EP3 Type-R (facelift) or Leon Cupra R?

[DJ_Bucho]

The FN2 is better on fuel. The EP3, for some reason, was designed to run rich from the factory, so uses more fuel.

Ah right ok, I never knew that. You learn something new everyday
I'm new to the Honda game, but I must say I love my FN2.

 

[Matt82]

I have to admit I've been eyeing up EP3's again as I want 200BHP be it boosted or vtec'd as my Fiesta ST, albeit fun and frugal, just aint quick enough.

I was looking up to 7500 but nothing is REALLY lighting my fire.

As for EP3's, I liked mine day to day when it was standard, but because I went full retard and decided the huge arch gap looked silly, as Rich said I spent a bomb on suspension mods such as Eibach Sportline Springs, Eibach front camber bolts, DME rear camber bolts, Superpro caster increase polybushes. FRSU after, must have spent near on 800 doing that.

My advice? Leave it alone, replace worn bushes with OEM ones, they are easy to live with like that

More reliable than 1.8t stuff, more fun by far, but both are quite good motors. Having had a Type R I'd be inclined to look at the Leon because old man, but depends what kind of ride you can stomach.

I was looking at Reno Megane 225 boosted things earlier but I expect they are unreliable heaps?

Just googled what FRSU was.... dont you honda lot change the dampers? i read a few threads, everyone has the same shopping list, no one seems to bother renewing the dampers

 

[spoogle]

EP3 was a good car when I had it, averaged 26-30 mpg on my daily driving route, didn't break down once, only service items were required. Downside was that it wasn't that comfy for long journeys and the insurance was higher than all it's competitors.

Don't regret buying one though...

 

[rjk]

Just googled what FRSU was.... dont you honda lot change the dampers? i read a few threads, everyone has the same shopping list, no one seems to bother renewing the dampers

not really required. the 'go to' shopping list tends to include:

Eibach Pro/Sport/ABP springs depending on drop wanted but abp seem to be the most popular

Eibach camber bolts

camber arms - most people again go for Eibach.

some people go for the bilstein dampers but unless the stock dampers are in bad condition its not really a common mod and most people go straight to coilovers.

I have driven an EP3 that was lowered and didn't really notice much difference between that and my own. both had FRSU done at the same place.

if anything mine was more progressive and pointable due to better/lower profile tyres, stiffer back end and the diff.

 

[Matt82]

Not really required? after the best part of 10 years theyre going to be way past their best and then putting an uprated spring on there will only make it worse. seems like such a half hearted way to uprate a car

 

[rjk]

sure you can do it, but most people dont.

perhaps they are past their best but it still works even on pfl cars so most people just tend to go with the springs.

i agree though, if i was to lower my car, i would use the bilstein oe replacement dampers.
but i have no plans to lower it as the standard setup with some mods is fine for me.

you need to remember, most ep3s are in the 3-4 grand catagory now meaning that it is highly unlikely that everyone is going to want to spend a quarter of the cars value on lowering it.

 

[Matt82]

so if budget restrictions prevent a really fundamental part of the car being renewed, it sort of defies the whole point of modifying it to start with or even buying a performance car if its not going to perform

 

[rjk]

I think you're arguing the point with someone agreeing with you man.

I'm not saying its the correct way of doing it, I'm saying that most people tend to do it.

its 'not really required' in the fact that they still work. sure they aren't going to be performing at their peak. but if they arent broken, then i the majority don't fix it.

I personally think the EP3 is low enough and the springs are fine for my use so I haven't bothered with suspension past a stiffer ARB and alignment.

where as a lot of people want the lowered look. most dont even do it for the performance.

EP3s are sadly in the hands of barry and his mates.

 

[Relentless81]

so if budget restrictions prevent a really fundamental part of the car being renewed, it sort of defies the whole point of modifying it to start with or even buying a performance car if its not going to perform

There are hundreds upon hundreds of Honda owners who have used springs on standard shocks without any issues what so ever, its a none issue.