outback 3.0R - running costs

outback 3.0R - running costs

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Discussion

sawman

Original Poster:

4,915 posts

229 months

Monday 16th December 2013
quotequote all
my old merc shed threw a serpentine belt on the way to work. So having been recovered to the garage it was going to later in the week, for potential mending, I had a 2 mile walk home during which time I was contemplating moving the old bus on and moving out of shed life and into the world of more recent preloved machines.

A brief snoop on the internet has brought up a couple of possibles, one being a 2008 legacy 2.0 and a 2007 outback 3.0r. I am assuming the legacy will be similar costwise to my old forester 2.0x, but how would the 3.0 stack up (I think it would be in the highest road tax bracket)

Is there any particular issues with the 3.0 on this generation outback? the one I have seen has 37k are there any big service items looming?

rovermorris999

5,195 posts

188 months

Monday 16th December 2013
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I had a Spec B Legacy with this engine. It's a peach, chain cam and smooth as silk. I used to get low to mid 20's with a manual box, upper 20's on a run. I miss it.

sawman

Original Poster:

4,915 posts

229 months

Tuesday 17th December 2013
quotequote all
I can live with that - the 3.0 outback is 3k cheaper than the 2.0 legacy - which should buy a fair bit of the extra fuel!

NailedOn

3,114 posts

234 months

Tuesday 17th December 2013
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I own a 2008 Outback 3.0R. Had it for over 4 years. Pretty much fault free.
Goes like stink. 28 mpg real world.
£350 a year service at an Indy.
Tyres (Yokohamas) are £175 a corner and good for 20k.
Great car.
Some in the classifieds for peanuts.
Next year I may trade for the 3.6R which are retailing for £16k now.

rovermorris999

5,195 posts

188 months

Tuesday 17th December 2013
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I fancy a 3.6 when the time comes to change my Forester. The trouble is it still drives like new at 10 years old with 100k on it and does everything I want so it may be some time yet.

74merc

594 posts

191 months

Tuesday 17th December 2013
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I've got a 3.0R Outback which I have converted to LPG.
As stated, average MPG will be in the 20's, depending on the type of driving you do.
The engine is very reliable and isn't known to throw any wobblers.
The front brake calipers can seize due to the pistons rusting, being made from chromed steel rather than stainless. I upgraded mine to 4 pots for about 250 quid including new disks and pads.
The Y piece in the exhaust, where it branches off to the 2 back boxes can rust and start blowing. I got mine repaired for 70 quid.
All in, they're a lovely car to drive and own. The MPG will put most people off but if you do the sums, you will be pleasantly surprised at the total cost of ownership versus the diesel Outback. It seems to have lots of clutch and gearbox issues which would put me off straight away.

Screaming Beagle

187 posts

171 months

Tuesday 17th December 2013
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Fortunate to have owned both a 3r outback and now a 3.6r outback. Both cars are great but the 3.6 is more powerful and more economical and is even smoother than the 3. Great all round cars though. Go for the 3r as you won't regret it but worth spending a bit more if you can to get one with the SI box and upgraded interior. I think you will need to look at a 2008 onwards.

sawman

Original Poster:

4,915 posts

229 months

Tuesday 17th December 2013
quotequote all
Thanks for the responses chaps, I can live with late 20's mpg - I currently run a merc c280 which returns a similar amount.

Off for a poke around and test drive tomorrow with any luck, are there any particular things I should be looking/listening out for?


PomBstard

6,728 posts

241 months

Tuesday 17th December 2013
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sawman said:
Thanks for the responses chaps, I can live with late 20's mpg - I currently run a merc c280 which returns a similar amount.

Off for a poke around and test drive tomorrow with any luck, are there any particular things I should be looking/listening out for?
Service history - esp oil changes, these seem to be vital on all Subarus. I think the 3.0 is chain-driven, the 2.5 and 2.0 are definitely belt.
Uneven wear on the tyres - the AWD system can be a bit sensitive if its not perfectly all in alignment - rotate the wheels front-to-back each service
Engine should be smooth all the way to cut-out. Whilst providing good torque, they do pick up well higher in the rev range.
Suspension knocks - all should be OK, but Outbacks do get used across fields. Well, over here they do anyway.
No idea about the auto box - I've only ever had manuals. A friend has a 2002 3.0 Outback auto, which he's had for about 8 years - loves it and can't see him ever selling it. Don't think its ever thrown a wobbler on him
Watch for price of parts, they can be expensive, but I would expect there to be a huge network of independent specialists to help you through. Just check everything works - windows, mirrors, lights, sunroof, AC, and so on.
Gen 4 is not the roomiest of cars - the body is a bit narrow and there's not a great deal of legroom front or back. However, I'm 6'2" and can get comfy. Worth getting one with the huge sunroof.

