My Subaru Search Ended with a Spec C Limited

[brumbrum]

If you can be bothered reading, here's some info i've put together on the new beast..........................

2003 Impreza STI Spec C Limited

The ‘Limited’ version was 1000 units only and came in white, red or WR blue, unlike the normal spec C which was white only.

First registered September 2003(53 plate), imported by Wicked Kit (Langtree) June 2005 at 18000 miles, supplied with BIMTA certificate, World Rally Blue.

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]The car was weighed th other day at 1340 kg which is 100kg's lighter than the normal STI

Introduction

Compared to the Impreza WRX STI Impreza the WRX STi Spec C Limited fitted with Aircon and electric windows is about 90kg lighter through the adoptation of lighter glass, reduction of sound proofing, thinner roof construction and boot lid and bonnet.

The turbocharger(IHI VF36) in the Impreza WRX STi spec C uses precise ball bearings in the shaft to reduce friction(like the VF34), thereby offering a smooth and speedy turbo boost and providing ideal engine response. Incidentally the Normal JDM STI came with a VF37.

Large water reservoir for the intercooler water spray (auto & Manual and in the boot) and oil cooler behind the front bumper have been implemented to ensure stable engine performance. Transmission oil cooler also specced up.

As there is no emission rating on the V5 the car is charged tax on the PLG rate for engines over 1550cc, therefore currently the tax is £185/pa. (NICE!)

Specification

Shorter ratio Gearing, Rally roof flap, A/C, Super sport ABS, Oil cooler, Spec C fuel pump, Driver Controlled Central differential (DCCD), Intercooler spray (Manual and Auto). Tracker, Cat 1 alarm, Clarion CD Player, AST adjustable suspension, 352bhp/385ibft torque (mapped on road), PIAA Silicone wiper blades, OEM front mud spats, and hand held Fire extinguisher (Fitted in boot).

Upgrades

Car has only been fitted with proven upgrades including:-

• Suspension:- Powerstation/Litchfield T20 suspension pack offers a superb fast road package which is also suited to many circuits, the ASTs offer 12 settings. Additionally White Line Alloy Front and rear strut braces and White line Anti Roll bars front n back, Anti lift kit have been fitted.

• Power:- Powerstation/Litchfield T20 Performance pack consists of Miltek 3” exhaust with resonator and 100 cell sports cat, Ecutek ECU map and filter combination. Bob Rawle remap with 3 port solenoid and completing an on road map.

• Brakes:- DBA Grooved discs(bloody expensive), Carbotech XP 8 pads front n rear. Brembo calipers, dot 5.1 fluid, braided hoses.

• Styling,. TRU front splitter in GRP rather than carbon for durability, plus a GT carbon spoiler. Powder coated gloss black wheels.

• Transmission, car is running the STI OEM clutch, also used and recommended by Litchfield and used on the T25. DCCD does transform the car, for road use in the wet good to leave in Auto, in the dry dial power to the rear J.

Below is an idea of servicing/upgrades undertaken by the seller and only UK owner - until me!…..

Jul 05 Car Delivered Main Service (18000) £0
Aug 05 Whiteline ARBs, ALK, Brake hose kit, 5.1 fluid £1507.55
Sep 05 Interim Service (22628) £321.49
Jan 06 Set of Kumho ku15 Tires £400.66
Jan 06 Main Service (28201) £417.84
Jun 06 T20 Suspension (AST)+ Interim service (33000) £1302.53
Jun 06 DBA 4000 front Discs £323.13
Sep 06 MOT £44.15
Oct 06 T20 Performance Pack £1441.29
Oct 06 Main Service (37603) £172.77
May 07 Interim Service (42693) £167.86
Jul 07 Pagid Yellow Front pads £248.70
Jul 07 Replacement windscreen £60.00
Sep 07 Main Service & Cambelt (44935) £479
Sep 07 NSF Wheel bearing replacement £213.03
Sep 07 MOT £50.35
Feb 08 Power coat 5 STI wheels £293.75
Feb 08 interim Service (49726) £186.62
Feb 08 Scooby world boot Mat £47.95
Feb 08 Replacement Jack Toolkit & Space Saver £88.13
Mar 08 Set of R888 (CG) £587.50
Apr 08 Carbotech Pads XP8 £145.00
Sep 08 Main Service, Brake fluid & MOT (54033) £257.96
Nov 08 Spec C replacement Battery £56.40
Feb 09 2 x Toyo R888 (CG) Tires £223.30
Mar 09 Carbon fiber exhaust Heat shield £50.00
Mar 09 Front & Rear White Line Alloy Strut Braces £236.00

On my Day of purchase the seller paid for the following service,
May 09 Interim Service inc. fitment of DBA4000 discs, Carbotech pads,dot 5.1 ( (57000) £200.00


