zs_phil

iTrader: (1)

ive been to look at 2 of these this weekend and i must say
these look awesome and the seats are great they also sound nice and are around abouts the same economy as the scoob (so the salesman said )and suitable for children as i have 2

the ones i looked at though was 19k for a 53plate and had tv not dvd was watching olympics as he showed me inside it

only bad thing is roadtax top brand

pete higham

oh yeah i enjoyed driving that car too

and my impreza is no slouch

rickya

iTrader: (18)

I had an E36 M3 Evo a few years back, which was written off. So I decided that I will be sensible, economical etc etc
& bought an E46 330d, nice car, I still own it, but if your petrol head it wont do!
So I gave it to the Mrs (family car) & bought a 350z.
Another great car but after a couple of years & baby no 1, I had to buy as sensible 4 door. 4 seat saloon.............
.So.I bought a Hawkeye Spec C from Litchfields! Simple there we are go & get urself another rally special.

Terminator X

iTrader: (7)

All I'm saying is that if he's used to 300bhp & same ish torque then a diesel is not really going to float his boat. The diesels still only rev to 4k ish as well don't they?

Take my car - 375bhp & same torque with 8k rev limit. A diesel won't compete ...

TX.

500

Maybe, but neither would a Vauxhall VXR or an R32 that he's been looking at

All I'm saying is that it would be better if you had driven one then you know how good they are. If you haven't driven one I don't see how you can comment.

He also isn't taking your car or trying to compete, he's looking at Golfs ffs

Terminator X

iTrader: (7)

I've driven a 330d - it was awful.

TX.

markymark34

very descriptive comment, you must be one of the few people who have driven one who can describe them as awful.

500

And would you judge the drive of a Justy to be the same as an Impreza

Luther

iTrader: (13)

Here's an idea....and believe me I nearly bought one before I got the STI... Volvo S60R.... Definitely worth a drive if you get a chance.

You can pick up an 04 plate for £10k now....

Shark Man

£18K?

Hmmm, well, I just bought an R32 (MkV). not sure if its the right choice. I don't really care as other than buying another Monaro there is nothing out there that tickles my fancy for an everyday hack, so it'll do me for now.


First thing thats being done to it when I get it is to plug in the laptop, to see if I can adjust the power steering assistance level (via VAG-COM) to something that is more "real" in terms of actually turning the wheels. (like 99% of modern cars, its far far far too over-assisted).

fpan

iTrader: (11)

That will be interesting to hear. Let us know if it is possible to adjust the power steering.

Shark Man

Will do, I noted it mentioned on a few forums.

I know someone with Vag-Com and I'm picking it up on monday, so a play with the settings is certainly called for, as its one thing that really spoils the car.

fpan

iTrader: (11)

I was hoping something similar could be done to the impreza as it would certainly benefit from a heavier steering.
Keep us updated.

Shark Man

Well, tried it, but it seems that at least on a mid 2005 model R32 I can't access the channel used to adjust the steering assist level.

Some scratching about the forums seems to suggest that the steering control modules with the revision number k1.x and k1.xx are adjustable, and later units with a K1.xxx (where x denotes a number) are not. Mine is a k1.591, so that points towards a later unit, which may be why I can't adjust it.


Something that I've always hated on Imprezas (especially the classics, they are so light, they don't really need PAS...imo ). They use old fashioned hydrualic power steering. I asked on here many many years ago, and had pretty much no reposnse (I can't believe there is no demand for kart-like steering - does everyone like girly steering? )

I investigated how to lower the assistance level and came up with two ways: One is to reduce the line pressure, by using a relief/bleed valve on the supply from the PAS pump - which is not the best way, as it doesn't give you the assistance when you need it most (turning the wheel quickly at slow speeds), and assistance levels may become inconsistant and may vary with engine speed.

And the proper way - replace the torsion bar in the spool valve with a thicker (hence stiffer) one. The operation of the PAS on these systems require this torsion bar to twist when you apply a steering force, which in turn opens the valve allowing pressure through to the relevent side of the steeing rack. If its a stiffer bar, it needs more force to twist and open the valve, giving less assistance and heavier steering, but still gives assistance when you need to turn the wheel quickly (as the line pressure is still high).

If one knew the grade of metal the torsion bar was made from, it probably is possible to make one with basic machine tools (lathe, dremel, buffer wheel etc). However, without knowing what grade metal it is, and some maths (to calculate the required thickness - could always use trial and error ) the project hits a brickwall.