Discussion
So after a period of 'should I - shouldn't I?', a 330s has finally joined the fleet.
I'd absorbed all the info about self destruction and looked with caution but stumbled across this 60,000 mile one with a documented Subaru engine re-build not that long ago.
Now about 300 miles in and so far, very impressed. It obviously goes like a stabbed rat but as a package, it seems to work pretty well. The interior is a massive step up from my older Impreza and it's almost refined when you're gentle. The light front end steering took a few miles to get used to and rear side vision at junctions requires a bit of care, those are big C pillars!
Fingers crossed it doesn't eat itself again!
I'd absorbed all the info about self destruction and looked with caution but stumbled across this 60,000 mile one with a documented Subaru engine re-build not that long ago.
Now about 300 miles in and so far, very impressed. It obviously goes like a stabbed rat but as a package, it seems to work pretty well. The interior is a massive step up from my older Impreza and it's almost refined when you're gentle. The light front end steering took a few miles to get used to and rear side vision at junctions requires a bit of care, those are big C pillars!
Fingers crossed it doesn't eat itself again!
The question is, what caused the issue for the rebuild to start with and did they fix it or just rebuild the engine?
330S's were still subject to Ringland failures due to the map as they wouldn't let Prodrive do their own map, just adjust the factory one (which had issues). Could be worth going for a remap and ensuring you don't have an issue with it again
330S's were still subject to Ringland failures due to the map as they wouldn't let Prodrive do their own map, just adjust the factory one (which had issues). Could be worth going for a remap and ensuring you don't have an issue with it again
Thanks for all this, research seems to confirm opinions.
All fingers seem to point to a chap called Bob Rawle as being the go-to person for this mapping job so it's booked in early next year.
Ownership so far has proved highly entertaining. The increase in go is quite noticeable over my previous PPP wagon which was no slouch. Still not convinced by the rather lifeless front end but generally a very nice place to be.
(Made the mistake of letting my 26 year old drive the old wagon, funnily enough he's now ditching his BMW and keeping the Subaru!)
All fingers seem to point to a chap called Bob Rawle as being the go-to person for this mapping job so it's booked in early next year.
Ownership so far has proved highly entertaining. The increase in go is quite noticeable over my previous PPP wagon which was no slouch. Still not convinced by the rather lifeless front end but generally a very nice place to be.
(Made the mistake of letting my 26 year old drive the old wagon, funnily enough he's now ditching his BMW and keeping the Subaru!)
The 330s is a superb mix of understatement (compared to older models), comfort and performance.
As for mapping I’d recommend the famous EngineTuner in Plymouth. They have their own rolling road and also road map as part of their mapping sessions.
I’ve had cars mapped by Bob and EngineTuner and personally favour EngineTuner because of how accessible they are if there are problems after mapping (common). Bob is superb at what he does but because of his success and time abroad can be difficult to get hold. EngineTuner also have everything onsite and are amazing when it comes to after care and service. I’ve had them look after my last few cars and it’s convient if you have any work done and need a map tweak. I had all minor services done locally and all major work done with these guys.
I also enjoyed walking around their garage and admiring all of the cars they had in whenever I visited. They build some super interesting engines/setups for other cars!
As for mapping I’d recommend the famous EngineTuner in Plymouth. They have their own rolling road and also road map as part of their mapping sessions.
I’ve had cars mapped by Bob and EngineTuner and personally favour EngineTuner because of how accessible they are if there are problems after mapping (common). Bob is superb at what he does but because of his success and time abroad can be difficult to get hold. EngineTuner also have everything onsite and are amazing when it comes to after care and service. I’ve had them look after my last few cars and it’s convient if you have any work done and need a map tweak. I had all minor services done locally and all major work done with these guys.
I also enjoyed walking around their garage and admiring all of the cars they had in whenever I visited. They build some super interesting engines/setups for other cars!
Scobblelotcher said:
The 330s is a superb mix of understatement (compared to older models), comfort and performance.
As for mapping I’d recommend the famous EngineTuner in Plymouth. They have their own rolling road and also road map as part of their mapping sessions.
I’ve had cars mapped by Bob and EngineTuner and personally favour EngineTuner because of how accessible they are if there are problems after mapping (common). Bob is superb at what he does but because of his success and time abroad can be difficult to get hold. EngineTuner also have everything onsite and are amazing when it comes to after care and service. I’ve had them look after my last few cars and it’s convient if you have any work done and need a map tweak. I had all minor services done locally and all major work done with these guys.
I also enjoyed walking around their garage and admiring all of the cars they had in whenever I visited. They build some super interesting engines/setups for other cars!
+1As for mapping I’d recommend the famous EngineTuner in Plymouth. They have their own rolling road and also road map as part of their mapping sessions.
I’ve had cars mapped by Bob and EngineTuner and personally favour EngineTuner because of how accessible they are if there are problems after mapping (common). Bob is superb at what he does but because of his success and time abroad can be difficult to get hold. EngineTuner also have everything onsite and are amazing when it comes to after care and service. I’ve had them look after my last few cars and it’s convient if you have any work done and need a map tweak. I had all minor services done locally and all major work done with these guys.
I also enjoyed walking around their garage and admiring all of the cars they had in whenever I visited. They build some super interesting engines/setups for other cars!
Especially if you are in Somerset. If you car is healthy though, Bob will do a good job. If any mechanical issues are discovered during the mapping, you're a bit stuck though.
Scobblelotcher said:
The 330s is a superb mix of understatement (compared to older models), comfort and performance.
Can certainly confirm that! Just before Christmas, it was pressed into service to do an emergency late evening 190 mile run to the Channel Tunnel terminal and then an onward 260 mile thrash through the night to Normandy.Apart from a prodigious thirst, it hoovered up that trip very rapidly indeed and without fuss. As suggested a properly nice place to be for the duration. Maybe not armchair comfort as with some of my previous rides but in that weather, perfect for the task in hand.
I took the car over to BR today for him to do his thing, quite an education! A couple of hose issues (hidden split on the intercooler front hose and a loose fuel connection) were quickly dealt with by him before he got on with the job in hand.
I wasn't looking for performance gains specifically but there's certainly a change in character (more torque is very obvious) and the figures he obtained are right on the money from the original Subaru marketing blurb so 339bhp and c350lb/ft in a nice spread across the range.
So first impressions are excellent, thanks to all who suggested it!
I wasn't looking for performance gains specifically but there's certainly a change in character (more torque is very obvious) and the figures he obtained are right on the money from the original Subaru marketing blurb so 339bhp and c350lb/ft in a nice spread across the range.
So first impressions are excellent, thanks to all who suggested it!
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