Looking at a RS Mk2...
Discussion
hey guys
looking at either a RS Mk 2 or a Impreza Sti Hatch (2008) and cant decide yet as they are both quite different hatches!
I wanted to know in terms of faults what does the RS have? If i go for a higher mileage one am i risking anything? The Sti has engine issues that could mean a full rebuild so first thing id have to do when i bought it is reforge for around £3K to get piece of mind.
Though the Sti is cheaper to buy, add in the reforge and your looking at similar money for a RS.
Out of interest what does the RS actually transact at these days? I see most hover at 20k but I see a fair few go on forums for as low as 16, and probably average of 18, this puts them in the same range as the impreza inc forge costs so im a little unsure what to go for.
I guess it will come down to driving them but I wanted some more info on running and owning the RS so see if anything came up to help decide like the engine issues did woth the Sti
Cheers guys!
looking at either a RS Mk 2 or a Impreza Sti Hatch (2008) and cant decide yet as they are both quite different hatches!
I wanted to know in terms of faults what does the RS have? If i go for a higher mileage one am i risking anything? The Sti has engine issues that could mean a full rebuild so first thing id have to do when i bought it is reforge for around £3K to get piece of mind.
Though the Sti is cheaper to buy, add in the reforge and your looking at similar money for a RS.
Out of interest what does the RS actually transact at these days? I see most hover at 20k but I see a fair few go on forums for as low as 16, and probably average of 18, this puts them in the same range as the impreza inc forge costs so im a little unsure what to go for.
I guess it will come down to driving them but I wanted some more info on running and owning the RS so see if anything came up to help decide like the engine issues did woth the Sti
Cheers guys!
If the little brother of the RS is anything to go by, plus lots of experience of Volvo owners as well, as long as you don't get a wrong 'un & don't try and turn it up to 12, 13 or more, you won't have engine issues with the RS.
Don't go daft & it is a tough old lump of iron. You can get well into six figures without issue - One ex ST owner on here did 125k in 2 years without thinking and I'm into six figures over a longer timeframe and have had no problems of note. Grand total spend on the drivetrain in that time = £40 and I still haven't cracked open the litre of oil I bought when I got the car. In my simple mind that generally bodes well.
On the Volvo front, I've no doubt there are owners with double or more again, and given the RS had uprated pistons (which IIRC was the one issue if you wound the ST up too far), plus is a relatively recent thing, I doubt you'll be buying one without a good life left in it.
I guess stuff like the fuel consumption could be raised, but if you're alternative is a Scooby, that can't be an issue
.
Someone will no doubt be along soon enough with an RS in the garage to confirm & give some more specific experience, inc around FWD handling with 300+ and the like.
Don't go daft & it is a tough old lump of iron. You can get well into six figures without issue - One ex ST owner on here did 125k in 2 years without thinking and I'm into six figures over a longer timeframe and have had no problems of note. Grand total spend on the drivetrain in that time = £40 and I still haven't cracked open the litre of oil I bought when I got the car. In my simple mind that generally bodes well.
On the Volvo front, I've no doubt there are owners with double or more again, and given the RS had uprated pistons (which IIRC was the one issue if you wound the ST up too far), plus is a relatively recent thing, I doubt you'll be buying one without a good life left in it.
I guess stuff like the fuel consumption could be raised, but if you're alternative is a Scooby, that can't be an issue
.Someone will no doubt be along soon enough with an RS in the garage to confirm & give some more specific experience, inc around FWD handling with 300+ and the like.
thanks yea, if im buying used and out of warranty i want something that isnt going to cost me the world if it goes wrong, the subaru cant guarantee that with its engine problems and so will require the 3K for a reforge as soon as i buy and even that that wont guarantee that the damage isnt already done.
yea i think i have chosen the RS over an impreza due to reliability.
Are there no other known issues?
All ive read is washers coming off at high speeds (easy fix) and paint chips and creaky spoilers, all minimal and easy fix compared to engine rebuilds.
I would just be running it standard with a new exhaust for a while until i had enough saved for 350bhp
Are there no other known issues?
All ive read is washers coming off at high speeds (easy fix) and paint chips and creaky spoilers, all minimal and easy fix compared to engine rebuilds.
I would just be running it standard with a new exhaust for a while until i had enough saved for 350bhp
Heres a fairly comprehensive list of known problems & things to look out for,
Loose washer jet covers (easily fixed)
Alloy wheel damage (kerbing)
Tracking (inside edges wearing)
Loose front towing eye cover (lost one, easy fix)
Rattling rear spoiler (easy fix)
Corroded wheel / locking wheel nuts
Clunking rear pads (normal, nothing to worry about)
Rusty / poorly painted rear arches
Colour match on bumpers (UG)
Stonechips (front bumper, bonnet, sills)
Creaking door sills
Window rattles
Sat nav manual missing
Rear parking camera failure
Bluetooth connection problems
Rattling stereo remote switches
Radio surround rattle
Postcode input problems (depending on 2008/2010 disc)
A/C not filled from factory correctly
A/C leaks
These are known problems from owners on the focusrsoc.com forum, in reality, a looked after car will only have 2 or 3 problems, mainly stonechips, kerbed wheels, inside tyre wear, usual stuff, hope that helps!
Loose washer jet covers (easily fixed)
Alloy wheel damage (kerbing)
Tracking (inside edges wearing)
Loose front towing eye cover (lost one, easy fix)
Rattling rear spoiler (easy fix)
Corroded wheel / locking wheel nuts
Clunking rear pads (normal, nothing to worry about)
Rusty / poorly painted rear arches
Colour match on bumpers (UG)
Stonechips (front bumper, bonnet, sills)
Creaking door sills
Window rattles
Sat nav manual missing
Rear parking camera failure
Bluetooth connection problems
Rattling stereo remote switches
Radio surround rattle
Postcode input problems (depending on 2008/2010 disc)
A/C not filled from factory correctly
A/C leaks
These are known problems from owners on the focusrsoc.com forum, in reality, a looked after car will only have 2 or 3 problems, mainly stonechips, kerbed wheels, inside tyre wear, usual stuff, hope that helps!
Gareth350 said:
Heres a fairly comprehensive list of known problems & things to look out for,
Loose washer jet covers (easily fixed)
Alloy wheel damage (kerbing)
Tracking (inside edges wearing)
Loose front towing eye cover (lost one, easy fix)
Rattling rear spoiler (easy fix)
Corroded wheel / locking wheel nuts
Clunking rear pads (normal, nothing to worry about)
Rusty / poorly painted rear arches
Colour match on bumpers (UG)
Stonechips (front bumper, bonnet, sills)
Creaking door sills
Window rattles
Sat nav manual missing
Rear parking camera failure
Bluetooth connection problems
Rattling stereo remote switches
Radio surround rattle
Postcode input problems (depending on 2008/2010 disc)
A/C not filled from factory correctly
A/C leaks
These are known problems from owners on the focusrsoc.com forum, in reality, a looked after car will only have 2 or 3 problems, mainly stonechips, kerbed wheels, inside tyre wear, usual stuff, hope that helps!
very helpful thanks, so no engine repair horror stories? seems all these can be fixed for under £500ish sayLoose washer jet covers (easily fixed)
Alloy wheel damage (kerbing)
Tracking (inside edges wearing)
Loose front towing eye cover (lost one, easy fix)
Rattling rear spoiler (easy fix)
Corroded wheel / locking wheel nuts
Clunking rear pads (normal, nothing to worry about)
Rusty / poorly painted rear arches
Colour match on bumpers (UG)
Stonechips (front bumper, bonnet, sills)
Creaking door sills
Window rattles
Sat nav manual missing
Rear parking camera failure
Bluetooth connection problems
Rattling stereo remote switches
Radio surround rattle
Postcode input problems (depending on 2008/2010 disc)
A/C not filled from factory correctly
A/C leaks
These are known problems from owners on the focusrsoc.com forum, in reality, a looked after car will only have 2 or 3 problems, mainly stonechips, kerbed wheels, inside tyre wear, usual stuff, hope that helps!
Not many engine problems on standard engines, only weak points are the plastic inlet manifold / plenum, 1 or 2 failures, def upgrade if tuning for peace of mind & snow shield on early cars could colapse, new reinforced ones are available or simply remove completely!
In summing up, very safe up to 380 bhp, above that, gets expensive & needs money spent on upgrades, mines an early car & standard, no engine problems at all!
In summing up, very safe up to 380 bhp, above that, gets expensive & needs money spent on upgrades, mines an early car & standard, no engine problems at all!
Edited by Gareth350 on Sunday 17th June 22:46
Gareth350 said:
Not many engine problems on standard engines, only weak points are the plastic inlet manifold / plenum, 1 or 2 failures, def upgrade if tuning for peace of mind & snow shield on early cars could colapse, new reinforced ones are available or simply remove completely!
