G'day All,
I pretty much brand spanking new to ausubaru, but not to subies. Onto my fourth one in a row now. I'm after some words of wisdom...
I'm contemplating trading in my 2002 Outback (200K on the clock) for a 2009 Outback (premium) DIESEL. The one i am looking at has done 77K and has obviously done a lot of country driving (dirt, but no bends, underneath, lots of locusts in the radiator!).
We are wanting to do a trip from Melbourne up through central Australia to Darwin, then down (via Gibb River Rd) W.A coast and back across the Nullarbor. We'll probably be pulling a trailer and doing lots of side trips. Oh, and with two young kids...
Any general thoughts on the suitability of the car for the trip? And anything I should be looking out for in the diesel outback??
Thoughts very much appreciated (on the car and/or trip).
AB (aka windjunky - i'll be carrying a windsurfer on the roof the whole way!)
Diesel Outback and big trip
I have had a 2010 Diesel OB for 9 months now and on the whole I love it.
I guess I would be looking for one of the following:
1. What ECU PAK version is installed. It makes a difference to performance. The most recent PAK is probably what you want.
2. Will you always do long trips or will it be for chugging around town sometimes. Chugging is BAD and the boxer diesel will punish you financially for it.
3. Will you be willing to give the car a hiding. The Boxer Diesels do enjoy a bit of revving...
4. Will you openly accept that 6th gear is probably only for decoration in the gear stick.
Finally you need to be aware of the drivetrain shudder issue that afflicts some vehicles. Subaru are endeavoring to fix the issue, however it is proving to be tricky. I have had the shudder and it only occurs once in a while. Others have had it more regularly than I have though.
Like I said, I love my OB diesel, even with the occasional shudder. I get 5.8L/100km which is perfect for the driving I do and the interior size and layout comfortably fits my family of 5 (with 3 child restraints).
I guess I would be looking for one of the following:
1. What ECU PAK version is installed. It makes a difference to performance. The most recent PAK is probably what you want.
2. Will you always do long trips or will it be for chugging around town sometimes. Chugging is BAD and the boxer diesel will punish you financially for it.
3. Will you be willing to give the car a hiding. The Boxer Diesels do enjoy a bit of revving...
4. Will you openly accept that 6th gear is probably only for decoration in the gear stick.
Finally you need to be aware of the drivetrain shudder issue that afflicts some vehicles. Subaru are endeavoring to fix the issue, however it is proving to be tricky. I have had the shudder and it only occurs once in a while. Others have had it more regularly than I have though.
Like I said, I love my OB diesel, even with the occasional shudder. I get 5.8L/100km which is perfect for the driving I do and the interior size and layout comfortably fits my family of 5 (with 3 child restraints).
Thanks Skipalami, thats great feedback.
Yes, we would be chugging round town a bit before going, and possibly after. What's the downside of that??
What about all the electrics (electric throttle, park brake, seat adjust etc etc) and dust or vibration? I'm a little nervous about that for a long inland trip.
Currently trying to toss up the pluses and minuses of the OB diesel and the diesel NT Pajero... still a bit unsure which way to jump.
Thanks again for the feedback - brilliant.
AB
Yes, we would be chugging round town a bit before going, and possibly after. What's the downside of that??
What about all the electrics (electric throttle, park brake, seat adjust etc etc) and dust or vibration? I'm a little nervous about that for a long inland trip.
Currently trying to toss up the pluses and minuses of the OB diesel and the diesel NT Pajero... still a bit unsure which way to jump.
Thanks again for the feedback - brilliant.
AB
-
discopotato03
- Senior Member
- Posts: 2134
- Joined: Sun Mar 18, 2007 9:29 am
- Location: Sydney
Late diesel vehicles with those reactors in the exhaust are a major PITA IMO . Diesels were intended to be relatively simple and reliable power plants but eco nazi legislation and less than fully developed electronic engine controls make them a nightmare .
People I know that get right out in the boonies refuse to have anything to do with them because they know electronics are not long term reliable .
The selling point of diesel engines is that they make high torque at low revs so I don't know what moron "organisation" markets one that has to be driven like a petrol engine .
The marketing nut cases can crow all they like about fuel consumption but that's the least of your worries when some electronic box lemons out and stops you in the middle of nowhere . Upper Kumbucca west general store ain't gonna have the spares or diagnostic tools to fix it either .
IMO if you want a diesel or turbo diesel buy an earlier straight mechanical one even if it needs work . The simple ones are the reliable ones because if something wears out its reasonably easy to fix or change .
Your call , A .
People I know that get right out in the boonies refuse to have anything to do with them because they know electronics are not long term reliable .
The selling point of diesel engines is that they make high torque at low revs so I don't know what moron "organisation" markets one that has to be driven like a petrol engine .
