SilverCU3

Hi guys, I live in the UK and four weeks ago I took delivery of a 2009 Accord Euro CU3 (diesel) in Buran Silver with black interior. I think it's the same colour as Acura's Palladium. I have the 'EX' version which has sunroof, electric/heated seats, sat. nav., leather, etc and I've covered 1,600 miles so far. I'm getting about 47mpg and acceleration is at least as good as my old 2.0 petrol. I wanted white paint but that's only available here on the range topping model ... this version comes with lots of bits which I didn't want so I couldn't justify a lot of extra cash just to get the colour I wanted.

I've spent ages looking at the TSX pics on this forum and I'm amazed at the wheels you guys fit. ... in the UK, 18" wheels on a new Accord are rare and I've yet to see one with 19s.

I'm looking at changing my wheels/tyres from the 7x17s with 225/50s, but I can't find anything with anywhere close to the stock 55mm offset. I can't believe how close some of your wheels are to the wheelarches!

I'll post some pics as soon as I'm allowed to (5 posts/15 days) ... there are several differences between the Accord Euro and the Acura TSX, most noticeable being the grille. To be honest, I don't think I like the Acura one as much as I like Honda's.

If you want to know anything about the Euro, feel free to ask

LuvMyTSX

I wish we got the diesel here.

JeffS

+1.

Although I would be confused driving a Honda/Acura with good low end torque.

SG81

iTrader: (1)

yes and no. i like the great mileage, but they stink when you're behind them

Farage

i believe the stock wheels are 17x7.5.

congrats on the pickup!

SilverCU3

You're right, the stock wheels are 7.5" x 17" ... the same ones as fitted to the Acura.

The diesel motor isn't as torquey as those from the VW/Audi range. It drives more like a petrol but has a redline at about 4,500rpm. There's a reasonable amount of thrust available from just over 2,000rpm but it's not like the 'push you back in the seat' torque dealt up by the VW diesels. Below 2,000rpm it's no better than a fairly weak 2.0L petrol engine. Basically, the car doesn't feel as fast as it really is ... plus it makes an annoying rattling noise (similar to pinging on a petrol) under acceleration. All in all, aside from the economy, the V-TEC petrol engine is a much, much better motor.

The standard 2.2L diesel makes 150bhp but we have an option in the form of the Type S which has an extra 30bhp and additional torque thanks to a larger turbo, modded head, and a bigger intercooler. I drove one of these before buying the 150bhp version and it's a lot quicker. It's also the only version which comes with Premium White Pearl as an option.

Being all aluminium, there's not a significant increase in engine weight over the 2.4 so the handling is quite good - it's not at all nose heavy.

Unlike old school diesels, the Honda (along with most other big manufacturers) now fit DPFs in the exhaust which effectively remove the soot emissions when accelerating ... so there's no smell and no smoke

It's strange. You wish you had the diesel version and I wish we could have the V6!

SG81

iTrader: (1)

nice, i didn't know that. whenever i think of diesel cars, i think of the older ones that give out black smoke and stink like hell.


btw, welcome to Acurazine!

Omega751

Do you mind posting some pictures of the interior? I'm curious if the shifter is the same as the one in the US. Thanks.

09TSXTech

Congrats, diesel would be nice but I like the 2.4 petrol because the engine just love to rev.

In terms of wheels, the optional 18" rims are 18 x 7.5 w/ ET 55 here in North America. I recently imported the Civic Type R Rage wheel from the UK (19 x 7.5 ET 55). Fits perfectly although I needed to buy TPMS for them.

SilverCU3

I'll post some interior shots over the weekend ... the manual shifter on my 6MT is definitely different to the Acura. I'll get some front grille shots, too.

The UK wheel option for the Accord is an 8"x18" with 225/45 tyres. Our Type S has the same wheels as your 2010 V6 TSX (8" with 235/40x18s). I'm not sure why that size was chosen as it has a slightly higher overall diameter than the stock 17s and optional 18s. I'd have thought this would create a problem with the trip computer, especially the mpg calculator and mileage recorder.

I noticed that you guys fit 235/35x19s but I was maybe looking at 235/40s on 8" or 8.5" wheels as this is the same diameter as the 235/45x18s. I particularly like the RonJon Legend IIs

The Rage 19s are really nice + they have the right offset ... do you have any pics?

As for the 2.4 petrol, I see that Honda have announced the Type S will be made available in Europe with the 2.4 instead of the 180bhp diesel. If it weren't for the poorer economy figures, I'd choose the 2.4 over the diesel every time.

09TSXTech

RonJon Legend IIs are available only with 20". The regular Legend comes in 18" or 19".

