Subaru Legacy 3.0 R and 3.0R Type B

[edition]

Hi,

I've seen a 3.0r that I quite fancy but not sure the difference between this and a type b. is it worth holding out for a type b?

Are the exhaust Y pipes repairable?

Thanks in advance!

[GC8]

When the model name was originally introduced it implied better suspension. Whether this is still the case I cant say.

[sawman]

have you been over to uklegacy.com

someone there is bound to be able to answer any queries you might have. My understanding is that the spec B had suspension tweeks, and might have only come with manual transmission

[Prizam]

Hold out for the R Spec B. Its a prodrive car essentially. (I had one)

[PGM]

Spec B is worth having, better suspension, gearbox etc, had ours for 4 years and 60000 miles and impeccably reliable.

I had a new y pipe made and fitted at a local fabricator in stainless for £300, repair would have been impossible I think.

[edition]

Thanks for the replies. I quite liked the look of this one as it's good service history with it....

It's got near 100k on it and it's an auto, felt really nice to drive. I'm just wondering if it would turn into a moneypit....

[Prizam]

edition said:

Thanks for the replies. I quite liked the look of this one as it's good service history with it....

It's got near 100k on it and it's an auto, felt really nice to drive. I'm just wondering if it would turn into a moneypit....

If you want one, i have one for sale. 100k on it. Manual

"I do you very good price"

[john banks]

I have a 3.0R auto which is 10 years old on 50000 miles. The gearbox is lazy but also suits the car as does the compliant suspension. Spec B sharpens things up but the inverted dampers will be more expensive to change and most will be past their best.

I bought a stainless exhaust (not because race car, because y pipe) which is just slightly louder (unintended) last year, think it was about £450. Just changed the trans fluid and some drop links, last year did two wheel bearings, also had to overhaul two calipers for rusting pistons, change a window motor and blower fan.

The important stuff seems to run well though and I drive it hard once it is warm. Traction is imperious in all conditions on the right tyres, even a damp surface at 5C you can boot it in first gear out of a junction. In snow it ploughs through and pushes snow over the bonnet seizing the wipers.

[GC8]

When you say inverted John, are they inverted like upside down forks on a motorcycle?

[john banks]

Bilstein say, "BILSTEIN Inverted Tube Technology
Originally designed for motorsports applications,
Bilstein’s inverted tube technology utilizes the same
technological design advantages as our gas pressure
shock absorbers. The Bilstein monotube strut insert is
installed with the piston rod at the base of the strut
tube. Here the rod is completely protected from road
contamination of any kind. The large wear-resistant
hard-chromed tube travels up and down through
low-friction linear bearings. This distributes the
supporting and lateral forces over a wide area to
provide exceptional stability.
Bilstein's inverted struts are engineered to provide
maximum performance characteristics along with
exceptional driver comfort."

[Bennet]

I've always liked the look of these but the fuel consumption for 0-60 in 8 seconds or so is a bit OTT.

[Jaroon]

I've got a manual saloon 05, 97k that I'm struggling to PX so I'll have to face the dreaded private sale.

Cracking car, very reliable but likes a drink. The revy engine labours at low rpm and gets thirsty up the rev range so no way to drive it ecconomically unless motorway.

Quite quick, 0-60 about 6.5 seconds but good mid range, linear power delivery from about 3000rpm.

Spec B has better suspension but it's a firm ride, good for me but the family want a change and we need an estate.

Having owned Mitsubishi Evo's in the past I have to say this subaru is far more reliable and a real pleasure to own. Nice q car.

[Ennoch]

Bennet said:

I've always liked the look of these but the fuel consumption for 0-60 in 8 seconds or so is a bit OTT.

They're sub seven which, for a large estate, you can't deny isn't bad. And as with all Subaru's it's not so much the 0-60 as the 40-100 and the way they cover ground when the conditions deteriorate. They're not great on fuel but then again most who buy them are more fussed about getting places than worrying about an extra bit of fuel used.

[Prizam]

I used to get about 40mpg on a motorway run with mine. Round town wasent so great. But then again it is a 3.0 6 cylinder engine. Still done better than my 3.0 Jag i had.

[PGM]

We get 22.5mpg out of ours on b roads, 24.5 general runs and 28 on motorway stuff.

Edited by PGM on Thursday 20th February 19:44

[edition]

Eeeek, 22 is low for general pottering!

[john banks]

I get about the same consumption as R35 GTR driven at similar speed, except the Subaru is flat out where the GTR is using maybe a third of the pedal travel. At this speed, the Subaru is as much fun, there is a nicer noise, a lot more roll, you are grabbing it by the scruff of the neck and using the engine in places where you wouldn't dare open up the GTR, like a wet, muddy bend, and in these places you wouldn't wish for more. The softness and long travel suspension are quite appealing.

[GM182]

Good all rounder. I had one for a year from 70-80,000 miles. Spun up all four wheels in the snow which was fun...

It had a slight issue with something in the suspension, bearings or shafts overheating on long runs leading to severe thumps when manouvering slowly at the end of a long journey but I never did figure out what it was annoyingly.

Decentish interior, I like the panoramic roof but the best features are the sweet sounding engine and the grip.
Spec B by the way.

[PGM]

edition said:

Eeeek, 22 is low for general pottering!

Heavy right foot though, my wife could probably achieve 25 if it were just her driving sensibly!

[Orangecurry]

edition said:

Hi,

I've seen a 3.0r that I quite fancy but not sure the difference between this and a type b. is it worth holding out for a type b?

Are the exhaust Y pipes repairable?

Thanks in advance!

As above the manual spec.B is worth waiting for. The suspension really works very well as a package, making the car feel light and nimble, and very rewarding to drive hard.

The gearbox is the six-speed STI with a few changes over the Impreza, and there is an LSD on the rear.

Interior and huge glass sunroof make it a nice place to be, and we recently thrashed across europe into the Alps and saw nearly 28mpg even though I set the cruise to be xxx kph.

Normally we see 24mpg but that's a collection of mostly short journeys.

My MY04 has only done 60k miles now, and one of the rear bearings needed replacing at 50k, but as it is the whole assembly it costs c 140 - advantage being that it is very easy to fit.

Most enthusiastic owners change some of the suspension joints and uprate the front pads, and I will be doing so when they need it.

Oil should be 0W30. I've changed to 225/40/18 tyres as there is much more choice available over the factory 215/40/18.

Enjoy.

ETA this is sitting on 17" wheels and 225/45/17 winter tyres.

Edited by Orangecurry on Friday 21st February 17:18