Legacy 3.0R

[TNHSTI]

Hi Guys - my V7 STI is up for sale and are wanting to buy a Manual 3.0R - is there any power difference in the SI-Drive vs the non SI-Drive ones? 

[TNHSTI]

Anyone?

[Andy_Mac]

Not really. They're all rated at 180kw-ish. 

They probably go up a kw or two with each successive year.

SI Drive is kinda cool but definately shouldn't be the only reason to get a particular car. Manual N/A vehicles get the  least benefit from what SI Drive is able to do as it doesn't do boost or auto gear change characteristics as it does on other models.

SI Drive is only for facelift's so you'd be getting a newer car with the updated interior and exterior too which comes down to personal preference.

[TNHSTI]

26 minutes ago, Andy_Mac said:

Not really. They're all rated at 180kw-ish. 

They probably go up a kw or two with each successive year.

SI Drive is kinda cool but definately shouldn't be the only reason to get a particular car. Manual N/A vehicles get the  least benefit from what SI Drive is able to do as it doesn't do boost or auto gear change characteristics as it does on other models.

SI Drive is only for facelift's so you'd be getting a newer car with the updated interior and exterior too which comes down to personal preference.

 

awesome thanks for that exactly what I wanted to know - Im wanting to buy a Manual 3.0R - ideally a facelift SI-Drive model - but they are hard to come by haha there is a few models around in 04-05 guess I might just have to go for one of them

Edited November 25, 2016 by V7STI1992

[lbpenguin]

Fairly certain for the 3.0R manuals it just changes the throttle response. Haven't driven a facelift one though so could be corrected.

 

I will say that from my experience for it's far easier to find a pre-facelift, there just didn't seem to be any 2006+ manual 3.0Rs while I was looking a while back. Plenty of autos and scattered manual 2L turbos.

[dmacnz]

I have a facelift 3.0 with Si drive. The Si drive only changes the Throttle  maps and effects the gear changes in the auto boxes. There is a bit of fuel to be saved with the si drive and the "I" mode.
I went for the tiptronic over the manual as I'm lazy. Its a sweet car, but not a sports car..

[sobanoodle]

If you decide to go 5AT definitely get a facelift. 

[Stodart]

There's no power difference with SI Drive  but it seems a lot more lively as throttle response is a lot sharper and the Transmission (5EAT) shift points are higher up the rev range and holds it in the lower gears longer in "sports sharp" mode.

Haven't driven a 6MT SI Drive so can't comment on them.

Going from "Intelligent"  mode (economy) - sluggish response to "sports sharp" (using steering wheel button)  and shift selector to manual (5EAT)  and paddles to downshift - is like selecting warp drive (3000rpm - 6500rpm)

- the car  comes to life and 150kph comes up quickly  - Great for overtaking those losers who speed up on straights and passing lanes who make it difficult to pass easily.

However not as quick as turboed H4s which have more mid range torque from lower rpm.

The 3.0R doesn't get off its ass til 3000/3500rpm - 6500rpm .

Would highly recommend an SI Drive 5EAT transmission (facelift 06-08) from my experience,  as the general comment is that they are better for using the power in "sports sharp"  and for economy  in "Intelligent" mode-although sluggish in this setting.  (economy claimed to be 10% better)

Can believe it because best economy I've had is  13km/litre indicated by trip computer ( about 8 l/100km)

but that was ideal weather road conditions  (flat) and just me in car on a 3 /4 hr trip.

  - normal  country trips with hills and overtaking etc get  11- 12km / litre (trip-computer)  8.5-9L/100km.

I only use the middle "sports" setting when the blue transmission temperature light is on indicating that "sports sharp" can't be selected until transmission warms up and this blue light goes out.

(unfortunately pay a premium - more expensive ie $12-$16K as there aren't many for sale.)

Paid $12K for mine in Chch ex Japan (06 JDM 3.0R Outback SI drive)   14 months ago and that was a good deal then as all the others similar were $1K to $2K more.

Its just as economical if not more sometimes than my previous manual 2.5  Outback most of the time except for short /Urban running-  (the best i could ever get was 8.5l/100km with 2.5 MT on a trip)

Reason 3.0R has 3.25 diffs so 100kph @  2000rpm  vs   2.5 5MT has 4.11diffs so 105 / 110kph @ 3000rpm depending on 5th ratio.

 

Edited January 15, 2017 by Stodart
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