RE: Vario-Rob's Subaru Impreza
Discussion
Tony, I tend to stay away from the soobynet site as I feel I lack technical knowledge to hold even a basic conversation on there. On the assumption that you know your Soobs is there a genuine case for high speed stability issues with the Impreza? Above about 1.25 I get a deafening noise of the drivers side window and far to much lateral movement on even the smoothest of surfaces, furthermore breaking requires a pretty firm grip as once again she does seem rather to keen to follow her nose. Under 1.0 no problems at all I am pleased to say.
By the way this has been discovered driving in mainland Europe of course
By the way this has been discovered driving in mainland Europe of course
Rob
Don't be scared off Scoobynet
(I moderate on there) - go into the technical forums and ask away. You should get some decent replies. If not, check out 22b.com - there are some very good technical people on there too.
I've not known of people complaining about stability issues at high speeds. I've done several mainland Europe cruises at the sort of speeds that you mention, without any problems.
As regards handling, the Scoob is a heavy car (even more so with the latest models (I'm assuming this is what you have)). Playing around with the tyre pressures can help, as there is a lot of weight over the front of the car.
There is ultimately a tendency to understeer at the limit. This I assume is done for safety reason, but it is possible to eliminate this with a proper setup. Wheel alignment and geometry settings are notorious for being way out when the cars are delivered (no idea why, but they are).
A trip to a specialist such Powerstation or TSL should be able to sort this out. There are loads of other options such as different anti roll bars, braces etc that could also help.
Hope this helps
Chris
Don't be scared off Scoobynet
(I moderate on there) - go into the technical forums and ask away. You should get some decent replies. If not, check out 22b.com - there are some very good technical people on there too. I've not known of people complaining about stability issues at high speeds. I've done several mainland Europe cruises at the sort of speeds that you mention, without any problems.
As regards handling, the Scoob is a heavy car (even more so with the latest models (I'm assuming this is what you have)). Playing around with the tyre pressures can help, as there is a lot of weight over the front of the car.
There is ultimately a tendency to understeer at the limit. This I assume is done for safety reason, but it is possible to eliminate this with a proper setup. Wheel alignment and geometry settings are notorious for being way out when the cars are delivered (no idea why, but they are).
A trip to a specialist such Powerstation or TSL should be able to sort this out. There are loads of other options such as different anti roll bars, braces etc that could also help.
Hope this helps
Chris
On the 'old' Impreza, Prodrive used to have two sets of rear suspension settings, one for the twisties and one for high spped stability (altering toe-in I believe). Could this be the same on the current model?
A call or email to Prodrive will usually yield the required numbers, then get it checked at any compontent 4 wheel drive alignment bay.
davidy
A call or email to Prodrive will usually yield the required numbers, then get it checked at any compontent 4 wheel drive alignment bay.
davidy
scoobybloke said:
Rob
Don't be scared off Scoobynet
I've not known of people complaining about stability issues at high speeds. I've done several mainland Europe cruises at the sort of speeds that you mention, without any problems.
As regards handling, the Scoob is a heavy car (even more so with the latest models (I'm assuming this is what you have)). Playing around with the tyre pressures can help, as there is a lot of weight over the front of the car.
There is ultimately a tendency to understeer at the limit. This I assume is done for safety reason, but it is possible to eliminate this with a proper setup. Wheel alignment and geometry settings are notorious for being way out when the cars are delivered (no idea why, but they are).
A trip to a specialist such Powerstation or TSL should be able to sort this out. There are loads of other options such as different anti roll bars, braces etc that could also help.
Hope this helps
Chris
Many thanks for that gents, I will venture back onto Scoobynet and put the toe in the water again.
The high speed stability issue is one that I’ve given a bit more though to and indeed a little more in the way of a practical. I think the road may be something to do with it as the A14 between Ipswich and Cambridge gets a huge amount of lorry use and is heavily rutted. What’s more the last time I really put the old boot in it was in my 993 which gets a whole load happier above 1.2 particularly so I may have been a little guilty of unfairly comparing.
Funnily enough the geometry was something I was going to look into and many thanks for the links on that
Although I will go to the Scoobynet site a basic question that would helpful to have answered is currently it sits on 17’s, if and when I get some 18’s is this really worthwhile and indeed what is the best rubber for all round usage? The beastie is my daily chariot so I do not want to overly compromise its all round ‘rain or shine’ capabilities.
Anyway, many thanks both for the advice and despite the rather disdainful looks one gets from drivers of other supposed ‘performance’ cars the Scoob continues to grow on my affections every time I drive it. The only problem is I’ve had a look at an FQ-330 but set against how many friendly waves and flashes I get from other Scoobists I’ll be keeping her for a while yet.
