Subaru OEM tyres and misleading marketing
Discussion
Hi All
Just a heads up for anyone thinking of buying a new Subaru or similar "lifestyle" SUV (but not Land Rover).
I've just bought a new Subaru Outback and I am delighted with it apart from the fact that it came supplied with Summer Tyres. Having been registered for marketing with Subaru UK, and using social media, I had received a fair number of communiques all praising the excellent performance and safety of Subarus in Winter conditions. This, combined with a quick verbal check with the Salesman ("it's got all seasons?" "yeah - of course"), made me assume that it would come with Mud & Snow rated tyres (as per all Land Rover products I believe). Washing it a few days later I took a close look at the tyres - no M&S markings.
I contacted Subaru Customer Service to ask them to confirm if the OEM tyres were summer. Subaru UK did not know and had to ask Japan. I didn't bother going back to the dealer - I had nothing in writing and I should have been more careful during the buying process. I needed to chase Subaru UK but eventually they confirmed, summer OEMs.
Living in Scotland and being a bit outdoorsy, I needed either all-seasons or winters. I bought Bridgestone Blizzaks LM005s from MyTyres (never again - Black Circles are far better) and the car is now superb in snow and on ice.
I'm posting this because Subaru UK continues to pump out marketing either via e-mail or social media, claiming how good and safe their cars are on Snow and Ice, but with no disclaimer to say "on appropriate tyres". OK, I feel a bit stupid for not being more careful during the buying process, but I am annoyed at the continual "Subarus are great in Winter" marketing when they come with summer tyres as standard. Despite all wheel drive and dual X-Mode, on summers the car failed to get up a 2% slushy upslope on the OEMs. Subaru UK Customer Service tell me that they stand by the standard equipment in their vehicles and do not wish to talk to me or engage in further discussion
So buyer beware. Yes, I was a mug, but I'm sure others will buy their shiny new SUV convinced it is invincible on snow and discover it isn't!
cheers
Just a heads up for anyone thinking of buying a new Subaru or similar "lifestyle" SUV (but not Land Rover).
I've just bought a new Subaru Outback and I am delighted with it apart from the fact that it came supplied with Summer Tyres. Having been registered for marketing with Subaru UK, and using social media, I had received a fair number of communiques all praising the excellent performance and safety of Subarus in Winter conditions. This, combined with a quick verbal check with the Salesman ("it's got all seasons?" "yeah - of course"), made me assume that it would come with Mud & Snow rated tyres (as per all Land Rover products I believe). Washing it a few days later I took a close look at the tyres - no M&S markings.
I contacted Subaru Customer Service to ask them to confirm if the OEM tyres were summer. Subaru UK did not know and had to ask Japan. I didn't bother going back to the dealer - I had nothing in writing and I should have been more careful during the buying process. I needed to chase Subaru UK but eventually they confirmed, summer OEMs.
Living in Scotland and being a bit outdoorsy, I needed either all-seasons or winters. I bought Bridgestone Blizzaks LM005s from MyTyres (never again - Black Circles are far better) and the car is now superb in snow and on ice.
I'm posting this because Subaru UK continues to pump out marketing either via e-mail or social media, claiming how good and safe their cars are on Snow and Ice, but with no disclaimer to say "on appropriate tyres". OK, I feel a bit stupid for not being more careful during the buying process, but I am annoyed at the continual "Subarus are great in Winter" marketing when they come with summer tyres as standard. Despite all wheel drive and dual X-Mode, on summers the car failed to get up a 2% slushy upslope on the OEMs. Subaru UK Customer Service tell me that they stand by the standard equipment in their vehicles and do not wish to talk to me or engage in further discussion
So buyer beware. Yes, I was a mug, but I'm sure others will buy their shiny new SUV convinced it is invincible on snow and discover it isn't!
cheers
I agree!
I bought a Forester new in 2009 as I liked the idea of permanent AWD.
The Yokohama tyres were definitely not all season, they were very hard rubber (did 50k odd and still on the original when sold) but grip was terrible. Locked up all 4 wheels coming down slope in the snow braking as gently as possible, could also get the 'back end out' on a wet roundabout rather too easily!
I bought a Forester new in 2009 as I liked the idea of permanent AWD.
The Yokohama tyres were definitely not all season, they were very hard rubber (did 50k odd and still on the original when sold) but grip was terrible. Locked up all 4 wheels coming down slope in the snow braking as gently as possible, could also get the 'back end out' on a wet roundabout rather too easily!
Sheepshanks said:
You could complain to the ASA about that.
That is next week, today was being arsy on Social meeja! Photo was taken towards Mar Lodge, a mile or so outside Braemar. Pretty sure there is both Broadband and Amazon!
