Hello all, My wife and I just bought our new to us 2008 Impreza Hatchback, Premium Package, 2.5L, auto with 28,555 miles on Wednesday from Luther Acura and Subaru in Bloomington. We both love it so far. It is a bit of a change from what I am used to, as we previously had a 2002 BMW M3 SMG which we sold back in October since she was looking for something that she felt more comfortable with driving in the winter, not to mention I already have a playtoy, so after two years of ownership we let it go. My playtoy/dd a 2002 BMW 330i 5-speed manual with the M-Sport package, and quite a few goodies which I have listed below for anyone who may be interested. First impressions of it so far are that the AWD system rocks (with some Bridgestone all seasons on it does almost as well as my BMW I have listed below with 225/45/17 Michelin X-Ice XI2's on). The steering is nice and heavy, the way a proper car should be, the brakes are great in the dry, but the snow seems to bring to light that it has bit too much rear brake bias, and the ABS system falls far short of what I am used to and engages wayyyyy too early for my liking. The Boxer engine seems to be pretty good considering its just a measly 170HP coupled to an auto, its definately not under-powered, but by no means is it what we are used to. I have no true complaints about the engine, my only observation so far is that the powercurve is not very seamless and linear such as the inline sixes of BMW deliver, but that's not a complaint by anymeans. The interior is not bad, but its not a BMW by any means, but I am comparing apples to oranges on that one. I absolutely love the styling of the hatches, and actually the hatch coupled with Subaru's AWD system, and my experiences in auto crossing against Scoobies is what led is to purchase one. We both love and wanted the WRX or STi, however since this is, and will be her daily driver she didn't feel like making a commitment to having to drive a manual all the time so we had to rule it out. So just checking in here to say hi, introduce myself, share my thoughts on my new Scoobie, and share the specs (and if I figure out how to pics) of my "baby." My baby (the Bimmer) has quite a few goodies including: Suspension: H&R Race Springs Bilstein Sport Shocks H&R 2-way adjustable 27mm front sway bar H&R 23mm 3-way adjustable rear sway bar Powerflex front control arm bushings and rear trailing arm bushings BMW Performance Carbon Fiber Strut Brace Ground Control Rear Shock Mounts BMW Performance Front control arms. (Ground Control Camber Plates and adjustable rear control arms are coming soon) Brakes: BMW Performance 2-piece floating cross-drilled front rotors BMW Performance cross drilled rear rotors Bimmerworld Stainless steel brake lines (F&R) Bimmerworld solid brake caliper guide bushings (F&R) Hawk HPS Brake pads (F&R) Drivetrain: BMW Z4 3.0i shifter (short shifter for my car) UUC Motorwerks transmission mounts with enforcer cups BMW E92 M3 motormounts UUC Motorwerks Stage I Lightweight Flywheel BMW Motorsports E36 M3 Sprung-Hub Clutch Kit UUC Motorwerks Stainless Steel Clutch Line Clutch Delay Valve deleted (3.23 Diff coming soon!) Engine: BMW Performance Air Intake Stett Intake Boots EvoSport Underdrive Pulleys Ceramic Coated Headers Active Autowerke Custom Tune Aesthetics: Genuine BMW Clear Sidemarkers Genuine BMW Clear Corner w/black trim Genuine BMW Black Headlight Bezel Eagle Eyes Clear L.E.D. tails (its a copy of the BMW ones for coupes, nothing distasteful) Genuine BMW Black out grilles Genuine BMW M-Technik II Front bumper and side skirts 18"x8.5" VMR VB3's Front & 18"x9.5" VMR VB3's Rear Shod with ContiExtreme Contact DW (225/40/18, and 255/35/18 respectively). 6000K 66LED Angel Eyes Carbon Fiber Spliters And some other stuff I'm sure that I'm forgetting In its current trim my car is making 217 rwhp, and 213 lbs-ft rwtq. I realize this doesn't seem like a lot to some of you highly modded WRX and STi owners, but for a naturally aspirated Non-M division BMW these are some very good numbers. It gets hard (read stupid expensive) to wring the power out of these motors (sticking to N/A means) considering how tuned most N/A Bimmers come from the factory. My 330i and old M3
Welcome. As for the auto transfer I don't know if they make it anymore but I know there are a few oddballs called the Wrx gt. That is auto very hard to find though. Also a nice winter set of wheels will male quite a difference. I ran all seasons last year and winters so far this winter. All I know is it actually takes some effort to slide now. Can improve braking feel too
Yeah I know winters make all the difference vs. the all seasons, but for right now the all seasons will have to do until Janruary or so when I can throw some General Altimax on there. I never knew they made an auto version of the WRX. Either way, mute point now unless one pops up for sale here quick.