Wheel size is largely a matter of personal choice. The general view is that classic Scoob was better suited to 17" wheels. People tend to favour 18" with the newer models - though this could be more a fashion thing. I've had 18" wheels on my MY01 for 50K+ miles (and lowered suspension). Ride is firm without being ridiculous. The cars looks better as well. Most days, I'm doing a 100 mile round trip commute over a variety of roads.
The most common tyres used are either Toyo T1-S Proxes or Goodyear F1s. I've been running 18" Toyos for ages and find them a pretty good all rounder. The Goodyear tyres have better wet weather grip though (although a slightly softer compound which means they tend to wear quicker - especially on the edges).
The other thing to note is that large diameter, low profile tyres always have a tendancy to tramline as they wear. The Toyo's have resisted this pretty well and I'm only now feeling it as I come to replace my tyres. The worst ones for tramlining were the awful Pirelli Pzero's that Subaru fit as standard onto 18" wheels bought from a dealer. They were shockingly bad. The car was almost undrivable after 10K miles.
I've given up bothering what other people think about my cars and just drive what I enjoy. I've had two Scoobs and fully intend to have another. If I were you, I'd do the same
Cheers
Chris
The most common tyres used are either Toyo T1-S Proxes or Goodyear F1s. I've been running 18" Toyos for ages and find them a pretty good all rounder. The Goodyear tyres have better wet weather grip though (although a slightly softer compound which means they tend to wear quicker - especially on the edges).
The other thing to note is that large diameter, low profile tyres always have a tendancy to tramline as they wear. The Toyo's have resisted this pretty well and I'm only now feeling it as I come to replace my tyres. The worst ones for tramlining were the awful Pirelli Pzero's that Subaru fit as standard onto 18" wheels bought from a dealer. They were shockingly bad. The car was almost undrivable after 10K miles.
I've given up bothering what other people think about my cars and just drive what I enjoy. I've had two Scoobs and fully intend to have another. If I were you, I'd do the same
Cheers
Chris
scoobybloke said:
Wheel size is largely a matter of personal choice. The general view is that classic Scoob was better suited to 17" wheels. People tend to favour 18" with the newer models - though this could be more a fashion thing. I've had 18" wheels on my MY01 for 50K+ miles (and lowered suspension). Ride is firm without being ridiculous. The cars looks better as well. Most days, I'm doing a 100 mile round trip commute over a variety of roads.
The most common tyres used are either Toyo T1-S Proxes or Goodyear F1s. I've been running 18" Toyos for ages and find them a pretty good all rounder. The Goodyear tyres have better wet weather grip though (although a slightly softer compound which means they tend to wear quicker - especially on the edges).
The other thing to note is that large diameter, low profile tyres always have a tendancy to tramline as they wear. The Toyo's have resisted this pretty well and I'm only now feeling it as I come to replace my tyres. The worst ones for tramlining were the awful Pirelli Pzero's that Subaru fit as standard onto 18" wheels bought from a dealer. They were shockingly bad. The car was almost undrivable after 10K miles.
I've given up bothering what other people think about my cars and just drive what I enjoy. I've had two Scoobs and fully intend to have another. If I were you, I'd do the same
Cheers
Chris
Many thanks once again for the info, again most useful. I gather that the dealer who supplied me the PPP has still got a WR1 it hasn’t taken a deposit on which seems to go against the general impression I was getting that they had all been sold, tempting I have to say.
Interestingly and whether it is response to the recognition it has been receiving of late a P1 in a local dealer (general Porsche, BMW and other interesting bits and bobs type dealer) had it up for £19,950 now granted a deal could have been sold some bit below that it sold inside a fortnight and even having taken a couple of grand off still suggests that they are making damn good money considering its from a non-franchised dealer.
Good ones can still go for that kind of money - although it is top wack. I'd expect it to be a perfect low milage example with FSH etc - also the Prodrive 'WR' option Alcon brakes would need to be fitted. If it has then you have a stonking car!
As far as I'm aware, each dealer was allocated 3 WR-1s. They weren't allowed to apply for extra ones until these have been sold. Apparantly Subaru UK are holding back a few cars (not sure why - could be for replacements in case of write offs or maybe for track use by Prodrive), so they are getting quite rare. I'd be interested to know what dealer still has one. Drop me a PM or email.
Cheers
Chris
As far as I'm aware, each dealer was allocated 3 WR-1s. They weren't allowed to apply for extra ones until these have been sold. Apparantly Subaru UK are holding back a few cars (not sure why - could be for replacements in case of write offs or maybe for track use by Prodrive), so they are getting quite rare. I'd be interested to know what dealer still has one. Drop me a PM or email.
Cheers
Chris
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