Advice needed on potential purchase of STI Spec D
 

Hi everyone,

Have searched online and forums but could do with some definitive advice. I will ask direct questions with the hope of some good replies from you guys!

Looked at STI Spec D today. Really liked it and the Missus gave it the thumbs up too, so doing well.

This is what I need to know:

1) Prices for 70k, 80k, 90k services?
2) Realistic MPG. I do a 24 mile commute with a 30s, 40s & national mix. MPG and range from a tank?
3) Any expensive parts? Electronics and Brembo brakes bits are my main worries!
4) Anything I have missed?

I have priced up road tax (£435/year - robbing ....), insurance (£845 fully comp) and rough fuel calculations.

Any advice at all will be welcome. Thanks guys.

1) Don't know.
2) 20 - 24mpg average. Range = 200miles
3) everything :lol1:
4) Knocking rear shocks.

The 70k service is the cheapest, its juts an oil change and inspection.
The 80K is 70K plus brake & clutch fluid change.
90K is 70k plus the fuel filter, air filter and transmission oils.

Prices depend on where you go. Dealership prices will range from £200 to £350 for those intervals.

Which out for headgasket failures on the 2.5 engine :nono:

As Butty says, watch for head gasket - mine went at 75,000 ish - but was covered by the extended warranty.

I'll dig out the receipts for the 70,80,90,000 services for my Spec D later to give you an idea of costs.

Is the car you're looking at a dealer car or private sale and is it standard ?

x 3 re headgaskets :)

Oh dear, this is the first I've heard about a head gasket problem. How common is it? Does it apply to all 2.5s or just those that have been modded?

Mine hasn't been modded. What's the mileage of the car ? Im guessing at 60-65k given you're asking prices of the 70,80,90k services, and is it covered by a dealers warranty ?

Rear shocks are another problem as mentioned, check to see if its had them replaced under warranty - Spec D are usually 06/56 cars so the 3 year warranty will have finished, but its likely that the rear shocks will have been done at some point. Of course it may have another 1 year extended warranty on it which will cover any probs.

I have a Spec D with 50000 miles now and have had very few problems, As above most hawkeye have issues with the rear shocks knocking but not all. Can not comment re the head gaskets mines fine at the moment but i suppose you never no when its going to go :( Don't worry about the brakes there not expensive and do last well plus there's a lot of cheaper alternatives that can perform better :). Servicing is well spaced out so you don't get a really expensive one, 30000 and 60000 mile serving is the most expensive with loads of fluid changes but if you use a Subaru specialist you can save a fortune and if you want you can supply your own parts to keep the price down. Not sure of your age or location but look in the insurance section for Keith Michaels they are very cheap and come well recommended.
Hope this answers a few of your questions if you have any more fire away :thumb:

Thanks for your responses guys. I have to say I am a little worried about head gasket failure. Is this common? What sort of bill am I looking at to get it repaired should it happen? Is it just a weak gasket? What is the chance of it happening again after replacement?

HG failure does seem to be a relatively common problem, but that could be that when it happens everyone mentions it - you don't get owners posting "My HG hasn't failed" - I'm not sure of the reason, but it applies at all 2.5 engines, as don't forget, the Spec D is mechanically an STi. Has the Spec D you've been looking at been modded?

My HG went at 75,000 and and the car is on 96,000 now, without problems. Other than that, no serious issues. The car has been driven hard, but also done a lot of motorway/A road mileage.

As regards mileage I usually look to get 220-240 miles on a tankful under ordinary driving (but that is slightly on the fast side ;)) with 300-320 on a long motorway run taking it steady. Don't forget, the STi engine runs best on VPower or Super Unleaded, so will notice a big hike in your fuel bill if you are used to putting ordinary Unleaded in.

Yeah, I know what you mean re: head gaskets. Thanks for taking the time to reply. I appreciate it.

1) Don't know.
2) 20-30mpg
3) dont really know
4) get one with a headgasket just done

HG's isn't the end of the world, find a good specialist and it's more of an inconvenience.

On the basis tax is £400 a year, tyres are £100 a corner etc etc they are never going to be cheap fun !

Satnav and tracker are a bag of ****e on the Spec D. I went through three units under warranty. They then wanted £120 call out charge plus price of parts to repair out of warranty, so I replaced it with a decent system.

Mechanically, I had no issues in 15k miles over 3 years before I sold it (total of £23k miles). My car was mildly modified but it seemed to make it run and perform better rather than introduce any issues. Had I not spent money upgrading, the only costs were services and tyres (£400). The services never cost more than £200 a year from a local specialist.

Thanks for all your help everyone. I have put my deposit down on the one I looked at and am collecting on Sat. Can't wait!

In contrast to Mikkel, I've had no probs with the SatNav and think its superb and its used 8-10 times a week - touch wood, never needed the tracker :) - just goes to show the situation with anything mechanical/electrical - hope you have no issues with the new purchase.

Out of interest, where are you based/is the car from .... its just IIRC my dealer had a Spec D on the forecourt, it was the sister car to mine, supplied to another customer at the same time with consecutive plate nos :)

Gareth

It ends in BKU.

Lucky man! Blasted thing drove me to distraction and I hardly ever use them anyway :)

The tracker and satnav unit are all-in-one with the Smartnav system, so if one goes on the blink they both do. You'll be suprised how easy the unit is to locate and remove as well as a consuquence of it being a dual purpose beast. Also, you have to pay annual subs, unlike most trackers, you can't just pay up and have done with it.

The Spec D is a great car and the OP has bought well. Only bettered as a UK hawkeye saloon model by the RB320 IMO.