The AUSubaru.com.au Forums

So I chased clarification regarding the bit about MC class AWDs being a "soft roader" in QLD Transports eyes and being not entitled to legally increase Tyre Diameter past 15mm.

First the argument was because I don't have the ladder style body its an AWD. Then when I pointed out that Pajeros don't either then it was because the 4WD system shifts torque from front wheels to back when it needs to that makes Forester fit into the soft roader category.

So I thought id inquire about L series sadly the compliance plate says category is MA, which is a passenger vehicle (not off road). and Yes in QLD transports eyes yet again it too is not a 4WD vehicle in their eyes either.

My forester is MC which is off road vehicle if you have 4WD and meet the other 5 requirements regarding approach,break over and departure angle along with 200mm Ground Clearance and no less than 178mm below suspension. which according to an American site the SF meats all of the above except approach angle but due to above reasons is an AWD.

So unless someone knows something I don't or the department of transport's modification guy is way wrong "legally"215/70R15 or 225/60R16 is the biggest you can go in an SF forester and 185/70R13 is the biggest you can go in an L Series.

One could try and argue for the L series that its RX turbo model in sedan came out with 185/70R13 and so through it being a different variant one might be able to start from the 185/70R13.

FALCONCONVERTTOSUBARU wrote:
One could try and argue for the L series that its RX turbo model in sedan came out with 185/70R13 and so through it being a different variant one might be able to start from the 185/70R13.

yes you could,

Has anyone with the L series run either the 27x8.514 or the 185R14 range of offroad tyres and been pulled up for inspection by Dept of transport? If so was it something they noticed or did they let you go?

FALCONCONVERTTOSUBARU wrote:Has anyone with the L series run either the 27x8.514 or the 185R14 range of offroad tyres and been pulled up for inspection by Dept of transport? If so was it something they noticed or did they let you go?

Got pulled up in a 2" lifted RX with 27x8.5s by a cop. He defected me for tyres being outside the guards (no flares) but apart from that he was a bit ignorant, thought the EJ22 was stock, didn't say anything about tyre size, just that they sat outside the guards.

Note, this was a cop, not a tmr inspector.

Cheers,
Tom.

Yeah It makes wonder is it something that an insurance company would use against you during a claim if something happened too? Or not

Insurance companies will use anything they can. Any modification that can be seen to reduce the inherent safety design of the original vehicle is sufficient for them to refuse to pay - and running taller than stock wheels that don't meet legislation will definitely be an "out" for them.

dfoyl wrote:Insurance companies will use anything they can. Any modification that can be seen to reduce the inherent safety design of the original vehicle is sufficient for them to refuse to pay - and running taller than stock wheels that don't meet legislation will definitely be an "out" for them.

This is exactly why I'm more inclined to insure my modded car (when it is back on the road) with a company that especially takes these things into consideration and doesn't penalize you for it.

Silverbullet wrote:This is exactly why I'm more inclined to insure my modded car (when it is back on the road) with a company that especially takes these things into consideration and doesn't penalize you for it.

Good luck with that!

Cheers

Bennie

Maybe shannons?

so long as the modification was not, or led to the claim one will be covered