ncted

I'll second (or third) the Diode Dynamics suggestion. In addition to better headlight performance with their replacement "bulbs," they have some cool products for the Legacy's tail lights that I really like. e.g.

https://www.diodedynamics.com/2015-2019-subaru-legacy-tail-as-turntm-backup-module-usdm-pair.html

I put a Pioneer in my wife's Forester, and it is a mixed bag. CarPlay works pretty well, but the UI for the Pioneer radio has a serious flaw: they put the auto-program "button" (BSM) right next to the rather small radio present buttons, so it is fairly easy to accidentally reprogram all your radio presets when all you were trying to do was change the station. There is no way to turn it off or make the preset buttons bigger by default.

Anyway, I kind of wish I'd gotten her the Sony unit instead, although you really don't know what the issues will be until you use things in real-world situations.

The Michelin Premier A/S haven't lasted for shit in our '14 FXT.

 

They're in need or replacing at ~ 25k miles of mild to normal usage.

Is the wear even? We're at ~36K on our 2011 FXT, and they probably have at least another 4K before they hit the wear bars. I know Foresters will eat tires if your alignment isn't quite right, but it is usually excessive wear on the insides or outsides of the tread, and not even.

Just wondering regarding NVH in 7th Gen. Can someone who has upgraded from the 6th give me some comparisons.

 

I don't think my 2016 3.6lt is exceptionally quiet ... especially in regards to wind noise on highways. It's not terrible, but I'd prefer better.

 

In regards to general road noise, I think my OEM Dunlop SP Sport Max tires don't help much .... and I'll be putting on Michelins at my first change, and hopefully that changes things for the better.

I am sure it will be a big step forward. Even my refreshed 6th Gen is a bit quieter than earlier 6th Gen Legacies.

https://autoweek.com/article/chicago-auto-show/2018-subaru-legacy-shows-fresh-looks-chicago

"The suspension, including the dampers, was retuned on the 2018 model for a smoother ride.

To limit ride noise, Subaru says it reshaped the exterior mirrors, added new sound-insulating inner film glass for the front side windows and made the rear wheel aprons thicker.

Powertrain upgrades

Additionally, the continuously variable transmission on models with a 2.5-liter engine now uses an ultra-short pitch chain, which is quieter, Subaru said. The automaker has also made adjustments to engine timing under acceleration to further limit powertrain noise."

I don't think the engine layout would make any major difference here. But an oil catch can could at least prolong the time between the need to take action on carbon build-up.

 

.

I think that is optimistic, possibly depending on engine design. VW owners that have installed catch cans have reported minor reductions in carbon buildup, but it apparently does nothing to help BMW owners.

There needs to be active measures to clean the intake valves.

Good plan. I have no problem with DI, having been familiar with it for some time now, but the start stop crap is, well, crap. Maybe we should invest in ring gear/flex plates and starter companies.

I plan to keep my Legacy into 2021 as my general rule is "never buy the first of anything".

Aside from Toyota and one or two others, it is my familiarity with DI, and its associated carbon buildup problems, that make me want to avoid it, especially as my friend with a walnut blasting setup has moved out of state.

go back and look at older legacy they have a lot of shared parts with Toyota in terms of switches, etc

Sure, but that is a bit different than an engine tech that gives Toyota a competitive advantage when it comes to engine reliability. Toyota might be willing to license it, but Subaru might not be willing to pay what Toyota wants.

Yup, FAxxDITs all see carbon build up galore... regardless of catch-cans, AOSs.

 

Water/meth injection or walnut blasting every 30/60K depending on use.

 

 

Too bad the FA24DIT doesnt have the MPFI/DGI setup like the BRZ at at least one extra injector just past the intercooler and ahead of the intake manifold runners...

 

Bean counters at their best.

I am fairly certain Toyota wasn't willing to share that tech on non-BRZ Subarus. Plus, can you imagine all the Legacy owners complaining about the "chirps" if they were able to use Toyota's DI setup?

They’re not hard to do. Yesterday’s went fine and all is well. Until the next one. The tech admitted that he didn’t check the SXM function after the first time because he didn’t know I subscribed. Not a very good reason to not check it. I got on my iPad this morning and a couple of my apps needed an update. Imagine if that cost $5 each time an update was available. Bad business. At this point I’d be semi-happy if I could just go somewhere on my own to find out if there’s an update available.

Indeed. Subaru (and presumably other car manufacturers) need to realize the reality of customer expectations now includes automatic, flawless updates to technology, like smartphones, etc. They bothered to build wi-fi into my headunit just for that reason, and then they don't enable it. Ridiculous.

I registered on subaru-maps.com, but it says I have an invalid or unregistered VIN. Sigh.

I opened a customer support ticket with Subaru over my inability to register my car on subaru-maps.com. Here is their response:

"There is currently a firmware update available for your vehicles unit. This update was to allow you to save presets as well as some other bug fixes. To have this update installed, you would need to visit your Subaru retailer to update the firmware of the unit itself. These type of updates need to be completed by the retailer as this changes the firmware of the unit itself, to where the maps can be updated on your own. "

Needless to say I told them that sucked. I know the firmware updates are there, but they won't let me have access to them because...?

Restart your phone daily! I turn mine off every night and then plug it in to charge so it powers back on. Same effect as restarting your PC.

In no way should that be necessary. This is 2018, not 1998.

I've waited until I've got some miles on our 2018 before commenting on this thread. With over 1000Km on the clock now, over half of it highway driving, I can say for sure that there's no issue with steering, stability or handling at highway speeds, at least not on our vehicle. It tracks true and steering is fine with no wander or twitchiness. In fact, the car handles pretty well over all, better than I expected it to. It's not a BMW but I wasn't expecting it to be. The Lane Keep Assist can sometimes feel a bit like tram lining if you aren't careful to stay the centre of the lane and you aren't used to it. I've turned it off to be sure this is what I'm feeling so I know that's what it is. I like this feature as it really does work very well. Don't know what to say about your comments on the brakes. They feel fine to me. They certainly stop the car when needed.

 

There may have been minor changes in the 2018 to address some of the complaints about previous years models. If so, they seem to have done the job.

The 2018 was a mild refresh. They did a number of tweaks. According to Car and Driver, they "Subaru has retuned the suspension with dampers that Subaru claims diminish both ride harshness and body roll. The automaker also says it dialed in more linear power steering and improved brake feel." Perhaps the criticisms of the 2017 are justified.

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/2018-subaru-legacy-photos-and-info-news

Possibly. But driver sensitivity has to be part of it, too. Some drivers report the steering on-center as being vague and slow, while others report it as being overly sensitive and twitchy ... much like the widely varying reports of seat comfort. Some report the steering effort as too heavy, while others complain that it's too light. Subaru must be doing something right.

If my previous car hadn't been a BRZ, which has the most direct steering this side of a Porsche, I'd agree. It is definitely slow compared to that, with none of the feedback the BRZ has, but it isn't dead on-center in my car. Nor would I call it twitchy or heavy. I would call it normal for a mid-size sedan. Very similar to Camrys and Accords I've driven recently.