Mr B

I would guess it going be P0420 fault code (Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold) which really is either the rear sensor as this is the one that relates data to cat efficiency or Cat itself could be an issue. Other things can cause like poor spark plugs/leads, fuel, dirty maf, exhaust leaks. . Worth grabbing a cheap obd2 code reader so can see codes yourself http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Car-Engine-Fault-Code-Reader-Diagnostic-Scanner-Reset-Tool-OBD-2-CAN-BUS-EOBD-UK-/172200936611 You could try running some cat cleaner in your fuel system mixed extra strong . If P0420 not a big problem but can be pain be sure exactly what at fault . Would imagine reason it found it's way to dealers was due to intermittent engine light & no obvious course of action to resolve . Cat not cheap and silly money via main dealer so would want warranty involved if using main dealer. Hopefully couple attempts of cat cleaning additive & trying a better fuel may help ...

No additional network required, the wifi dongle is a network and you search and connect to it. That little ebay reader is good little unit for money, have couple of them in car glove boxes as quick no hassle check option. Plenty of wifi dongle for ios on ebay if look and choose wisely. Will need software from app-store.

need wifi for iphone as ios bluetooth no good as locked down on functions . cheap stand alone solution > http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Car-Engine-Fault-Code-Reader-Diagnostic-Scanner-Reset-Tool-OBD-2-CAN-BUS-EOBD-UK-/172200936611 .

They not very good, all taiwan ones much same . BC potentially better on price and parts/rebuild but none are proper good on b road use, main reason bumps and bushes gone is rod stroke too short and bottom out all time . easy enough get new bumps and expect could find or make polly bushes for eyelet, springs could do with blasting and epoxy powder coating. someone probably buy them .

Is it 1 button fob and is it separate or built into key head ? single button fobs separate to key can be had on ebay cheap and reprogrammed using info on this forum. fob boards fitted in the key head can be swapped so can buy used ones of those reprogram and swap, is also a company on ebay repair the boards at fixed pricing .What ever solution you use it worth also grabbing a spare fob and programming it also as handy have .

what are spark plugs like, do they show good mixture burn and in good order. tricky one diagnose without logging oem sensors and physically looking at cat condition etc . Can you fit cat yourself so cost minimal .

^ lol done some restoration work few years back on one of those for an old chap who loved it like a family member . awful but nostalgic :-) Land Rover was about our best in the car world but sold out . Sad really young generation got very few opportunities in big manufacturing or much to be proud of . I've been to Infar plant in taiwan and it amazing see the design & manufacturing capability they have, we really dropped the ball purely as big business wanted maximum profit and sleazy politicians let it happen .

I would love for our government reduce foreign manufacture and add massive company tax for using it. I would like buy tools made in UK like old days of Gordon, King D1ck & original Britool, companies like britool sold out to facom and now sell taiwan and china rebranded generic tools .Recently started dealing with UK battery manufacturer Powerline, wish I could deal with few more ...

Like Hilary much better , she a compulsive liar and in the pockets of big corporations . Brexit will happen one way or the other, EU is heading to internal protest & bankruptcy, Greece scenario & immigration is ridiculous .Would you want give up the pound and become a full federation :-S I sure as f00k don't . Companies can not keep going to likes of china for production as no work or wealth for the home country. All these west european workers in uk do nothing but bleed money out of the country, EU policy on food and car regulation is insanity ...

Only easy if obvious loom/plug issue under seat. elements and thermostats all within seat cushion base .

head gaskets , common issue on 2.5 ... stick with 2.0XT

I would stick with 2.0xt as far better engine .

does the switch light up on high setting ? if so check wiring harness under seat and run some contact cleaner on connector .If working on low elements are ok as work in series in low and parallel for high, if switch & wiring good it probably thermostats for high in the seat . Hope u get a rain free day as keen see how these mouldings work on arches and what covering the give . mileage results can seem odd, seems sensible figures though .

Manual potentially bit better mpg plus tend resale better. If really want an auto stick it out for one. Have a look at this one as more see better idea you get on price and condition. Be fussy as it easy get almost immaculate xt models as generally low mileage and little abuse, more so for auto. I found good ones easily compared to the base model work horse. Ignore dealers as they full of it and use your own eyes and hands, inspect everything, operate all electrics and inspect paint finish as os wings and rear bumpers get knocked easy. Plenty about and worth traveling a bit as proper tidy one saves thousands long term .