Extras that came with the purchase.
OEM WRX Low Level spoiler,
OEM Rear mud spats (included)
OEM Down pipe and Cat (included)
Boxed Carbotech XP 8 pads
Spare bulbs
4 x Silver STI 17” alloys with RE070s tyres(slick) suitable for track day use only,
1 x Gloss Black STI 17” spare with Bridgestone RE011 Tire
Boxed Front and rear DBA 4000 grooved & slotted discs (fitted in service)
Spare new light weight battery
Road Angel

If you have not had enough already here's some more Anorak stuff............

http://www.type-ra.co.uk/pdf/2003-limited.pdf


and this, which is a press release of the 2005 Spec C........
http://www.subaru-sti.co.jp/e/GRN/bulletins/040902.pdf



Andrew

[The Pilot]

Andrew,your a complete and utter************!"£$%^&*()_{}~@:?><

had a funny feeling you'd be the new owner of this immense tool

hopefully see it and yourself at the WRC this year,provided its still on!!

oh and happy motoring,you lucky son of a female dog

[brumbrum]

Originally Posted by The Pilot

Andrew,your a complete and utter************!"£$%^&*()_{}~@:?><

had a funny feeling you'd be the new owner of this immense tool

hopefully see it and yourself at the WRC this year,provided its still on!!

oh and happy motoring,you lucky son of a female dog

Cheers mate. Infact it was you that gave me a bit of a push towards this car after a few comments on an earlier thread.


Also, before i forget, a Big Thankyou to my big Bro - Dean 'Nobby' for coming along the whole journey during the researching, viewing and buying process from the start.

[The Pilot]

my pleasure bud,maybe i should get a job flogging scoobs...lol

must admit i'd been watching it for a whille on SIDC n then you mentioned it n had a gut feeling....just enjoy it...n keep it away from lads in white vans

[RAianM]

Congratulations Andrew thats one hellova nice car you there. All that patience has paid off waiting for the right one.Welcome back & happy motoring

[2002pete]

Enjoy your "Spec C limited" Andrew. Nice one mate!

[brumbrum]

Originally Posted by 2002pete

Enjoy your "Spec C limited" Andrew. Nice one mate!

'Spec C Limited' - Oh Yeah!

updated with photos as you've probably just seen. All i need to do now is get it on the track and scare myself.

[wrx_ryk]

Gorgeous motor there matey. I'm very jealous and pleased for you!!!!

[The Pilot]

Originally Posted by brumbrum

'Spec C Limited' - Oh Yeah!

updated with photos as you've probably just seen. All i need to do now is get it on the track and scare myself.

track???.......open B roads bud,personally love whatever the road is from Halfway(WRC stage) to Swansea,up that steep,tight n twisting road,level off on,top then flat out down the other side and into a series of "S's"

[backwheelboy]

VERY nice indeed mate ;-)

[rikimaru]

Very nice . . . for a new age!

Lovely cars those. Thought it was the '04 because it appears to have the '04 Spec C low level carbon rear wing on it which looks awesome i might add.

So whats it like to drive?

[stiimpreza1984]

v nice Andrew best of luck with it

[jd]

very nice, you lucky sod.


just watch the 888's in the wet.

[holyfield]

you have been out with the polish andrew
very nice mate,enjoy, hope you have got over
your nerves since saturday mate and giving the
loud pedal some

[brumbrum]

Originally Posted by holyfield

you have been out with the polish andrew
very nice mate,enjoy, hope you have got over
your nerves since saturday mate and giving the
loud pedal some

Right, i've finally finished polishing and i'm slowly easing into the nature of the beast from behind the wheel. compared to my Uk turbo it rips through the grears like nobodies business. i'm still bedding in the DBA discs so no real hard braking as yet. i was going to say that it has a lot of top end power - which it does, but it just has power everywhere! the car comfortably revs to 8k and i'm finding that generally i'm always much higher up the rev range than i would be in my last car with the TD04 turbo and because of that and because of the shorter ratio gearing i really don't notice any more lag than on the small TD04 turbo.
i have not really given the suspension a real test yet as the car is a bit scarey and i don't want to do anything stupid. The ride is no where near as hard as i thought it may be, infact the AST's are quite comfortable. the damping force is adustable on them, but i have not messed with them yet because i'll probably ruin the ride.
the DCCD control has stayed in auto so far 'cause i'm a bit of a pussy and don't want to tempt fate dealing the power from the rear wheels - not yet anyway. well impressed with the R888 tyres, but it has been dry so far.
it is a completely different sounding car - without the burble due to the equal length exhaust manifold. the car screams like a super bike at high revs, if i was american i would say it was 'Awesome', but i'm welsh so i'll say it's 'tidy!'
the whole car is really tight with the short shift gear change and quick rack steering and sti steering wheel. The clutch pedal is nice n tight with only a small amount of travel and all seems good there(touch wood). all this along with a taught suspension set up gives a distinct impression that you really are driving a rally car, especially as the light weight bonnet shudders when you plant your right foot and change through the gears.
it's still very very early days, but at this point all i can say is that it is completely different car to my last one in every way.

I'm just keeping my eyes peeled for any white vans ready to plough into the side of me