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Old Mar 30, 2006 | 09:19 AM
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Question scooby newbie- are scoobys really that delicate?

Hi everybody


just in the process of deciding which scooby to buy, but, reading all the posts it seems if you cough in the wrong way the engine blows up.

are they really that delicate from standard or is it just modded motors that have a short life expectancy?

i'm thinking about at UK300 model around 2000-2002 year

any help would be great.

Thanks
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Old Mar 30, 2006 | 09:29 AM
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The only reasons that they blow up are
a) You drive like a pillock everywhere and don't exercise any form of mechanical sympathy
b) If you have added modifications and they are totally inappropriate and
c) You are just unlucky

No different to any other car then
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Old Mar 30, 2006 | 09:36 AM
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There's a lot of scaremongering goes on around here, and it's generally only when something goes wrong with a car that someone will post about the problem as they'll be looking for help. There aren't many "my car just made it to Tesco's and back without a hitch" threads.

A lot of classic shape imported STI's seem to suffer bottom end failure - this can be caused by a number of things. When mine failed I was told it was the oil pump that had seized and caused the damage (simply bad luck), but it can also be down to low grade fuel being used, faulty Air Flow Meter, failing fuel pump etc.

Generally with a new age UK car you are unlikely to have any of these problems. If you keep it relatively standard (or make sure any modifications are carried out to a high standard) it should prove a very reliable and fun to own car. Look after it and service it regualrly and you should be fine.
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Old Mar 30, 2006 | 09:40 AM
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Originally Posted by Gridlock Mikey
The only reasons that they blow up are
a) You drive like a pillock everywhere and don't exercise any form of mechanical sympathy
b) If you have added modifications and they are totally inappropriate and
c) You are just unlucky

No different to any other car then
I'd agree with Gridlock Mikey except in respect of c). You are probably much less likely to be "unlucky" with a scoob than many other makes of car - especially sporty models!!!

So go for it!!!!!
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Old Mar 30, 2006 | 10:09 AM
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monkeyboy840, as you're local why don't you pop along to the WYIOC meets at The Foxglove just south of Huddersfield A bit short notice but we'll be there tonight, along with a dozen or so of the SMACS gang Whilst you're there you could have a look around my 03 WRX PPP instead of a UK300
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Old Mar 30, 2006 | 10:12 AM
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I've had my MY95 UK Turbo for 2 years now. It was standard when I bought it and I started modifying immediately. It gets driven hard but is maintained regardless of the cost. Call me **** if you want, but my oil and filter gets changed every six months. I use high quality named brand oil, not the halfords stuff. The car has never let me down yet...the only expense has been routine maintenance and sensible modifications.
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Old Mar 30, 2006 | 10:22 AM
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Mines MY00. Regular servicing is a must too - and with someone you can trust.

Mine doesn't do more than 3K between services so as with theotherphil, oil and filter is done at each service and with genuine items only.

Used to get mine serviced by a specialist who were highly regarded in my area. However, the last couple of services left me unhappy so I found a more lcoal guy who is actually ex-prodrive (IIRC) and the first service there picked up all the little niggles I knew my car had plus a couple of new ones.

I personally believe servicing by a specialist plus a good check over every 6 months should see you alright. I also stick to other rules such as MAF and Lambda every 3 years. 'box and rear diff oil every year. Cambelt every 3 years.

Don't really drive mine that hard so haven't done much with the engine (ECUTEK, decat and panel filter) Everytime I think about buying a 2nd hand bigger turbo or bigger intercooler and supporting mods I really wonder if its worth it for me. It does what I need it to do so why bother making it faster but less reliable.

Waffle mode off/
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Old Mar 30, 2006 | 10:35 AM
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Originally Posted by EddScott
Don't really drive mine that hard so haven't done much with the engine (ECUTEK, decat and panel filter) Everytime I think about buying a 2nd hand bigger turbo or bigger intercooler and supporting mods I really wonder if its worth it for me. It does what I need it to do so why bother making it faster but less reliable.
Edd, instead of upping the power, make what's there much more useable. Friends with much more powerful cars than mine have driven mine and most realise that more power doesn't necessarily make a car quicker. A mate of mine with an 03 STi PPP TSL333 (335bhp/328lbft) who was collecting parts for a serious upgrade (bigger turbo, injectors, pump, ECU etc) has now sold all those bits on and followed my route with suspension/chassis mods. He openly admitted that there was no way that he would be able to keep up with my 265PS WRX PPP on the public highway, as he would be fighting the car braking into every bend and struggling to contain it coming out of the apex, whereas mine simply drives through bends without braking at quite ridiculous speeds and under little or no mechanical stress whatsoever. Speak to Powerstation about the T20 package
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Old Mar 30, 2006 | 10:49 AM
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thanks for the replys guys, would come to the meet tonight but have prior arrangements, sorry. will keep an eye out for the next meet though (WYIOC)

any one know if theres a south yorkshire one?

cant quite stretch to the PPP i'm afraid, looking around the 10 grand mark

looks well though
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Old Mar 30, 2006 | 10:54 AM
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Another member of the WYIOC's UK300 CLICKY Very nice car and a top fella to boot


Just noticed he's removed it from sale Might be still worth getting in touch with him. If he's at the meet tonight I'll mention you to him.
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Old Mar 30, 2006 | 11:02 AM
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Originally Posted by monkeyboy840
just in the process of deciding which scooby to buy, but, reading all the posts it seems if you cough in the wrong way the engine blows up.

are they really that delicate from standard or is it just modded motors that have a short life expectancy?
As with any make or model poor maintainence and badly carried out engine modifications are generally to blame, the engine its self is no weaker than any other turbo charged offering.. The engine design is very simplistic and pretty much a dream to work on.
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Old Mar 30, 2006 | 11:12 AM
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Originally Posted by monkeyboy840
would come to the meet tonight but have prior arrangements, sorry. will keep an eye out for the next meet though (WYIOC)

any one know if theres a south yorkshire one?
Next meet is the trackday the weekend after next. You're more than welcome to compete in whatever you have now, or just spectate if you wish. There's a mid-month run out to meet up with Hull-Scoobs on the 13th April and our usual end-of-monther back at The Foxglove on the 27th.

South Yorks are a great bunch of guys, but have got a bit hit 'n miss with meets and events recently. Keep an eye out for Cheesy.
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Old Mar 30, 2006 | 11:50 AM
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3k between services... and I thought at 4k the Mitsi EVO was taking the pi55 !
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Old Mar 30, 2006 | 11:54 AM
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3k is a bit extreme IMO. I do an oil and filter every 5k, and everything else to the schedule.
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Old Mar 30, 2006 | 12:48 PM
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Originally Posted by corradoboy
Another member of the WYIOC's UK300 CLICKY Very nice car and a top fella to boot


Just noticed he's removed it from sale Might be still worth getting in touch with him. If he's at the meet tonight I'll mention you to him.
Cheers for the heads up Dave, yes she is still for sale.

You have PM Monkeyboy,I have sent you the details.

Mark.
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Old Mar 30, 2006 | 04:04 PM
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Originally Posted by monkeyboy840
Hi everybody


are they really that delicate from standard

Thanks
No. Next question!

Scoobies are v reliable providing:

a) They've been looked after and serviced on time with the right parts and consumables

b) They've been driven with reasonable mechanical sympathy. i.e. warmed up and cooled down, not diven like a complete ****.

c) They've either a) not been modified b) been modified professionally by experts.

It pays to make sure you get a good un to start with, so buy from an enthusiast who has adhered to all the above, then you'll be laughing!

Ns04
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