The marketing nut cases can crow all they like about fuel consumption but that's the least of your worries when some electronic box lemons out and stops you in the middle of nowhere . Upper Kumbucca west general store ain't gonna have the spares or diagnostic tools to fix it either .
IMO if you want a diesel or turbo diesel buy an earlier straight mechanical one even if it needs work . The simple ones are the reliable ones because if something wears out its reasonably easy to fix or change .
Your call , A .
Recent trip 5000km diesel outback 2010
Hi Mate we recently went up to exmouth tom price from perth mostly tar roads but a lot of rough unsealed roads no problems at all aside from a blown tyre and the effen temporary spare.
Cruising in the country is no issue with 6th gear but they need a good run at least once a week if town running, i also use a fuel additive.
I think the pajero will be miles ahead with heavy offroading ie low range and grip etc but if all roading is the plan you should be fine.
these cars really excell in high speed touring over any "road" but watch for clearance where other high clearance vehicles landcruiser etc have rutted up the roads if really ruffing it.
I have no issues over 23000 km.
Cruising in the country is no issue with 6th gear but they need a good run at least once a week if town running, i also use a fuel additive.
I think the pajero will be miles ahead with heavy offroading ie low range and grip etc but if all roading is the plan you should be fine.
these cars really excell in high speed touring over any "road" but watch for clearance where other high clearance vehicles landcruiser etc have rutted up the roads if really ruffing it.
I have no issues over 23000 km.
Ghost(s) in the machine...
No, it's not "The Police" you have to worry about...Sorry! 
Apart from shudders, injector failures and other issues encountered here in the forums, the main issue that worries me- and it has worried me three times in the first year of Diesel Forester ownership- is the complex computers/electronics used in the vehicles. This is what stops me taking it too far away from the beaten track.
Within 12 months/25000km we have had:
- 2 issues which deactivate the ABS/EBD/Traction Control/DSC/etc.
- 1 failure of an entry key fob (not battery- I checked that).
1) The issue with the DSC/ABS etc is the fact that, on dirt, the Forester (I recognise you have /are looking at an Outback) seems to need these aids to keep it under control when things go awry. It is my opinion that, in pursuit of performance/handling/steering/ride benefits, companies are beginning to rely on these aids rather than engineer in benign handling characteristics. When, for example, the ABS develops (or detects) a fault- spurious or not- it activates the warning light and possibly/probably deactivates itself. But traction control, stability control, etc. are dependent on ABS control of the wheels, so they are correspondingly deactivated too. And cycling the ignition won't remove it. The way my Forester lets its tail go on dirt under certain conditions unnerves me, I want those aids active.
Once it tripped off when my wife tramped on the brakes to avoid someone. The other time was really spurious, some "clutch pedal position sensor error" or similar whilst driving.
The fix was a trip to the dealer for a code reset. This may be able to be done under OBD-II diagnostics by a competent mechanical workshop or if you purchase the appropriate tool, but perhaps only if the fault is under the OBD-II protocol. Subaru use a lot of their own proprietary stuff it seems on top of this (e.g see Subaru Diesel Crew).
2) As for the key fob, it doesn't help to be stuck in the bush and not be able to get into the vehicle. Ours has an alarm fitted, so although you can enter with the key, you get a helluva lot of noise and can't start the engine (there is no silence on our optioned alarm, bummer). Replacement cost is ~$310- that's wholesale to the dealer under warranty! I'd suggest there should be a decimal point between the 3 and the 1 given the componentry. Every car has 2 (or 3) nowadays, so they're as common as (and sort of a similar level technologically to) a quartz watch and certainly less complex than a $20 basic mobile phone. It takes a while for the dealer to get the replacement in and you'll need the code handy too (better come with the vehicle)- say about a week. Luckily Subaru keep them in stock, as they've had a few failures (so said a dealer).
Either way, the thought you could be stuck in the bush not being able to get into/start a car which is then without its safety aids is a bit off-putting. And a 2009 vehicle will shortly be out of warranty.
Apart from shudders, injector failures and other issues encountered here in the forums, the main issue that worries me- and it has worried me three times in the first year of Diesel Forester ownership- is the complex computers/electronics used in the vehicles. This is what stops me taking it too far away from the beaten track.
Within 12 months/25000km we have had:
- 2 issues which deactivate the ABS/EBD/Traction Control/DSC/etc.
- 1 failure of an entry key fob (not battery- I checked that).
