I fucking loved the 996 because I could see the oil pressure needle dance all over the place depending on throttle.

11/25/2010 12:19:19 PM

I guess having an oil pressure gauge is better than not having one. As far as preventing a catastrophe goes in my experience when you drive around and see the oil pressure reading unusually low, you're either 1) already screwed 2) just going to think the gauge/sending unit is bad.

11/25/2010 12:59:36 PM

True, but I like it better than a 5psi idiot light...

cause I like to be at 6000rpm with 5psi

And whose turbo is that 18g? (brand wise)


[Edited on November 25, 2010 at 1:09 PM. Reason : turbo]

11/25/2010 1:08:22 PM

I think it's a bnr

11/25/2010 1:34:24 PM

Just be ause rotella is meant for diesels doesn't mean it's meant for 15k revs diesels run low revs. Different ball game

11/25/2010 3:00:20 PM

I like having real gauges. Often a sign of trouble is evident before significant damage occurs. A slipping belt can show a lower voltage reading, or a rod bearing on it's way out will show lower oil pressure before the entire engine is toast. Once I had a broken oil pick up tube in a track car that I was able to save b/c of the oil pressure being visibly lower on the gauge.

996s are able to tell you if: oil/coolant/transaxle/engine compartment is too hot, if oil pressure/coolant level is too low, while the car's running, not to mention with real oil pressure switches, and actual responsive gauges. Certain warnings will sound a beep/turn the instrument cluster red. I like this a lot, very handy in case you blow a coolant hose for example, to know immediately as opposed to when the car's over heating. I don't know of another car that will warn of this while the car's running btw.

One of the things that annoyed me about BMWs as of late was the delay in the tach, and the idiot light esque gauges, others doing the same (BMW, Ford, Mazda etc). They limit the range/speed of movement of many of their gauges (including the tach and temperature) due to customers complaining about fluctuating temps, etc. For BMW's M cars, the U.S. market gets an MPG gauge under the tach, where the European market cars get a real oil pressure gauge...

11/25/2010 3:40:31 PM

The E90's for example only have an idiot light for coolant temperature. They don't have a gauge at all. But they are also designed to run at 230F under normal driving, so that could be part of it.

11/26/2010 1:37:13 AM

The actual solution to my problem is to move this car once it's fixed and wait for the influx of e90 ///s to come off of their leases in the next ~6 months.

11/26/2010 9:55:57 AM

so they are going to fix it?

11/26/2010 10:03:43 AM

I don't get it. you had a bmw that you somehow thought was not capable, heavy, soft, etc. you get a porsche which is undeniably the opposite of all of those and decide it's not for you in favor of a less capable jacked up econobox. now you want to drop your econobox (can't blame you) to go back to iteration 2 of the car that started all this?

11/26/2010 10:32:27 AM

sometimes people make big circles before they realize what they really liked

11/26/2010 10:50:03 AM

e90 what?

335 have their HPFP problems, so you would be walking into another car model with issues


[Edited on November 26, 2010 at 11:35 AM. Reason : .]

11/26/2010 11:35:18 AM

^^^ imo the base 996 feels softer than the e46 m3 but the m3 feels heavier and less precise.

^he's talking e90 m3, not 335

11/26/2010 11:40:03 AM

e90 M3, fair enough i haven't heard anything bad about them. Of course the e90 M3 is heavier than the e46 curb weight. Feedback is that in lower speeds you feel how heavy the e90 is compared to the e46, but at higher speeds it feels more nimble.

11/26/2010 12:00:07 PM

^5

I'm joking around. e90/// is still going to be a chunk of change. I would say it's an iteration 2 of the e36. The e46 doesn't have a whole lot to do with either in my opinion. Also, the STI is more capable than a 996 MK1. Probably more capable than the MK2 as well, simply for the sheer amount of grip.

That being said...the only thing the e46 m3 and the e90 have in common is a badge. They are completely diff cars. I really don't want to get into all the things that pushed me out of the e46. Let's leave it at heavy a fuck and doesn't like to rev.

I would have kept the 996, but I had it listed at a price that I didn't really think anyone would bite on. Someone did, and I made money after putting a few thousand miles on the car. On top of that I was under the impression that I would actually be able to put a roof rack on the 996. Porsche decided to put metal screws in the metal fixed points for their rack. They were rusted in, I had them drilled out, and would've needed to heli-coil in new threads. I got conflicting opinions on the risk/reward of doing this. Unable to put a rack on it. The car lost some of its practicality for me with all of that.

Lastly, snowboarding is fast approaching. AWD, 4 door, and a roof rack are perfect. I was truly in love with the STI. I've now been scorned. I don't know wtf I am going to do. My dream situation is simply for them to cover it, become a mirror image of an FD owner, and do every bit of preventative maintenance to keep this from happening again.

The latest on the STI is...well nothing. I called the tech this morning to talk to him. He was busy and I'm waiting on a call back. If it doesn't come in the next couple of hours I'll be calling him back.

[Edited on November 26, 2010 at 12:25 PM. Reason : ]

11/26/2010 12:11:24 PM

that sucks man, I feel for ya in dealing with the dealership. I've never had it end well. cut all the bullshit and grab a new cts-v imo

11/26/2010 2:18:55 PM

E46 M3 is a big to me also, but I imagine it is probably ok with stiffer suspension, more tire and mipd weight reduction. That said I'd still rather have a 996, the MKII has plastic roof rack screws btw.

Whats the word on the STI? it's been a couple of hours already!

11/26/2010 2:27:55 PM

Just got back from the dealer. Subaru tech support is closed today meaning they can't submit my claim. The tech said to call back around noon Monday. He also seemed very optimistic. He said Subaru [b]shouldn't[b] dispute my claim. Basically he has now set me up for the ultimate let down.

11/26/2010 3:05:45 PM

you'll be fine... good luck man...

I'm thinking about picking up a 2.2 block i found for gets and shiggles.

11/26/2010 3:24:30 PM

If the tech thinks it will be covered you should be good, most of the time they will side with the tech as long as he is worth a shit.

if it is covered they will likely just stick a 2011 shortblock in it if not a long block. not many dealers doing rebuild for warranty work I know of. if they end up not covering it let me know I may know somebody who will take it off your hands broken.

11/26/2010 6:17:25 PM

Yeah I had guessed they would just throw an entire long block in it.

Thanks for the heads up on the potential buyer if it stays broken.

11/27/2010 9:06:16 AM

thats good the new long blocks seem pretty sturdy + you'll get a nitrided crank... ooohlala

11/27/2010 9:27:16 AM

ok so what are the supposed differences between the 2008 and these brand new 2011 engines?

11/27/2010 10:32:30 AM

In 08 they had a problem with the suppliers of bearings and or cranks on some cars (I can't remember which) that cause bottom end problems. After that they switched to nitrided cranks and specific coated bearings.

11/27/2010 10:48:42 AM

Bump for updates The people want to know!!

11/29/2010 12:53:33 PM

Sigh...I want to know to!

I called around 11:30. Service tech was busy, and I left a message. I told the secretary that I didn't particularly want to leave a message because my last one was not returned. She said she would make sure this one was.

11/29/2010 1:03:19 PM

It's been 2 hours, I DEMAND an update...

11/29/2010 1:29:56 PM

Just talked to the service tech. He submitted the paper work just before lunch time, and is awaiting judgment from Subaru. He said that it's really rare that they don't make contact within 24 hours.

11/29/2010 1:54:49 PM

The people want to know

11/30/2010 11:45:02 AM

Um, helloooo?

11/30/2010 3:47:35 PM

Quote :

"I really don't want to get into all the things that pushed me out of the e46. Let's leave it at heavy a fuck and doesn't like to rev."

E46 M3 does not like to rev? Did you meant to say some other car?

11/30/2010 5:57:37 PM

No he means the e46, and I have to agree. I know the numbers say otherwise, but the e46 engine is not as happy at higher rpms as some other engines, even the lower output (and lower redline) 996 motor is a lot more inviting. This might be a factor of it's torque curve, but is not limited to that. Response, engine tone, vibration, sound, etc.

Also, an acquaintance of mine took his 06 Cayman S to Leith Porsche for a faint vibration at idle @~80k miles (and long out of it's standard warranty). Dealer determined it was internal, Porsche NA offered to (and followed through) buy him a new engine and a complimentary install free of charge (so that they could analyze the internals of the original motor).

I've also read about a Nissan having been delivered to the dealer with no oil galleries in the crank...

Tyler, sir, call me when you read this. Best of luck.

11/30/2010 10:48:32 PM

Ok, so as of yesterday Subaru's initial response is that they're not going to cover...surprise right?!

Basically the engine is burning oil like the sun, and this of course caused a rod bearing to go. In the tech's official report to Subaru the problem with my car is that the issue with the car is a rod bearing. The oil consumption has not been listed as an issue. Subaru of course says well the bearing went because of the lack of oil in the engine; user fault even with supplied proof of oil change. Subaru does not cover rod bearing issues over something like 10k miles according to what the service manager said. So even though this is most certainly the definition of a power train issue, the power train warranty will not cover it.

To me the issue with the car is the oil burning, and the bearing is simply a result. I asked the service manager what would have happened if I had brought the car in and said look at how much oil my car is burning, I've been pouring oil into it and I can't keep it topped off. He said that would be a real problem that would qualify and would need to be fixed.

At this point they're of course going to go through the bullshit routine of "escalating" the issue with Subaru and the service manager says he'll talk with their dealer rep at SONA. Nothing will come of it.

This result to me isn't surprising. It's just infuriating.

At this point I need to get the engine taken apart to see what really is usable and what has been compromised. Hopefully all I need is a short block.

The dealer of course recommended a brand new long block. The price(including labor) he quoted me yesterday was a good price. If I could get it in writing and also be given my old long block that is the route I would probably take.

If anyone has any advice on where to go from here please speak up. I really doubt I will move the shell. The chances of getting a fair price are slim to none simply because as it stands, it's a broke ass car.

12/1/2010 8:20:59 AM

time for some HEAVY MODIFICATION

12/1/2010 8:24:04 AM

Don't think it hasn't crossed my mind. The thought of putting the same parts back in the car is terrifying to me.

12/1/2010 10:00:59 AM

just get a new crankshaft and rebuild the old motor. Sell asap. Don't buy another slow ass subaru. I'm mad just reading your last post. If I ever meet ya somewhere have a beer on me.

12/1/2010 10:02:24 AM

That's pretty much what I will do.

This is frustrating because I love the car. I still want four doors, awd, and fast. I'm just glad I bought it with cash, and I'm not sitting here making payments on a shell. With the hit I will take resolving this I probably would be better off just putting as much cash back in the bank as possible. Work could end up taking me across or out of country for a while sometime in the next year or so. Having more liquidity would not be a bad thing. I can't really bring myself to drive around a slow pos to get me from point-a to point-b.

It's funny because had I not ever owned this STI the solution would be to get a bug eye WRX. Currently, fuck everything about that idea.




[Edited on December 1, 2010 at 10:35 AM. Reason : ]

12/1/2010 10:33:31 AM

Quote :

"I know the numbers say otherwise, but the e46 engine is not as happy at higher rpms as some other engines, even the lower output (and lower redline) 996 motor is a lot more inviting"

Not sure if I understand. S54 is very rev happy. It might sound like it will explode after 6k rpm, but it will definitely rev easy!!! Are you referring to that audible strain of the engine at higher rpm? I will admit that at first it scared me, as I thought I am really damaging something.

12/1/2010 10:55:02 AM

There were a number of things above about 6k including noise, physical feedback from the car, etc. I'm not really doubting that it CAN rev. It just certainly does not seem happy to, and that in itself is an issue when considering a high end piece of German engineering. Isn't it all about the experience and feelings you have as the driver? Why drive something less enjoyable when there are alternatives?

12/1/2010 11:25:18 AM

That sucks man. Just fight it and ask for escalation on the issue until you can't go any higher. Also make a thread on NASIOC and make sure they know there are a lot of people following this issue to see how it will be resolved.

12/1/2010 11:31:20 AM

1inabillion, what's your definition of rev happy, just that it has a high(er) redline? The S54 isn't as inviting to rev to me, not as much as a 996 motor, not really even as much as an S52.

12/1/2010 12:41:13 PM

Ahmet, to me rev happy is how quickly the revs go up and how quickly they go down.

12/1/2010 1:50:53 PM

Rx-8 Renesis is the most rev happy (albeit mostly torqueless) engine I've ever driven

12/1/2010 1:59:17 PM

s2000s are rev happy!

12/1/2010 2:52:03 PM

The STI has a really happy needle. The engine might be committing Seppuku, but you would never know it. There are plenty of cars that seem very settled near and at redline.

That's the issue; the e46 is not one of those cars, and it certainly should be.

12/1/2010 3:03:51 PM

sorry dude.... get the 2.2 from turbo time and a new nitride crank... closed deck block piston squirters and smaller bore... rev happy as a mofo and a tank.


part the car out... i'll take brakes, tranny and rear diff. lol

12/1/2010 8:26:15 PM

How much u want for it the way it sits.

Or roll it down a hill. Insurance.

12/1/2010 8:41:03 PM

It's more cost affective to make it run and then sell it.

12/1/2010 8:45:34 PM

Troo

I've got a spare NA 2.5 motor you can stick in there.

At least it'll look fast

12/1/2010 8:50:11 PM

hell just say custom high compression shortblock sti...

lol

12/1/2010 9:01:39 PM