Commence discussion…subaru is junk…
On a serious note, layout has nothing to do with Subaru’s “fantastic” track record, it’s their damn internal layout, flexible case halves, and oiling system. I do case mods that balance the oil flow/increase volume at RPMs and stiffen the case halves that virtually eliminate the problems, however most people can’t stomach my machining costs to do so and feel it’s “unnecessary”(alot of :blahblah from dreamy type customers who think they know more about the process than the person actually doing the work, lolz).
When all else considered in the dynamics of engine, boxer motors are superior to all other types except in packaging in some cases. A boxer 8 engine is defined as the “perfect” engine in terms of internal balance, power output balance, durability on rotating assembly, low CG and height packaging, etc, etc. Fails on terms of width and length packagine for most cars, and are rather expensive to make.
…end discussion