Contemplating an old impreza. need advice

[HonestIago]

ingrowtn said:

Maintenance is definately the key: I am not handy with spanners and currently run a 'W-plate' Turbo2000 I have owned for 20 months and 60,000 miles. Car is brilliant and totally reliable at 125k miles. Costs at local mechanic (Subaru trained): -

7 services @ £170 a time
Cambelt, water pump, new radiator and exhaust £1250
All 4 brake calipers replaced, pads and discs £1,000
4 decent make tyres £390 (due again before winter)
Pads & Discs two other times £400
Starter Motor £150

Later this year will be another cambelt change and I am expecting a clutch to need replacing some time next year as the miles increase.

Nothing particularly out of the ordinary. I like to keep the car in top mechanical order and am prepared to pay good money to keep it that way.

Rear panels rust treated £300, Wheels need refurb before winter.

That's huge mileage you're covering in it then! I only do 6-7k pa(although this may rise slightly)in my X-reg Turbo 2000 and that still seems to cost plenty!

[ingrowtn]

The car's there to be driven

[IvanSTi]

Wait a couple of years, been there and done it with expensive insurance (£1100 max in my case) and really wish I hadn't

[ingrowtn]

I'll now add to the list:
MAF sensor £240 (part only).

Can't believe it actually broke down - Subaru's don't break down!

[HonestIago]

ingrowtn said:

I'll now add to the list:
MAF sensor £240 (part only).

Can't believe it actually broke down - Subaru's don't break down!

£105 + VAT my local specialist charged me.

[IvanSTi]

Or save yourself £200 and get one from a breakers yard.

[ingrowtn]

£240 inc vat from Subaru. Personally I prefer new as opposed to second hand, that way if the new one turns out faulty I have redress. Hopefully it is something I can fit myself.

[Ennoch]

IvanSTi said:

Or save yourself £200 and get one from a breakers yard.

Given how sensitive the Impreza engines are to a correctly functioning MAF I would only go new from a reputable supplier. The car may well have ended up in the breakers because the engine went pop, which could well be down to the MAF. It's a false economy when you can get good new ones for just over £100.

[IvanSTi]

Of course if you bought from a reputable breakers, you've also got come back if it's faulty. MB Developments would be my first port of call. Up to you of course, your money your rules

[rb5er]

IvanSTi said:

Of course if you bought from a reputable breakers, you've also got come back if it's faulty. MB Developments would be my first port of call. Up to you of course, your money your rules

Will they replace your engine too if the maf kills it?

[IvanSTi]

How's the maf going to destroy an engine?

[rb5er]

From what I read it can be a big contributory factor of melted pistons.

Google it and plenty of threads pop up.

Are they wrong?

[IvanSTi]

In extreme cases. ie travelling on boost for mile after mile with a dodgy sensor. You should experience the same/similar symptoms with the replacement maf after install, rough idling etc.

You really think that a main stealer is going to replace your engine if the new maf they supply is faulty out the box? Very much doubt it.

Anyway, I'd agree to get a new sensor if it's not much more than one from a reputable breakers, I wouldn't be paying £200+ from a garage though.

[ohtari]

ingrowtn said:

£240 inc vat from Subaru. Personally I prefer new as opposed to second hand, that way if the new one turns out faulty I have redress. Hopefully it is something I can fit myself.

It's quite possibly the easiest thing to replace on the car, two star head screws and a single connector sitting beside the airbox.

[HonestIago]

ohtari said:

It's quite possibly the easiest thing to replace on the car, two star head screws and a single connector sitting beside the airbox.

When my specialist did mine he had to plug his laptop into the car and take it for a run, no idea what for or if this is necessary though?

[rb5er]

IvanSTi said:

You really think that a main stealer is going to replace your engine if the new maf they supply is faulty out the box? Very much doubt it.

I never said they would but its less likely to be knackered from brand new than it is from a scrap yard.

[IvanSTi]

HonestIago said:

ohtari said:

It's quite possibly the easiest thing to replace on the car, two star head screws and a single connector sitting beside the airbox.

When my specialist did mine he had to plug his laptop into the car and take it for a run, no idea what for or if this is necessary though?

To make it look like he knew what he was doing?

Nah, probably just checking to see that it was running OK and that it was just the faulty MAF and nothing more sinister. Not somethign that has to be done, but obviously helps to ease the mind.

rb5er said:

IvanSTi said:

You really think that a main stealer is going to replace your engine if the new maf they supply is faulty out the box? Very much doubt it.

I never said they would but its less likely to be knackered from brand new than it is from a scrap yard.

That is true but that's why I also said use a reputable place and named Matty for a reason, he's built his business around supplying parts (breakers) to the Subaru community.

[Ennoch]

IvanSTi said:

That is true but that's why I also said use a reputable place and named Matty for a reason, he's built his business around supplying parts (breakers) to the Subaru community.

I've bought stuff from Matty and would agree that he's good, but at the end of the day sensors are fairly fine electronic components which are a lot more difficult to confirm as faulty than a set of brakes, or some interior parts.

[ingrowtn]

I'll keep those details on file re: the subaru breaker chap - many thanks for the info.

My problem was it being 3:00pm in Hackney and on a Pelican crossing when it failed and the engine died. I still had a 300 mile journey home to do! Just wanted to get it sorted and really wasn't too bothered about the price at the time...

[mt fuji]

each to there own on new geniune or second hand parts , my 20 year old scoob is still going strong , my car is made up of parts by a company called blue print , not much different to the original jap parts and a little cheaper , and i have had no issues ! .