El Duderino

This is great mate thanks and gives me a lead for my 2010 RX - I will start a thread for mine when I get the time - busy at work, run up to Christmas. I will come back to you for part sources / references like those spacers at some point. I got my white pearlescent paint J37 from a trade source in Scarborough whilst over in England last week - 3 stage, needs to be decent auto-shop quality to do a proper job and requires compressor / gun. I will put that in my thread when I get going because you wont find this paint in a can or on eBay (if you do it will be !Removed!). Quick pic, Legacy on the right is 2006 RE Estate with extra HP (163 off the 2.0 NASP) and still only 43K - great car, had it 5 years now. Lovely driving down through France to Spain one time - air con, cruise etc.

Just completed a 1100 miles up through England from Poole and back (ferry) and across the North. Car was faultless and very nice to drive at 70/80 as I suspected (its geared for that). Handling at 80 in windy and wet conditions on the motorway and around the lanes near Macclesfield was rock solid inspiring confidence. 17" alloys with low profile tyres give good grip and brakes decent enough. Hatchback and rear room are fine - at one stage I had a baby seat (+ 2yr old) and push chair in the car, two adults + me and shopping, winter coats etc. Great audio and Sat Nav stood up except in Manchester city centre where it was too slow for the actual roads, lane changes and junctions in traffic (probably would have nailed any sat nav TBH). Got me to The Grapes pub in Sheffield OK though. Miles per gallon indicated on the dash after a days motorway driving 31.2 average - I wasn't trying to be economical and hitting 90+ at times so not too bad. Negatives: It's a little noisy and harsh at low speeds (you notice more on a night) but this is a Subaru trait - I have a Legacy which is the same, and I put it down to the flat four, weight and the AWD, but I can live with that. It runs out of steam on steeper A roads like Staxton Hill in Scarborough with 2 in the car plus cases, a little disappointing for 150BHP in a hatch but I may be able to lift that with a bit of work to get the car more to the 163 BHP in my Legacy (same 2.0 engine) which doesn't have that issue at all - surprising as its got to be heavier than the Impreza. The Impreza is low mileage and former lady driver so it may loosen up with more miles and spirited driving. Overall very happy, a lot of car for what I paid, a nice looker, practical and different to most hatchbacks on the road with the AWD and a flat floor... you do get some Scooby burble as well even with the stock exhaust and air box (designed to minimise it I suspect). Motorway services 4.00 in the a.m. 🙂

Update November 23rd - for the benefit of others here is the short version: • you cannot get / use this paint in aerosol form (if someone tells you they can be wary) • reason being the proper stuff is too viscous for a can nozzle (and in 3 stages) • it's a 3 part process (after a standard white primer) - base coat, pearlescent, laquer • laquer comes in two parts - you have to add a hardener to make it active • in UK, auto paint suppliers can ONLY sell this to trade as it is restricted under solvent regs • I managed to bypass that through a trade friend and have the high quality body shop paint now £54.00 - can give the contact in Scarborough by PM if required. So now I just need (no cynicism at all) - a compressor, air line and gun to do the actual spraying... jeez, all this for a grill.

OK no worries - the same engine in my Legacy (2006/7) 2.0 RE has 163 BHP so I think I will get my Impreza up around that mark. It's fine on 150 though so 158 no problem.

