johnmacdonald

Ours is in next week. With no more knocking struts and new EBC Red Stuff front pads, am expecting a pass!

Legal expenses insurer has agreed for me to send my polite letter, along with supporting photos and invoices, asking for reimbursement of extra costs and this will be posted recorded delivery tomorrow. If the Subaru dealer refuses to compensate, they will take over...

Welcome back to Subaru Ian. The P1 can only increase in price. Haven't seen one for years... Picture please in due course.

I agree Tony, everyone needs to read their LE policy wordings. The extent of cover can be quite amazing. John

Limited to 112mph? Is that considered a safety improvement? Our STi will do about 160, but anything close to 100 on a clear, traffic clear dual carriageway is quite fast enough thank you, and such quick blasts are rare indeed. My speed limiter is Mrs Mac in the passenger seat...

I will keep updating. As a matter of interest, for years, I have placed stand alone motor and home legal expenses covers via MEM Insurance Brokers at half the cost of including within the primary policy covers. The MEM cover also includes legal expenses for persuing pothole damage compensation - potentially very useful!

So, STi went into Quenbys (ex Subaru main dealers) on Thursday, struts removed, top mount bearings replaced (failed at only 22,500 miles and possibly caused by incorrect fitting of new Eibachs?), springs refitted properly and knocking gone. Fortunately, it appears that the struts are undamaged. Quenbys have kindly provided photographic evidence, including shots of damage and subsequent rust caused by the struts/springs fouling the inner wings. They even treated the damage with underseal. If any members are within a reasonable distance from Baldock, Herts and out of warranty, I cannot recommend highly enough. The battle now commences to get my money back from Cambridge Subaru. If they are unwilling to agree, my motor legal protection insurer will be involved...

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Hi Jim, That doesn't make sense - they accepted our WRX STI with bodykit and Hayward & Scott straight through centre exhaust section. Is it worth trying again informing them that the PPP is a standard Subaru option? As a retired insurance broker, I can assure you that insurance groupings had a separate rating for the 300bhp STI PPP...

ccrien, I agree with you entirely - these big screen infortainment systems are no different to using a mobile phone while driving, a total distraction. And people ask why we suffer so many pile ups on our motorways. What I like about our latest model STI is that you can't even program the satnav unless you are stationary. Personally, rarely even turn on the radio, prefer to concentrate on driving, a decision that has kept me accident and conviction free for 54 years!!

Hi Kyle, If the seller is unable to provide evidence that the rust problem has been successfully dealt with, I would avoid, particularly as it's high mileage. Every one of our six Imprezas has not suffered any rust, but all have been sold on at less than 40,000 and garaged. Low mileage examples are out there, but you will need to wait for the right one!

Welcome Simon.

One of our most enjoyable allrounders was a 2006MY WRX 2.5 with Prodrive PP and Prodrive spring kit (owned for 10 years). Bags of power and torque - 5 speed box, in my opinion, perfect rather than current STI's too close 6 speeder. If struts prove to be a problem, KYB superior gas struts can no doubt be sourced from an independent supplier at a decent cost. Don't think of Subaru prices!

It can only go up in value. Look after it! After three classics, incuding a RB5 PPP, a blob eye, a hawk and current WRX STI, quite like Subaru!

Welcome. Is that a RB320?

Welcome. Best to look out for a standard car (perhaps with highly regarded Prodrive Performance Pack), decent service history, especially timing belt replacement if appropriate. You can always carry put some mods once the proud owner. Knocking struts are a known problem...

Hey friends, I would really welcome any serious thoughts or comments to my post on Friday!!! Thanks. Are you there Don?

Looks like it just came off the production line! Lovely...

At last visited Quenbys this morning and they are convinced that the knocking is as a result of incorrect fitting of a (or both) front spring top mounts. Eibachs fitted last year by a Subaru dealer, who subsequently advised the the knock was coming from a faulty steering rack. Quenbys fear the the struts have possibly been damaged and my dilemma is do I simply have the springs refitted - at least 3 hours labour - or also buy new struts at a cost of some £600 and thus avoid more extra labour if the refitting alone doesn't work? If Quenbys are right, I will be looking for a refund from Subaru dealer of £403 charged for fitting plus £96 for carrying out 4 wheel alignment again. Should be interesting...

As a retired registered insurance broker, Hiscox are certainly worth approaching for a scheme. Sadly underwriters generally don't understand our passion for our Subarus and their inherent built in engineering designed to avoid accidents. And at the end of the day, we have nothing to prove, just personal pride and enjoyment. How often do you see a tatty Scooby? On another subject, I recall an insurer accepting a list of mods on a widetrack STI but then declining because I had fitted a big brake kit. Bonkers...

That's outrageous, where do you live and I guess you're not a young man?!! Although only 30 miles here in East Herts from wild west Britain's capital we have very much a community spirit and blessed with low crime...

Incredibly I have agreed a total renewal premium of £371.06 with Admiral for comprehensive, protected NCD, £350 excess for the WRX STI (mods disclosed) and the Merc C350 AMG coupe! It appears that they do take account of long term conviction and claims history. Me no convictions for 54 years, last and only minor claim 1990 sliding into a snow drift and Carol, no claims or convictions over 49 years. One benefit of being oldies!!

New battery fine. Huge 80ah/800CCA Merc battery simply wouldn't fit, its power is designed for stop-start which I turn off in sympathy for the starter motor! The Merc 2door coupe is a high performer in complete contrast to the WRX STI. 7 speed auto with overriding paddle shifts, 306 BHP, 0-60 6 secs, comfy sports suspension, quiet and up to 40 mpg on a long run from its silky smooth 3.5 litre petrol V6. Also a very rare car, which I like. So privileged to have use of two amazing and so different performance machines!

I agree with you all. Should we take a lead from the French and organise all SIDC members to drive down to Westminster, block all access to Parliament, wave some banners, light some tyres and kidnap Philip Hammond? (Only joking just in case MI5 looking in)...

Sadly, it's that time of year again. V11 received today demanding £540 from my diminishing funds. STI covers about 4,000 miles a year - some may not agree, but isn't it time VED was abolished and replaced with extra fuel duty (or at least a discount on V- Power!!).