As above, 04 and 05 get premium as better road tax bracket. don't buy a 2006, road tax is crazy and they harder sell on . this time of year jumps price 500 to 1000 good ones can be had as low as 2500 but needs be private sale. Plenty good XT's about and autos easier/cheaper find. Don't rush and only buy if 100% happy and inspected car in depth, look and check everything and do not trust what sellers tell you especially trade dealers . Inspect rear arch wells and turrets for rot as some prone to it, need physically tap metal as rot from inside so can look pristine outside, visually look at rear subframe too & also see rear ride height seems pert and not saggy . Good long test drive needed on good B roads, check gear change crisp (2nd and 3rd especially) & clutch ok . engine should be smooth with no hesitation .

I would look at mocal perhaps, something like a 235mm matrix width 25row (194mm) and look into having a thermostat on it and even a temp sensor & guage perhaps . USA does few transmission cooler kits so worth looking at US websites etc to get more ideas .

do the tyres rub at all ? is indeed a foretza . lol reminds me a bit of the oz impreza version wagon

Is a common code and sometimes as in your instance a pita resolve . Is worth checking plugs etc, ideally want a road test with wideband logging & cats looking at , you can add a spacer fitting to rear sensor that moves tip out of main flow as a poor mans fix/function test .

yeh that was roughly full dealer retail fitted back in the day which is extortionate and why don't see that often on the foresters . You want see price of genuine moulded mud flaps & load liner mat lol :-) rear rolling load cover is about £350 :-) Do a review on strip as interested how that works/looks . would be cheap solution and keep edges from light scrapes and parking door dings too . May find adding the black door edge moulding strips kind of makes it more oem blending/complete, we done a few with that in black & chrome saves door edges so again practical addon ... Seems practical and sensible solution to your minor blemish mark, think will look fine on dark green too . good luck ...

I haven't found SG accessories catalogue, found SH but arch moulding kit not in that one. We got them from US parts specialist as way cheaper plus ordered a few rear bumper protectors help spread shipping costs as was only £28 compared to UK £75 :-O Arch moulding kit was about £280 (few years ago and £ to $ was good plus US prices way better start with . Could be worth trying the 3m tape as if around 18mm coverage good enough it could work well & look oem if fitted carefully & give you similar look for less than £20 then keep eye out for arch moulding kit if want beast it up some more ... Don't see many with them & ones I seen tended to be demonstrator cars so fit most accessories for show, I recall UK subaru price around £580 :-O

No idea how good that 5M trim is, get similar stuff in local body shops, maybe bit small for what want do ! Link below same trim but way better price. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/E-TECH-WHEEL-ARCH-GUARD-TRIM-WHEEL-ARCH-PROTECTOR-UNIVERSAL-BLACK-/191199762094 oem arch guard kit is indeed quite cool. they should of been done standard in my opinion and same for rear bumper guard. I'll have look on workshop computer before leave as got a full pdf on extras somewhere and pretty sure a part number with it, numbers will difffer for colours but gives you something search with .

silencers don't sound sweetest (local factors no better though and twice price) but seem last well & is aluminised steel . Worked out good on older subarus as meant we could cost job cheaper than car value :-) and keep older cars affordable & on the road . Forester ones are about £60 to £70 . Just message them car reg be sure right and ask pipe diameter to be sure it not dropping size from oem, you'll get bit cheaper if do offer ...

you need get waxoil in the arch cavity which need access from inside boot . I will try dig out part number for arch protectors, them are an extra like the black rear bumper protector . Full price is silly money but they hide arch edge and do a good job of protecting body work a bit . one we done was not a AWP so bumpers & door lower guards all black & black arch trim matched in perfect. They do them in same grey/gunmetal as the bumpers/door guards.If you call a dealer they may be able help Look online as may find way cheaper . Other option is something like this, as you got dark green black blends nicely with it . http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/331984431810

These are good budget option, better than stuff we get from local motor factors at almost twice price, used them on foresters & old justy . Make an offer .I purchased a few SF & SG foz systems . http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Subaru-Outback-3-0-Subaru-Legacy-3-0R-24V-4x4-exhaust-system-silencer-3528-/321754044440

You want spray waxoil inside rear arches so getting down to that arch lip, will need remove side trims in boot. Rear arches are about 30/70 bad/good on these and they either go from inside out or out panel start going because arch lip failing . We done a red one which was bit bad and needed plating on inner arch and small area of outer arch. Rather than blend in body paint the arches had the genuine subaru black optional front & rear arch trims fitted (not cheap but may get old stock deal on them) which covered the repair visual body paint & made job easy and could use a marine grade epoxy paint final coat which way better than 2 packs long term . Rust on these is best attacked quick as modern steel soon de-laminates . The older SF forester was better steel and thicker sheet metal on inner arch guard Least other minor faults fixed and dealer happy and easy in covering the work ... .