Hi I've just bought a 2010 R hatchback - to be honest I didn't know there was a 160bhp version (is that the diesel?). Mine is the RX (high spec) 2.0 petrol 150bhp in pearl white metallic. One lady owner 52K - its in great condition. The RX has a decent spec and the interior is fine - don't read the reviews which suggest it is some kind of 80's plastic box - its Subaru so on the Impreza it's about utility and longevity rather than soft touch fabrics - mine is 8 years old and un-marked inside, nothing fallen off (just a little wear on drivers fabric seat). I have a Legacy R and that is a little more plush inside, aimed at the 3/5 series market but the Impreza is comfy and fine. You can check out the spec yourself but try to get the RX as its basically the WRX spec (not the performance bits, rather the body, interior etc). Highlights include: All wheel drive - rare on any hatchback - also has traction control tech and ABS 17 x 7J light alloys Recaro style sports seats up front (and head rests in rear with split back seat) Sports exhaust (rear box / pipe) and diffuser DVD / CD / Video (RCA connection) in the dashboard with surround sound 6 speaker Hi Fi with sub woofer Central locking with keyless entry / cat 1 security Sat nav and cruise control (with various other controls and functions built in) WRX (style) aero kit I believe it shares the basic suspension, mount points and set up of the WRX (TBC) so it should take WRX parts such as exhaust, brakes etc for simple upgrades - Jay762 is looking at that currently. https://uk.subaruownersclub.com/profile/388-jay762/ *** Driving / experience, 1 month in I've had an Impreza before in the 90's and I have a 2.0 Legacy R Estate now with the uprated engine (163bhp) so I knew what to expect. Its comfy, quiet and moves with ease in 4th and 5th. It's a little more grown up than earlier versions and the power / gearing is set for the 40+ area - on a motorway it will cruise effortless at 80 mph all day and feels agile at those speeds if you drop into 4th. However, it isn't a sprinter with this set up and AWD to carry about. Accelerate hard in the low gears and it will move but its noisy and lacks pace against a GTi hatchback - that's not what Subaru were doing with this model, and if you want that I suggest you get a WRX turbo. Seats 5 in confort, hatchback opens wide and to floor level which is practical but the boot space is not vast with the rear seat up sacrificed a little for the coupe / hatchback style which I am fine with (I have an estate for that). With rear seats down you can get quite a bit in though as it's a mid sized car overall (Focus, Astra). Fuel economy isn't too bad if you drive normally but you will pay more for the AWD and additional weight. For me it's just about perfect - different from any other hatchback, looks well, lots of Subaru (rally) nods, AWD, great kit included, handling / brakes / tech above average. I am going to do some light mods to try and get the NASP engine up to 160 / 165 which I think will just give it a little more urgency. Will be Spring now as I am busy at work through Christmas. I will start a project file.

Great! Keep me posted. From what I've read so far, the RX isn't that far off the WRX in many respects - I don't mean detailed parts, rather the base car, chassis and mount points so I am hoping it will take WRX parts without too much stress. I was thinking down this route for a simple brake improvement, maybe discs, callipers for a WRX when I look at those. And that rear ARB you mention. 👍

Nothing on Amazon UK but I have found these guys - looking good, may ship and knock VAT off (no VAT where I am). Otherwise I will have them deliver to Driffield. I will update the post with progress and take some picks once I am spraying 🙂 Thanks again. https://www.vernicispray.co.uk/11610224674001EN/car-touch-up-kit-custom-paint-with-1k-clear-lacquer-in-spray-subaru-impreza-37j-satin-white-met.jsp

Hi mate Yes that looking good thanks - US store though, will see if Amazon UK do it. They wont ship cans to Guernsey due to aerosol regulations but I can get round that (daughter in Yorkshire - will drive it back!). Cheers

Hi I am looking to paint a new grill, Subaru part in primer currently. Locally (Guernsey) no one can supply me the paint, not even the Subaru dealer. They have mentioned it is 3 stage and can only be done professionally by a body shop? This sounds wiffy to me. Is there no paint kit available to do this yourself? Thanks for any input. The vehicle is a 2010 Subaru Impreza, colour reference: 37J Satin White Pearl N.B. - Badge is already off and black grill masked out. 🙂

Hi mate - apologies for slow response, my work isn't 9/5 and when it gets busy I can disappear for a few days. Appreciate your input and comments. I will start a thread as you suggest, will be a little slow until the spring. I have a guy in Leeds, Tony Banks (https://www.tonybanks.co.uk/) who made me a stainless exhaust for the 180, cat back and we later added a Maxogen / CDA for the air in. He took the time to consider the air flow and we didn't go mad on diameters. Reset the engine management to pick the changes up, good oil, plugs etc - opened up that NASP engine across the rev range without making it grumpy which is where I want to be with this car. I still have my head into getting an Sti at some stage 😉 when I clear through a few things (like moving job / house) and get back to England. At that point I will run the RX as my daily. On the Sti, age wont matter - will be about the model, owner, maintenance history and condition. Looking forwards to exploring the board in that area. Best

Me too mate... 2010 Impreza, one owner, dealer serviced 54K. 2.0 RX 150 BHP model with good deal of options (sat nav, cruise etc), like new inside and out - loving it.

