EP3 Type R

[will13]

not sure which rails I have but mine sits pretty low, can sometimes make it hard to be fully aware of where your front wheels are, dont know if anyone else experiences this.

[Poeter]

What brand was the super low one?
Bride?

[chiseen]

Hi guys, I have hving problem wit my car alarm due to the aftermath of the shocking thunder strike in melbourne this wednesday. The keyless entry wouldnt work on the driver's side initially but now it doesnt work on both the driver and passenger side when arming the car (no problem on both when disarming/ getting in the car). Does anyone know good alarm installation/repair centre in Melbourne? help is very much appreciated. thanks

[Philip Lee]

What brand was the super low one?
Bride?

It's "vanner tuner's special". I think someone here has it too.

[Perry]

i had the super low after the vision and the difference is night and day.

ask Perry as he had sat on it once.

There was a massive difference between the both rails =)

[RPS.13]

It's "vanner tuner's special". I think someone here has it too.

+1 to "vanner tuner's special" its probably one of the best mods I've done to the EP. Even back then, when the car was pretty stock. The difference in the seating position made the car feel so much better.

not sure which rails I have but mine sits pretty low, can sometimes make it hard to be fully aware of where your front wheels are, dont know if anyone else experiences this.

I have trouble seeing some curbs when turning right. I kind of have to try and look around the A pillar through the front window or under side mirror to see them properly.

[JohnO]

has anyone ever come across a squeaking/creaking noise whilst turning left or right but on a decline like say out of a steep driveway? i know my wheels scrub but i doubt its making the noise, sounds more metal than rubber hitting the mudguard

[keepitlow]

Just reading the post about seat rails.. I've always felt my seat was low and I've being told I look like a midget driving my car when I'm actually 180cm tall

Anyway I just check now and I happen to have the FEEL'S seat rail on my ep3 and quick research says its 40mm lower than stock height.. I like the height to be honest, stepping on the clutch feels good at this height. If anyones interested, feel free to have a sit in my driver seat at the next meet

[av90]

well the mechanic would have machined the flywheel as a standard procedure.

Has he changed the rear main seal? Does the bottom of your transmission look oily or greasy?

the flywheel was machined, rear main seal replaced, the bottom of the tranny looks clean actually. i reckon it could be the clutch master cylinder not engaging fully? i know its either on or off but the piston and sleeve might be damaged somehow. which is why im not fully enganging in on or off which burns the clutch

[goatpaste]

A couple of questions for you EP3 drivers...

I'm considering buying an EP3, and was wondering how people have fared when trying to get a car repaired after a smash, considering that there aren't panels available locally? Do insurers just write them off if the panels can't be repaired?

Also, why is it so hard to sell these cars? There are cars that have been sitting on Carsales for several months. I haven't checked them out personally, but a couple look ok. Is it just the price, considering that IMG have told me they are selling freshly imported cars at the same price that people are asking for the ones in the classifieds? Are sellers just unrealistic about how much these cars have dropped in value in the last couple of years?

Lastly, having driven both pre and post facelift cars, the only real difference I can feel is in the steering. The facelift feels a bit more direct and the LSD didn't tug at the steering so much. What do you guys reckon? Is it worth paying a couple of thousand more for the later model?

Cheers
Goatpaste

[Poeter]

the flywheel was machined, rear main seal replaced, the bottom of the tranny looks clean actually. i reckon it could be the clutch master cylinder not engaging fully? i know its either on or off but the piston and sleeve might be damaged somehow. which is why im not fully enganging in on or off which burns the clutch

In that case, should take it to your mechanic to check the master and slave to see if they are on their way to seizing up.

A couple of questions for you EP3 drivers...

I'm considering buying an EP3, and was wondering how people have fared when trying to get a car repaired after a smash, considering that there aren't panels available locally? Do insurers just write them off if the panels can't be repaired?

Also, why is it so hard to sell these cars? There are cars that have been sitting on Carsales for several months. I haven't checked them out personally, but a couple look ok. Is it just the price, considering that IMG have told me they are selling freshly imported cars at the same price that people are asking for the ones in the classifieds? Are sellers just unrealistic about how much these cars have dropped in value in the last couple of years?

Lastly, having driven both pre and post facelift cars, the only real difference I can feel is in the steering. The facelift feels a bit more direct and the LSD didn't tug at the steering so much. What do you guys reckon? Is it worth paying a couple of thousand more for the later model?

Cheers
Goatpaste

I've known a few ppl that got their car repaired. Depending on damage, they vary from 2 weeks to more than a month.

Most owners believe parts are hard to gets. That is true if your smash repairs are looking for 2nd hand parts and do not have their overseas connections with Japan and Hong Kong.

If the insurer are not being tight, brand new parts can be sourced easily from Honda UK or Japan on the condition that the correct part numbers can be provided. So in my opinion if you could offer assistance in finding out the part numbers needed that could speed things up.

There is a 2008 HONDA EPC (electronic parts catalog) floating around the internet for download. If you can read Japanese, you'll basically have all the parts number needed for the JDM spec EP3. This include rear quarter panels and etc.

With regards to selling up EP3, they're not selling well now because there is now alot of them in the market and hence the demand is tapered off. The hype is no longer what they were like when were first ready for import. Not that many people fancy the hatchback shape either because they feel like it looks like a Jazz or what not.

EP3 is pretty much now a cheap p-platers car. Alot owners sell them off and upgrade themselves for an evo or whatever turbo cars they can get their hands on for brute power which devalues their market value further.

Whether the extra few grand for the cosmetic changes and steering improvement is up to you. There is no significant improvement of the facelift over the prefacelift. THese day facelfit is no longer a hype because they are now very affordable and has caught up with the number of prefacelift ep3s running around.

Hope that helps.

[goatpaste]

Thanks Poeter, very useful.