In summing up, very safe up to 380 bhp, above that, gets expensive & needs money spent on upgrades, mines an early car & standard, no engine problems at all!
i plan on buying standard and keeping standard, 350 tops (due to insurance costs for a 22 year old)In summing up, very safe up to 380 bhp, above that, gets expensive & needs money spent on upgrades, mines an early car & standard, no engine problems at all!
Edited by Gareth350 on Sunday 17th June 22:46
I just want reliability as i will have to stretch to get the car so cant shell out for expensive repairs. probably looking at a 30-40k mileage version then driving it until the far side of 25 so 4-5 years.
infernouk said:
i plan on buying standard and keeping standard, 350 tops (due to insurance costs for a 22 year old)
I just want reliability as i will have to stretch to get the car so cant shell out for expensive repairs. probably looking at a 30-40k mileage version then driving it until the far side of 25 so 4-5 years.
In that case you'll have no problems buddy! I just want reliability as i will have to stretch to get the car so cant shell out for expensive repairs. probably looking at a 30-40k mileage version then driving it until the far side of 25 so 4-5 years.
One of our members had a tuned car, approx 380 bhp, & run it to 75k miles before he sold it & had NO problems with it whatsoever!
Gareth350 said:
In that case you'll have no problems buddy!
One of our members had a tuned car, approx 380 bhp, & run it to 75k miles before he sold it & had NO problems with it whatsoever!
sounds perfect, I think i only want a Lux 1 car as I like to fit my own head unit and sound systems so hopefully that keeps the purchase costs down! One of our members had a tuned car, approx 380 bhp, & run it to 75k miles before he sold it & had NO problems with it whatsoever!
Vladikar said:
no issues at all? how is it in terms of torque steer? Most powerful car ive driven is only a 210bhp corsa VXR nurburg, which has the limited slip diff but still torque steered a fair bit (even had wheel spin through 2nd gear) Hi,
There is torque steer, but first gear is limited which reduces it and it really isn't an issue. On damp roads it does tend to axle tramp- but a sympathetic right foot will help. It's second and third gears which are the real hoot. Had mine three years and the only thing thats gone wrong is the reversing camera- which is a bit of a gimmick anyway.
Without doubt the best car I've ever had and I can't recommend it highly enough- fantastic performance and handling but it's still a 3 door 4 seater hatchback with relatively low service costs. Should hold value well too once the current glut has been shifted and the secondhand market becomes a little less saturated.
Good luck
Neil
There is torque steer, but first gear is limited which reduces it and it really isn't an issue. On damp roads it does tend to axle tramp- but a sympathetic right foot will help. It's second and third gears which are the real hoot. Had mine three years and the only thing thats gone wrong is the reversing camera- which is a bit of a gimmick anyway.
Without doubt the best car I've ever had and I can't recommend it highly enough- fantastic performance and handling but it's still a 3 door 4 seater hatchback with relatively low service costs. Should hold value well too once the current glut has been shifted and the secondhand market becomes a little less saturated.
Good luck
Neil
gixxerboy said:
Hi,
There is torque steer, but first gear is limited which reduces it and it really isn't an issue. On damp roads it does tend to axle tramp- but a sympathetic right foot will help. It's second and third gears which are the real hoot. Had mine three years and the only thing thats gone wrong is the reversing camera- which is a bit of a gimmick anyway.
Without doubt the best car I've ever had and I can't recommend it highly enough- fantastic performance and handling but it's still a 3 door 4 seater hatchback with relatively low service costs. Should hold value well too once the current glut has been shifted and the secondhand market becomes a little less saturated.
Good luck
Neil
yea it could be as long as 12 month until i actually put the money down, starting research early. I only want lux 1 as i rip out all the ICE to put in my own gear so just need the none radio features of lux 1 really.There is torque steer, but first gear is limited which reduces it and it really isn't an issue. On damp roads it does tend to axle tramp- but a sympathetic right foot will help. It's second and third gears which are the real hoot. Had mine three years and the only thing thats gone wrong is the reversing camera- which is a bit of a gimmick anyway.
Without doubt the best car I've ever had and I can't recommend it highly enough- fantastic performance and handling but it's still a 3 door 4 seater hatchback with relatively low service costs. Should hold value well too once the current glut has been shifted and the secondhand market becomes a little less saturated.
Good luck
Neil
In the wet / damp i cant see my going crazy so thats not much of an issue. I just need it do get me around in poor weather and when its nice out for it to make loud noise and go fast!
number 1 on my list is mechanical reliability. I will have to stretch financially to get hold of a decent model and so cant risk shelling out more for maintenance right away, the sti i was looking at has potential engine explosions hence why i ruled that out!
I just want to be paying for fuel and then tyres and servicing when thats all due. no surprises!
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