Me too this month! Old and new Impreza ( well new, used) 🙂 2010 2.0 RX has a good deal more power, AWD and kit -than my old 1.6GL - still has similarities though including the engine burble. Best wishes.

Thanks, I've had the Zed 11 years now, and you can tell its had Pro Drive and Peter Stevens work on it - several cross overs to Subaru including the hawkeye headlight design. I will have a search around the site at the weekend for performance bits. Started on the Impreza with a gentle effort to de-chrome. I wont present it as something it isn't (like a WRX / Sti) but I do like gentle mods that make a car my own. Just arrived this official Subaru sports grill. Sti badge coming off and expecting the paint next few days (white is primer). I am going to extend the lower air intake visually with black satin - combination should make the nose more in keeping with the stock body extensions, hatch spoiler and wheels. Below is a mockup against current nose, and the new grill out of the box - has the ducting on right side to channel air to the internal piping / air box. Found my old 555 Beanie last night, got to be 20+ years old 🙂 - got it in Wales during an RAC. Dream rally team at the time for Subaru. Just in time for winter. And a pic similar to my original Impreza 1.6 GL in red. Was a great car despite the lack of power and 2WD, still had a burble and handled well in the bends. Have a great day.

Morning from Guernsey off the coast of France. Short post to say hello, I will follow up with more, try to be positive and contribute where I can. Briefly I am from Yorkshire, currently working and residing on Guernsey (8 years) - kind of emigrated but not really as will be back home at some stage. Had a local Subaru dealer near my village (Bramhope) where I first came into contact with the brand back in late 80's / 90's when Colin was active and Subaru WRC champions. We had a good deal of motorsport across Yorkshire and we would get up to Scotland, down to Wales. I bought an Impreza 1.6 saloon (2WD) as still a young guy (insurance) had it about 4 years. No issues, liked the car. Kids came along, things changed... Ford Galaxy replaced Impreza. In 2012 re-united with Subaru buying a low mileage 2007 model year Legacy RE 2.0 Estate, manual with the uprated (163 BHP ?) output, full leather, electric heated seats, moon roof etc - I have had a 3 series BMW (328i Coupe) and the Legacy outdoes it in several areas once it is rolling - effortless cruising, kit, handling and sure footedness especially in bad weather. A little slow and unrefined from stationary but its a trade off with the AWD clearly. In 2018 I still have it on 38,000 miles. Apart from a service, I've changed the discs / pads (myself) and clutch this year (garage). Love it for family and our dog. This month I have bought another low mileage Subaru for myself (for trips back to Yorkshire primarily), couldn't not to be honest - one lady owner, full dealer serviced (stamped book, receipts) 2010 Impreza 2.0 RX on 54K miles, manual. Pearl white, mint inside and out. Has the full options I believe including Sat Nav with DVD player, Xenon lights, Thatcham class one, 17x7J alloys, sports seats, cruise control. I am looking to maintain this largely myself so will be searching the board for help and may have a few questions. One first question is... both of my Scoobies have the same 2.0 litre petrol engine I believe although on the Impreza it is 148 and on the Legacy 163 BHP. It would be nice to tweak the Impreza up to this if I can, its swift enough but just to give it a little more zip for the motorway and overtaking. I understand it essentially has a CAF already of sorts from above grill to air box, was thinking cat back exhaust (to max useful diameter), BMC CDA / sports filter, clean the fuel system +new fuel filter and low viscous oil. Not sure about engine management tweaks and whether I can reset this myself or a re-map useful. I will upgrade the disc / pads when next due (stopping feels OK stock). Thanks for any indications in advance - I understand that being a NASP rather than turbo I wont get much improvement v cost (and not looking for significant) but I did see a welcome character change when I applied these to my other car - MG ZS 2.5 V6 currently running approx 190 BHP - the improvement in breathing made it much more responsive in the mid range, maybe a little quicker in a sprint. Cheers Work front: graphic designer / web designer / marketing exec (20 years). Hobbies: 2 kids, labrador, cycle, gardening, draw, paint, Apple Macintosh Ninja