New owner - questions

[Emwonk]

I just picked up a 2011 2.5 limited. A few questions:

Are the wheel moldings somehow functional or just a decoration?

What's up with the "upgraded" HK system? It sounds very thin when on FM with little bass. But on SAT it has decent even too-boomy bass. I have to cank it to + 8 on bass on FM to hear it much. If I switch to satellite there is the bass. Is this normal or is an FM amplifier shot? This car would be a real drag with the base audio system.

My Bluetooth connects the phone but I am not finding iphone contacts going in. Do you REALLY have to add one contact at a time?

I'm tempted to get the interior illumination kit. Easy to install?

I've decided against the iPod install because it looks like the interface leaves a lot to be desired. I can do the auxillary jack for free. A good call?

I like the car so far but I am having to resign myself to the acceleration. Which I knew about via a test drive. I told myself this will be my practical car. if I want to go fast it will be in the other car.

My daughter and I are taking it Down a steep gravel road deep into the woods over a low water crossing for a camping trip this weekend. The camp site is not accessible by BMW coupe.

[kmssgoten]

wheel arches do have some use, here in the desert i have a few dents where the wheel archs would go, and scrachs as well so...kinda just depends on where you live lol

i just put some Polk audio in my outback i had the stock setup first, but i seem to have the same problem with my FM but to CDs because i don't have sat, so yeah, there is some stuff to kick up the sound its under menu but i don't know how it works with the sat...

there is an option in blue connect to import phone book but my phone or my car doesn't give me the option to transfer everything into....i use droid 3

the illumination kit looks hard but i don't know off hand

i don't have an iphone or ipod so i don't know sorry but i like my aux

and for camping this thing is quite good for what ever u need to do, also i am assuming you have the 2.5 cvt, which doesn't seem like much but it does work quite well, i gone over lots and done lots that i didn't think i could

[fun2drive]

There was no way I could accept the 2.5L after driving both engines given the type of use we intend to put this OB to. I was pretty impressed with the HK system given I was not expecting it to be as good as it is. I was more than willing to give up a few miles per gallon to be able to tow my jetski and be able to tackle mountains in the west.
I will be learning like you are how to implement my Iphone and Ipod into the OB so interested in the answers to those questions as well...

[Capnmonkey]

Originally Posted by Emwonk

I just picked up a 2011 2.5 limited. A few questions:


I like the car so far but I am having to resign myself to the acceleration. Which I knew about via a test drive. I told myself this will be my practical car. if I want to go fast it will be in the other car.

My daughter and I are taking it Down a steep gravel road deep into the woods over a low water crossing for a camping trip this weekend. The camp site is not accessible by BMW coupe.

The V6 was very tempting after test drive, but the 5 speed auto paired with the V6 feels very coarse compared to the CVT.

We opted for the 2.5 and only rarely miss the extra power of the V6, while we always enjoy the improved MPG and smooth CVT operation.

You'll get used to it : ) (But yes, it helps to have a fast car to drive when you don't need the OB capabilities!)

[Capnmonkey]

Originally Posted by fun2drive

There was no way I could accept the 2.5L after driving both engines given the type of use we intend to put this OB to. I was pretty impressed with the HK system given I was not expecting it to be as good as it is. I was more than willing to give up a few miles per gallon to be able to tow my jetski and be able to tackle mountains in the west.
I will be learning like you are how to implement my Iphone and Ipod into the OB so interested in the answers to those questions as well...

You guys should just try the USB capabilities first, before jumping through hoops to get your iPod working.
A 32GB USB drive can be had for $20-$30 and works great through the factory interface. Plus, you don't have to worry about heat/theft/charging as you would with an ipod.

[foxrider68]

Originally Posted by Capnmonkey

You guys should just try the USB capabilities first, before jumping through hoops to get your iPod working.
A 32GB USB drive can be had for $20-$30 and works great through the factory interface. Plus, you don't have to worry about heat/theft/charging as you would with an ipod.

I have an olderer 1st gen ipod touch that I just wiped and loaded with music only. I'm going to get a shorter cable and just leave it in the console. The only thing I use my newer Iphone for is bluetooth streaming with Pandora and phone calls. Otherwise USB storage is the best route.

[subiesailor]

Originally Posted by Capnmonkey

The V6 was very tempting after test drive, but the 5 speed auto paired with the V6 feels very coarse compared to the CVT.

We opted for the 2.5 and only rarely miss the extra power of the V6, while we always enjoy the improved MPG and smooth CVT operation.

You'll get used to it : ) (But yes, it helps to have a fast car to drive when you don't need the OB capabilities!)

H6 - subaru has never made a V6.

Keep in mind that regardless of engine choice the auto's have heat related limitations on the towing capacity unless you modify the stock cooling and effectively find a way to increase cooling capacity to the AT. Having said that the new Gen 4 OB is dramatically improved regarding cooling capacity over the older gen 3 model.

I towed a 600lb 16ft racing sailboat up and down the west coast from San Diego to Seattle and over the Sierras for many many years with our 2001 Legacy GT 2.5 non turbo 5spd MT. Zero issues great car. The New OB has towed our 21ft racing sailboat which is 1700lbs with very basic gear behind the car - the 2.5 tows it well but when facing a 1700mile trip from SF to Dillon Colorado in August I opted for a friends Yukon for the high speed Nevada section which posted temps in the 100+ range. The 2.5 would have done the trip easily but we would not have crossed NV at 80mph with the AC running.

[subiesailor]

With the 21footer which sits flat and is 8.5ft wide and nearly level with the roof line on the OB - I run between 16mpg at 70mph with a head wind on the flats to 21mpg at 65mph with no head wind on the flats that is with the 2.5 cvt. Power has never been much of an issue with the 2.5 and CVT while towing - the only concern and was the same issue with our old 2.5 was your cooling capacity on long climbs.

CVT is rated at 1350lbs at 104+outside temps at 5+mile climbs
The 5spd AT in the 3.6 is rated at 1500lbs ^ same conditions as above
All related to the stock cooling capacity

The CVT has proven to be great for towing so far. I also have a 880lb 4x6 utility/tent trailer which we take camping and we run between 21-26mpg in mixed hilly 60-65mph speeds. This trailer would be very similar to your classic PWC on a single wide trailer. The 2.5 hauls it easily you almost don't even know its there - accelerating up decent grades is easily done. Given many years traveling and towing with the 2.5 my target weight for our camping rig was 1200lbs or less empty given I'm a firm believer that regardless of engine 3.6 or the 2.5 the Ob or Legacy which is what we towed with for 11yrs - handles 1500lbs or less in a manner that you can easily take anyplace in any conditions. 1700lbs and up regardless of the engine choice the weight on the chassie and loads on the cooling will pose challenges on long hot trips crossing major passes.

[Wharfrat]

I woulda liked the h6 as well but opted for the more practical h4. We tow a small fishing boat (<900#) without any issues, mountains, high winds, still get mid 20's mpg. However taking it crawling through forest roads it does want to heat up to the point that I can smell coolant but no lights, unimpressed with that.
I'm actually impressed by the stock stereo system as I expected worse, lots of base. But usually i just hook up my mp3 through the aux jack and am happy.

[Capnmonkey]

Originally Posted by subiesailor

H6 - subaru has never made a V6.

Ah, now I see why everyone just calls it the 3.6 on here