Legacy B4

The BL5 Legacy B4

The BL5 is the 2.0-litre B4 of the fourth-generation Legacy, on sale from June 2003, a month after the wagon, until May 2009. It was the B4 that gave up sequential twin turbos. The 2.0GT's EJ20 2.0-litre flat-four uses one twin-scroll turbo with dual AVCS, making 280 PS with the manual gearbox and 260 PS with the five-speed automatic, and its 343 Nm arrives from 2,400 rpm. The naturally aspirated 2.0R makes 190 PS as a manual. All have full-time four-wheel drive.

The 2.0GT spec.B is the sporting version, with firmer suspension and from 2006 a six-speed manual. In August 2005 STI added the spec.B tuned by STI, with Bilstein dampers, an STI exhaust, Brembo brakes with four-piston front calipers and STI 18-inch wheels. A May 2006 facelift renewed the front end and rear lights and added SI-Drive engine modes.

What BL5 owners upgrade

Alternators from the ignition range sell more than anything else for the BL5, with timing belts from the engine range and radiator caps also high on the list. For the chassis, owners fit lowering springs and tie rod ends from the handling range, and disc rotors and pads from the brakes range, where DIXCEL and Project Mu are favourites.

Inside, steering wheels and shift knobs from the interior range are popular, and front lip spoilers dress the nose. STI, HKS, DAMD, APEXi, Ikeya Formula and Carbing are among the other names owners choose.

Genuine parts

A spec.B or tuned by STI car is often driven hard, so brake discs and pads are regular replacements, and the twin-scroll EJ20 still drives its camshafts with a toothed belt that should be changed on any car without a record of it, since a skipped belt lets valves strike pistons. Bumpers, grilles, headlights and tail lights differ before and after the 2006 facelift. Our genuine Subaru OEM parts catalogue covers the BL5.

Wheels

The BL5 has five studs on a 100 mm PCD with M12 x 1.25 nuts. Factory wheels were 16x6.5, 17x7, 18x7 and 18x7.5, all at +55. Other sizes are listed under wheels that fit the BL5 B4.