3.0R vs 3.0R Spec.B

[SirPete]

Hi all,

First post after reading these forums for a while, this place is a gold mine! So I know this topic has been covered a few times but I have some specific questions regarding my current car buying dilemma...

I've narrowed my car search down to a 2006-ish H6 Liberty Wagon (I prefer the more comfortable seats of the pre FL but prefer the exterior of the post FL). I really like the cream interior of the 3.0R, but that does limit me to an auto. I'm unsure as to if I should go auto or manual. I'll mostly be driving the car to/from work (15km each way on a quiet part of the pacific hwy in the north of Sydney - so it's a mix of 80/60 zones and a few traffic lights) and then around Sydney on the weekends. I've always been a manual guy in the past but I've found the 5 speed auto to be not bad plus it's less hassle when driving in traffic.

My questions are:

• Has anyone had their auto 3.0R (Spec.B) tuned? Does it make much difference? Specifically to the (auto) gearbox?
• How's the cream interior age? Better or worse than the black leather? What's up-keep like on it? Is it hard to keep clean? One 2005 MY06 3.0R I looked at has a great interior but the cream leather seats are looking a little tired/dirty. Will they clean up ok?
• Does anyone have a rough price guide on what it would cost to upgrade a 3.0R's suspension to be the same as the Spec.B Bilstein?
• I've read that the H6 can sometimes use lots of oil, is that true? If it is then I'm assuming there's no way to know before buying one unless the owner tells me?

Thanks!
Pete

[Tonic]

My 3rb used about 400ml of oil for the first 30k km then none until it dried out at 85,000km. Engine rebuild and it is using oil again..... Not happy but now i check it every 1000km to manage it.

Listen for engine knocking after warmed up.... Big end done on mine and $9K later ......

I recently got a kido tune and the drivability is much better. My 6 speed manual now has torque from about 2000 so you can be a bit lazier intraffic...

Beige trim would be self evident i suspect when you look for your car....

Loving the 3rb it is a $50,000 car that drives better than some at twice the price....

Good luck!

[Adrian2627]

I had the cream interior in my Outback and while the leather wasn't a problem the cream carpet bit the big one. Incredibly hard to get clean and keep clean. I think the later models had dark carpet which would have been so much better.

The engine is great and I never had any oil problems at all. I did however change it every 5000ks as I've always done with all my cars. I had the car tuned by STi in Melbourne which was only a throttle map adjustment but even that made the car more responsive. The things guys like Matt(Kido) are doing today will make it so much better and he can give the auto a little wake up as well which it certainly needs. It's not bad just a little sluggish in the changes sometimes.

[SirPete]

Thanks for the quick responses.

I've been thinking some more about what car to get. I've decided to go for the manual. I like the cream interior and think it looks good in photos but I'm not convinced it would age wonderfully or be easy to keep clean. Plus I'd just miss the manual and kick myself for not taking the opportunity to get a manual rb while I had the money and opportunity. So if anyone knows of any good ones for sale let me know...

If anyone has any more advice on what to look for when inspecting the 3.0rb's then I'd appreciate the help!

[jay.ritchie]

My questions are:

• Has anyone had their auto 3.0R (Spec.B) tuned? Does it make much difference? Specifically to the (auto) gearbox?
• How's the cream interior age? Better or worse than the black leather? What's up-keep like on it? Is it hard to keep clean? One 2005 MY06 3.0R I looked at has a great interior but the cream leather seats are looking a little tired/dirty. Will they clean up ok?
• Does anyone have a rough price guide on what it would cost to upgrade a 3.0R's suspension to be the same as the Spec.B Bilstein?
• I've read that the H6 can sometimes use lots of oil, is that true? If it is then I'm assuming there's no way to know before buying one unless the owner tells me?

3RB wagon- 6MT
- Also tuned by Matt. Drivability, power and fuel efficiency have been improved by a massively noticeably amount!
- Black interior ages well. Cleaned weekly and it still looks awesome after 100k. Does get really hot in the sun though.
- I’m sure you could pick up a Bilstein set up for $500ish, but why not just spend $1200 and get coilovers!?
- The oil thing can been an issue for people that have bought cars off owners that rarely stretch its legs from memory.

I’ll be selling my 05 3RB wagon / black with 110k in October (or earlier) if you want to wait. Its gonna be a good catch for someone.