scoobyboy1

iTrader: (16)

Just bought some parts from a guy on e-bay who has just part-ex a White UK STi hawkeye for a BMW(didnt say which garage), who said that the headgasket was on the way out so decided to part-ex it before it went seriously wrong, Just thought id give any potential buyer the heads up, as there cant be to many white type UK STi hawks about.

forgedmarco

iTrader: (10)

Could be good for someone, get a good warranty make sure you get the gasket to fail get it done on warranty whilst its out put forged pistons in

thenewgalaxy

Two possible candidates here, via Pistonheads and autotrader.

This car is in the West Midlands from JPerformance, they have a good reputation for selling high quality, spoken to them on the phone about a car before they're a father and son seem very honest. It's one of two white Hawk STis for sale and the only one not from a main dealer

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifie...p-2007/1465104

The other car is from Crossroads, a main dealer again in the Midlands area

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...1500?logcode=p

thenewgalaxy

You could always buy this shed instead!

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...31sx?logcode=a

scoobyboy1

iTrader: (16)

Guy lived in Burton-on-Trent so the address would be on the V5, if the garage still has it

justin price

I know this car was very nice sti as well with low miles shame about head gasket

thenewgalaxy

Doesn't it say the name and address of the previous owner on the logbook? If so it would be a warning to any potential buyer.

Picklemaroo

iTrader: (1)

I have just bought a white 2007 hawkeye sti from esp cars in derby and the bloody headgasket has just gone! absolutely gutted but yes I do have warranty with them but I live 75 miles away so looking into who is gonna fix it - my local or them. so annoyed and down hearted as love the car - hope he can live with himself

ditchmyster

iTrader: (7)

They all seem to do it sooner or later, so it's a good thing it happened when it did while you still have a warranty.

If it were mine i'd take the opportunity to fit forged pistons, ARP head bolts and a Cosworth head gasket too, and probably forged rods, i'd have a good look at the clutch and fit a new timing belt kit too, it will be money well spent for future peace of mind and make it easy to sell for decent money.

That way you know it's good for a few years and you should be in for some trouble free motoring.

Picklemaroo

iTrader: (1)

hi - thanks for that Ditch. Trouble is its out of my hands a little as they will be doing the repair - I understand its standard practice to do the cambelt and water pump though?

MattyB1983

iTrader: (51)

Speak to the garage, find out how much its costing them to do the repair work or how much they are willing to contribute towards the repair.
You can then have the car repaired and upgraded where you like and just pay the bill minus what the garage contribute.
My father was in the car trade for 40 years and this is common practice. Sometimes the garage prefer to just write you a cheque, forget about the problem and let you sort it out, especially if they only sell cars and not work on them their selves.

I also echo what Ditch said, you'd be foolish not to while you have the chance.

ditchmyster

iTrader: (7)

Well i'd do as matty suggests and come to an arrangement with the garage, what ever you do don't just let them fix it with like for like, as it will probably just do it again in the not too distant future, so you'll be driving around waiting for it to happen again.

It will cost you a few hundred quid extra but you'll get that back come re sale time.

Picklemaroo

iTrader: (1)

hi - garage not been the best - they don't believe my independent despite the fact they haven't seen the car yet and insist on me paying to have it transported down to them in derby - very disappointed to say the least and losing faith rapidly. they have their own workshop and apparently an ex Subaru mechanic who claims he only ever had to do one head gasket in 10 years

tubbytommy

iTrader: (20)

if its a non subaru garage and they are offering to fix it with like for like parts id say youre leaving yourself wide open for future problems.

tubbytommy

iTrader: (20)

not a Subaru mechanic then as if he was one when the 2.5 was dumped on the uk market it would be more like one every ten minutes while the garage argue with im who are trying to get out of the warranty claim.

Picklemaroo

iTrader: (1)

yes - I trust my local garage - have been with them for years. so gutted

MattyB1983

iTrader: (51)

They must pay for the transport of the car and you may also be entitled to compensation if the fault has left you out of pocket.

How long have you had the car ?
If its a recent purchase (couple of weeks) then you are entitled to a full refund if you wish.

Picklemaroo

iTrader: (1)

hi matty
bought it on 28th june. they wont pay for transportation as I said yes when they asked whether I had breakdown cover - trouble is most breakdown company policies do not offer national recovery! mine doesn't so they have stung me there. I want to keep the car but i'm getting to that stage of just asking for my money back!

tubbytommy

iTrader: (20)

if the repair is not done by a recognised subaru specialists and you're not given the option of adding uprated parts as mentioned above,
get a refund as the hg issue is common on the 2.5 and you wont have cured the problem.

MattyB1983

iTrader: (51)

Regardless to the fact you have breakdown cover the garage is still responsible for transport of the car.

I would explain to them that you are growing increasingly frustrated with this and will have no choice but to use your legal right for a full refund if they don't offer more assistance. That alone is usually enough for a garage to pull their finger

Picklemaroo

iTrader: (1)

when I get it delivered to them shall wait and see what they diagnose then will ask about uprated parts

tubbytommy

iTrader: (20)

I wouldn't take their diagnosis either as they will most likely say its ok to avoid paying for a rebuild.

if they say its ok get a second opinion if you think it is failing.

Picklemaroo

iTrader: (1)

I agree on the second opinion - definitely! how they can fudge it i'm doubtful as its clearly overheating and if I drive it away and melt the head then they will have an even bigger bill.

tubbytommy

iTrader: (20)

well I wouldn't want an engine built by a non specialist but you its up to you.
the above is good advice, your choice whether you take it or not.
good luck.

thenewgalaxy

Hi mate really sorry about your problem.

If they get snotty I would reject the purchase, get a refund and go for one of the two similar cars I listed above. You don't want a botch job on a car like that and as advised above you really want a specialist with a fair deal of experience to undertake the rebuild.

You ideally need forged pistons, uprated head gaskets, uprated studs as a minimum. You can also go for the forged rods etc if you wish but these engines for some reason have a habit of doing this. All that work also requires an engine remap and gives you a monster of a car if you wish.

Busterbulldog

iTrader: (1)

My opinion for what its worth...get a full refund and tell them to shove the car.You have had it just a week and its knackered...just buy a different one and save yourself the grief with this garage...chances are you will never be happy now...I know I wouldn't.

tubbytommy

iTrader: (20)

probably the best thing to do really.

scoobyboy1

iTrader: (16)

Gutted for you mate. Was hoping it wasn't sold yet, but sounds like the car!!! Hope you get it sorted soon!!!

jazzyjembreaze

iTrader: (11)

Your well within your legal grounds to cancel purchase
Stand your ground
best of luck on a quick resolve

Picklemaroo

iTrader: (1)

thanks for all your comments guys and support - I love the car so its a hard decision to make will keep you posted