Thinking of parting out the mods and selling my 08' 335i for the cash and getting an RSX S, dont wanna go back to a tl. Opening my own law practice so I need something more dependable & gas friendly the blue rsx brings back my blue 93 integra memories...can I run 87 octane for highway driving? Is there any year to avoid?

 

Nope, all years are pretty reliable. Check to make sure all the gears are smooth especially 3rd gear. Other than that a very reliable car, owned one for 4 years.

 

I recommend running at least 91 octane in a Type-S. I have had mine for almost 10 years and I still love driving it. If you want higher performance, I recommend the Hondata ECU reflash. The 02-04 Type-S has poor mid-range torque in stock form. I found myself revving over 6000 RPM on a regular basis for adequate acceleration. When the car's warranty expired, I installed a CAI and the Hondata reflash. I wished I wouldn't have waited. The increase in mid-range torque was incredible and since then I rarely hit the high RPMs in daily driving as there is plenty of torque now.

The 05-06 Type-S has a little more performance in stock form over the 02-04, but I have never driven one.

 

Do not run less then 91. Even with factory tune, on CA's piss water 91 fuel, the Type S engines already knock. Hondata reflash (if you plan on staying stock, or at most an intake and exhaust w/ factory exhaust manifold) will help. I remember when Doug was doing the tune for the Type S, he actually had to pull back ignition timing. If you're in CA and have some easy access to E85, you probably can try doing some blending some 91 gas (which already has 10% ethanol by vol.) and kicking it up to 15-20% to keep knock at bay. One of my customers blends up to 25% ethanol for his E46 M3 daily driver just for this reason and to "wake" the engine up.

As far as reliability, its a Honda. One of my other customers has pretty much as close to full Type R coversion as you can get appearance wise (missing roof skin, he likes his sunroof/engine all stock) commutes daily from LA to OC and is getting very close to hitting 300k on his Type S with only doing maintenance (performed by me). Probably only engine mod being a K&N drop in filter and an Earls oil cooler, but other then that, oil changes w/ Synthetic (was on Mobile 1 for a while, then went to Eneos, now on Torco SR-1) with either a Group 7 (Purolator) or Denso filter, regular MTF changes (first couple w/ Honda MTF, then RP Syncromax, now on Torco MTF), NGK Laser Iridium plugs, new Bando belt, tensioner, Aisin water pump, new OEM chain tensioner and Honda Type 2 coolant all at 100k. Car still runs like a top.