Just bought a CL9, need some recomendations please

[benji84]

Hi all,

Just purchased my first Honda, just have a couple of small issues i need a hand with.

Firstly can someone recommend me a trustworthy, fairly priced mechanic in the Sydney West/Outer West region? Doesnt have to be a Honda Dealer, as warranty has expired. Someone with good knowledge and experience with Euros would be great.

Also, the silver paint on the plastic surrounding the buttons on the steering wheel is starting to crack, does anyone know of a good interior place that could replace or fix this? Link to pic of problem http://img513.imageshack.us/i/02022010145.jpg/
One thing i didnt really notice until after i bought the car was the lack of drink holders. Kind of strange that a ~$50,000 luxury car made this century wouldnt have cup holders, im thinking about seeing if i can get the compartment next to the handbrake made into some if possible..

Another thing i didnt notice until after i bought the car was the drivers door lock doesnt open with central locking.. After searching this forum ive found its a common problem where the actuator fails and ive already ordered a replacement one for $90 delivered, but its left me wondering how long until the other 3 fail, costing me another ~$150 each....

Reading through this forum has lead me to one more thing that has really got me worried. The fact that people with CL9s are complaining that their aircons are failing, and being quoted up to $2500 to fix REALLY scares me! I spent every last dollar i have on this car hoping it would be somewhat reliable, but to have the air con of all things, fail just out of warranty would be absolutely unacceptable.

Is their anything i can do to minimise the chances of this happening? Would using recirculation mode help? Or not set the temperature at the lowest level?

Thanks guys.

[snYpz]

congrats on the purchase, manual or auto?

Regarding the drink holders, when u open the flip compartment next to ur handbrake, on the back of the cover that flips open, you press a button-thing and you will have two cup holders. Surely u dont need more than 2 at front and 2 at back lol :p

the acutator problem, as far as i have read, only affects mainly the front doors. I had my front passenger door actuator replaced and the others are still fine.

the aircon issue isnt that common. i have heard it happen, but definitly not as widespread to be a worry at this stage.

enjoy the new car :D

[benji84]

Thanks :D Auto, all my cars have been manual so after 8 years of driving im kind of over it, i just wanna sit back and cruise :) plus the triptronic is there so you can still drop it back a gear n floor it every now n then hehe.

LOL dont i feel like an idiot! i never wouldve found that little button for the drink holder haha. Very happy with that now :D

Ah thats good to hear then. Touch wood i dont have to spend anymore money on repairs, so i can put the money towards a new set of wheels and a system. Just tossing up between 18s or 19s, and if i should keep the original head deck to retain steering wheel and dash functionality or go aftermarket to be able to connect my ipod..

Thanks for the quick reply!

[djpro1]

lol i got that same paint peeling problem. not a biggie for me though. Just keeping it as is and going for more performance improvements :)

Cai is the first and foremost part I got with mine. Acceleration sounds ROARRRRRRRRRRRR

[jamesfrosty]

A few tips on your minor issues...

- To replace the door lock actuator I wrote a bit of a DIY here: http://www.ozhonda.com/forum/showthread.php?t=126595

- When you choose your 18's/19's, make sure you choose them carefully! Get something with offset from about +40 to +48. I first bought some cheap 18's from ebay that were really heavy with cheap tyres that were too wide and too much profile (245/40/18). They slowed the car down so much due to high weight and making the gear ratio taller due to larger rolling diameter. Keep this in mind esp if you go for 19's... I ended up spending proper money on lightweight 18" WORK wheels +42 offset with 225/40/18's and that size is perfect.

- I got the old SNHOND3 to plug the ipod into stock radio, but I think the new way to do it is with the Denison IceLink.

[tron07]

there is a thread with allt the small secrets on the euro, like winding up and down the windows with remote & key, CD holder, card holders, etc... try search of it, cant remember what is called

[snYpz]

LOL dont i feel like an idiot! i never wouldve found that little button for the drink holder haha. Very happy with that now :D



haha thats cool. I thought it was weird that you wanted more than 4 cup holders in a car lol

To go 18/19, really depends on the look you're after. 18's are lighter, 19's look better but weigh more and less comfort due to slightly lower profile tyres.
Dont get wheels first, get suspension to get the height that you want, then go with rims. imo aftermarket rims on stock euro looks bit weird...

[RiceMeister]

^agreed.

suspension first then wheels! better to have the car at a nice height on stockies than 4x4 Boat Spec on aftermarket wheels.

[aaronng]

First things first, I strongly recommend you replace the auto trans fluid if it has not been done recently. Check your service booklet and if it has been stamped, look for the 100,000km service, which should include the ATF change. If there is no indication that it has been done, get it done ASAP.

[benji84]

Thanks guys, all great advice.
Cheers for the writeup Jamesfrosty, my new actuator just arrived, i might give it a go at replacing it myself.

Yeah ill probably go with 18's but yeah i do want to lower the car an inch or so, so ill look into that first.

It only just ticked over 100,000kms and was serviced, but the auto transmission fluid wasnt done. I will get it replaced asap. Thanks.

I just discovered the Ice Link and Xcarlink while searching the forums last night, sounds perfect. I was wondering though is it possible to have a load line converter like the peripheral sven4 connected to the stock deck as well as a xcarlink? Would that eliminate the hissing/background noise that some people were complaining about?

[xxb4xx]

Sorry to go off a lil' here,

Where's this thread where I can make the euro close the window's with the remote??

Has to be the dumbest thing where I can open them all with the remote, but can't close them!!!!!

[sameol3]

Sorry to go off a lil' here,

Where's this thread where I can make the euro close the window's with the remote??

Has to be the dumbest thing where I can open them all with the remote, but can't close them!!!!!

Pretty sure the feature is to let the heat out of the car before you get in.
you can close the windows by putting the key into the driver key hole, turn clockwise, release and turn clockwise again (hold) and this will close the windows.
The below simulates the above but with the car key remote, a lil hack/trip to trick the ECU that you are using the key in the drivers door key hole.
http://ozhonda.com/forum/showthread.php?t=44444&highlight=rollup
thats the thread and a DIY on the unit from KP Technologies.