gareth60

All,

Before I go out and change my suspension, can I just confirm a few things with all you fellow STI7 owners.

Is the ride hard, or is it me? Yesterday we did a trip to Brighton and to be honest both my wife and I were glad to get home. At one point on the M25 i'm sure my bottom left the seat whilst going over the rough surface.

Is my car defective or are they all like this?

Thanks all
Gareth.

Big Goon

Hmm depends on what your used to, wheel sizes, tyre pressures etc.

I do 800 miles a week in my STi7, and altho the ride is hard, I
wouldn't call it harsh.

I have 18" wheels and 32psi front - 34psi rear, my boot is loaded up with tools and parts.

There isn't very much you can do about it really, ride in an Evo then you see how hard suspensions can be.

V5-APS

iTrader: (1)

I have also found the ride to be better with 18" wheels, compared to the original 17's.

gareth60

I've also heard that 18's are better than 17's, but enough to justify £1000+ ?

[Edited by gareth60 - 8/18/2002 10:41:11 AM]

Up_North

I've done just over 1000 miles in a week. Although the suspension is firm I wouldn't describe it as harsh - I was pleasantly surprised - I had an Audi TT before the STi and it's not that much worse then the TT. I think it's important that you adjust the seat properly to stay 'snug'.

Big Goon - what 18" wheel you running? Was hoping 18" super leggras would fit - but apparently not!!!

Ian

Big Goon

Ian, have a look, 18" Prodrive 7 spokes.

click here

KenG

Over 14K since Feb in mine (a lot of long trips) and compared to my MY00 with Prodrive suspension and 17's, or my MY98 with standard suspension and rims, it is a much more relaxing drive over long distances. Tyre pressures are the recommended - 33F 28R.

Yes, the suspension is firm, that's what you get with this type of car. I think 18's could make it worse as you have less 'give' in the tyre walls, not having had the chance to drive a long way with 18's this is just a supposition.

This could be something you either have to live with, or you could change the suspension for something softer and more comfortable that may upset the handling (or of course, change the car).

I know someone who traded his P1 after three weeks because his wife could not live with its suspension. He now has a Lexus - how very, very sad.

Ken

Jacey Boy

Big Goon,

You and me must be the only people with STi 7 Prodrives in Bournemouth

Big Goon

lol, theres a guy out at St Leonards with one, near a garden centre, unless thats you

I just went out to go and get some 15/50 for an interim oil change and the fecking car wont start, got a click,click,click,click rapidly and all the usual ignition lights, but no turning over.
Tried rocking the car in gear and now I have no clicking either...
Bah, I got a busy week on this week and can't be without the damn thing [img]images/smilies/mad.gif[/img] [img]images/smilies/mad.gif[/img] [img]images/smilies/mad.gif[/img]

Big Goon

Gah, just thought, I hope they dont have to tow it to Chapelgate, I snubbed them and brought it from Mill Lane, I bet Chapelgate will p1ss in the water bottle and thrash the **** off it

Jacey Boy

No I live off Castle Lane, but do go to St Leonards most days and also burn up and down the spur road everyday too, mine is a WR Mica Blue one, 02 plate.

Big Goon

You buy it from Chapelgate ?

We have a monthly Dorset meet, your welcome to come down.
Had the last meet last Monday at the Worlds End, so about 3 weeks 2morrow for the next one, keep an eye on the 'Events/Southern' section.

We're not all Subaru nerds, just most of us

The one at St Leonards is parkd up most days, wont say exactly where for obvious reasons.

Was a flat battery, rapid clicks in succession mean something about pre-engaged starter, dunno why she never mentioned that on the phone, I have jump leads and a spare car etc

[Edited by Big Goon - 8/18/2002 2:47:13 PM]

Jacey Boy

Na bought it from Aylesbury, Chappel Gate are ok but not the best, I have booked mine in for the 300 upgrade in September though :@)

benview7

Speak with Ian Litchfield at www.litchfieldimports.co.uk he knows a guy in cheltnham that will sort your car out I bought an Sti7 from Iain and it had the handling pack which was simply awesome hope this helps

Jacey Boy

Yea but you wouldnt get the scooby warranty through them, this is a Prodrive Upgrade and is backed by Subaru UK

bashful

Big Goon,

Is there a known problem with Chapelgate? One of the first things I did when I discovered Scoobynet was look them up, to no avail. As a new customer of theirs, I'm concerned!

Dave T-S

The STi7 suspension can be choppy sometimes over undulating road surfaces, the spring and damper rates are probably slightly out of tune with each other in these circumstances.

Big Goon

Lo bash, Bournemouth ppl coming out of the woodwork on this thread

Chapelgate servicing would be ok, but not with a 4-6 week wait for servicing.

They never washed/hoovered my old car when in for a service.

They very begrudingly matched a higher p/x price from another dealer on my old car but would not better it, even tho they supplied it.

And they dont seem to carry any of the common faulty parts, like camshaft sensors, keys etc.

Mill Lane are in a different class, highly rate them.

gareth60

Thanks Dave,

Do you have any suggestions what might be the best solution for me.?

Regards

Gareth.

Jacey Boy

Big Goon,

I am certain that Chappel Gate are more interested in making £500 + from a Porsche service than £200 from a Subaru.

Where are Mill Lane?.

Cheers

Dave T-S

Gareth
Prodrive will be bringing out a set of lowering springs in the near future and it appears they improve this.

As for others, allegedly none of the Eibach or alternatives currently available are specifically wound for the STi7.

Big Goon

Mill Lane are in Basingstoke.

Keep hearing rumours that Porsche are putting pressure on Chapelgate to sell/service Porsche excusively from that site, I think a new Subaru dealer will appear soon, run by the same group.

Big Goon

DTS,

Can you prod Mike and see how much longer the springs will be,
I'm more interested in them than the PPP atm, as my STi is just getting quicker and quicker the more miles I get on it.

Dave T-S

BG
Spoke to Mike yesterday, the springs will probably be released same time as the PPP.

Unfortunately that doesn't tell you anything as some people on here seem to get upset when I drop hints about what is happening with the PPP, so I won't