?
 
You say you work 5mins from home, is that even enough to warm the car up properly because you could end up doing more damage doing that everyday than you would on a decent longish run allowing everything to come up to tempreture.
 
I also do 5 minute trips to work and it's defineately not enough to even get the water to 60 degrees most of the year. While I don't really care about the extra wear on my astra, a highly tuned turbo engine may not be as indifferent to it as my trusty 1.8. :)
 
5 minute commute will not do the car any good at all.

Get a 9 if you can, the engine is slightly better and the rear bumper is better.

Evo 9 will annihilate a hawk eye scoob A to B, and won't understeer like an Audi either.
 
I didnt ever consider being able to afford insurance or servicing, but after just being quoted £1000 a year insurance its totally give me the idea to buy on in April/May.

Consider tax - it may be a £400 a year job - I really don't know.

Are you getting it with a warranty? If not, if it say, throws a rod or the rear diff dies (as they can do) can you afford to fix it?

Will it be your only car? If so will you be relying on it? Seriously think about this.

I understand they need to be serviced at 4500 mile intervals, just a little research seems to clarify maybe £200 per service?

They do, usually but (not definitively) with a ABCDE service schedule in the order of ABACDBACAE

A= Oil and AYC Fluid Change plus checks
B= As A but with air filter change
C= As B but replace gear and brake fluid
D= As A but with sump washer and spark plugs
E= The nasty one - Oil Filter, Engine Oil, AYC Fluid, Air Filter, Timing Belt, Fuel Filter, Spark Plugs, Sundries

Typical pricing is below but you may get cheaper if you go somewhere like RG Motorsport.

A = Evo 4-9 4.5k service £225.00 (inc AYC)
B = Evo 4-9 9k service £299.00 (inc AYC)
E = Evo 4-9 45k service £829.00 (Including Cambelt & AYC)

I'm lucky enough to work 5mins away from home, so fuel costs are of little consequence in terms of a working week. Obviously the weekend fun will justify the other petrol usage.

I wouldn't recommend using one for that distance. Evo's can be very grumpy from cold. Gear selection/clutch usage can be difficult if the weather is very cold. It wouldn't even warm up at that distance.

What are the main differences between the FQ320 Evo 8? Worth the premium for an Evo 9?

The differences are (stolen from the MLR):

Evo IX GSR – As VIII MR plus:
• Mivec
• Larger compressor housing diffuser (16G6C)
• No spacesaver spare tyre
• Gloss black backing to front & rear lights
• Rear diffuser bumper
• Restyled front bumper with twin oval air inlets
• Different size rear oil return to block
• Plastic spoiler uprights
• Evo IX Enkei Alloys.

Available in Cool Silver, Flame Red, Electric Blue, Frost White, Amethyst Black and Solar Yellow.

Evo IX GT – As IX GSR plus:
• Magnesium Compressor wheel
• Titanium turbine wheel
• 5 speed gearbox
• GT interior
• RS Front Diff Set Up (non S-AYC)
• Improved drive train

Less?:
• Air conditioning (Opt.Extra?)
• Electric Windows (Opt. Extra?)
• Remote Central Locking (Opt. Extra?)

Evo IX MR – As IX GSR plus:
• No additional alarm fob (built into key);
• Ralliart Wing Mirrors (on some models)
• Carbon front lip
• New turbo with titanium aluminium alloy turbo fins & reduction in compressor inlet diameter (15.5)
• 17in, 11-spoke Speedline Turini alloy wheels
• Privacy glass
• Lowered ‘Eibach’ coil springs – 10mm front / 5mm rear
• Aluminium door sill plates
• Piano black dash inserts
• Available in Gunmetal Grey, not available in Black, yellow or blue.

Evo IX MR RS – As IX MR plus:
• RS Front Diff Set Up
• 5 speed gearbox
• Improved drive train

Available in Solid White or Solid Red.

Less:
• Air conditioning (Optional Extra?);
• Electric Windows (Opt. Extra?);
• Remote Central Locking (Opt. Extra?);
• Recaro Seats;
• IX Enkei alloys (comes with steel wheels).


Evo IX RS – As IX MR RS plus:
...
Only available in Solid White?

