djr2712

I am looking at buying a new 03 WRX with PPP and would be grateful for advice/opinions on a couple of quesitons:

- i prefer the 4 door version but my wife likes the 5 door hatchback veriosn. Is there a difference in performance, ride or handling?

- the PPP info. pack suggests upgrading to 18in wheels. this costs £450 so I'm not sure it is worth it. Any thoughts on this?

Responses appreciated and apologies if these topics have been done to death elsewhere (if they have let me know where!)

chrisp

engins are the same in the 4 and 5 door so is the PPP. The 18s upgrade is down to choice. It will give you a better turn in but make the ride a touch harder and the tyres are a bit more as well. Oh and watch out for potholes and low flying kerbs .

ramdor

iTrader: (2)

Its £450 per wheel/tyre combo I'm sure you can talk them down though, like I did

Richie.

MDM

drove demo car on 18s bought mine as std with 17 much better all round,drove it on the ring,perfect just want to lower it now.
me thinks the track is different on the estate(narrower) and very little else bar the colours available ,correct me if me wrong.if your at northernbig one come say hi and i tell you more.
mdm

Beefy

I just ordered my PPP today and to be honest I would recommend upgrading the brakes before the wheels.

DBY

I have WRX 03 PPP 18 inch PPF7 wheels Quickshift fitted and can honestly say that with the PPP fitted the car is seriously under braked if you use it to its full potential. I have a Godspeed 335 Brake kit with Ferodo 2500 pads and braided hoses coming to try and sort the poor braking so i agree with the previous thread about the standard brakes.

Regards

John

( R6 CDW )

Have to agree about the brakes, had my 03 wrx ppp for about a month and im getting more confident, thus leading to driving a bit quicker and braking a bit later.

I have had my heart in my mouth a couple of times, when the brakes faded sightly.

THUMBS UP FOR PPP, DOWN FOR THE BRAKES.

Forget the wheels go for brakes, deffers for my next purchace.

Can anyone tell me the cost of the prodrive brake upgrade thats in the scoob broshore.

T5NYW

iTrader: (4)

Have a look HERE for Prodrive description in Impreza spares/ brakes

Subaru site for Prices HERE click on subaru jacket for parts and accesaries, Then Impreza, then MY03>, then Left hand side WR sport, The Brake converesion is

Prodrive 330mm Brake Conversion - WRX only.

part no: SACC2475
£ 1527.50 (including VAT at 17.5%)

copied from their WEB site I hope no copyright infringements made

Prodrive has developed two brake systems for the Impreza.

330mm Brake Conversion
For the driver who wants the ultimate in stopping power, Prodrive has engineered a comprehensive braking system upgrade tailored for the high performance Impreza Turbo.


This system has undergone extensive testing under the most demanding conditions to ensure consistently strong braking without suffering the traditional problems of cold performance normally associated with these systems. Improved brake pedal feel is an added appeal of this option. The 4-pot front calipers, unique to Prodrive, are machined from lightweight aluminium to minimise unsprung weight and aid handling. These are mated to 330mm discs featuring spiral venting to offer greater cooling capacity and a unique Prodrive groove pattern to continually clean the pad and resist glazing. The pad material is chosen to complement the characteristics of the discs, offering much greater stopping power and fade resistance without compromising cold braking performance.


To retain braking balance, this kit should ideally be fitted together with the rear pad upgrade


Key Features:


Prodrive monogrammed lightweight aluminium 4-pot calipers

Prodrive 330mm front discs

Prodrive upgraded front pads

Requires minimum of 17” wheels

Provides awesome stopping power
Applications:


Impreza GT: 93 – 00MY

Impreza WRX: 01 – Current

Tony

Not related Too or working for Prodrive

[Edited by T5NYW - 6/11/2003 3:06:00 AM]

GTMR

Many people find DS2500 or pagid pads plus group N discs and braided lines adequate, and somewhat cheaper.

chiark

The 4 door has a 20mm wider track at the front and 15mm wider track at the rear. Engines are the same. 0-60 time is quoted as .2 of a second slower, but I doubt it

The track width isn't IMHO an issue, the handling is fantastic on the 5 door.

FLAT ERIC

iTrader: (1)

Spec for Standard 03 WRX & Wagon (Subaru figures)

Overal length Same
Overal width Wagon 45mm less
Overal height Wagon 45mm more
Wheelbase Same
Track front Wagon 20mm less
Track rear Wagon 25mm less
Kerb weight Wagon 15kg more
Power Same (225PS @5600)
Torque Same (300nM @4000)
Max Speed Wagon 1mph slower
0-62mph Wagon 0.2 secs slower
Transmission/Gear ratios etc. Same

So the 03 Wagon at least is a little narrower,a little taller,a little heavier & a little slower than the 4 door.But only a little.

But add PPP & then next on my list some better brakes & lower it a tad & it's up there with the rest,only more stealthily.


BMW view


Mark

BlueSimon

Pretty much the same advice from me.

The standard brakes are no match for the PPP car, i myself will go for the groved disks and new pads first before the 330mm upgrade (im not a brake destroying type of person, but tyres....)

Between the wagon and soloon, the only reason i would buy one (wagon) is if i lived in a place where its likly that the saloon will be stolen as the wagon is 'not cool' IMHO. The name 'Wagon' sums it up for me. ofcause theres a bit more space for the things in the boot (that will fly arround and smash )

Oh and the prodrive wing (WRSport) is lovly on the saloon.

Simon

djr2712

Thanks for your input folks!

Test drove standard WRX and the Sti today - very impressed with STi but I think WRX with PPP will be easier to live with....

Anyway, I think I will go for the WRX wagon (because of practicality) and I will look at upgrading the brakes which I must say felt a bit spongy compared to my Civic Type R brakes...

MDM

as most folk have answered your points i agree on the brakes, mine have racing fluid and mintex 1155s, which are a bit to much for road use, as in noise and poor response till warm but are a1 on track as tony can vouch for i think.next plan new hoses and then lower the old girl and then?????????

cool monkey by the way

McRash

WRX feels spongy full stop when compared to Civic Type R!

I have the PPP being done next week - cannot wait - does anyone know if you can get Prodrive logos - cannot seem to find them via the dealer or Prodrive themselves.....

FLAT ERIC

iTrader: (1)

McRash you want the Scoobynet sticker guru,our very own Salsa King.He's the man to source some for you. salsa-king@talk21.com

Mark

T5NYW

iTrader: (4)

MDM,
I have DS2500 on mine and already have Steel Braided hoses much improved . Although I found going sideways and taking to the grass an alternative to braking LOL

Tony

jimmy wrx

F.E. you should be on commission m8

McRash

Thanks Flat Eric!

I will get in touch with Salsa.....

jimmy wrx

Can't wait .....anyone with £1600 in uk pounds SPARE ?

FLAT ERIC

iTrader: (1)

Hi Jimmy m8.Whats this, your looking for a bit of spare?

Had some of SK's stickers on my UK300 & he got me the Black Rat one.
Mark