area51

I was amazed the bmw managed to move at all having lauged at them in the snow. as for the wagon..watch prices shoot up now!

No ones mentioned this so.driving style is a huge factor in mpg BUT so is the mechanical condition of your car..clean air filter fresh plugs and an oil change cant hurt for a long journey. certainly worth an hour of your time and fifty quid perhaps. the other thing is tyre pressures..the higher the pressure the less rolling resistance there is so get an accurate gauge and make sure the tyres are inflated to spec. keep the aircon off if you can, and theres a good argument for keeping to 60mph as its most econcomical. I personally wont use supermarket fuel as its cheap for a reason. stick to good brands and you will see a difference. Its a good drive out so I hope it goes well and above all enjoy it! rick

thanks for that! next job on the lists!

I saw a post about it and thought oh great..thats going to be a nighmare job (I used to run a discovery2..shudder!) but it reality it was 10 mins work and a phillips screwdriver.

I noticed today (as it was warm for the first time in my subaru ownership!) that the airflow through the dash vents was poor. I had already got together all the fiters etc for a big service as I do with all cars that are new to me and on pulling the pollen filter out it looked like something time team might have dug up..filthy dirty and full of twigs, berries and other bits of garden! YUK! all this on a car with full dealer history from day one and a recent service prior to me buying. Sadly not the first time ive seen this either. so..if you have never checked to see if your pollen filter has ever been changed | suggest buying one (under a fiver on ebay)and spending five mins pulling the glovebox out for a peek. you might just be glad you did! needless to say my air vents are now flowing cold clean air as subaru intended.

Many thanks for the link don, very informative!

I think thats whats wrong with mine as you can see the digits when you shine a light in. dont suppose you can remember what type of bulb it was? cheers!

My wifes new fiesta came with hankook's fitted..I was suprised at this as I used to think of them as a cheapo tyre..to be honest their pretty good!

Is this a common problem? my green led dash clock doesnt work..it came on once just for the ride to work but has remained off ever since. I know its common on landrover discovery's but you would expect that...! Im a little unsure how to gain access to it too..does the whole mounting inset piece pull off? any suggestions very welcome!

I found toyo proxes to be amazing on both my previous mx5's. my bug eye will be getting a set I think as soon as I get past my expensive exhaust system!

After testing the fault code today it came up p0420 which is cat efficency below threshold. this basically confirms what cobra had said might happen.

I suspect you may be wrong on this matter don, but thanks for your help. The fault code came up p0420 as expected and relates to cataylist efficiency below threshold (bank1) If you look at ebay item no 300858236456 this seems to be a cure for this self made problem (as in removing the original cat from the start of the system) I dont think it matters if the cars turbo or not (as in my case) as its the original rear sensor getting readings beyond its parameters thats causing the eml light to come on. I'm not over keen on splicing anything into the wiring harness for the sensor as its then a potential weak spot so im hoping that the ebay item may prove to be a better long term solution. I will of course update the post when the item arrives but it may take a while as its coming from america! has anyone else ever fitted on e of these gizmo's ? As an aside I reset the fault code and the light has so far remained off over 20 miles today..it came on after a 25 motorway journey to sheffield so hopefully if I drive steady it should remain off for now.

after my last exhaust update I noticed a reference to something called "cell fix" to stop my eml light coming on due to sports cat upsetting the lambda probe. I did an ebay search and found cell fix..turns out to be a tube that just extends the sensor out of the exhaust stream a bit. is this a waste of money (£15) or is it the fix i'm looking for? I was told its a different sensor that is reqired but im not sure which type. any suggestions welcome!

so,,my 03 plate bug eye wagon gx auto needed a full system..couldnt source ANY pattern replacement (it seems theres no demand for them)so a full stainless system seemed an expensive but permanaent solution..enter cobra exhaustsat sheffield..they advertised a non turbo system plus sports cat pipe for just over six hundred quid inc fitting. GULP...well..its a cool car and im hoping to keep long term so why not. on speaking to cobra they were helpfull and i booked in for a fitment. they were quite quick and I was very impressed with the place, only problem was the noise! i went for a resonated system with sports cat so wasnt expecting too much noise, but maybe with my gtx being non turbo, auto, or a wagon (no boot/bulkhead to deaden noise?)it was awful at anything over 3000 rpm or motor way speeds. I needent have worried...they took her back in and fitted a bigger rear silencer, and now its PERFECT! Its got that subaru burble plus a bit more get up and go.# Anyone thinking of a full system in the north would do well to visit cobra in sheffield. only problem now is my eml light came on (they said it might)as my standard lamda sensor isnt up to the job of the sports cat. anyone know what kind or spec of lambda i'm going to need? and does the eml light mean its running on limp mode? cheers guys