UK models

Evo IX FQ 300 – As IX GSR plus:
• Foglight
• PIAA lights and wipers
• FQ badges
• HKS panel filter

Evo IX FQ 320 – As FQ300 plus:
• HKS Superdrager exhaust
• HKS hardpipe kit
• Keyless entry
• Ralliart sports pedals
• Puncture repair kit

Evo IX FQ 340 – As IX FQ 320 plus:
• SmartNav
• Ralliart Leather/alcantara seats
• Remap


Evo IX FQ 360 – As IX FQ 340 plus:
• Race Cat
• Ecutek remap
• Speedline 5 spoke alloys
• Triple Gauge Din Unit: battery voltage, Oil temp. and Boost (reads up to 1.5bar)
• Uprated 225 l/ph fuel pump
• Carbon vortex generator
• Carbon front splitter



Evo IX MR FQ 360 – As IX MR plus:
• Race Cat
• Triple Gauge Din Unit: battery voltage, Oil temp. & Boost (reads up to 1.5bar)
• Ecutek remap
• Leather & Alcantara seats with ‘IX MR’ logo (leather delete option)
• Carbon Vortex Generator
• 6 Speakers as standard
• SAYC changed to give increased torque differential across rear axle
• Uprated fuel pump
• "By HKS" badge on boot
• Available in Cool Silver, Gunmetal Grey, Flame Red, Pearl White, not available in Black, yellow or blue.
__________________

Worth the premium for an Evo 9?

Only you can decide that, the changes are many but none particularly groundbreaking. I reckon the 9MR is the best looking Evo out there, particular in White.

I understand how raw they are and lack many creature comforts...but 0-60 in 4.4 seconds about says it all. I find them better in appearance to the STI too. The only downside is not having the rumble of the Impreza 4 cylinder.

Its relative. If you are used to BMW/Merc/Audi levels of comfort then you'll notice it. If not then you won't so much. It doesn't bother me in the slightest personally.

but 0-60 in 4.4 seconds about says it all.

It really doesn't, merely that its a powerful car with traction off the line. Theres a lot more to it :)

I find them better in appearance to the STI too. The only downside is not having the rumble of the Impreza 4 cylinder.

I think they are better looking too, hence buying one. The scooby burble is desirable to some and certainly a characteristic, but I don't miss it despite the Evo having quite a subdued (read: rubbish) engine note. Plenty of other noises to keep you happy ;)
 
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Only you can decide that, the changes are many but none particularly groundbreaking. I reckon the 9MR is the best looking Evo out there, particular in White.

Just very, very sexual...

evo9MR.jpg


evo9MR2.jpg


evo9MR3.jpg
 
Plus if you regularly do 0-60 in 4.4 seconds, enjoy paying for your clutch to be changed very often.

Thank for everyones input, particularly yours MilanoChris and Gaijin. If you are THE MilanoChris from the Type-R forums, I have you to thank for the Type-R I purchased several years ago. Back then, you helped me a lot also on the Type-R forums. Small world :p

Said 5min journeys, its not as if I'd be kicking its backside, just keeping it under 3000rpm. Would that still be damaging?

I can always walk mind, 20min walk or 5min drive :D It really will just be a toy. We have a little Pug 206 1.1 which is shared between my Fiancee and I.
 
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if anything you'd need to kick its backside asap to get it warm.

cars like the evo don't like to be run cold all the time.
 
if anything you'd need to kick its backside asap to get it warm.

cars like the evo don't like to be run cold all the time.

Agreed my X takes a good 10 mins to warm up, keep the revs sub 3000rpm and drive it gently. After 10 mins its hooligism time. Though are not best for short 5 minute journeys.

If you can save a bit more the EVO 9 MR is the to go for, not a Scooby on the road that can live with one, the 9 MR / GT is even better than the Scoob JDM models and so so drivable, peak torque at 3200rpm. :)

Though the JDM Scoob's can make big power quite easily unlike the UK counterparts.

The 9 MR is a good car, but its expensive to run with 4500 intervals and certainly should be driven, I'd advice your trips into work should be that of a rather large detour so that your in the car for a good 20-30mins to then really enjoy it.

Remember EVO's make you drive them hard, so realistically expect 15-20mpg on your commutes depending on the weight of your right foot. :D
 
Thank for everyones input, particularly yours MilanoChris and Gaijin. If you are THE MilanoChris from the Type-R forums, I have you to thank for the Type-R I purchased several years ago. Back then, you helped me a lot also on the Type-R forums. Small world :p

That is me. :)
 
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