Johngenx

Only the 1998 Forester (one "r") has the phase 1 DOHC 2.5L engine. The 99- has the SOHC engine. There was some significant improvements in the 99 model over the 98's with regards to structural integrity and crash performance. I'm not 100% sure, but I think there were cosmetic changes in the 2001 model year, with different bumpers and changes to available colours and different wheels. We only looked at 2001 and later models and "S" or "Limited" trim. I wanted the limited slip diff, heated seats etc. and CD changer. We've only owned our Forester for a couple weeks, but really like it. We've had our OBW for 13 months and it's been reliable and enjoyable. In some ways I prefer the Forester to the OBW thanks to the lack of limo-black tint on the rear windows, more upright driving position and lighter weight. But, the OBW has leather (couldn't find a cherrry Forester with leather, boo) sunroofs, and the interior materials and dash design is much more luxurious. From my searching the threads, I have found that SOHC engines also suffer head gasket failures, but evidently the failure pattern is a more manageable external leak and the incidence level is much lower.

Be careful running 12V directly to anything. I don't know anything about Subaru wiring, but many Mercedes DIY'ers have burnt out HVAC blower motors and other parts by "testing" them by applying 12V, when the max the blower motor actually gets is about 4V. I would suspect that anything that needs the current of the seat heater element would be 12V, but if you can find any wiring info, look for a relay or other voltage "altering" device. Does anyone know if the Subie seats have any other devices? Many cars now have occupacy sensors, child-seat sensors, and other circuitry in the seats. Some folks have found wiring harnesses in the seats of their Mercedes, and figured they had found heated seats, ran 12V to it, and fried some expensive sensors that were part of the SRS system.

Don't worry, it didn't happen. No rube here...

Nope. Also, that $1000 does not include any brake work. Timing belt not until 168,000kms on 2001 SOHC 2.5L engine. I found the following on Subaru.ca: Basic oil and filter service, plus: Complete 30-point inspection of your Subaru including underhood, steering equipment, exhaust, undercarriage, appearance and road test Written recommendation and price quotation of needed services (if applicable) This is $39.95 Flush and clean cooling system Pressure test cooling system and radiator cap Inspect radiator, belts and hoses Add Subaru Coolant Conditioner Bring A/F strength to (-50°C) This is $49.95 Wow. it seems you can get a lot of the work done for only $90. Nine hundred more bucks to inspect a few more things and replace the brake fluid, air filter and spark plugs? I think the listed service specials on the Subara Canada web site are VERY reasonable. A tranny service is $49.95. The list a front brake service including pads and turning the discs, AND replacing the brake fluid for $129. Curious, do owners have their brake discs machined? On Mercedes models, you never turn them, always replace the discs. Maybe there are some Edmonton local owners that can point me towards some good indie mechanics?

