2.5 vs 3.0

[Ben.E]

Hey guys, need some opinions as I'm no Subaru nor car expert.

I've been driving a Gen 3 - 2.5 litre wagon for about a year now and looking to upgrade to a Gen 4 wagon. I just got my green p's and will be looking to add some minor mods alone the lines of an exhaust, coils etc nothing major

But the mains reason for this post is whether to get a 2.5 or a 3.0, just wanted some in site as to what the pro's and con's of each would be. And if there are any problems these cars get over time.

[BillyCorgi]

Ben,
We have both in our family.

An MY09 2.5i 5MT Liberty Wagon, that now belongs to Junior (No.2 Son)
An MY05 3.0R 6MT Spec-B Wagon, that is my drive.
Both cars now have an E85 flex-fuel tune from Matt at KiDo_Tuning

The 2.5i goes well, the H6 goes better

I like both......
Pros for the 2.5i
Quick point-to-point car in the city
Good fuel economy in the city (compared to the H6)
Cons for the 2.5i
Subaru's POS head gaskets require changing beyond 100,000 kays

Pros for the 3.0R
The 6MT is Bliss-on-a-Stick
Spec-B suspension is great
Gets up and moves (scares new WRXs)
Good fuel economy on the highway (nearly the same as the 2.5i)
Effortless cruiser on the highway
Cons for the 3.0R
Thirsty in stop start traffic
Centre Diff prone to failing at around 150,000 kays (not all, just prone)
Gear linkage bushes get worn (not expensive, just a little fun to replace)
Reverse Light Switches fail (more fun to replace - cow of a job)
Timing chain tensioners are sometimes an issue.

You cannot neglect the servicing on the H6.
It is a precision instrument.
Look after it and you will reap the rewards.
Neglect it at your peril.

If you are not mechanically orientated then the 2.5i may be the better option?
Pre Facelift H6 Spec-B wagons are becoming cheaper all the time now.
They were generally purchased originally by older owners who did not drive them too much and looked after them.
Good examples in the low 100,000 kays are available.

Other than that Subaru parts are readily available, expensive through the Dealership, who think that they are made of gold?
Others will chime in with their thoughts and experiences.
Hope that this helps.

[Ben.E]

I honestly wasn't expecting a reply, let alone something like that! Definitely helped me heaps thank you .
I've heard that the h6 drinks a lot of oil or leaks oil? It's a 10 minute drive to work 5 times a week, so maybe the 2.5 would suit me better fuel wise from what you've said, I just liked the power difference from the 2.5 to the 3.0

Would minor mods do much power wise to the 2.5? Again I've been reading up and people say to get a factory turbo as they are easier to get power out of and add mods to

[BillyCorgi]

None of the H6 owners on the forum report oil leaks?
Mine is as clean as the day it left the factory.

The 2.5i will leak oil externally from the head gaskets, that is the prime reason for head gasket replacement.
Neither engine uses more oil or less oil than the other.
Keep and eye on the PCV Valve. When they clog the excess crankcase pressure pushes oil past the rings.

There is not much that you can do with the EJ253 engine.
Get Matt to give it a tune, improve the drivability of what you have got and maybe consider running it on E85.
Similarly for the H6, get Matt to give it a tune and if there is a servo in you area with Ethanol, seriously consider running it only on E85. NICE.

E85 in an N/A engine improves what I call the "squirt response". The mid range torque that you uses to accelerate quickly and squirt through traffic improves noticeably.

[Ben.E]

Never really know much about E85 so I'm not to sure if there i can easily find out.

I'm just finding it really hard to decide if I go for a 2.5 or a 3.0 I like the sound of the 3.0 much better but I'm on a 1st year apprentice wage and not to sure that would cover the cost of the 3.0 + everyday stuff

[Surge]

Get the 3.0 and be gentle with your right foot

Definitely get a tune at the same time in order to gain some better economy around town.

If you have e85 nearby I would put in another vote for that as well.

[Murry_Gen4]

2.5=slow like a turltle
3.0=fast like a ninja!

[Ben.E]

Do you get better km/per litre on e85? What would an average tank of 98 get you in the 3.0?

[HardwareBoB]

Do you get better km/per litre on e85? What would an average tank of 98 get you in the 3.0?

hahhahahah.
no.
But you get POWER.

[Manaz]

Do you get better km/per litre on e85? What would an average tank of 98 get you in the 3.0?

You'll use more E85 per km than RON98, but get better power and a cleaner burn. It's also cheaper per litre thank RON98 (or indeed RON95).

[BillyCorgi]

Do you get better km/per litre on e85? What would an average tank of 98 get you in the 3.0?

Some general impressions.
Other's experiences will vary, depending upon their own traffic conditions.

Stock Tune on 98RON in city traffic - 400km a tank
KiDo_Tune on 98RON in city traffic - 500km a tank
KiDo_Tune FlexFuel Tune on E85 in city traffic - 400km a tank

KiDo_Tune on 98RON on Highway - 8 litres per 100km
KiDo_Tune FlexFuel Tune on E85 on Highway - better than 10 litres per 100km

Price of Caltex EFlex - 20c per litre lower than ULP and 18c per litre lower than e10 and much cheaper than 98RON

[Ben.E]

I'm getting roughly 440km from a full tank in my Gen 3 - 2.5 Wagon and I fill up am every week and a half/ 2 weeks pushing it

Is it expensive and hard to convert the car to e85?

[Manaz]

I'm getting roughly 440km from a full tank in my Gen 3 - 2.5 Wagon and I fill up am every week and a half/ 2 weeks pushing it

Is it expensive and hard to convert the car to e85?

I suspect the answer here may be "yes" - the 3Gen cars have an older ECU that's much harder to tune. The newer, more capable ECUs on post-FL 4Gen cars is what really lets them shine where tuning is involved.

[blacktop™]

Would minor mods do much power wise to the 2.5? Again I've been reading up and people say to get a factory turbo as they are easier to get power out of and add mods to

Wait...are you trying to compare the non turbo or turbo 2.5 with the H6?

[Ben.E]

so if I get a 3.0 litre wagon that'll be a good idea to put on E85? Would you know roughly how much for the conversion