I'm considering going to look at a JDM STi this weekend and I've got the owner to send some photos through before I go and see it.

Now, when he's sent the one through of the engine bay, it looks like from the photo that the top of the slam panel (if thats what its called) and the part of the wing where it bolts to the chassis is bright and lacquered. I was under the impression that they should be a dark blue (same as the suspension turrets) with no lacquer if they are original panels?

Anyone know for certain?

Heres the photo....

 

Anyone?

 

Blimey, thought someone might have been along by now that knows

 

Not 100% sure. Looks nice and clean under there anyway. The red paint has flaked a fair bit on mine!

 

Clean doesnt always mean good though, I'm not too fussed about a bit of dirt, in fact I'd rather have a little bit as opposed to some jetwashed, silicone sprayed glistening engine bay.

Still really surprised that no one has any thoughts on this topic, I'd have imagined quite a few people on here were in the know about looking for signs of crash damage / non-original panels etc

 

It may just be the angle of the photo, but aye, they arent suppsosed to be shiny (or the same colour match as the car)

They dont usually laquer under the bonnets, which usually means they are dull and dark

 

If it was in a accident, I cannot see a garage going to the trouble of applying laquer to inside. Seems a little strange.

 

Yup agree with this, they dont usually do under the bonnet.

Tony

 

Thanks for the response guys

The owner has emailed me saying:

"its shiny laquered finish on the front plate, the inner wings are more matt in finish"

He seems to be fairly genuine, so I think it might be worth the trip to Huddersfield to see it this Sunday, use it as a bargining tool possibly if it all seems above board.

I might also be going to look at a white JDM STi tomorrow afternoon in Manchester

 

Personally if the slam panel is painted(aftermarket), I wouldnt be even making the journey to look at it, not to mind use it as a bargaining tool. If that panel was kinked and repaired and painted as a result, that means it probably had smack. That la cquer finish does not look oem. Ask for a pic taking in both slam panels at either side to compare.

 

Looks like that could have had a new wing or even some paint but cant be sure because it could just be the light???
I will say it should be a dull matt blue.

 

The owner says the wings have a dull finish, so I think its just the light in the photo.

I've also spoken to someone today, whom I trust a great deal (he's a well respected mapper in the scoob community, and is also on here) and he suggested that some he's seen do have a painted/lacquered slam panel but that the wings are almost always a dull/matt finish...

I'm usually pretty good at spotting damage/repaired damage in the flesh, so I'm confident if I look at in person I'd know if things had been replaced, pulled out etc, I was just trying to get an idea from a photo as to whether its a definite sign repaired damage/replacement or just potentially, something to pay attention to when looking at in the flesh.

 

It should all be the same colour as the suspension turrets. Looks like its been sprayed at some point.

 

Just looked at some photos of my last scoob, and that had a darker slam panel actually

 

Under bonnet/engine bay/front panel/inner part of wings sould be the same colour as turrets, who ever did the repair/replaced the panels cut a corner by spraying them to the colour code for the car, when i paint a front end i always chip up a colour and paint the under bonnet colour first then do the exterior colour, youwould'nt know i'd been there, it HAS had front end damage repaired at some point

 

http://www.iwoc.co.uk/images/my2003/my03stiuk03.jpg

This engine bay looks unmolested to me.....

Shaun

 

Yep, reckon thats ^^^^^ pretty unmolested!!

Spoke to the owner earlier, he's had it since Jan and apparently never registered it in his name!!!

Think I might give this one a miss

 

Couldn't agree more mate. Run a mile, there's plenty more.

FWIW i've also checked mine and it is dull/unlacquered in the right places. That one's defo been sprayed after market.

 

Yeah, thats how it should be.

 

And the JDM white one in manchester looks awful just from the pics and writeup.

 

You mean yours hasnt got an intercooler ice spray??


PS. I didnt go and look at it in the end.

 

What do you guys make of this one?

Personally, even though its dark blue, it just doesnt look quite right. I'm waiting for some clearer photos, but in the mean time, just wondered if anyone esle thought the same.

Way I see it, it's dark blue, but slightly different to the bulk head and wings, and the where the slam panel meets the nearside wing, something doesnt look right, nor does the sticker on the slam panel...



..../discuss

 

I think it looks ok...

What is wrong with this one?

Subaru : Subaru Impreza Sti JDM 350 BHP

You can see a picture of the engine bay, but its hard to tell the color match with the wings. The slam panel color looks the same as on your panel.

I am looking for a JDM too, but I cant check them out too precise because I am not from the UK.

 

Well, funnily enough....

I had agreed a deal with the owner of that one and should have been picking it up tomorrow. Unfortunately, he got the wheel alignement done on Tuesday and they found out it had previsouly been in a fairly hefty front end crash. Part of the suspension/steering assembly was bent so much they could adjust the toe-in/out to correct it, and apparently it had had a wing, bonnet, bumper and headlight. The damage could still be seen underneath when on a ramp.
Shame as the rest of it was mint.

 

Looks like its had a repair on the N/S.

 

^^^ Thats what I thought

 

where's the white JDM in Manchester.......can't find the link

Shaun

 

Have you bought it?



(I noticed earlier the asking price had been reduced to £7500 and its no longer on ebay or PH... I aint bought it thats for sure!! )