ScoobyNet.com - Subaru Enthusiast Forum - Worlds Largest STi Dealership Grand Opening!

This evening I was treated to the Grand Opening of the world's largest Subaru/STi dealership with 250 other Victorian WRX Club Members. ( You can see a more formal write-up of what is available @ www.melbourne.subaru.com.au ) What can I say, the facility seems to have everything you could possibly want. If you get the opportunity to visit the complex, I guarantee that you wont be disappointed...

Vin Macro (formally of BGT fame) is the service manager, and seems dedicated to meeting the requirements of as many customers as possible... It was announced that not only will STi @ the Docklands be investigating 3rd party parts for use, but would also be developing new components to be added to the STi line-up.

The night was fully catered with waiters ensuring that no one in the house had a dry glass. The main speakers of the night were various Subaru officials whom insisted on telling us all how fantastic the facility is (and I have to agree there). Cody Crocker & co were also on call to answer various questions that may arise about the Subaru Australia Rally be based in the new Docklands Facility. (Incidentally, the rally team workshop has glass walls so that spectators may come and watch work which is being conducted on the rally cars at any given time)

In summary, things I found of interest:

- Factory STi silver wheels (see photos mentioned below)
- STi @ Docklands plan on expanding the STi component line-up to suit customers requirements better
- Minor service turn-arounds in an hour. You can play ps2, watch videos, drink coffee, etc etc whilst they work on your car.
- Components are already being developed/tested, as you can see from Vin's car (see photos), which has been lowered considerably... Vin tells me that the springs which are in his car will be available through the Docklands facility within the month.
- They fudged the dyno results so that the 22b read only 206kW (for obvious reasons...) the maximum power figure was gained at 5,000rpm and from then on the car was backed off considerably.
- The Australian Rally Team Headquarters is based at the facility.
- 30 cars can be worked on simultaneously... on 30 hydraulic hoists
- Test drives and services may all be booked online through www.melbourne.subaru.com.au
- There's a skid pan which can be wet in a matter of moments by a $40,000 sprinkler system, then the fun begins!
- There's an off road track so you can test the off road ability of the outback and forester vehicles.
- They have absolutely everything... if you're a subaru enthusiast, it's like being a kid in a candy store...

The above mentioned photos can be found here:

http://photos.smktech.com.au:58885/g...ning&preview=1

or goto:

http://photos.smktech.com.au:58885/

and click on:

"20020608 - Docklands STi Grand Opening"

All of the photos have been captioned, which can be view from both the close up and thumbnail screens. (Hold mouse over the thumbnail for a few seconds to view caption)

Regards,

Gerrod

:D