Subaru Boxer Diesel - anyone got one?
Discussion
Right.
Off the back of the dull cars thread, I started thinking about Subaru's boxer diesels, particularly the Legacy estate. I know it's just another diesel estate, but it's something a little bit clever and different. I had an Outback as a hire car last year, and while the NA petrol engine was dire, I loved the interior and general build quality of the Subaru.
Search hasn't turned up much that's useful, only this and this, which hasn't been revisited with any views on how the engine is shaping up.
So... Has anyone else got one? How do they drive? How's the reliability? Economy?
Thanks
Off the back of the dull cars thread, I started thinking about Subaru's boxer diesels, particularly the Legacy estate. I know it's just another diesel estate, but it's something a little bit clever and different. I had an Outback as a hire car last year, and while the NA petrol engine was dire, I loved the interior and general build quality of the Subaru.
Search hasn't turned up much that's useful, only this and this, which hasn't been revisited with any views on how the engine is shaping up.
So... Has anyone else got one? How do they drive? How's the reliability? Economy?
Thanks
I had an impreza diesel courtesy car when my sti was in for servicing. I don't like turbo diesels at the best of times, but the boxer diesel is seriously wierd. It doesn't have the low down torque you expect of a diesel. It feels very odd and sounds awful and it's slow and heavy and not the most economical diesel engine out there either. All in all a boxer diesel is an odd concept.
HellDiver said:
Sorry, you "loved" the build quality of a Subaru?!? They're as well built as a Mitsubishi, which is around the Montego/Sierra sort of level.
My, what an unhelpful post!OP, have you read: http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/subaru/legacy...
HellDiver said:
Sorry, you "loved" the build quality of a Subaru?!? They're as well built as a Mitsubishi, which is around the Montego/Sierra sort of level.
Hardly! We have a 2007 Outback, its better built than my Audi A6 of the same year, but in terms of conveniece features the attention to detail is not as good.We tried the diesel but went for the 3.0 H6 petrol engine. Its a very nice smooth engine, not the worlds fastest 3.0 but not bad. The 2.5 petrol engine was horrid!
blueg33 said:
We tried the diesel but went for the 3.0 H6 petrol engine. Its a very nice smooth engine, not the worlds fastest 3.0 but not bad. The 2.5 petrol engine was horrid!
Seriously considering a Legacy as a future 'family car' (ideally an estate) - more individual than the BMW/Audi obvious-choices but still supposed to handle well and be built well. Trouble is there aren't many around.So:-
- What's wrong with the 2.5?
- What sort of economy and performance do you get out of the 3.0?
- Is the auto-box an old-school slow-motion slushmatic or a semi-decent modern type? I don't like autos but I may have little choice given the lack of cars in the small-ads.
havoc said:
blueg33 said:
We tried the diesel but went for the 3.0 H6 petrol engine. Its a very nice smooth engine, not the worlds fastest 3.0 but not bad. The 2.5 petrol engine was horrid!
Seriously considering a Legacy as a future 'family car' (ideally an estate) - more individual than the BMW/Audi obvious-choices but still supposed to handle well and be built well. Trouble is there aren't many around.So:-
- What's wrong with the 2.5?
- What sort of economy and performance do you get out of the 3.0?
- Is the auto-box an old-school slow-motion slushmatic or a semi-decent modern type? I don't like autos but I may have little choice given the lack of cars in the small-ads.
3.0 Performance is ok, not quite as fast as my Audi A6 3.0tdi, but very smooth. My wife calls the car her limo. Ride on the outback is smooth owing to the extra ground clearance. Fuel economy is a "take a deep breath" moment. Mrs Blue drives rural lanes to and from school, gym, etc all day and averages 24 mpg. On a run its nearer 30mpg. I looked at the price differential with a nearly new diesel and felt that petrol was a similar cost to the extra premium for a diesel car and had better performance (Mrs Blue came out of a Seat Leon Cupra so wanted some performance). Road tax is on the high side at £425
The auto box is good, sort of traditional slushmatic in normal mode, but with sport mode for later gear changes or sequential for the keen, so I would guess you would call it the more modern type in the 3.0 at least, I can't remember on the 2.5.
