Legacy B4

The BE5 Legacy B4

With its third generation the Legacy sedan took a name of its own: B4, a sports sedan that went on sale on 21 December 1998, six months after the wagon, and was built until June 2003. BE5 is the code for the 2.0-litre cars, all with full-time four-wheel drive. At launch there were two. The RSK has the EJ20 2.0-litre DOHC flat-four with sequential twin turbos, making 280 PS and 343 Nm with the five-speed manual, or 260 PS with the four-speed automatic. The RS has a naturally aspirated EJ20 with AVCS variable valve timing and a variable intake, making 155 PS.

Turbo B4s gained an aluminium bonnet in May 2000, and the May 2001 update added VDC stability control as an option. The best known special is the Blitzen, styled with Porsche Design and shown at the 1999 Tokyo Motor Show, then sold in limited numbers.

What B4 owners upgrade

The B4 is bought to be driven, and owners spend on stopping and putting the power down. LSD upgrade kits and clutch kits from the drivetrain range lead, with disc rotors and pads from the brakes range; DIXCEL and Project Mu are popular there. Exhaust systems from Fujitsubo and HKS, blow-off valves and pod filters from the intake range free up the twin-turbo engine.

Alternators from the ignition range and timing belts from the engine range are the most common service parts, and front bumpers and grilles restyle the nose. Cusco, APEXi, Laile and K2 Gear are among the other names owners choose.

Genuine parts

The BE5 changed through its life, so parts follow the build date: the turbo cars' aluminium bonnet arrived in May 2000, and the airflow meter became a Denso unit in May 2001. The EJ20's camshafts run on a toothed belt that, if it skips, lets valves strike pistons, so a car with no belt history should have one fitted. Our genuine Subaru parts catalogue covers the BE5, from brake parts to engine service items.

Wheels

The B4 has five studs on a 100 mm PCD with M12 x 1.25 nuts. Factory wheels were 15x6, 16x6.5 and 17x7, all at +55. Other sizes are listed under wheels that fit the BE5 B4.