All in all, worthwhile and a bit different.

74merc

594 posts

191 months

Wednesday 18th December 2013
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sawman said:
Thanks for the responses chaps, I can live with late 20's mpg - I currently run a merc c280 which returns a similar amount.

Off for a poke around and test drive tomorrow with any luck, are there any particular things I should be looking/listening out for?
I ran a C280 before I got my Outback. The Merc will be more economical, particularly on short/stop-start journeys. As a comparison, I got 320 miles out of a tank of gas on the Merc but 280 miles in the Outback. Same tank and same LPG kit.

sawman

Original Poster:

4,915 posts

229 months

Wednesday 18th December 2013
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Thanks chaps - job jobbed.

typical subaru solid feel, comfy seats and si box


Edited by sawman on Tuesday 7th January 18:57

VerySideways

10,237 posts

271 months

Tuesday 7th January 2014
quotequote all
74merc said:
I've got a 3.0R Outback which I have converted to LPG.
As stated, average MPG will be in the 20's, depending on the type of driving you do.
The engine is very reliable and isn't known to throw any wobblers.
The front brake calipers can seize due to the pistons rusting, being made from chromed steel rather than stainless. I upgraded mine to 4 pots for about 250 quid including new disks and pads.
The Y piece in the exhaust, where it branches off to the 2 back boxes can rust and start blowing. I got mine repaired for 70 quid.
All in, they're a lovely car to drive and own. The MPG will put most people off but if you do the sums, you will be pleasantly surprised at the total cost of ownership versus the diesel Outback. It seems to have lots of clutch and gearbox issues which would put me off straight away.
All good info, but can i ask where you got the 4 pots? Are they Impreza items?

74merc

594 posts

191 months

Tuesday 7th January 2014
quotequote all
VerySideways said:
All good info, but can i ask where you got the 4 pots? Are they Impreza items?
Yes, they're the WRX PRO copies of the Subaru 4 pots found on Imprezas.
I got mine from brakeparts.co.uk but Godspeed also do them.

VerySideways

10,237 posts

271 months

Tuesday 7th January 2014
quotequote all
Cracking, thanks.
Now i just have to:
1. test drive a 3.0 Outback to make sure i like it
2. sell my 330i
3. buy an Outback
biggrin

sawman

Original Poster:

4,915 posts

229 months

Tuesday 7th January 2014
quotequote all
Just to update this thread,

I took delivery of the outback last week, So far (according to the onboard computer) its returning 27mpg, I have spent a couple of days twiddling with the seat adjustments and I think I am there now (last few cars have either had no or very little adjustment)

No issues with the powertrain - its great but I have noticed an odd clunk over sharp bumps (grids, potholes) is this normal or should I be getting suspension checked out?



rovermorris999

5,195 posts

188 months

Tuesday 7th January 2014
quotequote all
It's probably just arb linkage wear. Not dear to fix. Foresters get through them regularly.

NailedOn

3,114 posts

234 months

Wednesday 8th January 2014
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rovermorris999 said:
It's probably just arb linkage wear. Not dear to fix. Foresters get through them regularly.
Mine does this too. Will be fixed soon.
I have a local Indy who uses Subaru parts. Best of both worlds.

oop north

1,592 posts

127 months

Thursday 9th January 2014
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I just had new drop links and d bushes on the front of my Outback replaced - just under £200 including labour and VAT. Suspension now to being like new again.

Am toying with idea of swapping my diesel Outback for a 3.0 Outback or Spec B legacy estate at the moment - done 56k miles in 3.5 years and fancy a change

Mr Gearchange

5,892 posts

205 months

Thursday 9th January 2014
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I've gone to work in the Wife's Legacy Spec B estate this morning by virtue of the fact that I have to pick up two MTB's from the shop.

Its a very 'leggy' Leggy with 160K miles on the clock and has been used and abused as a family workhorse.

My everyday driver is an A8.

This morning I was sharply reminded just how good that knackered old car really is. I am going out for a blat at lunchtime for the sheer enjoyment of it.

Great car - buy one.

Stephanie Plum

2,776 posts

210 months

Thursday 9th January 2014
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Great cars - we're on our second sports tourer - started with a 3.0RN, put 100k on it in seven years, then swapped it for a spec B in may this year - 2009 with only 11k miles on it. Fast, reliable, invisible, roomy. Love mine. Just had a service - £500 including new brakes at the rear. Make sure you keep an eye on the oil as they can use a bit sometimes, and keep the service intervals on time, and they will run and run and run.