No kidding. Replace engine oil and filter Inspect and adjust all fluid levels including both differentials Inspect and adjust all tire pressures Inspect operation of all lights, wipers and washers Inspect and adjust clutch clearance (if applicable) Inspect and adjust drive belt tension Inspect axle boot condition Lubricate all latches, hinges & locks (hood, doors, fuel door & trunk lid) Road test vehicle Replace engine coolant and add SUBARU COOLANT CONDITIONER Inspect accessory drive belt(s) Inspect PCV valve and replace if necessary Inspect all hydraulic brake and clutch lines Replace brake fluid Inspect all emissions related hoses and connections Replace spark plugs Replace in-tank fuel filter So, that's the list. There is quite a bit of stuff, including new coolant, new brake fluid, new engine oil and filter, new engine air filter, new fuel filter and new plugs. But, most of the list looks like fluff designed to ramp up labour charges. I am always suspect of paying for "inspection" labour. I find that those "inspections" take little time, are often overlooked, and are a huge profit center for the service dept. I'll have to dive into doing most of these jobs myself, as I do 99% of that myself on my Mercedes without much effort. However, at the MB dealer, picking those jobs would add up: 1. Replace coolant P/L about $100. 2. Replace brake fluid P/L about $100. 3. Engine air filter P/L $50. 4. Fuel filter P/L $75. 5. Spark Plugs $125. I would expect to pay about $500 for parts and labour for the work listed on the Subaru 96K service. Twice that is a rip-off. What kind of service schedule do people follow? This is what I have done on all my MB's: 1. Engine oil and filter every 7500kms using Mobil 1. (8L of Mobil 1 is about $50.00 and the filter is $12) 2. Engine air filter and cabin air filter every 22,500km's. ($65 for both filters including activated charcoal filter for ACC system) 3. Inspect suspension, accessory drive belt, flex plates and exhaust every 45,000kms'. My own labour. 4. Change fuel filter, coolant and brake fluid every other spring. This I have done and runs about $300 parts and labour. 5. The five speed automatic is "fill for life" but most MB owners change the fluid every 100,000kms or so. Dealer-must-do-job as the Star Diagnostic System is requiried to set the fluid level correctly. $200. So, for 100,000km's of driving, or four years, I spend: $800 oil and filters $260 air filters $600 coolant and brake fluid and fuel filters $200 tranny service. Grand total: $1860. Brakes/tires/repairs on top of that, but overall I'm used to spending very little to keep my cars in top form. I am a fuss-pot that does not let the smallest thing go.

I haven't talked to the dealer yet, and when I do, I was hoping to have some knowledge prior to asking about it. One thing I have learned from years of dealing with Mercedes dealers is that knowledge is power. Not sure about Subie dealers yet, but MB dealers assume their customers are morons with no more automotive knowledge than a three year old. With an MB dealer, if you expect them to volunteer information, you're SOL. We bought the Forester from a local Mazda dealer, and not knowing a good Subie indie yet, I took the Forester to the nearby Subaru dealer. They did the Pre-Purchase Inpsection. Upon picking up the report, they began going on about the 96K-km service. I had thought that Mercedes dealer service prices were high until last week. $1000 for a regular service? Are these things that hard to work on? I did the major service on my C-Class myself as the dealer wanted $650 for what is simple maintenence work. Set me back about $150 in parts and a leisurely afternoon. The Subaru dealer started going on about the "tune up" being the major part of the cost, but were very vague about it. "You know, spark plugs and that stuff..." I have owned Porsche 911 models, and know that boxer engines can pose problems for service, but is it that tough to change plugs on a Forester? I'll have to have a closer look once the wether warms a bit. (supposed to be -32C this weekend and for some time...) At first blush, the Subie dealer seems as big or bigger a rip-off artist as most other dealers I have encountered.

I have read with interest the remarks concerning the warranty to 100,000 miles on head gaskets. I have owned our 01 OBW for about a year now, and have heard nothing concerning any extended warranty. Our car is out of factory warranty, and does not visit the dealer. We just bought (last Friday) a 2001 Forester S, and it is under factory warranty, though it's going to expire soon. To the Canadian members, does Subaru Canada offer any kind of extended warranty coverage for head gaskets as SOA?

I wanted to get 15" steel wheels for snow tires with our 2001 OBW, but found that only 16" wheels will fit. The Forester has 16" OE wheels, but the L models have 15" wheels. However, I noticed that the L models have rear drums. Do 15" steel wheels fit on the 01 Forester S models? Thanks!

Hello all. We own two Subarus, a 2001 Outback Wagon Ltd. and are taking delivery tomorrow morning of a 2001 Forester S. We have owed the Outback since last January and based on our experience with the OBW, we decided to add another Subie to our stable. To date, the only problem we've experienced with the OBW was a failed knock sensor that triggered a CEL. I tend to be quite obsessive about maintenance and service and will probably have no end of questions regarding technical issues, so I hope you're a patient lot! We also have a 1998 Mercedes-Benz and a 2000 Suzuki Hayabusa in the family.