What should I know

[BAM]

Hi guys my first post on here so be gentle with me

My names Bam im from the notts / derbyshire border

I'm thinking of a new weekend toy but undecided at the moment between a e46 m3 and a Evo of some type .

my budget is probably around the 9k figure and I've been looking at the FQ ranges

my questions are

whats the FQ range like to live with is there one to avoid or one to go for

do they suffer with any common problems

whats the economy like on a run ( i'm a regular nurburgring visitor)

what should i be looking for on viewing a potential purchase

how do they hold up on depreciation as in are they still diving or have they leveled out .

are the FQ range all imports

sorry about all the questions on a first post

Bam x

 

[m7gsr]

Hi and welcome. Go fo an evo
The FQ's are all Uk cars.
No serious problems. Just need to go for a cared for example.
Few things to check when viewing (same with all cars)
Fuel wise, depends on how you drive. I did 100 miles in an evo 9 on the motorway for approx. £20-25.
They're priced all over depending on miles, condition etc.

Hope this helps

 

[dessimpson]

9k will easily get you an FQ model.
The one to avoid is the 260. Unless you're buying it to mod or it's already been mod'd.
Look for rust bubbles on the rear arches. Not a common fault with the 8's but has been seen on a few 7's.
Economy? You should be looking at 20mpg or there abouts. Some will claim more but they obviously drive like grannies!
As for what to look for. Check the brakes, clutch etc like any normal car. The only evo specific thing I'd look for is the AYC/ACD lights on the dash and water ingress in the footwells.
None of the FQ Models are imports (Kinda). All evo's are made in the same factory. The FQ models are just the Jap GSR models with some tweaks done to them by Mitsubishi when they enter the UK.

Look at the car like you would any other and you pretty much can't go wrong

 

[Billy MR]

Just make sure you look around first, there is a few for sale also a few with hidden problems like AYC problems...

Make sure it has good history and had regular AYC fluid changes along with cambelt
I looked for mine for few months I have a evo 8 fq340 mr bloodily lovely to own
Million times better over my Subaru

 

[BAM]

Thanks for the replies i'm not clued up on the evo at all i'm afraid , hence me being here .

what is the ayc and how do i know if its faulty, if the lights on telling me then that's a no brain-er but, has it ever been heard of that some people remove the ayc bulb so it cant light up .

how much fuel do they take to fill up ? would i get 250 miles to a full tank motorway cruising?

is the FQ340 the one to go for then ? does the insurance differ much on these to the FQ260 ?

I need to sell my current car before i buy one so trying to do as much home work as possible first .

thanks for your patience

Bam x

 

[FQ NICK]

Thanks for the replies i'm not clued up on the evo at all i'm afraid , hence me being here .

what is the ayc and how do i know if its faulty, if the lights on telling me then that's a no brain-er but, has it ever been heard of that some people remove the ayc bulb so it cant light up .

how much fuel do they take to fill up ? would i get 250 miles to a full tank motorway cruising?

is the FQ340 the one to go for then ? does the insurance differ much on these to the FQ260 ?

I need to sell my current car before i buy one so trying to do as much home work as possible first .

thanks for your patience

Bam x

All three lights should light up when you put the ignition on i think.
I live in the same area as you, insurance ain't to Bad £500 fully comp at 46 years old.

Fuel economy . i have two maps on mine on the low boost fuel economy map 300 miles to a tank is achievable if you take it steady.

Where are you from mate.

 

[dessimpson]

All 3 lights should light up. Then it should change to only one light (tarmac, gravel or snow). If all 3 stay on permanently then the AYC or ACD is goosed.

The AYC transfers the power to the rear wheel with the most grip.
The ACD pretty much does the same except it's front to rear. (I think )

The 260 is a lower spec model to all the rest. It's not just that it has less power. It also has some inferior parts (seats are wider, no HID lights, no rear wash wipe, small rear spoiler etc). It does have the 5 speed gearbox which some say is stronger than the 6 speed (I prefer the 5 speed but you won't get the same fuel economy out of it).

Next up is the GSR models. Most of these will be imports. There are a few UK GSR's but they are identical to the imports (except the rear fog light).

Then you've got the FQ cars (FQ300, FQ330) Don't class the FQ260 or FQ280 models as proper FQ cars. They're basically the 260 & the GSR models with FQ on the log book for some reason.
The FQ cars will be badged as such and should have a numbered plaque in front of the gear lever. They come with some engine bay upgrades and most come with a nicer interior than the 260/GSR.

Lastly you've got he MRFQ models. 300,320 & 340 (I'll ignore the 400). These come with some worthwhile upgrades and were the last of the evo 8 models. Better suspension, aluminium roof, nicer interiors, different wheels to name a few of the differences. They also come in MRFQ only colours.

 

[mart1983]

Hi and welcome. Go fo an evo
The FQ's are all Uk cars.
No serious problems. Just need to go for a cared for example.
Few things to check when viewing (same with all cars)
Fuel wise, depends on how you drive. I did 100 miles in an evo 9 on the motorway for approx. £20-25.
They're priced all over depending on miles, condition etc.

Hope this helps

are all FQ's really uk cars... coz i wanted to get this car insured,well see how much it was gonna cost and they said it was an import..

XTREME KARZ : MITSUBISHI LANCER EVO 8 FQ 330 VERY LOW MILEAGE EVOLUTION

 

[dessimpson]

I dont' think that's an import. DVLA says manufactured in 2004 and first registered in 2004.
I'd be more worried about the fact the front bumper has been changed. It only has the FQ330 badge on one side, the ad says taxed and tested when the tax ran out on the 1st of May........ and the fact it's for sale in Yorkshire

 

[mart1983]

I dont' think that's an import. DVLA says manufactured in 2004 and first registered in 2004.
I'd be more worried about the fact the front bumper has been changed. It only has the FQ330 badge on one side, the ad says taxed and tested when the tax ran out on the 1st of May........ and the fact it's for sale in Yorkshire

well spotted mate! cheers, how did you find out about the info from dvla..

maybe be best to buy a car off a forum member..

 

[dessimpson]

You just go to the "tax your car online" page and select "vehicle enquiry".
Put in the reg No. and the make and that's it.

https://www.taxdisc.direct.gov.uk/EvlPortalApp/app/home/intro

 

[BAM]

wow some detailed info there , thankyou very much for taking the time to type all that . gives me a better idea of what to look for .

im about 10 minutes from jct 29 m1 between mansfield and chesterfield

 

[FQ NICK]

w
im about 10 minutes from jct 29 m1 between mansfield and chesterfield

In that case when you get a car, Give Darren at DWR a call Phone numbers in my sig.
Really good on prices for servicing ect, knows what he's on about and won't rip you off like some.
He's only in chesterfield so local to you. In fact if you are not to sure about a car i bet he would be more than happy to check it over for you.