Replace R36 with a Forester STI..?

[Teepot]

Evening all.

Have owned my R36 estate for a year now and wish to try the next flavour of fairly fast wagon.

I was set on going for a 335i touring but no manual versions have appearEd for some time, so instead I’ve been strongly considering the Forester. I’m fully aware of the naff Jap interior but I’m really not put off by that in the slightest.

Literally the only single criticism I have of the R36 is the ground clearance which makes for some apprehensive pulling away from some driveways etc, but is the Forester likely to be much the same?

Any owners with current STi or precious fell free to chime in

[BUG4LIFE]

You know I’d say yes, do it!

[Teepot]

From that angle at least there appears to be ample clearance.

Velly nice indeed!

[BUG4LIFE]

Teepot said:

From that angle at least there appears to be ample clearance.

Velly nice indeed!

You must have a very awkward angled driveway for your R36 to be an issue?

Here’s the other end of mine...

Edited by BUG4LIFE on Saturday 30th May 23:24

[Teepot]

BUG4LIFE said:

You must have a very awkward angled driveway for your R36 to be an issue?

Here’s the other end of mine...

Edited by BUG4LIFE on Saturday 30th May 23:24

Not my driveway, but the occasional place where it’s quite with a sudden flattening out, ya know the ones

[mike74]

Do FSTI's suffer with the infamous rear arch rot that Imprezas do?

Or if not the rear arches are there any other known rust issues specific to Foresters?

[ZX10R NIN]

Have you considered a standard T6 V60 they have a slightly higher ride height than the Polestar version, they're also AWD.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

[ZX10R NIN]

Scratch that I've just realised they're auto.

[Teepot]

ZX10R NIN said:

Have you considered a standard T6 V60 they have a slightly higher ride height than the Polestar version, they're also AWD.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

A bit too sleeper if anything ZX10 but appreciate the alternative! Plus I have my heart set on a Forester, ugly as fk yet I think they look great

[ZX10R NIN]

No problem I like Forester's too there's just something about them

[samoht]

This thread suggests the Passat in general and R36 in particular have rather shallow approach angles, http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/f234/overha... , which makes me think the Forester, being a soft-roader, is likely to have slightly more clearance. If it's a problem you could possibly swap the front bumper for a non-STi one ?

[Teepot]

[quote=samoht]This thread suggests the Passat in general and R36 in particular have rather shallow approach angles,

Don’t I just know it