Drove a non-PPP STi back to back with a PPP'ed WRX a few weeks ago

Could tell almost immediately that the STi's ride is far too hard for me. Couldn't even drive along Baldock High St without my voice shaking as if I was falling down some stairs! (I can't stress just how hard the ride is, on the B-roads I drove it was horrible. If an Exige manages to be so much softer I don't see why an STi has to be so hard).

Also didn't like the ..........suddenrushofpower.
Front end seemed to dive into bends unnaturally quickly compared to our MY01 WRX or even the Exige. Wouldn't say that was a criticism though, probably just takes getting used to.

Then immediatly tried the 03 WRX-PPP. Ah that's more like it! Copes with bumps without shaking your vision to a fuzzy blur, almost no lag at all, wide spread of torque, easily as quick as the STi, relaxing and not too loud. Much better than the 01/02 PPP.

So, questions:
1) What's with the STi's (lack of) ride quality? Was the STi 7 the same? If it was softer then are there any 7s left and are there any other differences between 7 and 8?

2) Does the PPP on the STi fix the sudden power delivery?

3) Is the STi PPP any louder than the WRX PPP?

Cheers
Mark

 

I think the STI-7's ride is less harsh than the 8's. Yes the PPP fills in everything missing from the STI and more and yes it's noiser than a PPP'd car(but only just)

 

Might have to get hold of a 7 with PPP for a try somehow.
Have to say I much prefer the 01/02 styling to the 03 as well.

Mark

 

This should answer one of your questions at least...

The first time I drove down Baldock highstreet I actually stopped my STi7 to check if I had a flat tyre. That is a seriously bumpy bit of road!

 

I know what you mean as my fillings are dropping out too. The ride is getting to be tiresome. My MY99 was a far better ride.

I hope the Prodrive springs for the Sti8 do the trick as far as the ride goes.( due in two months or so)

At a fitted cost of about £500? all in it had better be worth it and only then will I go for the PPP.

If it does not fix it I may consider swapping to a WRX PPP just as you are considering.

 

I test drove both cars last week and found the wrx to soft for my taste I like the ride and handling of the STi8.
My previous car was a Honda CTR now the could not only shake your fillings loose but would rearrange your internal organs on the right road!

Dave

 

On my STi7 it used to bog down at hard lock at junction then when reached 4Krpm broke your neck PPP has smoothed out power delivery making it controlable

This week had Prodrive springs fitted to and ride quality has definately improved

Tony

 

you dont know what [lack of ride quality] is until you drive a honda CRX with a spax gas adjustable suspension kit on, with the gas adjustable setting rusted unmovable to hard..!! it was stupid..!!!

I think the STI is made for people who dont moan/mind about how stiff the suspension is, and demand something other than marsh mallows for dampers....

Dan

 

Picked up sti8 yesterday,doesn't seem too harsh to me, had 18" fitted today which has stopped the tramlining.

 

cloer_than_you_think ?

urely there i ome mitake?

Paul

 

it's not the hard ride that i cannot stand,but the jiggling and bouncing of the car.it seems as if the shocks can't cope.
rung up Prodrive to ask if they were making any springs and they say in a couple of months.

i hope so, the ride of the car is starting to pee me off!!

 

Just to add my two-penneth. I had an STi 7 for about 6 months but the ride got really tiresome and after a long drive I felt physically drained. That doesn't make it a bad car - horses for courses. As somebody else has said it's not the firmness of the ride but that jiggling up and down feeling (has some advantages - ask a girl with big ***** to sit in passenger seat!!!). Maybe the Prodrive springs have sorted it.

I now have a MY03 WRX with PPP - performance is superb, fillings are fine, chirpractor gone bankrupt. I am going to get Eibachs shortly just to tighten it up a little but I don't expect the ride to suffer too much.

Ian