Picked up my 2005 STI last week. The car is great but I'm surprised at the steering kickback and feel when the car hits a major lump in the road. I had a 2004 WRX previously which seemed to soak up all lumps and bumps. Is this normal on these cars?

Cheers in advance.

Neil

 

Can't say I've noticed a problem with steering kickback, but the car does tramline badly on poor surfaces. The car was all over the place on the section of M3 near the Fleet services, where the road is basically W-shaped thanks to the heavy lorries.

On the whole, though, it steers extremely accurately with no hesitation or understeer whatsoever - deeply impressive stuff that will be familiar to Evo owners and probably nobody else.

It certainly doesn't soak up lumps & bumps - I couldn't really describe the car as 'comfy'. That said, mine's a Japanese car with Eibachs - what's yours?

 

Standard UK spec STI. I live in the sticks and round the lanes it's awesome but just surprised by the kickback now and again.

N

 

What tyres are on the MY05's?

 

225 45 17's Bridgestone Potenzas that have tread that looks like bike tyres!

 

I have heard that the RE070's can be "fun" in the wet but i've never tried them myself.

I went from a MY02 WRX with RE050's on it and never had any issues handling wise to a WR1 with P-Zeros on which do tramline a bit in the wet. Once they're worn out i won't be putting the same type of tyres on.

Even so i haven't noticed any kickback as such on the car. If i were you i'd pop in to see your dealer and get them to check it over just to be on the safe side. Either that or mention it when you go in for the 1000 mile service.

 

Exactly what I was planning to do. Thanks for your advice.

N

 

They are quite fun in the wet, very progressive (depending on your driving style) but not as much grip as some other tyres.

Andy, the tramlining will deminish alot when the tyres have a couple of k on them, summer would have been better for you but with the rain your going to suffer a little more
It wont totally eliminate the tramlining but it will improve alot

Tony

 

235 45 17's on the JDM STi's

Tony

 

could it not just be the difference between the wrx & STi susspension/tyres etc?