Guys,

I've been looking at a RB5 and wondered what differences there is between the Standard UK turbo and this model except the noticeable items Interior and Colour.

Anybody would like to comment on both as the RB5 is priced abit more than the normal UK model.

Cheers in advance.

 

Taken from http://www.sidc.co.uk/faq.htm#1.2

RB5

To celebrate Richard Burns' first year in the Subaru World Rally Team, the RB5 (5 was the number Richard used during the 1999 WRC championship) was launched to critical acclaim by the press. 444 examples of this car were made available to the general public. A "WR Sport" version of the car was available at extra cost, specified at delivery time by the first owner.

• Blue Steel metallic paintwork
• Fully colour-coded exterior (mirrors, door handles, skirts and driving lamp covers)
• Blue 'Alcantara' and suede-effect interior trim, with black 'jersey' surround on seats
• Special graphite trim for the centre console
• Air conditioning
• Unique titanium/pewter coloured 17in, 6 spoke Speedline alloy wheels with Pirelli 'P Zero' 205/45 ZR17 tyres
• PIAA front driving light conversion
• Prodrive quickshift
• Roof-mounted map reading lamps
• RB5 side and rear decals (and also on driving light covers)
• RB5 embossed carpet mats
• RB5 interior-mounted, numbered plaque "Limited Edition" only 444 availabl
• On the road price: £24,995

WR Sport Performance Package

Prodrive High wing (similar to the new STi 5 but with the brake light on the wing rather than boot lid)
Prodrive Performance pack, consiting of Prodrive ECU, exhaust and revised intercooler piping.
On the road price: £27,500

hope this helps

Dave

 

As above no difference engine wise, unless u get the WRSport pack, which is basically PPP added.

 

Cheers Dave that does help quite abit.

Anybody now have any personal opinions between the two models.

 

Depends what you're after. You'll pay a premium for an RB5 since there's not that many for sale. Also, getting a good one with low milage is tougher than with a std MY99 car.

I personally prefere the colour and interior of the RB5, but I'm biased.

Stefan

 

I'm not 100% sure, but i don't think the RB5 has folding split rear seats, not a problem if you don't do DIY.

 

That's correct, they don't.

 

As mentioned; the RB5 was built on a Japanese domestic market bodyshell which has a fixed rear bulkhead, hence no folding rear sear.

Simon

 

When EVO magazine thought the Impreza was the best real world car in the land (around 99/00) their favourite variant was the RB5. Not because of the cosmetics (which I really like) but because of the way the Prodrive pack closed the gap on some of the uber-scoobes and the way the wheel and tyre package greatly improved the handling. The first thing I did to my UK car when I had it was change the wheels and tyres to RB5 spec - I.E. 205/45/17 (although I fitted Bridgestone RE040s rather then the P-Zeros which were standard on the RB5).
Handling transformed without any other mods.

Spec.

237bhp @ 6000 rpm
258 lb/ft @ 3500rpm (the important real world figure)
1235kg / 2723lb
175 - 180 bhp/ton
0-30 1.6 secs
0-60 5.0 secs
0-100 14.1

To give you an idea of real world performance - in the Evo 4x4 group test around the Mira wet handling course the following times were acheived

UK Turbo - 49.5
Sti V - 49.5
22 B - 48.7
RB5 - 48.0

When compared to the UK Turbo Evo magazine wrote the following -

"The more powerful RB5 takes the same suspension and adds bigger wheels. They transform the cars feel, adding definition, bite and speed through the sweeps. It digs through the surface water to find grip and yet feels every bit as adjustable and even more progressive. It snicks through direction changes with effortless positivity, all four tyres working hard, and it's extra power can be felt and used - drive out of the hairpin and down the straight is much stronger. A superb, confidence-inspiring performance"

Out of 14 top end 4x4 the RB5 came second only to the Evo RS sprint, beating Porches, Skylines and so-on.

I would strongly recommend you get your hands on a copy of EVO 011 (getting quite rare now).

Don't forget all the above applies to a nice clean unfettled RB5 with PPP. There were only 444 made so good ones are hard to find although the types of people that bought them and subsequent keepers were likely to cherish the car.

Good luck

J

 

If you specifically want an rb5 then they are a good limited edition. To be honest unless you specifically looking for an rb5 then an my99/my00 would be the better buy imho, colour choice and cheaper. The rb5 to go for is the wrsport version, cant remember how many were the wrsport version (237bhp version) but less than you think, quite few were the standard rb5 with 215bhp.

 

turbo is quick the rb5 one is quicker!

 

Agreed.

If you look at an RB5 without the Prodrive performance upgrade then your basically buying a UK car with bigger wheels and some nice add-ons.

You could also achieve the same by buying a good UK car with some light performance mods/ ppp and 17s and then change the tyres to 205/45/17 if you wanted.

Having said that the RB5 commands a premium because of it's rarity. You could buy one, keep it standard and enjoy it for a bit and sell it for pretty much the same. I hate to sound mecernary but with RB currently being so ill (which I'm gutted about), it could even end up being worth a bit more so long as it's cared for.

 

rb5 and uk turbo have same engine and turbo (td04) both push out 215bhp.

The wrsport rb5 was rated at 237bhp exactly same as the my99 PPP.

 

Must say I like the limited editions as they are that little more special than the standard cars

 

But in reality every WrSport RB5 I've ever seen produces between 245 and 251 bhp.

 

The official outputs are always conservative on virtually every Scoob.

 

I am sure they are some my99 PPP that produce those figures as well

 

It's not often I find myself agreeing with somebody consistently. I'd seriously consider a standard/mint WR RB5.

http://www.scoobyphotos.com/subaru/i...c-specials.php

The STI lights look really nice. Maybe just a few mods

 

My old RB5




Bottom picture was taken at Bedford and look there's Cem before he got all Ferrarified

 

What happened to the RB5?

 

Like any MY99/00 impreza, if you tweak the exhaust the bhp will be much better than 215BHP.
AFAIK a RB5 with PPP is no quicker than a std MY99/00 with PPP. They are the same mechanically.
You are basically paying for a MY99 turbo with limited edition interior, wheels and body colour with a few mods such as PIAA spotlights and Prodrive quick shift lever etc. and most of all exclusivity of a special edition.
If you can't buy a WRSport just get a normal RB5 and change the backbox. You could then buy the PPP ECU of get an aftermarket Tek2/3 ECU.
And yes the back seats do not fold down which can be a pain at times.

Phil (RB5 083)

 

I sold it to a friend of mine

I must have been off my head

 

 

and bought myself this

 

 

Actually I think Smart Cars are very practical and I like the pretend F1 gearchange................