The sat nav is excellent Audi could learn alot from that, build quality as I said before is very good, servicing every 10k miles with 3 levels of service. 3.0 has a chain not cam belts. Reliability index from the car warranty companies shows the outback in the top 7 and subaru in the top 17. Audi is in the bottom 10!
parapaul said:
Right.
Off the back of the dull cars thread, I started thinking about Subaru's boxer diesels, particularly the Legacy estate. I know it's just another diesel estate, but it's something a little bit clever and different. I had an Outback as a hire car last year, and while the NA petrol engine was dire, I loved the interior and general build quality of the Subaru.
Search hasn't turned up much that's useful, only this and this, which hasn't been revisited with any views on how the engine is shaping up.
So... Has anyone else got one? How do they drive? How's the reliability? Economy?
Thanks
Afraid I don't know much about the diesel. I like the Legacy and the AWd ability.Off the back of the dull cars thread, I started thinking about Subaru's boxer diesels, particularly the Legacy estate. I know it's just another diesel estate, but it's something a little bit clever and different. I had an Outback as a hire car last year, and while the NA petrol engine was dire, I loved the interior and general build quality of the Subaru.
Search hasn't turned up much that's useful, only this and this, which hasn't been revisited with any views on how the engine is shaping up.
So... Has anyone else got one? How do they drive? How's the reliability? Economy?
Thanks
I've also heard mixed comments on the diesel. Some very good and others saying they don't get it.
Wouldn't mind having a go in one though to see.
Bill Carr said:
OP, have you read: http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/subaru/legacy...
Thanks reading it now.HellDiver said:
Sorry, you "loved" the build quality of a Subaru?!? They're as well built as a Mitsubishi, which is around the Montego/Sierra sort of level.
Actually, yes, I did. Admittedly I didn't take it apart, but from a 'sitting in the driving seat' POV, it was a much nicer place to be than say, a BMW 3 series. Syndrome said:
I had an impreza diesel courtesy car when my sti was in for servicing. I don't like turbo diesels at the best of times, but the boxer diesel is seriously wierd. It doesn't have the low down torque you expect of a diesel. It feels very odd and sounds awful and it's slow and heavy and not the most economical diesel engine out there either. All in all a boxer diesel is an odd concept.
Thank you 
that's the sort of reply I was hoping for. havoc said:
Seriously considering a Legacy as a future 'family car' (ideally an estate) - more individual than the BMW/Audi obvious-choices but still supposed to handle well and be built well. Trouble is there aren't many around.
So:-
- What's wrong with the 2.5?
- What sort of economy and performance do you get out of the 3.0?
- Is the auto-box an old-school slow-motion slushmatic or a semi-decent modern type? I don't like autos but I may have little choice given the lack of cars in the small-ads.
The 2.5 felt completely underpowered for the size and weight of the Outback - it had no grunt at all. So:-
- What's wrong with the 2.5?
- What sort of economy and performance do you get out of the 3.0?
- Is the auto-box an old-school slow-motion slushmatic or a semi-decent modern type? I don't like autos but I may have little choice given the lack of cars in the small-ads.
The auto box was IMO ok. Options of standard, sport or tiptronic. For commuting in heavy traffic it might be alright, but combined with the naff engine it ruled out any kind of spirited driving at all.
I've got a 2.5 manual (saloon), which is a damn good car. It "feels" much quicker than the auto version. Fuel consumption is ok, i get low 30's on my 15 mile commute to work, on longer journeys mid to high 30's.
The interior is a huge leap forward from previous Legacies, leather , aircon, electric everything, heated seats etc. Handling and roadholding is superb, the engine has real character. I came to the Legacy from a BMW 3 series and don't regret it one bit.
Regards build quality i think you will find Subaru are typically Japanese, and easily trump the Germans in terms of reliability.
The interior is a huge leap forward from previous Legacies, leather , aircon, electric everything, heated seats etc. Handling and roadholding is superb, the engine has real character. I came to the Legacy from a BMW 3 series and don't regret it one bit.