Thanks guys..all common sense repys which is nice! oil can be a very touchy topic..I work with classic cars and theres always trouble with oil recommendations... I always use decent branded stuff (buy cheap at trade) but was a bit iffy about using full on synthetic on an older engine. I always change at 3k as a precaution anyway, but might not if I was paying full retail!

My 03 impreza gx non turbo is due for my new car (to me!) service and I was suprised to see the recommended oil is full synthetic 5w30. At 106k miles i was thinking a semi synthetic, maybe 10/40 might be more suitable as its not a new engine and might not be too clean internally. also im struggling to find which type of antifreeze is best..the old fashioned blue or the new OAT spec pink coolant? I really do miss not having a haynes book!! thanks guys! rick

result ! managed to talk to an underwriter at octogan insurance fianlly..after a brief explanation of what and why they ok'd a stainless system. so its going to cobra in a coupla of weeks when ive saved up for a complete system.

couple of things happend today..someone on this post mentioned on line automotive..they seem to have stock of the standard replacment non turbo system plus cat but its not much cheaper than the cobra system! I called my new insurance company today..it appears you get EXACTLY what you pay for..octogan insurance's first reponse was they wont cover a car with an after market exhaust!(here we go..) so after pointing out that an exhaust alone isnt going to have much effect on a 10 year old automatic estate car plus the exhaust centres cant supply a replacement and subaru dealers themselves actually supply a very expensive non subaru stainless alternative (at enormous expense!!) the clerk went away to have a word with the underwriters. I'm still waiting for a return call from 9.15 am this morning! its possible the standard replacment system might be the only route out of this.octagon was a very cheap quote and under cut even the specialists by over £200. I know i could have just blagged it but you might as well have no insurance at all if its not all above board. I hate being a respopnsible adult sometimes....

Many thanks for all the help and suggestions! looking like the cobra route is the best way forward..just a matter of finding the money now! I'll let you all know how I get on!

After a couple of days of impreza ownership i notice a slight blow on the exhaust... turns out its on the front pipe near the cat and its a fracture/perforation near the first hanging bracket. I notice the rest of the system looks old and near the end of life so I start pricing up a new complete system. or rather I try to... none of the motor factors or exhaust wholesalers I use at work do a standard impreza gx non turbo system..everyone says main dealer only! I even rang round the manufacturers and got the same response. the subaru dealer quoted around £1200 for a system and was unsure how long it would take to get, advising a stainless sysytem custom made might be cheaper. Im aware of this..the problem being is oneof originality and insurance.#My car is a one owner full dealer history car thats in standard condition, and a state i wished to preserve as most subaru ge modified. my insurance company will no doubt want a huge increase in premuim if i declare a go faster stainless pipe, and as its clearly a modification i have to declare it. I cant belive theres no one sells an aftermarket pipe like the original..its just nuts! assuming I do have to go the stainless route has anyone got any experience of cobra systems? i see on ebay they are quite cheap and they do a cat pipe too. I was wondering if the reduction in back pressure might have an adverse affect of a non turbo auto? any help gratefully recieved!

Many thanks guys..i'll get right on it.

anyone got any idea whats the best workshop manual I can get for a 2003 gx 2.0 non turbo? I see haynes dont list anything. am lost without something with decent pictures!

Hi! ive just recently bought my first subaru, a 2003 2.0 auto gx wagon..its replacing a landrover discovery and ive owned many cars ancient and modern but this is the first time ive ever had one of these. I work with classic cars and help run one of the nicest classic car dealers in the north of england. Im used to working on my own stuff..I do a lot with show cars so my own stuff is always super shiny. im not a speed freak anymore but am enthusiastic about anything that runs on petrol...im also a biker and still enjoy restroring bikes. best regards rick