Legacy Touring Wagon

The BH5 Legacy Touring Wagon

The third-generation Legacy Touring Wagon went on sale on 17 June 1998 and stayed in production until May 2003; BH5 is the code for its 2.0-litre cars. Under the familiar shape was a new rear end: a multi-link rear suspension, Subaru's first, chosen partly so that no strut towers would cut into the load space. All BH5s have full-time four-wheel drive.

The turbo grade carries the EJ20, a 2.0-litre DOHC flat-four with sequential twin turbos. With the five-speed manual it makes 280 PS and 343 Nm; with the four-speed automatic it makes 260 PS, on a higher compression ratio. Naturally aspirated EJ20s powered the other grades. Subaru revised the wagon each May: in 1999 the manual GT-B became the GT-B E-tune and the turbo wagons gained an aluminium bonnet, in 2000 the turbos got their own front bumper, and in 2001 the E-tune II arrived with engine-speed-sensitive power steering.

What BH5 owners upgrade

Drivetrain parts lead. LSD upgrade kits, clutch kits and flywheels from the drivetrain range follow the extra boost, and blow-off valves are the most popular forced induction part, fitted alongside pod and panel filters from the intake range.

Front bumpers and grilles from the exterior range change the wagon's face, while timing belts from the engine range, alternators and radiator caps keep a car of this age healthy. HKS, Cusco, APEXi, Exedy, Zero Sports and K2 Gear are among the makers owners choose.

Genuine parts

A BH5's age shows in its rubber and plastic. Leaking radiators, oil seeping from the flat-four's gaskets and airflow meters that fail and light the engine warning lamp are the faults owners report. The airflow meter changed to a Denso unit with the May 2001 update, so match it to the build date. Our genuine Subaru OEM parts catalogue covers the BH5.

Wheels

The BH5 has five studs on a 100 mm PCD with M12 x 1.25 nuts. Factory wheels were 14x5.5, 15x6, 16x6.5 and 17x7, all at +55. Larger sizes are listed under wheels that fit the BH5.