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Tim thats fantastic, If i were to top up 0/20 with 5/30 or vice versa would this be problematic? as you rightly stated, 5/30 is much easier to pick up. Lastly would you expect a faster oil consumption rate on either of them?

Subaru Impreza 2015 GP model, N/A 1.6 engine. No engine modifications. Used on road, and on single track farm roads. 28600k Dealer has been using 5/30w despite manual specifying 0/20w. Any independent advice greatly appreciated. David

Hi guys, I have a 2015 Impreza GP model, FB16 engine. This was a relatively low mileage car until my ownership At 20k miles it went in for its service and it was discovered it required a warranty repair for a known oil leak. There was no evidence of the leak so I assume it was piston seals and then burned up. Im at 28.5k now and i got a flash of the engine oil level warning light for the first couple of miles on a very cold morning, and it went off for the duration of my 60 mile round trip with a 4 hour stop in the middle. I tried various places along my route to pick up the recommended 0/20w but nowhere had it . I checked the dipstick at various points through the day/ evening but I find it hard to get a clear reading on the Subaru sticks, however I would if pushed say that it was a the lower level (bottom hole). Any googling on the issue brings up a ton of stuff on Subaru North America reducing service/change intervals on these vehicles to 6000 miles because of oil burning issues, and about law suits involving short blocks and piston ring recalls etc. The most concise advice i found was http://mdhmotors.com/subaru-oil-consumption-problem-repair/ https://oppositelock.kinja.com/subaru-tsb-for-excessive-oil-consumption-1600566355 When I got home i checked through my receipts to find dates etc and noticed that the main dealer had used 5/30w on my last oil change. I called the dealer to query a) if they thought I should have used this much oil b) when they were expecting the car for its next service - July 2018 or 36,000 miles. c) why they had used 5/30 not 0/20 as specified in manual/ filler cap. They weren't sure if my oil use represented a deeper problem so have booked the car in to be checked next week. And they said that the manufacturer (Subaru) had told them to use 5/30w despite the specs on the car itself. I called another dealers service dept and they said if the car says 0/20w then thats what they use and that 5/30 is the bulk use oil and that 0/20 needs ordered in on tins so it might have been laziness at other dealer. I understand the 0 and 5 to relate to operating temps and wonder if perhaps 0/20 had been in there at cold morning start i would have saw the low level indicator. Interested in your guys thoughts on this and how I should pursue things with Subaru. I'm happy the dealer is checking it despite me not having much confidence in them, im also considering requesting a full oil change and specifying it must be 0/20w even if its at my cost. D

After moving back to the Scotland from the US I grabbed a sub 1k Bugeye Wagon, unfortunately it needed too much work at its inspections in December to justify the running costs; I cover around 80 miles a day in commute. But I was Subaru Smitten and the basic reasoning behind the bugeye purchase still held true. Somewhat reluctantly I traded my Bugeye in against a year old Impreza at my local Subaru dealer, with 7k on the clock by and elderly local it seemed perfect. The XV or Levorg outshine it but I'd hoped with a little creativity I could personalise and elevate the humble Impreza; so heres the mods to date and a round up of plans for future. As I picked the Xpreza up from the dealer; optional OEM cross bars, rubber front mates, bumper protector and full lined rubber boot and seat backs and OEM fold out neoprene mat First thing I have done is upgrade as many as the lights to LED. Functionality and utility are my motivations and the stock lamps were useless. Next up it was time to get the racks on and wind fairing mounted Now for some Rally Armour Mudguards And my Subaru Adventure Team Decals! Then onto Plasti-dipping the front grill bars which I removed before doing I've added some little pieces of additional utility along the way including the coin tray where the fuse flap is and this arm rest inner tray Todays modification; yellow foglight film In the works roughly grouped and in order of attack; - LED's in place of front Amber turn signals to clean up front cluster, - LED reverse light to increase visibility. - 'Dog' guard to stop gear from going through cabin and to make a platform when seats folded for camping. This particular one is head rest fitting, custom made and uses taught paracord in place of mesh which fits with the theme. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00KRAB426/ref=cm_sw_r_pi_dp_x_CbbGybNSAZZWY - Paranoid Fabrications 1'' top hat spacers - Upgraded Anti Roll Bar/ Sway bar (20mm) with new end links and bushings from whiteline - Full Armrest / console rebuild with; - Sliding top cupholders, rear cupholders and sliding armrest - Larger all season AT tires. - OEM underbody protection. - Rally Innovations Light / Nudge Bar -CNC race tow hook install - Hood Damper Shock Kit - Hella horn upgrade with bracket In the meantime however i'm kitting out for a summer of touring and camping, after hyper light bike packing and hiking I'm indulging in some car accessories like a larger camp mat that fits the boot etc so that takes precedent right now. If you've made it this far here's the Xpreza in its natural environment

