Legacy GT-B BH5 Ownership
Discussion
I have recently been toying with the idea of importing a low mileage, really clean example of a 2001-2003 Legacy GT-B BH5 (Rev-D I believe? The one with the Denso ECU).
Despite attempting to save for a house deposit, man maths is doing its absolute best to tempt me into going ahead with this idea. I was hoping the Pistonheads faithful contains at least a few current or previous owners that could give me an idea of what they're like to own.
Reliability seems up there with the best of them - very few significant problems to look out for as long as they're looked after? I have a company car to do the daily duties, would the Subaru react negatively to being a weekend car? (Not your usual weekend car, but I'm such a fan of fast wagons!)
What about resale potential? I can't get a good judgement for myself as most of the BH5 Legacy's I've seen for sale in the UK tend have higher mileage (100k+) or need a fair amount of work... Has their general value plateaued? What would you expect a clean, rust free, low mileage - I'm looking at examples with 50k miles or less - example to sell for here?
Luckily I happen to live within 15 miles of one of the UK's most reputable Subaru tuners (which factored into my mathematics as 'This is definitely a sign...'), and would plan a few subtle mods to tickle the 300bhp mark... Fuel Pump, Injectors, Spark Plugs, Boost Control, Remap for UK 98+ Fuel, Exhaust and Turbo Timer - though I'd expect the last two to probably already be done in Japan. Does this sound reasonable? I know the engine is already highly tuned, though from what I have read these are the main things worth doing before you have to start sinking serious money into pistons and so forth for any significant gains.
All in all I'm just trying to get a feel for what current or past owners think so I can try and justify importing... or not!
Cheers in advance!
Despite attempting to save for a house deposit, man maths is doing its absolute best to tempt me into going ahead with this idea. I was hoping the Pistonheads faithful contains at least a few current or previous owners that could give me an idea of what they're like to own.
Reliability seems up there with the best of them - very few significant problems to look out for as long as they're looked after? I have a company car to do the daily duties, would the Subaru react negatively to being a weekend car? (Not your usual weekend car, but I'm such a fan of fast wagons!)
What about resale potential? I can't get a good judgement for myself as most of the BH5 Legacy's I've seen for sale in the UK tend have higher mileage (100k+) or need a fair amount of work... Has their general value plateaued? What would you expect a clean, rust free, low mileage - I'm looking at examples with 50k miles or less - example to sell for here?
Luckily I happen to live within 15 miles of one of the UK's most reputable Subaru tuners (which factored into my mathematics as 'This is definitely a sign...'), and would plan a few subtle mods to tickle the 300bhp mark... Fuel Pump, Injectors, Spark Plugs, Boost Control, Remap for UK 98+ Fuel, Exhaust and Turbo Timer - though I'd expect the last two to probably already be done in Japan. Does this sound reasonable? I know the engine is already highly tuned, though from what I have read these are the main things worth doing before you have to start sinking serious money into pistons and so forth for any significant gains.
All in all I'm just trying to get a feel for what current or past owners think so I can try and justify importing... or not!
Cheers in advance!
in simple buy whatever car you like , the subaru range is generally very reliable , the best advice i can give you is buy what ever you want in the uk , importing cars is always expensive and you don't know what you are getting till it is here , at least if you buy here you know what you are getting , plus exchange rate is poor
I owned a 1999 Rev B. Criminally underrated cars but as a consequence the market for them is pretty small...I personally wouldn't consider them a particularly good investment.
It's been a few years now since I was active there, but UKLegacy was (and probably still is) an excellent forum with a knowledgeable and friendly member base.
It's been a few years now since I was active there, but UKLegacy was (and probably still is) an excellent forum with a knowledgeable and friendly member base.
I've had a 2002 Rev-D for the last 7 or 8 years, reliability has been excellent. Other than scheduled maintenance/servicing the only issues have been a couple of sensors (MAP and oxygen) needed replacing.
IIRC the Rev-D has bigger injectors from the factory (550cc from memory) so you might not be as worried about upgrading those.
The Rev-D has higher compression than the earlier ones too at 9:1 instead of 8.5:1, so bear that in mind with tuning etc.
I've just left mine standard as a sensible all-rounder.
IIRC the Rev-D has bigger injectors from the factory (550cc from memory) so you might not be as worried about upgrading those.
The Rev-D has higher compression than the earlier ones too at 9:1 instead of 8.5:1, so bear that in mind with tuning etc.
I've just left mine standard as a sensible all-rounder.
Edited by GravelBen on Monday 6th March 21:03
The problem with buying in the UK is that most examples of the BH5 Legacy are either poor condition or too high mileage for my preference... In fact, in the time I've been looking I'm yet to see a Rev-D example! By importing, and using a decent company, although I can't actually view the car (obviously), I get a pretty good idea of what I'll be getting. I'm happy to pay that extra to get a much better car.
Already signed up to the forums, cheers! And yes, I have to agree they seem to be underrated to the 3rd degree.
Thanks GravelBen, that's another tick in the box for the reliability side of things. Still amazed by the fact that nobody really seems to have any serious problems with these considering they're so highly tuned from factory. Assuming it's been looked after, of course.
Wasn't aware that the later models had bigger injectors from factory either! Assuming they're not already at their limit, I might get away with just a fuel pump then... I'll have to talk to the ones with the knowledge. Wouldn't even think about touching any of the tuning myself
I'm sure the specialists will know where they're at with that!
Already signed up to the forums, cheers! And yes, I have to agree they seem to be underrated to the 3rd degree.
Thanks GravelBen, that's another tick in the box for the reliability side of things. Still amazed by the fact that nobody really seems to have any serious problems with these considering they're so highly tuned from factory. Assuming it's been looked after, of course.
Wasn't aware that the later models had bigger injectors from factory either! Assuming they're not already at their limit, I might get away with just a fuel pump then... I'll have to talk to the ones with the knowledge. Wouldn't even think about touching any of the tuning myself
I'm sure the specialists will know where they're at with that!Hi, are you aware of this company down here in Devon? This car is already imported by the look of it. I don't know if it's the exact one you're after but they may be able to source one if not. I have no affiliation with them, I just check the stock now and then.
http://torque-gt.co.uk/car/subaru-legacy-gt-spec-b...
http://torque-gt.co.uk/car/subaru-legacy-gt-spec-b...
GravelBen said:
Another good forum for information is clubsub.org.nz, they're common as muck over here. 
So true - had a recent trip to Queenstown, turbo Subarus everywhere!My own experience is with the later 2005 2.0T with 250bhp which was awesome and needed just regular maintenance, coil packs and O2 sensor. Fantastic car to own and drive, with solid build quality. So much that I've recently bought a 2012 version with the 2.5T and 260bhp - smoother but less exciting, though still v chuckable and, hopefully, reliable.
gforceg said:
Hi, are you aware of this company down here in Devon? This car is already imported by the look of it. I don't know if it's the exact one you're after but they may be able to source one if not. I have no affiliation with them, I just check the stock now and then.
http://torque-gt.co.uk/car/subaru-legacy-gt-spec-b...
Other than the colour...gimme gimem gimme!http://torque-gt.co.uk/car/subaru-legacy-gt-spec-b...
GravelBen said:
PomBstard said:
So true - had a recent trip to Queenstown, turbo Subarus everywhere!
About 1.5 hours north of me there! 
Queenstown itself is too much of a crowded tourist trap for me to enjoy much these days, but the other stuff around it is nice.
Last time I did that drive was in a six-berth motor home - would love to try it in something more nimble.Gassing Station | Subaru | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff