Hi all,

Been a member on here for years and had a couple of classics back in the day, anyhow recently sold an e46 m3 smg after forking out £££ on it and found myself looking at the blobeye sti's, so I've bought one! Pick it up tomorrow night.

It's a 2005 sti type UK with dccd and it must be a widetrack as it has the flared rear arch?, it is also totally standard apart from the PPP fitted from new with certificate.
My good pal has a 450bhp classic which is up at TDR getting rebuilt so he's knows a thing or two but anything I should be looking for tomorrow when giving it a once over?

Any how will the sti feel power wise over my old m3 which had valve clearances done plus an evolve remap, CSL software etc, went very well

Do I need to hear for piston slap from cold? Cars done 97,000 miles.

And how different is the UK sti from a spec c?

Thanks and nice to be back on a busy forum, always found you get all sorts on here

 

I can only commet on the UK STi and Spec C.
Night and day - Spec C. The end.

 

I know the spec c is the daddy but what's different about the chassis/suspension over the widetrack sti?

 

A big jump 2005 STi JDM and 2005 Sti spec C

But on a hawk eye STi JDM and Hawkeye spec C JDM not so great. IMHO


Tony

 

The MY05 was also available as a Spec C RA (only 300 made) but back to the normal C.
It is lighter by about 90 kg, higher RPM redline, twinscroll turbo, roof vent (until you have had one you won't get it), 13:1 rack, extra body bracing, better wheels, revised suspension, bigger IC tank, less sound proofing and much more.

 

Check all four tyres are the same brand as it can indicate what kind of owner it's had, have a look at the condition of the rear shocks and ask if they've been changed as they are a common fault (knocking),
test 4th, 5th and 6th gear changes at mid to high revs as the synchros wear out and grind between changes, have a look at the front and rear subframes as they can rot.
I wouldn't worry about piston slap as such as long as it goes away as the engine gets up to temp.

 

Significant omissions... for me at least, from your list are the engine and transmission coolers as well as the anti-surge fuel pump, think there's also some seam welding on strut towers, although I don't know the specifics, maybe someone could elucidate...

 

Ah right didn't realise racks were different etc, bit like the m3, m3 csl comparison then?

Got to see how i feel in the scoob as they are definitely a bit more in your face in the looks and noise department over the m3, and being forty with two kids will need to see if i feel ok driving it with that hige rear spoiler in the rear view mirror, i'm sure it's a proper driving tool and every bit as quick as the m3, well up to 90 at least.

 

I love my Widetrack UK STI, the spec C is a track focused version and great if that's what you need.

I sold a track orientated car after I became a father and the widetrack suits my needs, and I love the flat 4 rumble you get from the UK cars.

 

Thanks, will check this all out

 

Just got it back, first impressions very focussed car and all i can see is the bonnet scoop!

Goes well actually with the ppp pack, 305bhp? but just as we pull home the engine management light comes on? the car has had little use for a while so might not of liked the sudden wake up 100 mile trip call.

My mate will plug it and he reckons it's either an 02 sensor, maf or something else i can't remember, but won't use the car until he's checked it out, car still drove fine though.

The chap said the clutch was recently replaced, is this why it's so hard? first impressions are good though

 

How did u find it compared to the m3

 

Well only had a mile blast in it but very raw and focussed, seems pretty rapid at 305bhp but then turbo cars do feel faster than na in my experience, i reckon the m3 would have the edge at higher speeds but the handling around by me with bumpy country roads etc the sti will be easier to drive than the m3, do miss the balance and the rear wheel drive of the m3 but will have a play with the diff on the sti.

I think i do prefer the rasp of the s54, especially as i had csl software on my smg m3 and the downshift sound epic, but then i reckon the sti will be more fun for the driving i do, plus i need four doors really with two kids and taking the lad to football on a sat

 

"Extra body bracing and much more" covers as my broad brush comment. A quick look on Type RA would give him all the info he needs.

 

What is in the history on repairs and/or maintenance?
Did you check it against the Government websites?

https://www.gov.uk/check-mot-history


https://www.gov.uk/get-vehicle-information-from-dvla

 

Yes, got the car smart app, full service history and a service and clutch at 91,000, cars done 97,000, just seen in in the light today and it's mint to be fair, definatly reminds me of my old mica classic, the engine management lights gone out now?

i did buy if from an older gent and he hadn't used it for a couple of weeks, we put sainsbury's 97 ron in and drive 100 miles home so perhaps it didn't like it? flew tonight though, defiantly more planted over crap roads compared to the m3