bill

Hi all, I just got my 2003 STi type UK modified to about 400 bhp (sorry, I don't know the torque figure). Now the clutch is slipping. I have tried to read about replacement clutches but find the advice contradictory. What I want is a clutch for fast road use that doesn't slip, no more, no less. All suggestions gratefully received. TIA, Bill

Hi all, Any recommendations for garages that use the correct size tyre fitting equipment for 225/45 on 7x17 wheels and that fit the balance weight on the wheel body, not the rim? Preferably near the A9 or West Central Scotland. TIA, Bill

Hi all, apologise if this appears twice, I lost my connection have way through my previous attempt to post. I skidded on diesel last Sunday and damaged a wheel which prompted me to look at what else is available but on ebay some sellers are saying that Subaru have changed the wheel fitting. What wheels fit a 2003 type UK STi (it has Brembo calipers as standard). I think I'll stick to the original 17" size. TIA, Bill

OK, thanks. What do I need to do (more accurately get someone else to do)? Are there any down sides to this? Bill

Hi all, not been on here for a while. Having looked around for a replacement for my 2003 STi type UK with PPP and failed, without changing it's character completely, what do you suggest to turn the STi into a 0-60 in 4 secs or less machine? There may be other improvements but since I doubt if I've ever got anywhere near the cars limits, there may not be any point in touching suspension? TIA, Bill

Hi, Mine's a bit like that too...anyone know whether it'll last a while or is likely to expire soon? Bill

Hi all, Suggestions for a cheap to buy and run 2nd car? I've started to do high mileage and the STi is costing too much plus I don't want to run it into the ground. I'm worried about driving an non-Subaru though (performance & road holding) as I've driven nothing but them since I got my first one in 1998. TIA, Bill

I didn't really know whether to respond to this or not, here goes. The blunt answer to your question is, my advice would be to get a better story. Were these cops wearing hi-vis jackets or sitting in a bright white police car by any chance? Is the road deserted for half a mile or two miles? Is there really a 30 mph zone that extends 2 miles further than it should? I did a search on the fount of all knowledge (the internet) and didn't come up with anything about pleading guilty leading to a reduced sentence or vice versa. If it really is an open and deserted road it may be worth taking photographs of the area (no cheating, 360 degree views) to show the court. Bill

Hi, Well, if you can't afford both then a bike is always going to have the edge for those of us with that inclination, so it's an understandable choice. Had a bike before? What are you thinking of getting? Take care, remember those in the tin boxes are all completely blind to bikes. Bill

Don't know of any deals but I can confirm from personal experience that AP Racing 4 pots (330 mm I think) are excellent and like night and day compared to the standard brakes on a classic turbo which I found a bit scary. They also needed bigger alloys to fit over them which was a good excuse for that purchase! The only down side is that the grooved disks make a helluva noise. Bill

I considered getting such a device but it seems to me there is a very small window of circumstances when it would come into play. It takes a certain amount of time to slow down. so I assume you will still hit your garage door if your going *too* fast? Bill

Are the stickers that were actually on cars during the relay for sale or can they not be removed easily? Bill

Is this something different to what TVR are saying? http://www.tvr.co.uk/news.php Bill

Hmm, It's been a bad weekend for pit crews then. Franchitti hit his fuel man when he pitted during the Indy Car Race yesterday. Bill

Hi, I haven't had any trouble at all with my 03, so nothing particular to look for I don't think. The paint is a little too easily scratched, so have a good look at the finish. Have a look/feel under the front spoiler to see if it's made contact with any kerbs/raised edges in car parks (even though it isn't particularly low). Using it's performance only really for overtaking and fast cruising gives about 21 mpg. Adding PPP doesn't change the mpg but gives a noticeable performance increase and lowers the point at which the turbo starts to pick up to just under the 3000 rpm mark. Bill

What do you actually disagree with in the review? I disagree with the tone of the review in places but the price has gone up, the styling is not good (although I *could* live with it), the interior hasn't been improved, the engine is 25% bigger but the power is not noticeably increased. I'm starting to look for a replacement for my STi and the 2006 model isn't it. Bill

Right, So the place to fill up in Inverness is the station in Old Perth Road which means you should ignore my previous advice about taking the left turn at the roundabout South of the Kessock bridge and instead should take the road off the dual carriegeway before that one, follow signs to the Raigmore Hospital. As I said, there is no super unleaded in Wick never mind Optimax. The petrol stations are *not* 24 h but are open on Sunday. I assume the Tescos you mean is in Inverness as there isn't one in Wick. The picture is clearer now, at least to me! Bill

Hi, I haven't been on the forum for a long time. What do you need? Bill

Hi, 'Ive had a look at the Shell website .... there seems to be a Shell station with (according to the website!) Optimax in Inverness (Old Perth Road, Inverness. IV2 3RH .... about 1/2 a mile off the A9 on the B853)' I looked at the Shell website, it came up with a disclaimer that my request for an Optimax station had been ignored. It also claims that there is an Optimax station in Beauly but there hasn't been for a while now, so it is not to be trusted. I cannot find any entry in the phone book for a station in old perth road. As you say, it needs confirmation by someone on the ground. Bill

Hi all, I've not been on this site for some time, hence I'm late to this. Despite the comment in this thread about fuel plans, I think it is worth pointing out a few things, in the hope it will help. It would be very tight on fuel to try to make a round trip from Aviemore North without filling up and for some cars I think impossible. There is a post saying that Optimax is available at the M74/M73 point. I think it is worth pointing out there is *no* Optimax North of there near the route as far as I know. There is Super Unleaded (97 RON) available in Inverness round the clock including Sunday (but not in all filling stations; I'm pretty sure it's 24 hour but check if it's likely to be a problem) , try the station on the road into Inverness from the junction just South of the Kessock bridge (i.e. not the first junction off the A9 you come to when driving North). There is super unleaded available at Kildary North of Inverness, visible from the A9, between Alness and Tain but not 24 hour and I'm not sure about Sunday. There is super unleaded available at Thurso but that is 20 miles West of JOG and off the route; it is *not* available in Wick. On Sunday filling stations out of towns will be closed; those in towns (except Inverness) may close early. All filling stations except those in Inverness will close around 8pm or 9pm at the latest. On the timings, the ones on the map are do-able. On the timings posted in this thread, I don't dispute that the time of 2 hours from Inverness to Wick was done by the person who posted that but the road must have been unusually quiet; 2.5 to 3 hrs to cope with lorries and the odd bus is more realistic. There are stretches of road where it is *not* safe to overtake; twisty and fun if clear but not if you're behind a lorry. I say this because locals may well overtake when it is *not* safe to so do! HTH, Bill

Hi all, Bono+Edge 2 mins Bono back 1 min (3 mins total) Adam + Larry 10 min (13 mins total) Edge back 2 mins (15 mins total) Bono_Edge 2 mins (17 mins total) Bill

138 miles. My mileage has improved by 10% recently, maybe because the engine has done 6000 miles? If I had a car now that was full with £25 there would be another £25 of petrol on the forecourt before I realised! I actually like the look of the Smart but would you really want to do 337 miles in it? Where do you put your luggage? What about security, how do you stop someone picking it up and putting it in their pocket?

As long as the driver was wearing medallion or is a tree hugger (I'm assuming the spinner is connected to an generator) I see no problem with these! You too can re-enact the Ben Hur chariot race!

Neither, it's a registration mark.

No, last time I went was 1991, the Jaguars came 2nd, 3rd and 4th. First time a Japanese car won I think. Good experience.