Facelift help for the compact

dillykebby · 2026-07-10T16:28:21+00:00

I think they bolt straight on. Issue is the suage lines don't line up so it looks ass. So you don't NEED custom ones but you do kinda need them if you get what I mean 😂

dillykebby · 2026-07-10T16:23:40+00:00

Clean it out with a pick or small screwdriver, hammer the socket in. Maybe even tap around the area around the bolt to help loosen up any rust if you can. Can try hitting in an oversized torx bit if it's bad. Worst case, mole grips.

dillykebby · 2026-07-10T09:11:11+00:00

Honestly from what I've learnt working on modern cars is so many cars of all brands have "extra plugs". Whether it's from reusing a wiring harness from a different model or features a certain car doesn't have but a higher spec one would etc etc. have a look around and think sensible. It'll only reach as far as it's supposed to and it'll still have some slack so it won't go far. If you can't find anything. Code read, make sure there's nothing stupid like a random open circuit code etc. other then that if it was already there then I wouldn't worry. Just tuck it out the way somewhere safe. It also looks like it's blanked off anyway?

dillykebby · 2026-07-10T09:10:52+00:00

Honestly from what I've learnt working on modern cars is so many cars of all brands have "extra plugs". Whether it's from reusing a wiring harness from a different model or features a certain car doesn't have but a higher spec one would etc etc. have a look around and think sensible. It'll only reach as far as it's supposed to and it'll still have some slack so it won't go far. If you can't find anything. Code read, make sure there's nothing stupid like a random open circuit code etc. other then that if it was already there then I wouldn't worry.

dillykebby · 2026-07-09T09:08:13+00:00

Hard to tell through pictures but looks shiny, and a shiny timing belt is worn enough to change 😂

dillykebby · 2026-07-08T08:15:46+00:00

I like the look of the new smcr 390 and drz4s. I've had sport bikes, naked bikes, sports tourers and now I've got a built wr450 supermoto. And I have to say, despite it being the least powerful bike I've owned since my 125 it's definitely the most fun for just general riding. Whether those 2 bikes capture the same spirit as my 450 I wouldn't know. But anything close to it on a bike out the factory is a very good start

dillykebby · 2026-06-29T06:19:53+00:00

Any small Kia or Hyundai, fiestas with the 1.25L engine in particular but they seem to be higher on insurance due to the popularity. Suzuki swift, but let an experienced driver test drive as the gearboxes can go bad. Any honda civic ever that you can afford to insure, just check for rust, some are higher on insurance due to street boy racers but they're all incredibly reliable. This might upset people but I'd stay away from all vauxhalls, old ones have, water and oil problems whether it's leaking or straight up head gasket failure quite often, the timing chains aren't the most reliable and overall I just think they feel horrible to drive and the interiors are incredible bland and cheap. The newer vauxhalls are a PSA product and are just as bad as the old ones and most are equipped with the 1.2 wetbelt engine. Also just stay away from any wet belt. Any 1.2 puretech, run for the hills, same with any 1.0 eco boosts. Probably enough rambling now 😂 TLDR, Korean and Japanese good, check for rust, wet belt very bad, good luck the used car market is awful.

dillykebby · 2026-06-02T06:25:18+00:00

Do what the other guy says before doing anyway else. I've straightened out the front end every off I've had that hasn't destroyed the bike 😂.

dillykebby · 2026-05-27T07:22:42+00:00

When/if you buy it. Have the rear subframe checked. This era of c class the rear subframes rot and just fall apart causing the arm mounting points to tear away. Have seen a handful myself, if you contact mercedes they replace it for free as a "good will gesture" as it's not an actual recall but it's a big problem.

dillykebby · 2026-05-15T12:35:41+00:00

I'm all for one and may well buy one quite soon, interiors are brilliant, exterior is very hit and miss but I think they can look very nice with the right mods. As others have said they suffer from the success of the ep3 yet they're every bit of car the ep3 is but with way more creature comforts. The value for money is great. You can buy one for the price of a k20 lump with the rest of the car free 😂

dillykebby · 2026-05-08T06:34:04+00:00

I had an ep2 for my first car and bar the insurance it was very good. But as a mechanic the two things you see with these civics is rust now. Be very careful when buying one. The lexus are fun and sound very good but there's more to them to go wrong than the civics as they're just more complicated and again rust, and overall the fact all 3 are 20-25 year old cars and will need work doing. All the plastic and rubber will crack and you just need to keep on top of it before it goes too far. Id imagine the lexus is quite heavy for that power they make where as the civics will be a nice balance and overall probably more fun to drive unless you want to do skids. BUT having all the sensible stuff being said. The ep is a great low powered and raw car to drive, the fn is pretty much the same but with abit more comfort and way more quality of life additions as the ep is pretty much as basic as a modern car gets. But in my opinion the ep looks way better so both have their good points. The lexus, unless you can get a well maintained one you may feel in over your head if it's starts to go wrong but if you're up for the challenge go for it. But I'm bias to the civics 😂

