52 plate bugeye. buying advise please!
07 May 2009, 06:08 PM
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52 plate bugeye. buying advise please!
Afternoon everyone, my first post! 
Anyway, im going to look at a 52 plate wrx bugeye, with 43k on the clock. The car is stock (best way to start out in my opinion!!) and has just had it's 6 year service. it has full subaru history from new.
Any pointers/pitfalls i need to know? AS i'm a bmw tech by trade and this japanese stuff is all new to me. many thanks in advance!! matt.
Anyway, im going to look at a 52 plate wrx bugeye, with 43k on the clock. The car is stock (best way to start out in my opinion!!) and has just had it's 6 year service. it has full subaru history from new.
Any pointers/pitfalls i need to know? AS i'm a bmw tech by trade and this japanese stuff is all new to me. many thanks in advance!! matt.
07 May 2009, 07:22 PM
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Floor it in top (slipping clutch).
Listen for knocking rear struts. or is that JUST STI's.....
Hear it start from cold, piston slap, big ends.
Smoke ! white or blue - run away.
Pulling to left/right - run away.
Noisy/reluctant gearbox - run away.
Good luck !
HTH
dunx
P.S. Most of it is just like any car, brakes, wheel bearings, gearbox, diff, etc.
Listen for knocking rear struts. or is that JUST STI's.....
Hear it start from cold, piston slap, big ends.
Smoke ! white or blue - run away.
Pulling to left/right - run away.
Noisy/reluctant gearbox - run away.
Good luck !
HTH
dunx
P.S. Most of it is just like any car, brakes, wheel bearings, gearbox, diff, etc.
07 May 2009, 08:57 PM
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Thanks Dunx......Blimey! sounds like trouble. i have a mate who has a 1998 sti and he states they are pretty solid but the engines need rebuilding after 50 odd k. however after hours of net love (the good kind) ive found other statements saying the bugeyes have different engines, which are generally more reliable. Plus this one is 1 owner from new (i know im selling it to myself already! ha!) and has just had its belts and fluids replaced. Any other things i should look for???
BTW im not just looking for buying info and then buggering off, im hooked! already looking for tuning mods. Liking the ninja2 back box and lower spoiler for the bug front bumper!!
BTW im not just looking for buying info and then buggering off, im hooked! already looking for tuning mods. Liking the ninja2 back box and lower spoiler for the bug front bumper!!
07 May 2009, 09:11 PM
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have a look at mine go to northern events mersey tunnel run may 06 pics and vids scroll the page down and click on the videos mines in part 3 silver bugeye subtle mods only had it 6 months sti rear spoiler forge dump valve lexus ;ights prodrive exhaust the bugeye engine is known to have the most strongest engine bottom end these cars will do well over 150k as long as regular oil changes are done warmed and cooled down properly some classics have done over 200k check the vids and enjoy
08 May 2009, 10:20 AM
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Well mine came with f.s.h and all bills and had 58K on the clock, and i brought it with the bottom end knocking. I think its just luck if you get a good engine or not. By the way mines also a 52 plate bugeye. The only problems ive had is i can not pull off or change gear smoothly, i think the clutch judders. I have searched on here and it seems normal.
08 May 2009, 11:35 AM
#6
Knocking rear shocks was an STi problem
I've got a bugeye WRX 52 plate.....engine, gearbox, ECU,MAF an improvement over the classic. I'd just do the regular stuff and check for crash / repair damage.
Have you got a link to it ??
Shaun
I've got a bugeye WRX 52 plate.....engine, gearbox, ECU,MAF an improvement over the classic. I'd just do the regular stuff and check for crash / repair damage.
Have you got a link to it ??
Shaun
08 May 2009, 05:20 PM
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Dont be too concerned if the dash clock doesnt work, I looked at 3 all had the same problem, replaced mine with gauges anyway.
Clutch judder seemed pretty common too when the cars where cold.
Clutch judder seemed pretty common too when the cars where cold.
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08 May 2009, 06:31 PM
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Why is it that I hear these stories of engines failing at 50K on these imprezas?
Are they made of chocolate?
Christ, I had a Gti-6 with 150K on the clock with original engine and didnt burn any oil and pulled like a train.
I just bought a 2001 bugeye with 56k on the clock, but now i get worried everytime i put my foot down just incase it implodes into a godzillion pieces!
Are they made of chocolate?
Christ, I had a Gti-6 with 150K on the clock with original engine and didnt burn any oil and pulled like a train.