1) The issue with the DSC/ABS etc is the fact that, on dirt, the Forester (I recognise you have /are looking at an Outback) seems to need these aids to keep it under control when things go awry. It is my opinion that, in pursuit of performance/handling/steering/ride benefits, companies are beginning to rely on these aids rather than engineer in benign handling characteristics. When, for example, the ABS develops (or detects) a fault- spurious or not- it activates the warning light and possibly/probably deactivates itself. But traction control, stability control, etc. are dependent on ABS control of the wheels, so they are correspondingly deactivated too. And cycling the ignition won't remove it. The way my Forester lets its tail go on dirt under certain conditions unnerves me, I want those aids active.
Once it tripped off when my wife tramped on the brakes to avoid someone. The other time was really spurious, some "clutch pedal position sensor error" or similar whilst driving.
The fix was a trip to the dealer for a code reset. This may be able to be done under OBD-II diagnostics by a competent mechanical workshop or if you purchase the appropriate tool, but perhaps only if the fault is under the OBD-II protocol. Subaru use a lot of their own proprietary stuff it seems on top of this (e.g see Subaru Diesel Crew).
2) As for the key fob, it doesn't help to be stuck in the bush and not be able to get into the vehicle. Ours has an alarm fitted, so although you can enter with the key, you get a helluva lot of noise and can't start the engine (there is no silence on our optioned alarm, bummer). Replacement cost is ~$310- that's wholesale to the dealer under warranty! I'd suggest there should be a decimal point between the 3 and the 1 given the componentry. Every car has 2 (or 3) nowadays, so they're as common as (and sort of a similar level technologically to) a quartz watch and certainly less complex than a $20 basic mobile phone. It takes a while for the dealer to get the replacement in and you'll need the code handy too (better come with the vehicle)- say about a week. Luckily Subaru keep them in stock, as they've had a few failures (so said a dealer).
Either way, the thought you could be stuck in the bush not being able to get into/start a car which is then without its safety aids is a bit off-putting. And a 2009 vehicle will shortly be out of warranty.
Patrick
Ex- 2010 Forester Diesel
Ex- 2010 Forester Diesel
Hi
Sorry for the late comment on this one. I have owned my Subaru outback diesel premium and is the the best vehicle i have owned. I am am on 77000km and have only had to service the car. I still have the original tyres. The only things I have done to it is upgrade my head light globes with brighter globes and put on a tow bar. I do about 70%city driving and about 30% highway driving. around down i average 6.2lt/100k. The de-pollution filter will come on if you drive it slowly all the time. have to drive at slightly higher revs to 'burn out' out the oils. I drove from Sydney to Brisbane (with stops in towns along the way) and got the fuel efficiency down to 4.8lt per 100k. VERY COMFORTABLE for long trips.
I tow a trailer and find it tows beautifully. With about 1.6tonne behind on a freeway I average 12lt per 100km. When I am carry less I get around 9-10lt per100km. I will have to disagree about what was said earlier 6th gear. I use mine all the time. It is defiantly useful.
When buying my outback I was deciding between a pajero and the outback. My biggest disappointment with my outback is the spare tyre is a skinny tyre. I don't need a 4wd, I go down dirt roads and that is it. The outback isn't a 4wd.
My next car will be another diesel Subaru. I still can't believe I have done 77000km and only had to service and haven't had to do brakes, clutch or anything else.
Sorry for the late comment on this one. I have owned my Subaru outback diesel premium and is the the best vehicle i have owned. I am am on 77000km and have only had to service the car. I still have the original tyres. The only things I have done to it is upgrade my head light globes with brighter globes and put on a tow bar. I do about 70%city driving and about 30% highway driving. around down i average 6.2lt/100k. The de-pollution filter will come on if you drive it slowly all the time. have to drive at slightly higher revs to 'burn out' out the oils. I drove from Sydney to Brisbane (with stops in towns along the way) and got the fuel efficiency down to 4.8lt per 100k. VERY COMFORTABLE for long trips.
I tow a trailer and find it tows beautifully. With about 1.6tonne behind on a freeway I average 12lt per 100km. When I am carry less I get around 9-10lt per100km. I will have to disagree about what was said earlier 6th gear. I use mine all the time. It is defiantly useful.
When buying my outback I was deciding between a pajero and the outback. My biggest disappointment with my outback is the spare tyre is a skinny tyre. I don't need a 4wd, I go down dirt roads and that is it. The outback isn't a 4wd.
My next car will be another diesel Subaru. I still can't believe I have done 77000km and only had to service and haven't had to do brakes, clutch or anything else.
-
outback'00
- Junior Member
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Fri Jan 13, 2012 6:59 pm
- Location: ACT
Has anyone had experience with DP Chip, or similar? The company website claims decent power / torque increase - and potentially a solution to dpf probs (that increased mumbo is giving hotter exhaust gas temps & reduce dpf effect). <www.dpchip.com>
Any truth to the theory?
Any truth to the theory?
-
naturalfooter
- Junior Member
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Mon Apr 11, 2011 8:25 pm
- Location: South Australia