Time for a change.....FN2 Type R?

[digitalwolf]

I've gone from doing nearly 25k miles a year to about 8k so I feel it's time for my trusty E90 320d to go.

I don't need a diesel anymore and I didn't really want one in the first place but with the mileage, it made sense.

Over the years I have had a Saxo VTR, VTS and Clio 172 but I don't particularly want to go French again - had no end of electrical issues with my 172, it's put me off Renault. I do want a hot hatch again though.

My 320d has been absolutely brilliant in terms of reliability and the next car i'd like to be the same.

I'm looking at the FN2 Type R simply because it fits my requirements. It's quite spacious, it's got a few toys and it's similar in performance to my 320d which is mapped which is fine for me and it's a lot more agile and lighter.

I keep reading stories of FN2's being 'rubbish' and they handle like 'barges' compared to the old EP3's? Is this the case?

It will never go on track. A mate of mine had a JCW before his FN2 and since he's had the fast road geometry setup done, he said it handles like it's on rails.

Another potential issue is going from a mapped diesel to a K20, will it feel too flat?

I know the R26's are around in the 5-6k price bracket but reliability is really important for me, I just really can't be bothered with the niggles you get with french motoring.

Is the FN2 a decent choice or is there something else I should be looking at?

 

[zenith10]

I've never had an fn2 but I have had a celica vvtli which is a similar sort of engine, I know the k20 in the fn2 had more torque.

I came from a remapped 306 hdi and going to the celica I was really disapointed in the lack of torque, even though I knew it had loads less torque than the 306 I just didnt realise the change in driveability.

Obviously once its on the boil it was great fun, but sitting in traffic and going round town not so good!

it depends what you are looking for I suppose, the lack of torque low down is definitely going to affect you but if you test drive one and are happy with it then go for it.

 

[digitalwolf]

Having had a diesel for 4 years now, my driving style has obviously adjusted.

My Clio was quite high revving and I loved it though. Shame the car fell apart.

The handling is one thing I'm a bit concerned about.

 

[On Holiday]

 

[digitalwolf]

I've only driven an EP3 on the road very briefly but did have the opportunity to track one.
I've had 3 FN2s now so about 28 months of driving them / 26k miles ish, fully stock, lightly modded and then many-thousands spent examples.

They definitely don't handle like barges, they're just a little more refined than EP3s and thus better daily drivers - FN2s are quite often the front runners in the Civic Cup which is predominantly EP3.

They can be rather crashy with stock springs/shocks for daily driving if you're not used to it, but that's nothing £120 on a set of springs would resolve.

I wouldn't say it feels flat, sure there's no big torque dip where you suddenly feel it pull but they rev all the way to ~8300rpm. A remap can change VTEC engagement from 5800 to 3900rpm (roughly) which makes a noticeable improvement to mid-range driving (as well as MPG as it goes).

They must be the most reliable hot hatch as far as the competition goes in that price bracket.
In all the time I had the stock/near-stock one, I've only ever had to replace a rear numberplate bulb and a shock absorber.

Just ensure it's had valve clearances done every 25k miles and if it's had a new chain/tensioner fitted for any reason then make sure it's been carried out by a well known specialist or main dealer with OEM parts. There's no need to replace them at specific intervals unless they've become stretched which should result in an engine light being displayed.

A new OEM clutch fitted is £320 tops by a specialist.

£5-6k is a fair bracket, prices are all over at the moment but that should get you a nice 60-70k miler.
I picked one up for a friend at the beginning of last year for £5k which had 50k miles on and was well looked after.


Any specific questions feel free to ask/@ me

Wonderful thanks for that, very insightful.

In terms of the lifters, is this part of the standard service interval? Can't say i've seen any advertised saying this has been carried out on it.

How is the gearbox on the FN2?

 

[ShivP]

Also look at Focus ST, I can highly recommend

 

[digitalwolf]

Also look at Focus ST, I can highly recommend

Really not a fan of the ST's interior. Too bland.

 

[ShivP]

Really not a fan of the ST's interior. Too bland.

True. One with the sat nav blaupunkt system with climate etc is not a bad "place to be" though tbh. But the fn2 interior is very impressive considering the age

 

[chroniclard]

Gearbox on Type R's is one of the best manual boxes around.

 

[andythelandy]

The main thing with fn2s is it will be a huge step down in refinement and comfort from a 3 series I assume you are okay with that?

The ride is bone shaking they have next to no refinement from road noise everything rattles and shakes from every minute bump in the road. Also bits of ours fall off all the time, they are not quality items like people lead you to believe Hondas are, reliable yes but not a premium item.