The End Cap for my 2014 Impreza RC factory fit Cross Bars that fit to the gutter has fallen off. While it doesnt affect the working of the bar, it does make them less secure against theft and of course looks awful. I've given Subaru a call and they think it might only come as part of the full cross bar set, I wondered if anyone knew different, or could help me source one or even a part number? Thanks! David

Looking to upgrade the roll bar on my 2014 GP Impreza RC and have heard good things about using the OEM STI 20mm version Does anyone have one with bushings I could buy?

Guys, my 2001 GX Bugeye Wagon that i've loved owning for the last few months just had its pre MOT inspection and the results weren't good. Despite only having 80,000 miles and running like a dream the last few months there's significant welding needs underneath, chasis arms, strut towers, inner arches etc My local garage doesnt see it worth his time clogging up a bay to do the work so I wondered if anyone knew of anyone that would take this on in Scotland, or even further afield - I live near Stirling and work near Motherwell. I love the car and would hate to have to consider breaking etc Many thanks David

Guys, my 2001 GX Bugeye Wagon that i've loved owning for the last few months just had its pre MOT inspection and the results weren't good. Despite only having 80,000 miles and running like a dream the last few months there's significant welding needs underneath, chasis arms, strut towers, inner arches etc My local garage doesnt see it worth his time clogging up a bay to do the work so I wondered if anyone knew of anyone that would take this on in Scotland, I live near Stirling and work near Motherwell. Many thanks David

Razz wondering you thoughts on this; my stock tyres on there currently are 195/60/R15 giving circumference of 24.2 WRX have 205/55/R16 giving circumference of 24.9 If i went to 205/65/R15 thats a circumference of 25.5 pushing to /70 makes it 26.3 So im definitely going for 65 and I now wonder whether 70 would be feasible...

Razz Razz thanks for the reply, yep was planning on 205 wide but was hoping for 60 or even 65 I'd like to not deviate from the stock diameter too much for speedo accuracy but really want some all terrain tyres and the filled arches look of rally rims.

Hi guys, apologies if this has been answered before but I'm looking for advice in the tire size for my 2001 GX Wagon that has 15'' rims, I was looking at either 205/60 or 205/65 R15 the favourites of the Grabber or the Geolander aren't available in those dimensions however there are some decent 4 season and A/T alternatives especially from Maxxis. Any advice on what would work best with no suspension mods and no fear of rubbing but still fill the arches and give it some more off road capability and looks would be much appreciated. D

appreciate that; i'll clean up where the clips are and take a proper look again Monday; fingers crossed If its warped etc i'll get in touch about yours. Is there a Haynes manual/ other preferred manual that covers the 2001 Bugeye?

I picked up a generic bungee style cargo net and wanted to fit it in my Bugeye Wagon; I can't see any obvious anchor points for it and have read that the OEM Optional Extra requires drilling and fitting plastic points; I wondered if anyone had either fitted the OEM or was using a generic one successfully. Thanks!

anyone any clue for starters; not sure how to access the mechanism if I can't fold it over to see the hook clip...?

I haven't to be honest, `i was thinking about taking the whole thing off and reattaching- slightly too scared to be honest due to my skills. maybe i'll give it a shot closer to December; I might take you up on that offer too; or i could arrange a courier...