Welcome! Where in Va (noticed your plates) did you reside prior to moving up here to this wonderful 4 season state? I was born and raised in Norfolk/Virginia Beach area for 18 years prior to Military service. Welcome! I havent been here long but it has been most enjoyable so far!!
I grew up in a the county of Louisa, about half way inbetween Charlottesville and Richmond. Was stationed down in Jacksonville, NC while I was in the Marine Corps, moved back to Louisa for about a year and a half while I was attending the University of Virginia before I transfered up here to the University of Minnesota.
Ha, didnt even pick up on your user name. I was with 2nd LAR at lejeune for the last couple years of my service in the Corp. "97-99" Stationed at Kings Bay before that. Welcome and love the bimmers!
So Kings Bay then going to 2nd LAR, I'm going to guess security forces? I was with Lima 3/6 the whole time--not counting training and my 3 months I was FAPed out to base. 0311. Thanks!
You are correct! Was lucky enough to get on with CQB right away. Can't say I worked hard while I was there..... 2nd LAR was 2 years of dog and pony shows. Chile, Santiago, Vena Del Mar and Panama. Loved it but glad to be a civilian somewhat. What years where you in Lima? Had a few buddies in there.
I was in Lima from June 06-August 09, so a little after your time. I wish I got to go to some other places, but alas given the situation at the time, I got to see beautiful Iraq twice, and Afghanistan once. Along with a couple of weeks in Kuwait, once they're all tallied up, and about 2 days worth of sitting around over the years at Leipzig International Airport in Germany.
Welcome, can't help but crack a smile at the Marine talk, I know I'm gonna get some crap from the two of you but I'm National Guard serving Kuwait/Iraq as I post this! I also notice the comment on the Auto-WRX and have a guy back home that picked one up right after I picked up 02 WRX. Last I heard he couldn't afford some issues with it and wanted to get rid of it, not sure about the interest in that since he wasn't able to keep it on the road (I heard it had a lot of maintenance issues). I am sure it was a 03 WRX auto, with some slight mods too. I never talked to the guy, but it sat at the local Tranny Shop in austin and the mechanic is a good bud, so I got a lil info on it . If your interested, I'm sure I can find out if he's looking to part ways with it!
Thanks! I won't give you too much crap, since you're at least serving the country, and just by the nature of that braver than most. I will however jokingly give you crap about being Army, and National Guard at that, but once again all in fun. As for the car, it depends on much is wrong with it, mileage, price etc.... I have no problems doing the work as I am quite mechanically incline thankfully, but I'm not looking to have a car that unintentionally becomes a garage queen, if you know what I mean. So yeah, if you could find out price, what's going on with it etc... I may be interested for the wifey.
I too served national guard, out of Albert Lea, for my inactive reserve time.... was not fun! No offense to you, more the Army. I will only joke around if your comfortable with it. This day and age, we tend to offend more non-military people with the level our of our jokes. I too thank you for climbing out of your cubical for a pair of cammies!!
Well if you want to tease me about joining the Naughty Girls, be my guess, I got a few marine cracks in my arsenal too! lol I will look up what I can about the car, if its for sale at all, I just know a mutual friend mentioned they were contemplating selling it off. I'll try to post back soon!
Well heres all the info on that auto WRX from the gentlemen that's selling it. His name is Bob Bartlett and from the sounds of it, it doesn't have any current issues. Don't quote ME on that though, call and ask him. lol 2003 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX 2.O TURBO ENGINE WITH 124,000 MILES AUTO TRANSMISSION WITH 61,000 MILES CLEAN RUST FREE CAR NEW BREAKS AND ROTORS WHEN I BOUGHT IT A YEAR AGO, CHECKED BREAKS BEGINNING OF DECEMBER TO MAKE SURE...PLEANTY OF PAD LEFT ON ALL 4 AFTERMARKET PARTS INCLUDE: FIBERGLASS HOOD, FIBERGLASS SIDE BODY SKIRTS, APS INTERCOOLER, TURBO XS BLOW OFF VALVE, PERRIN COLD AIR INTAKE, MEGAN RACING STAINLESS STEEL UP AND DOWN PIPE, BORLA STAINLESS STEEL CAT BACK EXHAUST. I ALSO HAVE THE PAPERS FROM THE NEW TRANSMISSION FOR VERIFICATION. I USE MOBIL 1 SYNTHETIC OIL AND PURULATOR PLUS OIL FILTERS EVERY 3K ANY MORE QUESTIONS OR WANTS TO LOOK AT IT MY NUMBER IS 507-440-7229
Sempe Fi Glad you found your way here. I'm always around Bimmers so I'm sure we'll get along just fine. Power don't make cars go faster, drivers do!
