DazKXF250

I'm trying to look at every aspect before I buy, even though I'll probably get one whatever the answers are.

On which service is the Cam Belt change?

Does the WRX have many problems with the clutch as I notice its excluded from the warranty?

Prodrive Performance Packs: Will they affect the warranty?, can you have it fitted at any point during ownership or only from new? How much does it cost and will it reduce the MPG severely?

Anything else I should be aware of problem wise?

Cheers,

Daz.

corradoboy

IIRC cam belt is due at 60k, but on EU imports that may be 45k due to servicing schedule variations

The clutch is fine. If you drive like a loon and treat every traffic light as a Grand Prix start then it will suffer due to the stress of a 4WD drivetrain, but if treated with respect it will be fine (35k out of my original so far - <touches wood> ). Many people have even competed on dragstrips where they rev to 4.5k and sidestep the pedal for the best launch. As long as you don't ride it for long on high revs there's no problem.

PPP can be fitted at any time, and is probably best left until after the 1st 1k service.

PPP will actually improve mpg on day to day driving as the extra power leaves you using less throttle.

Other problems ? Batteries die regularly due partly to so called "smart" alternators not recognising the Trackstar current draw, so leave your sidelights on all the time. All Subaru petrol tanks appear to unrepairable have holes in so prepare to be on 1st name terms ith the guy at the local Optimax garage. You wallet will be permanently empty due to this, and the inevitable and incurable contagia that is "modding disease"

AndyMoody

iTrader: (2)

If it is an import I don't think you can get the PPP fitted in the UK. Either it will need to go back to import country to be fitted or not until after the 3 year warranty is up to be done by a UK dealer. Correct me if I'm wrong someone but that is what I understood.

Andy.

DazKXF250

Thanks for the info corradoboy/Andy,

I just checked the mpg with subaru customer services and the say for the WRX,

Urban: 22.2
Extra Urban: 39.8
Combined: 30.7

which when compared with my current car (Civic Type R) is not much different:

Urban: 23.0
Extra Urban: 40.4
Combined: 31.7

Would I be correct in saying that I wont notice a huge increase in fuel costs?
If its true about the PPP, thats not good news at all!

Harry_Boy

Daz - I used to get around the early 20s in my '02 WRX wagon. The PPP won't make that much difference to your overall fuel economy.

You can get a PPP on a Euro import - some dealers are more accommodating than others, so you shouldn't need to refer back to the supplying dealer.

Yup, Corradoboy is correct. Euro imports on a 7,500 mile service schedule need a cambelt change at 45k.

PPP is around £1,600 for a WRX IIRC. £2k for an STI.

DazKXF250

Cheers Harry Boy,

I'm told the car is full UK spec apart from a Cat 1 Alarm and Locking wheel nuts, but it is imported from Europe, therefore will it be on a 7.5k service interval or 10k?

st3ph3n

Daz, let me check when I get home, but I'm ALMOST 99.99999% certain that my Malteser of an Import is on 10K services. That's a MY05 WRX purchased in December last year from Motorpoint In Glasgow.

DazKXF250

st3ph3n,

Cheers mate, I rang Allbrandsnew.co.uk just a few minutes ago and thay said that there imports are on a 10k schedule imported from Malta and Cyprus, I'll just have to make sure whoever I buy from are offering the same.

Daz.

jasonius

iTrader: (1)

Hell of a lot of misconceptions STILL abound re Cypriate and Maltese imports..!

Servicing is 9-10k, depending on wether you base it on miles or KM. Service book states: 15000 km as 9k miles (although some of the 15000km intervals =10k miles..!) however if converted correctly 15000km is 9.5k miles..! Given that you very rearly service on exactly the correct milage, usually over, it's not going to make any difference if you service at nearer 10k.

That said, how many scooby owners leave it that long anyhow..? Most do an intermidiate oil and filter change ~6k

Cheers,
Jason

Jason

corradoboy

With regards to the PPP, Prodrive's website states "Performance Packs for UK & EU cars", although it does have 2 different email contacts. TBH I think they would rather grab another £1.6-2k from you than sour grape over spilt milk. You've already got the car, so why not make some money out of you that they missed out on because of IM's greed and bLIAR's rip-off Britain economy. As said earlier, some dealers are more open to suggestion than others.

DazKXF250

Corradoboy, thats exactly what I was thinking, if thay haven't made a sale they might as well make some money. And as for Blair's rip-off britain, dont get me started. I just dont know how they can get away with it, £4k difference! makes you sick.

Daz.

st3ph3n

Well my Maltese warranty book, all in English, lists the mandatory services at 1,000 miles - 9,000/12 months, 19,000/24 months, 28,000/36 months. And repeats in 10,000 then 9,000 etc. steps.

Cambelt at 66K it seems.

And yearly body inspections too of course!

andy1505

I have emailed Subaru Malta and they have confirmed that the PPP pack will invalidate the warranty. Doh.

DazKXF250

Andy,

Thats not good news! Why is that then, because the prodrive website says PPP for UK/EU cars and also says it does not affect the warranty? Did they give any reason?

Daz.

jasonius

iTrader: (1)

It seems Eu dealers are just like UK dealers and don't know their ***** from their elbows..!

andy1505

Here is the reply,


Thank you for your email.

The Prodrive Performance Pack amongst other performance upgrades are not approved by FHI (Subaru Japan, who are providing the warranty), therefore such changes will automatically invalidate your warranty due to the changes of engine specifications and the increase in power (As explained in the warranty booklet).

Hope this has clarifies matters,

Regards,
AfterSales Department

Liaco Limited
Lia Building, Mosta Road, Lija BZN09 MALTA
TEL: (+356) 2141 8111
FAX: (+356) 2141 8589 Or E-FAX (+356) 2143 2116
www.liaco.com.mt

andy1505

Bit of a bugger really, oh well will have to put that £1600 back in the bank.

DazKXF250

Andy,

What if the car is from Cyprus, would that make a difference? After looking at the Prodrive website it does actually say that in some EU countries it does invalidate the warranty.

Booger, that extra few ponies would have gone down a treat.

Ah well, its no snail in standard form.

Daz.

patkin

Andy, find a nice dealer who is about to lose 1600 quids worth of business and im sure you and the dealer will come to an agreement incase of future problems ;-)