I just bought a 2001 bugeye with 56k on the clock, but now i get worried everytime i put my foot down just incase it implodes into a godzillion pieces!
08 May 2009, 07:33 PM
#9
The TD04 turbo'd Bugeye WRX engine is pretty unstressed so as long as it's maintained it shouldn't break too easilly
The Bugeye STi is the bargain of the decade.... mod it to 350 BHP plus and the engine / drivetrain takes it all (just about for the clutch). LOL
Shaun
The Bugeye STi is the bargain of the decade.... mod it to 350 BHP plus and the engine / drivetrain takes it all (just about for the clutch). LOL
Shaun
08 May 2009, 07:34 PM
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i work on bmws all day and currently have a nice 2001 330ci, but it just bores me! so im trying to sell it to buy this.............. Auto Trader UK - SUBARU IMPREZA 2.0 WRX 4WD 4dr Saloon
thanks for all the advise guys, im going to view it on saturday! i'll let you know how i get on!
thanks for all the advise guys, im going to view it on saturday! i'll let you know how i get on!
Last edited by rookymatt; 08 May 2009 at 07:35 PM.
08 May 2009, 07:38 PM
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have a look at mine go to northern events mersey tunnel run may 06 pics and vids scroll the page down and click on the videos mines in part 3 silver bugeye subtle mods only had it 6 months sti rear spoiler forge dump valve lexus ;ights prodrive exhaust the bugeye engine is known to have the most strongest engine bottom end these cars will do well over 150k as long as regular oil changes are done warmed and cooled down properly some classics have done over 200k check the vids and enjoy
08 May 2009, 07:40 PM
#12
Blimey
Thats the most standard looking bugeye i've seen for a while LOL
Auto Trader UK - SUBARU IMPREZA 2.0 WRX 4WD 4dr Saloon
Looks like it's on stilts, which is how it left the factory
also with the 215 BHP it left the factory with
Was it owned by a farmer's wife ??
Shaun
Thats the most standard looking bugeye i've seen for a while LOL
Auto Trader UK - SUBARU IMPREZA 2.0 WRX 4WD 4dr Saloon
Looks like it's on stilts, which is how it left the factory
also with the 215 BHP it left the factory with
Was it owned by a farmer's wife ??
Shaun
08 May 2009, 07:46 PM
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haha, i know. i thought it would be best to get an un touched version and then modify it how i like, plus the engine shouldnt have been beefed up to the point of topping itself! i think it would be a good first time scooby buy??
08 May 2009, 07:55 PM
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go on to main forum scroll page down onto clubs northern and click on mersey tunnel pics scroll through the pics and you will fiind the link to you tube bought mine bog standard aswell
08 May 2009, 08:23 PM
#16
The WRX isn't a particularly good launchpad for modding IMHO. The Bugeye STi came with a much better engine, 6 speed box, Brembo Brakes, better suspension, a very efficient intercooler, bigger turbo, nicer interior etc ............ and most importantly a decent sized steering wheel (the wheel on a WRX likely came froma DAF truck).
All IMHO after modding a WRX to 400 BHP and spending enough money to make my nose bleed LOL
Shaun
All IMHO after modding a WRX to 400 BHP and spending enough money to make my nose bleed LOL
Shaun
08 May 2009, 08:46 PM
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yeah but insuring an sti in london will cost me both my arms and maybe one leg, and some hair and possibly my first born! hehe. so ill try a wrx and graduate to an sti as the next one was my plan. always wanted a scooby, this is my firsgt real chance!!! 
08 May 2009, 11:53 PM
#19
Can't argue with that
When I got my bugeye I de-catted, changed the air filter, got some eibach springs, sorted the geometry and had one of the early EcuTeK re-maps (this was 6 years ago) and had a whale of a time...
Shaun
When I got my bugeye I de-catted, changed the air filter, got some eibach springs, sorted the geometry and had one of the early EcuTeK re-maps (this was 6 years ago) and had a whale of a time...
Shaun
09 May 2009, 09:24 PM
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been, seen, deposit paid! what a clean car! it was immaculate, the guy who owned it raced cars as his hobby and the scooby was his play thing which ended up being his wifes run around!!! cant wait to get it!!!!!!!. just got to sell my 330ci now! anyone know someone whos looking??? haha
10 May 2009, 03:53 PM
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autotrader pays dividends!! my bmw is on there now, already had a few calls!! im looking at a baily or forge direct replacement dump valve for it! god im going to be so broke!!!! hahaha
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