STI Type-R advice

[Kozzy]

If things go ahead as planned I should be picking up a 1998 STI Type-R in about a month's time. Before I do so though I thought I would try and gleam a little more information.

I have been searching the internet a fair bit and intend on joining various forums but as I was already a member of PH I thought I would post here first.

Here goes:
- Will it be safe to run the car on 95 RON if it has been remapped using this fuel? Or is it just a case of ALWAYS use 98+ RON (may work out to be the same cost over 100 miles anyway?).
- Does it have Isofix fixings or can a child/baby seat be fitted in the BACK? Sounds a bit strange I'm sure, but we will be looking to have kids over the next couple of years and though it something worth thinking about. The other half has a TT roadster BTW
- What are considered the 'better' forums/owners' clubs to join?
- What sort of insurance will I expect t pay?
30 year old homeowner in good postcode
3 points SP30
10 years no claims
- What companies would be best to try?
- Do 18s ruin the handling? I am leaning towards P1 or replica wheels in 17".
- What is the typical MPG? Not hugely important as my commute is 10 miles each way.

The car is currently maintained by a motor sport engineer friend of mine and mechanically seems to be in great shape, any major things I need to look our for on this car?

As said, I have been researching heavily over the last week but after reading posts from you knowledgeable lot I thought I would ask your advice before looking further.

Any advice is appreciated.

[Kozzy]

That clears that point up I guess. I had read in several areas conflicting advice concerning the fuel but for the sake of 5 quid a fill up it seems 98+ is the way to go.

Does anyone know of Type-R specific websites/articles that I can learn a bit more?

[Kozzy]

That's kind of what I thought as the ECU will know how to handle knock/detonation rather relying on knock sensors and the like, although this is my very naive interpretation of how the car would handle it.

I plan on keeping the car for a while and wondered how feasible a 6 speed gearbox transplant from a later car would be. Is this just more hassle than it's worth? Anyone know of a build thread on the subject?

Thanks for the links I will head over and register.

[Kozzy]

That's cool, I should expect around 200-300 a month on fuel then. I reckon insurance to be less than a grand but will ring around (including the firm mentioned above).

The question of the child seat was more out of curiosity really as I imagine it would be quite funny to park up at parent and child spaces in a modified 2 door Impreza. My other half will have bought a practical car by then anyway...

I assume 17s would be far better for performance/handling but would 18s ruin that on this car?

[Kozzy]

rb5er said:

If JGM says use super unleaded then that is the advice i would follow.

A standard child seat will fit in the back no probs. As said no isofix.

It goes without saying that he clearly knows his stuff, the general consensus from those 'in the know' is to use higher RON fuel without fail so this is what I will do. I clearly don't know enough about fueling and was trying to understand it all a bit better.

paulmoonraker said:

I have been commuting my twin girls around in my STi since born two years ago. Holiday time the roof box comes out some of the looks I get Lovely car by the way, I tried to justify upping my budget for a blobeye (can't get over the hideous buyeye front end).

As already said, Keith Michaels for insurance...

I bet that is a laugh. Glad to see you didn't go out and replace it with a Megane Scenic or some other generic family blandwagon

Another quick question: Tien, is it pronounced "Tine" or "Tee-en" I have heard both...