Use a tire size calculator on the web, 235/40/18 will be 1.8% too fast (speedo at 60mph- actual 58.9mph) and 235/45/18 will be 1.8% too slow (speedo 60mph, actual-61.1mph). Not a significant difference.

Here's a photo of my Rage wheels

SilverCU3

Thanks for the wheels pic ... they look good against the black. We have those wheels as an option on the Type R Civic but (imo) they look better on the Accord.

Did you go from 17s to 19s? And was there a big difference in ride quality/steering response? I see you have lowered springs, too ... did you do this after fitting the 19s, or before? The problem is, our road surfaces are rubbish here so any significant compromise to the ride quality won't be welcomed.

I've added some specs from the Falken catalogue as they're the tyres I'll be buying. In the UK we have a choice of two OEM wheel/tyre combinations so all of the sizes below fit within an acceptable range.

I'm now thinking that the actual sidewall height on the 235/35x19s would be about the same as the sidewall height on the 245/35x20s. So maybe the RonJon IIs are a possibility (I hadn't realised they were 20s).

225/50x17 26.1”dia 805 rpm (Honda OEM fitment)
235/35x19 25.5” dia 858 rpm (Falken FK452)

235/45x18 26.6” dia 783 rpm (Honda OEM fitment)
225/40x19 26.2” dia 790 rpm (Falken FK452)
245/40x19 26.7” dia 777 rpm (Falken FK452)
245/35x20 26.7” dia 777 rpm (Falken FK452)

09TSXTech

Thanks. The car has the Euro Sports suspension which gives it a 0.8" - 1.0" drop. I believe the sports suspension is standard on the Accord EX in the UK.

I am using the stock 17" with all seasons Michelin for Fall/Winter driving here. The ride is certainly stiffer with the sports suspension compare with the stock one in my TSX, however, it's not harsh even in rough surface.

The Rage wheel came with Yokohama Advan Sports 225/35/19 tyres, I am planning to upgrade to Falken 235/35/19 in the Spring even though 245/35/19 would have been closer in diameter (0.4% vs 1.5%), however, given that the Rage width is only 7.5, I am more comfortable with 235 than 245.

whatarussh

[quote=SilverCU3;11463518]

I'm looking at changing my wheels/tyres from the 7x17s with 225/50s, but I can't find anything with anywhere close to the stock 55mm offset. I can't believe how close some of your wheels are to the wheelarches!

Hey don't be to hung up on getting the stock offset. Many of us have put on wheels with offsets well below stock and the tires do not hit the fenders or limit turning. In fact most think the lower offset looks better as it brings the tires & wheels out a bit. I installed the Euro Sport Suspension (1" drop) paired with 38 offset Enkei Razr 18" wheels and stock 18" tires size; looks great no rubbing!

SilverCU3

The UK EX does have 'sports' suspension but that's just a title - it's not actually sporty at all. Honda UK also offer a further suspension package which I suspect is the one you have fitted to your car. Considering that's just a 1" drop, it makes a big difference to the look, especially with those low profiles.

I agree that 245s on a 7.5" wheel would be a bit loose, so 235s are a better choice. Falken FK452s are really good tyres. I had them on my last Accord ... they're quiet and very good in the wet. They wear well, too.

I've spent hours looking through the pics on this forum and I appreciate your comments regarding offset and how the arches need to be filled out. However, my last Accord had real issues with tramlining on 17s, and that was with stock wheels and offset. Once the tyres started to wear down it became necessary to hold the wheel tightly at all times. Despite many attempts at 4 wheel alignment, the problem stayed. I also had a bad experience with increased offset on my MR2 which is why I'm obsessed with retaining stock offset. However, it looks like I'm going to have to start looking at ET45 as there's hardly anything made in ET50-55.

whatarush, could you post a pic of your car with the Enkeis and the drop, please? Does it drive ok with that amount of offset ... no bumpsteer or anything??

09TSXTech

Yes, whatarush, would love to see how the 18" Enkei's look with the Euro suspension also. I installed 15mm spacers on the rear few days ago to bring the wheels out a bit as both the stock and Rage wheels are ET55.

whatarussh

The car drives better than stock after adding the suspesion and no problems with pulling or bumpsteer. I'll try to post some pics soon.

whatarussh

Finally posted some pics of my car.

https://acurazine.com/forums/2g-tsx-photograph-gallery-144/whatarussh-2010-euro-sport-1-drop-18-enkei-razr-751387/

Omega751

Any luck posting pictures of the interior, etc?

SilverCU3

Got lots of shots at the weekend but I can't post them here until I've been a member for 15 days

I think that's about 5 days off so I'll post soon as I can.

Life Dies

Can I buy the engine and trans and do a swap?

SilverCU3

The only gain with the diesel is economy (47+mpg) ... the petrols are much better, and much quieter, to drive!