Sandals

Could be something else going on then if it's only the idle emissions. How is your air filter looking?

My guess is either the cat is not working anymore or your lambda sensor isn't working. I take it you have no engine warning lights?

Welcome to the club! Is the exhaust modified? Still have all the cats in place?

Welcome to the club! Might be a good idea to do some maintenance on it as well, chuck in some redex fuel additive to help break down any crap in your fuel lines. Might want to change your fuel filter as well if you don't know if/when it was last changed. I agree with Scoobyghost... check your boost pipes are still all tight, make sure the recirc valve is not leaking boost either (assuming it's standard)

Yeh I know mate, just joking... :D

That all sounds about right.....

Naw

Apparently not!

They look dam shiny!!

driver side you need to remove the airbox to be able to access them, passenger side you need to take out the washer bottle and battery out. Coil packs are a bolt each to take out which then gives you access to the plugs!

Does it get louder the faster you go? Are you able to jack the car up and check the wheels for any play? Does sound like a possible wheel bearing going bad...

Welcome to the club! Yeh the gearbox dipstick is not very obvious... it's at the back of the engine bay, bit lower down...

I'm doing mine in stages... i expect in a few years time when i get good sized garage added onto my house, I'll have the engine out completely!

My wife was getting annoyed at me when I was still working on my car at 8PM... I got a "Well I'm just going to have my dinner now"

Yeh to be fair, after I spent a weekend under my car doing my up-pipe... I was broken for days afterwards!

Welcome to the club! Loving all the new Scottish members! Have you tried revving the engine while you have the bonnet up and see if you can hear it? Is it related to road speed or engine speed?

Welcome to the club! Certainly does sound like a knackered MAF... have you installed a different type of air filter? One of the oiled types? These have the potential to break the MAF... Parts should be similar if not the exact same as far as i'm aware. Think this is the MAF for your car: http://scoobyworld.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=47_422&products_id=1351

I only said a "bit" older! I very seldom drink, so if it makes you feel any better... if I were to get drunk, I'm sure I would suffer just as much!

Don't worry Stants... when i get a bit older and more sensible, I'll move onto a Forester :D

Not really sure what they are like in general, but when you take it for a test drive... take your time engaging the gears (especially 2nd and 3rd) and see how they feel. If it feels quite notchy and lumpy, could be a sign it has been abused. If it feels OK and you decide to buy it... maybe get them to change the gearbox oil as part of the deal!

Just found out last night that my wife is paying for my remap for my 30th birthday... happy days!

Welcome to the club! I would say a new clutch at 40k is rather low miles. Wouldn't necessarily assume it has been thrashed, previous owner may have just one of those people that ride the clutch on hills or at traffic lights etc... How did the gearbox feel?

Welcome to the club!