Regards build quality i think you will find Subaru are typically Japanese, and easily trump the Germans in terms of reliability.
I've got a 2.5 Manual Outback - brilliant car for the money. I can't understand where the build quality comment above came from (probably from someone who's never owned one but feels 'qualified' to offer an opinion). Superb load lugger and the winter weather didn't phase it one bit (dual range box).
The 2.5 needs some revs to get the most out of it. I get avg. of about 35mpg from it. Would love the diesel, but they'd only just appeared when I bought and they were all aorund 20k.
The 2.5 needs some revs to get the most out of it. I get avg. of about 35mpg from it. Would love the diesel, but they'd only just appeared when I bought and they were all aorund 20k.
Had a 55plate 3.0 spec b tourer for a week now and it's tremendous. Build quality is excellent, easily as good as the new shape Audi A6 it replaced. Nice interior with heated electric leather interior, climate, satnav and plenty of room for the family and dog. Doors close with a satisfying clunk and of course are frameless!
This is our third Subaru and I see no reason why reliability should be a problem given the previous two were bombproof over 100 000 hard miles each unlike the total nightmare we had with the A6 over 2 years and only 40000 miles. Wish we bought one of these instead now but thought we would have a change from Subaru after 10 years, big mistake!
Averaging 23mpg driven on b roads most of the time pretty hard and has plenty enough power at 245bhp. 4wd will be useful next winter in our rural location too.
Can't say about the diesel engine, no experience I'm afraid but I've heard pretty good things about them.
Paid £10k at main dealer with warranty for an immaculate 38k mile car which whilst not the cheapest was still I feel a veritable bargain!
Overall I'd recommend it highly.
This is our third Subaru and I see no reason why reliability should be a problem given the previous two were bombproof over 100 000 hard miles each unlike the total nightmare we had with the A6 over 2 years and only 40000 miles. Wish we bought one of these instead now but thought we would have a change from Subaru after 10 years, big mistake!
Averaging 23mpg driven on b roads most of the time pretty hard and has plenty enough power at 245bhp. 4wd will be useful next winter in our rural location too.
Can't say about the diesel engine, no experience I'm afraid but I've heard pretty good things about them.
Paid £10k at main dealer with warranty for an immaculate 38k mile car which whilst not the cheapest was still I feel a veritable bargain!
Overall I'd recommend it highly.
Now on my second Liberty, a six-year-old, to go with a Forester - no probs with Subaru build quality or reliability. Got another 2.5 manual - fuel economy around 28-34mpg, engine might need a bit of push to 'make progress' but its smooth and revs easily. Auto box is rubbish, though, goes hunting and saps performance.
Was looking for a 3-series or A4 or other, but for the money I had, nothing seemed to be in as good nick as the Liberty.
Not seen too many diesels around to comment on those, and have yet to drive the new Liberty, but I'd recommend a 03-09 Subaru for reliability and build quality.
Was looking for a 3-series or A4 or other, but for the money I had, nothing seemed to be in as good nick as the Liberty.
Not seen too many diesels around to comment on those, and have yet to drive the new Liberty, but I'd recommend a 03-09 Subaru for reliability and build quality.
Another vote for the Legacy Outback H6 3.0.
Lovely smooth flat 6 engine, plenty of power for Motorway cruising, fingertip power steering in town. Loads of useable load space; nice high(ish) driving position. Full time AWD, and very good brakes. The Mrs rejected Mercs, BMW, Saab and Volvo for the Subaru; she said it was the best looking and liked the super-smooth ride, and she said it felt the most bolted together. I think it is a good looking, timeless classic estate shape that will not date quickly, and the frameless doors are quite cool too. What's not to like?...
Lovely smooth flat 6 engine, plenty of power for Motorway cruising, fingertip power steering in town. Loads of useable load space; nice high(ish) driving position. Full time AWD, and very good brakes. The Mrs rejected Mercs, BMW, Saab and Volvo for the Subaru; she said it was the best looking and liked the super-smooth ride, and she said it felt the most bolted together. I think it is a good looking, timeless classic estate shape that will not date quickly, and the frameless doors are quite cool too. What's not to like?...
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