25 replies to this topic

[Glenn 20]

Hi all,

Want to buy a B4, drove one a few years back and love it.

 

I own a 06 Subaru forester xt, service it every 5,000kms. .etc and look after it the best I can. Great car.

 

B4's are the are reliable daily?

Good for long trips? Engine sound? Etc...only mods I would do is exhaust and tune by KiDo Racing, heard they are the best. 

B4 owners and ex owners what your thoughts?

 

Cheers

P.s. I have read through the twin turbo page and have learn't heaps, So thanks guys for the great info so far!

[Jimbo]

Reliable as long as you can stay on top of the maintenance and keep the TT junk happy. Reading up on the YGTTT thread is a great start. We have compiled nearly all there is to know about how it runs and how to keep it running. 

If you're keen enough to take the challenge, go for it. If i can suggest something, the stock AUDM B4 tune was awful and prone to pinging itself to death. So a safe tune is a must to ensure some longevity. Apart from that, looking after it will be no different to looking after your current Foz.

It's all very rewarding when it's operating to it's full potential. 

[allpaw4]

Agree. If you can maintain it within an inch of its life and basically tune it as soon as you get it, you should be on happy days. There is a lot more maintenance required than just the logbook stuff to keep them running though. Have a look at the above mentioned thread and check out the vac lines in particular. Keeping the black box of death happy and clean will keep these cars running well and without major faults. I have to say that the way the B4 power was delivered was awesome, and put a smile on my face every time. If it wasn't for the issues, I'd still be rocking the TT motor.
Best of luck with it and know that this forum has some of the best info from guys and girls that have done the hard yards already with these cars.

[Niko]

From the 7ish years that I've seen B4 owners come and go on this forum, I'd say finding a clean B4 is half the battle. Unfortunately the TT is, as the boys pointed out above, a fickle thing, and some owners just messed with it too much. A lot convert to single turbo, a lot swear at it and sell it but there is surprisingly more well looked after B4s on the forum now than there was 6yrs ago.

 

I think Kong's build threads are also a keen insight into the TT engine and some of the mistakes owners (not Kong) make with their B4s.

 

The upside to buying a 12ish year old car is that many before you have worked out the common faults and problems.

 

Good luck with the car hunting.

[BE4ORE]

^ thats what i call BOSS advise... RESTECPA!

[RX25SE]

^ thats what i call BOSS advise... RESTECPA!

 

+1

[Glenn 20]

Thanks guys for your replys.

Will do more research and see if it's worth it. lol

But pretty keen on the B4. 

[allpaw4]

If it's any constellation I am tossing round the idea of selling mine. Not even at expression of interest yet, but just putting it out there.

[CRUISN]

The only major downside to a B4 is its not a wagon.

[Jimbo]

Where's the "like" button?

[Liberty]

Coming when Dylan upgrades to the next version of this forum software.

[natho]

I'm on to my 2nd B4. First pinged like crazy even with an ecutek tune until i converted it to single turbo. Ended up selling it, and after a few years missed it enough to buy another. Unfortunately it needs a new motor - a big end bearing is about to go. I'll be keeping this one twin turbo for now, with a secondhand motor going in soon.

 

I would say only buy a B4 if you are attached to the Gen3 (like me), and can either maintain it yourself, or know a mechanic/workshop that knows them well. If not, you're probably better off with a WRX or a Gen4+ Liberty.

 

Definitely worth buying one that's had a tune done to fix the pinging, and i'd be looking for one that's either cheap enough that you could fix what's wrong, or from an enthusiast who knows the car well enough to look after it. Most people are totally unaware of the pinging issue, and plenty of them are still on the stock tune. With 12+ years of pinging i'd expect those on an original motor to need some attention by now.

[Zac]

I'm having a hard time letting go of my B4.

 

It is such a nice car, such a great car to drive, even in an auto. But like everyone has said, just should learn as much as you can about the TT system as things will popup from time to time that need attention. 

 

Gen3s look awesome, the TT sound is amazing and with the right suspension setup, handles like nothing else.

 

That being said, I'm selling mine as I needed to upsize to a family-sized Outback, and I went Gen 4

 

I will miss the rumble and boost, which is what makes it hard to let the car go.

[CodeBurn3r]

And, As these boys said...
If someone has dicked around with the TT prior, head aches a plenty.

If you buy one, you better put your learning shoes on.

 

Quoted again for the truths! What a head fork getting one after a Muppet has owned it! FML

[Barbbachello]

 

Quoted again for the truths! What a head fork getting one after a Muppet has owned it! FML

Allan is an intelligent man who knows what hes doing...... hahahahahahahaha couldnt say that with a straight face

[Dimeb4g]

long time no post for me... 

 

 

but i can assist here. 

 

I've had my B4 for 4 years now. was my daily and now is my every other daily ( is for sale sadly) other than the gearbox that was forked when i got her, she hasnt missed a beat, and is the ideal daily. loves cruising around at town speeds, loves a good red light race, and is super smooth on the open road... and imho pretty economical too... 550km appx around town and 650-700 on the highway... i find the power delivery and lack of lag much better to drive than the GT wagon i have as my daily. The wagon is quicker from 60-100 but with the stock exhaust laggy and slow off the line and when giving way to intersections etc... i  find the b4 much better down low, and with the exhaust mods, pulls relentlessly from 80-170+ 

 

its also smoother (and less race car) than the GT which has Skillionires ( Nik) pinks and JDM billies... 

 

i might just have been lucky with it... but if we didnt need a wagon, i'd be keeping her for many a year to come... 

[duncanm]

all the TT love -- makes me want to weep.

[cowie165]

all the TT love -- makes me want to weep.

 

It's ok Duncan, if love for TTs makes you want to weep you can do that. Subyclub is a safe place.

[duncanm]

I second what others have to say...

 

The primary boost is great for every day driving when you're just tootling along under 3k. Boost quickly off the line without silly clutch dumps, and boost is there at freeway speeds cruising in 5th.

 

The secondary is a nice kick in the pants when you need it.

 

The VOD is there, and most noticeable if you short shift once on secondary.. but you can drive around it.

 

If you spend your time in the car fanging it every which way in the twisties, I don't think the TT is for you.  For the other 90% of us who don't do this, its a pretty good thing.