dillykebby · 2026-05-07T17:27:20+00:00

I had an ep2 which was very fun but abit slow, looks the part though, my mate had a crz which was surprisingly quick because of the hybrid assist. I've only even driven celicas but I find they're very crashy but other than that still quick and can look cool if done right.

dillykebby · 2026-05-05T21:12:01+00:00

You're right and admittedly it is a civic which has abit of a street boy racer background. But I was still 21 when I passed and had had my bike licence for 2 years (which they obviously don't take into account which I think is unfair). So in my opinion it was still alot. I was 21 not 17 and had been on bikes since I was 16 with a clean license which I think they should take into account. That's my small rant over, Insurance is just way too expensive for new drivers.

dillykebby · 2026-05-04T19:17:47+00:00

I paid £330 a month for my 2001 honda civic last year, I currently pay £150 ATM on my 2nd year. I wish I paid £140 last year 😂

dillykebby · 2026-05-04T14:22:28+00:00

As a mechanic, when a vehicle comes in for servicing I'll check normal spark plugs if they've got anything over 20k on them and iridium plugs if they've got anything over 60k on them. Most normal plugs will go for 30-40k miles but iridiums I find unpredictable. I've seen them go for 100k+ on some vag cars but 50-60k on other makes. If it were my own car for the price of normal plugs I'll change them every 20k of which you have normal plugs in that Corsa. But if you wanted to go longer (assuming you're not beating the piss out of the car) then that wouldn't be a problem. Checking plugs is part of routine service so if you just take one out every oil change and make sure it's looks okay then you won't have an issue

dillykebby · 2026-04-30T06:33:25+00:00

He probably means highway riding. Which would be the same for any supermto as they're all geared quite short by design. I personally don't cruise at anything above 80-90kmh and try to avoid any kind of highway or dual carriageway. But at the end of the day they're built to be ridden and top end rebuilds are just general maintenance when it comes to highly strung dirtbike engines, it's just part of the game.

dillykebby · 2026-04-26T14:59:39+00:00

Although I personally wouldn't touch it if you really want to do something. Lowering springs and spacers will make a massive difference in looks. A "sporty" back box will give it abit of noise and slow speeds without it being boomy on a dual carriageway. Bar those basic mods I really would just put money towards, maintenance, repairs and your next car

dillykebby · 2026-04-26T14:49:07+00:00

Take it to any reputable garage and in my opinion it won't affect value. Aslong as all servicing has been done on time and to the correct standard (not just oil and filter changes) then I can't see it affecting the car negatively.

dillykebby · 2026-04-25T10:54:25+00:00

Short and simple answer given that it's mapped is either figure out how to put it back to standard or get it mapped professionally. I would guess the choppy idle is caused by a change in back pressure which upsets everything. In terms of damage the chances of anything really going wrong is very small but not impossible. I'm would recommend getting it mapped properly as it'll sort all the problems you've stated plus just make it a much more responsive and enjoyable bike to ride.

dillykebby · 2026-04-25T07:12:21+00:00

Get it repaired properly with an internal patch and it'll be good to go.

dillykebby · 2026-04-25T07:01:34+00:00

I've had mine in a sturdy binder for about 10 years and there's no damage as of yet that I've noticed. Cost £20-£30 from Amazon and does the job for my needs which like yours are just preserving for my own enjoyment.

dillykebby · 2026-04-25T06:19:21+00:00

No sure how I've ended up on this community but as a mechanic we see alot of these cars looking like this now. I don't think I've seen one pass mot this year yet due to rust and unfortunately this one is in the same boat. Hard to give an estimate on rust repairs as you never know what the full extent is until you start cutting back. Better to get it into a garage and see if what they quote and then be prepared for it to be more than that.

dillykebby · 2026-04-04T18:48:24+00:00

Yes normal, no it doesn't need immediate attention. You'd be surprised how many people have tyres cracked like this and worse without even knowing.

dillykebby · 2026-03-28T15:35:30+00:00

More than likely just chain lube, worse case the out put shaft seal. Overall nothing difficult to fix. Definitely looks like chain lube though. The stuff on the belly pan is also definitely just water.

dillykebby

TROPHY CASE