The Type R came to me on a set of Tanabe Sustec Pro coilovers, and honestly, after the very first kilometre, I already knew we’d have to part ways. Maybe they’re good for strictly track-focused use, hard to say, but at its somewhat advanced age, the Type R deserves something a bit more dignified.

I was considering only two options:

• KYB AGX - the standard off-the-shelf setup for the GC8,
• KYB Ultra SR - the thick-shaft struts from an early New Age, 5x100 models.

I just couldn’t make up my mind. On one hand, there was the thicker strut shaft; on the other, adjustability. Then there was the question of springs, apparently WRX springs are the best match, but where was I supposed to find those?

As it turned out, my indecision worked out in my favour because, in the meantime, a complete suspension setup from a late-model (Version V or VI) Type RA appeared for sale, including springs and top mounts (20311FA900, 20311FA910, 20360FA900, 20360FA910).

I thought, “It’s a bit of a gamble,” but on the other hand, there won’t be any more of these available, ever. The listing claimed they had only covered 47000 km, and the photos looked good too, so I bought them.

A few months later, the package from Up Garage arrived:

They really do look excellent. Honestly, better than the set from the Hawk, which I removed a few years ago, at that time being over ten years younger and having a similar mileage (55000 km). There’s a little surface rust at the bottom of the spring perch, but the strut shafts are spotless, the seals look good, and nothing is leaking.

I thought I’d take them to an MOT garage and have them tested so I’d know more, but visually they’re in really good shape.

And here’s a comparison with the coilovers, which were a good couple of centimetres shorter:

While taking everything apart, I discovered that the front-right and rear-left springs on the coilovers were snapped. Nice.

I’m not really sure what to do with them yet. I’ll need to measure them, check the spring rates, maybe look for replacement springs so the set is complete. Then perhaps I’ll sell them someday, or they’ll just sit in the garage forever.

While I was at it, I also inspected a few hidden corners of the car. It’s not a Forester SG, but I won’t lie, I felt a bit nervous when I started digging around the rear shock mounts.

As it turned out, completely unnecessary.

Here’s the view just above the back seats, into the cavity.

Since it was raining cats and dogs, we sneaked into a workshop building at a forestry commission somewhere in Silesia.

Please prepare your fingers for a snap. Ready?

Now: SNAP!

And just like that, the car was back on its wheels.

The Type R also got a new set of wheels and tires: Speedline ST2s wrapped in Yokohama Advan Neova AD08RS 215/45R17s. Rims went straight for a refurb:

I don’t know about you, but to me, this car and those wheels are an absolutely PERFECT match.

As I mentioned earlier, on the way home I planned to stop by an MOT place and have the suspension tested, but then this happened:

But that’s a story for the next episode…

• Impreza
• Gc8
• Type-R