Saw the yokohamas 50k comment too. I think OEM tyres are optimised for fuel economy so that mpg and emissions look good for EU Regs....
"Subaru UK Customer Service tell me that they stand by the standard equipment in their vehicles and do not wish to talk to me or engage in further discussion"
That's a poor customer relations attitude!
Push the dealer to change them? The sales man gave you an assurance that it came with all seasons.
That's a poor customer relations attitude!
Push the dealer to change them? The sales man gave you an assurance that it came with all seasons.
Bobupndown said:
"Subaru UK Customer Service tell me that they stand by the standard equipment in their vehicles and do not wish to talk to me or engage in further discussion"
That's a poor customer relations attitude!
Push the dealer to change them? The sales man gave you an assurance that it came with all seasons.
Agreed, if the salesman told you it came with all season tyres and this was a big part of your buying decision then I would be back there politely but firmly asking for all season tyres to be fitted FOC. That's a poor customer relations attitude!
Push the dealer to change them? The sales man gave you an assurance that it came with all seasons.
I think the only real issue you have is that the salesman lied - I don't think Subaru have done anything wrong.
Every new car, including LR products, come with tyres that are borderline hopeless on snow. A neighbour got his new Range Rover stuck on a road that our old Accord Tourer had driven up on winters half an hour beforehand. Even the Bridgestone Dualler "all terrains" that came on my farmer spec Hilux are little more than summer road tyres.
Blame the EU regs and the desire to squeeze the CO2 emissions as low as it's possible to get even if it makes the car demonstrably worse.
Great looking car btw, would be interested in an owners review if you can be bothered.
Every new car, including LR products, come with tyres that are borderline hopeless on snow. A neighbour got his new Range Rover stuck on a road that our old Accord Tourer had driven up on winters half an hour beforehand. Even the Bridgestone Dualler "all terrains" that came on my farmer spec Hilux are little more than summer road tyres.
Blame the EU regs and the desire to squeeze the CO2 emissions as low as it's possible to get even if it makes the car demonstrably worse.
Great looking car btw, would be interested in an owners review if you can be bothered.
Given that it was a verbal "it's got all seasons" I doubt I'd get anywhere with the dealer my word against his. It wasn't my local dealer as he had the spec I wanted in stock. I won't be using them for any servicing, so I've just chalked it up to experience...
Other than the OEM tyres, the car is very good. 2000 miles driven and everything works perfectly. I am very pleased and once I have got my tyre hissy fit through my system I am sure I will be delighted with ownership. The plan is to keep it long term (I usually keep cars 10 yrs+) and I see no reason why it will go.
PROS:
Very comfy, safe, relaxing long distance load hauler. 800 mile UK motorway jaunt was a delight once I'd twigged the adaptive cruise and steering assistance. 40 mpg. 500 mile Scottish Highlands jaunt, 4 people plus dog and roof box, luggage etc. 32-35 mpg. Very safe and reasonable fun on A & B roads but not really a sporty estate - rides very smoothly over broken single track roads.
Snow and ice exped, nae probs- got places others couldn't (with winter tyres!!!!). X-mode hill descent got me down an icy hill with no dramas unlike others who were sliding uncontrolled.
Lots of gucci electronics, like the portrait touchscreen, apple car play and android auto. Real buttons for heating and ventilation. Car menu is reasonably intuitive.
CVT dumps instant torque for overtakes and I actually like the sound the engine makes at high revs.
Visibility for driver and passengers. Rear passengers are raised up and their vis is very good. Family love the car to travel in.
Looks. Call me sad but the rugged image is quite cool IMHO and it looked really smart parked next to a new shape Defender which was probably a £60-£80k car (vs £40k for the Outback). I'd say the Outback is 90% of the Defender's capability for almost half the price. With Subaru reliability...
CONS:
Fuel economy is not what my old diesel Legacy was, nor what a VAG or Volvo hybrid would be.
It isn't very powerful. The CVT helps but it is a NA 2.5 flat four with 170hp lugging a big jacked up estate. If j was in the US or Oz I'd go for the 240hp 2.4 turbo.....(and 25 mpg!)
Steering is a bit unrewarding. It is no BRZ or fun hydraulic set up, my old 2005 Forester was far more fun to punt along.
Overall, love it. And no one else buys them so I feel very unique. But then I've always been quirky with Saabs, Subarus, rather than the arguably more accomplished and commonplace BMW/Audi/Volvo/Land Rover. It isn't bling and doesn't shout "powerfully built company director", but suits my subversive mild mannered slim public servant and wannabe Ray Mears persona...