The engine is fantastic however and they do handle pretty well aslong as the road is smooth....

 

[mccarf]

Sold mine recently for 3k. It was by far the best "quick car" out of the 3 I've owned (350z & octavia vrs). It was way more reliable than the other two and always felt special once it got onto a mountain road. I was sad I had to sell it (moved abroad) and would happily recommend it to anyone after a semi cheap hot hatch.

 

[On Holiday]

 

[Gibbo]

I had a near new FN2 for a few months, sold it to a forum member here I think.

Great points, the seats, VTEC when on it, flat harsh ride and reliability.
Bad points, the harsh ride and you either drove the car like a granny or like you stole it was fine, but if you tried to just drive kind of normal with some pace it was more annoying then pleasurable. If your gonna give it some, you gotta thrash it, then comes alive. 1320kg with fuel, not so bad really when compared to modern cars, not as light as your 172 and not as urgent, but for sure a whole lot more reliable and solid feeling.

 

[digitalwolf]

The main thing with fn2s is it will be a huge step down in refinement and comfort from a 3 series I assume you are okay with that?

The ride is bone shaking they have next to no refinement from road noise everything rattles and shakes from every minute bump in the road. Also bits of ours fall off all the time, they are not quality items like people lead you to believe Hondas are, reliable yes but not a premium item.

The engine is fantastic however and they do handle pretty well aslong as the road is smooth....

Yeah not expecting the BMW's build quality, the Honda's build quality is far better than an R26's though. Recently bought a house so a 135i is off the cards for a bit so i'm looking to PX mine in, it's getting a bit tired now and i'm completely bored of it.

 

[digitalwolf]

I had a near new FN2 for a few months, sold it to a forum member here I think.

Great points, the seats, VTEC when on it, flat harsh ride and reliability.
Bad points, the harsh ride and you either drove the car like a granny or like you stole it was fine, but if you tried to just drive kind of normal with some pace it was more annoying then pleasurable. If your gonna give it some, you gotta thrash it, then comes alive. 1320kg with fuel, not so bad really when compared to modern cars, not as light as your 172 and not as urgent, but for sure a whole lot more reliable and solid feeling.

My BMW is quite solid on run flats to be honest so i'm used to quite a firm ride. My mates FN2 doesn't seem that much firmer than mine, although the back is very stiff due to the torsion.

Reliability is the key for me. I pretty much rebuilt my Clio and although I did put a fair few miles on it and thrashed it, it became a lottery if it would start after work etc. I really can't be bothered with that.

I've always wanted a Type R find the high rev limiter appealing.

 

[TaKeN]

I had a near new FN2 for a few months, sold it to a forum member here I think.

Great points, the seats, VTEC when on it, flat harsh ride and reliability.
Bad points, the harsh ride and you either drove the car like a granny or like you stole it was fine, but if you tried to just drive kind of normal with some pace it was more annoying then pleasurable. If your gonna give it some, you gotta thrash it, then comes alive. 1320kg with fuel, not so bad really when compared to modern cars, not as light as your 172 and not as urgent, but for sure a whole lot more reliable and solid feeling.

Unbelievable. Did your friend ever find that spare key for it? Drop him a message for me please!

 

[DazQ87]

I've owned an FN2 for the past 2 years, its on 88k now and so far I've only had to replace the two front shocks, so its been pretty solid.
It's by far the most fun car I've owned, and I've kept it longer than any previous car I've owned.
The ride quality can be a bit harsh sometimes, but it more than makes up for it when you throw it down a B road at 8000rpm. From a comfort point of view I would avoid any that have the 19" wheels as they make the ride even harder than it already is.
The more I think about it the more I want to replace the springs, but it's the only bit I would change.

 

[The Running Man]

Biggest problem.is finding a nice condition one imo.

Also the later 2010 models have LSD as do the championship white editions.

 

[digitalwolf]

Biggest problem.is finding a nice condition one imo.

Also the later 2010 models have LSD as do the championship white editions.

Yeah and the decent ones seem to shift quite quickly.

Definitely a market for them.

 

[Nasher]

Yeah not expecting the BMW's build quality, the Honda's build quality is far better than an R26's though. Recently bought a house so a 135i is off the cards for a bit so i'm looking to PX mine in, it's getting a bit tired now and i'm completely bored of it.

Depends what you mean by build quality, mechanically (the stuff that matters) Hondas are some of the best built cars you can buy.

Your very unlikely to get slapped with the kind of repair bills you'd see from a BMW. Same goes for most Japanese cars.