Other than the OEM tyres, the car is very good. 2000 miles driven and everything works perfectly. I am very pleased and once I have got my tyre hissy fit through my system I am sure I will be delighted with ownership. The plan is to keep it long term (I usually keep cars 10 yrs+) and I see no reason why it will go.
PROS:
Very comfy, safe, relaxing long distance load hauler. 800 mile UK motorway jaunt was a delight once I'd twigged the adaptive cruise and steering assistance. 40 mpg. 500 mile Scottish Highlands jaunt, 4 people plus dog and roof box, luggage etc. 32-35 mpg. Very safe and reasonable fun on A & B roads but not really a sporty estate - rides very smoothly over broken single track roads.
Snow and ice exped, nae probs- got places others couldn't (with winter tyres!!!!). X-mode hill descent got me down an icy hill with no dramas unlike others who were sliding uncontrolled.
Lots of gucci electronics, like the portrait touchscreen, apple car play and android auto. Real buttons for heating and ventilation. Car menu is reasonably intuitive.
CVT dumps instant torque for overtakes and I actually like the sound the engine makes at high revs.
Visibility for driver and passengers. Rear passengers are raised up and their vis is very good. Family love the car to travel in.
Looks. Call me sad but the rugged image is quite cool IMHO and it looked really smart parked next to a new shape Defender which was probably a £60-£80k car (vs £40k for the Outback). I'd say the Outback is 90% of the Defender's capability for almost half the price. With Subaru reliability...
CONS:
Fuel economy is not what my old diesel Legacy was, nor what a VAG or Volvo hybrid would be.
It isn't very powerful. The CVT helps but it is a NA 2.5 flat four with 170hp lugging a big jacked up estate. If j was in the US or Oz I'd go for the 240hp 2.4 turbo.....(and 25 mpg!)
Steering is a bit unrewarding. It is no BRZ or fun hydraulic set up, my old 2005 Forester was far more fun to punt along.
Overall, love it. And no one else buys them so I feel very unique. But then I've always been quirky with Saabs, Subarus, rather than the arguably more accomplished and commonplace BMW/Audi/Volvo/Land Rover. It isn't bling and doesn't shout "powerfully built company director", but suits my subversive mild mannered slim public servant and wannabe Ray Mears persona...
Thats a great looking car, not actually seen that shape out on the road yet.
Always fancied an Outback, I'm actually surprised Subaru still sell cars in the UK, they only shifted 1,391 cars last year down 33% from the year before. Expect they will go the way of Mitsubishi in the near future. Even Ssangyong managed over 1,500.
Always fancied an Outback, I'm actually surprised Subaru still sell cars in the UK, they only shifted 1,391 cars last year down 33% from the year before. Expect they will go the way of Mitsubishi in the near future. Even Ssangyong managed over 1,500.
As an ex legacy owner I’m a big fan of subaru estates.
I even looked at one like yours for my company car but the bik was extreme to say the least.
I think they would be brilliant as a PHEV. Electric for short journeys where I assume you’re getting low 20s mpg and instant torque for off road.
The 2.5 and cvt isn’t horrible on fuel when sat at a steady pace.
My legacy had winter tyres. I’ve ever been so confident driving a car in snow or biblical rain storms. Just felt solid.
If I could only have one car to do everything it would be a subaru outback like yours.
I even looked at one like yours for my company car but the bik was extreme to say the least.
I think they would be brilliant as a PHEV. Electric for short journeys where I assume you’re getting low 20s mpg and instant torque for off road.
The 2.5 and cvt isn’t horrible on fuel when sat at a steady pace.
My legacy had winter tyres. I’ve ever been so confident driving a car in snow or biblical rain storms. Just felt solid.
If I could only have one car to do everything it would be a subaru outback like yours.
OEM tyres were Bridgestone Alenzas. On my first long trip after purchase they were really good on gritted A Roads and Motorways, +5-+12 deg ambient temp, 40+ mpg and really quiet at 70,80 mph.
s
te in snow and on ice. Not sold in UK so OEM from Japan only. I won't be going off road so come the warmer weather they will be really good.
It is a shame you can get the Forester as a mild hybrid but not the Outback. If it had a 30-40bhp electric boost it would make it really good, but the Forester e-boxer is a 2.0 not the 2.5. The emissions stop Subaru selling the 2.4 turbo....meh!
Photo of another angle for the Scooby lovers!
s
te in snow and on ice. Not sold in UK so OEM from Japan only. I won't be going off road so come the warmer weather they will be really good. It is a shame you can get the Forester as a mild hybrid but not the Outback. If it had a 30-40bhp electric boost it would make it really good, but the Forester e-boxer is a 2.0 not the 2.5. The emissions stop Subaru selling the 2.4 turbo....meh!
Photo of another angle for the Scooby lovers!
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