18x8 summer set
- Front and rear
- 18 × 8 inch, ET48 · 235/40 R18
A LegacyGT.com member says their summer setup in this size never rubbed and fitted well.
2003–2009 · saloon / estate
Subaru Legacy / Liberty BL/BP wheel fitment
The fourth-generation Legacy, sold as the Liberty in Australia, came as the BL saloon and BP estate, with the turbocharged GT the most modified version. It uses 5x100 with high-offset factory wheels, and owners mostly settle on 17 or 18-inch wheels around ET45 to ET48.
5x100 bolt pattern · 56.1 mm centre bore · Stock wheels: 17 × 7, 16 × 6.5 inch · Stock tyres: 215/45 R17, 205/55 R16
Updated 2026-10-31 · Medium source confidence. Check your exact trim and market. How we check specs
Quick specs
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Bolt pattern | |
| Stock tyre sizes | |
| Centre bore | 56.1 mm |
| Fastener and thread | Wheel nut, M12x1.25 |
| Tightening torque | Confirm in your handbook |
Stock wheels and tyres
Factory options vary by trim and market. Match your car to the row below and check its tyre placard before using it as a baseline.
| Trim | Axle | Wheel | Tyre |
|---|---|---|---|
| GT / 2.0GT / 2.0R / 2.5i, 17-inch | Front and rear | 17 × 7 inch, ET55 | 215/45 R17 |
| 2.0i, 16-inch | Front and rear | 16 × 6.5 inch, ET55 | 205/55 R16 |
Explained in our guides
Read these before choosing wheels for the Legacy / Liberty: they explain the offset, fitment and hub numbers in this guide.
- Wheel offset explained: choosing ET without guessingUnderstand positive and negative wheel offset, calculate inner clearance and outer position, and choose an ET using measurements from your own car.
- Flush, poke and tucked fitment: measure the whole tyreUnderstand flush, poked and tucked wheels, calculate how width and offset change the look, and check clearance beyond a parked side-on photograph.
- Hub-centric vs lug-centric wheels: choosing hub ringsLearn what hub rings do, how to specify their inner and outer diameters, and why centring, wheel seats and vibration need separate checks.
Popular community setups
Starting points for a build. Read the notes with each setup, especially if your car is lowered or has different brakes.
17x8 ET48
- Front and rear
- 17 × 8 inch, ET48
A size that recurs in LegacyGT.com's member list of wheels fitted to 2005–2008 Legacy and Outback models, across several brands.
18x8.5 ET48
- Front and rear
- 18 × 8.5 inch, ET48
Listed for two members' cars in the same LegacyGT.com wheel list. Other members on the forum say 245-section tyres need rolled arches on this width.
Width and offset guidance
Offset range
Check the exact setup
There is no confirmed range for this car yet. Compare a known wheel with your proposed size and measure both sides.
Common width limit
Measure before ordering
A maximum width has not been confirmed. Tyre shape, ride height and alignment all change the available space.
These figures belong to the setups described here. Combining the widest wheel with either end of the offset range does not guarantee a safe fit. For how ET moves the wheel in and out, read wheel offset explained; for how far the tyre can sit out, see flush, poke and tucked fitment.
Clearance notes
- On LegacyGT.com, a member reports rubbing with 245/40 R18 tyres on 18x8.5 ET45 wheels at standard height, even with rolled arches.
- A 2006 spec.B owner on 255/40 R18 tyres and 18x8.5 ET35 wheels was told the arches need rolling and pulling for that tyre width.
- An Outback XT owner test-fitted a 16x7 wheel from an older Legacy RS and found about 5 mm of caliper clearance. GT models have larger brakes, so do not assume 16s will clear.
- The hub bore is 56.1 mm and the wheel nuts are M12x1.25. Wheels with a larger bore need hub-centric rings.
- We have not confirmed a factory wheel-nut torque for this generation. Use the figure in the owner's handbook or service manual.
- Check full steering lock and suspension travel with the car loaded. Match wheel load rating, tyre load and speed ratings, fastener seats and brake clearance.
See it on your car.
Upload a photo and start with a look that suits the Legacy / Liberty. Try the wheels, colour and stance before you spend on parts.
An AI preview shows the look. It cannot verify physical fitment.
Run the numbers
These tools start with the GT / 2.0GT / 2.0R / 2.5i, 17-inch front size. Choose your own trim or axle in the calculator if it differs.
Questions
What is the bolt pattern of the 2003–2009 Legacy and Liberty?
5x100, with a 56.1 mm centre bore and M12x1.25 wheel nuts, for the BL saloon and BP estate.
What wheels does the Legacy GT have from the factory?
17x7 ET55 wheels with 215/45 R17 tyres. The 2.0i has 16x6.5 ET55 with 205/55 R16.
What 18-inch setup works on a Legacy GT?
An 18x8 ET48 with 235/40 R18 tyres is a documented no-rub fit. Owners report that 245-section tyres on 8.5-inch wheels rub unless the arches are worked.
Will 16-inch winter wheels fit a Legacy GT?
Check the brakes first. A 16x7 RS wheel cleared an Outback XT's calipers by only about 5 mm, and the GT's brakes are larger.
What size tyres does the Subaru Legacy / Liberty BL/BP have?
Factory tyre (tire) sizes for the 2003–2009 Subaru Legacy / Liberty BL/BP are 215/45 R17 and 205/55 R16, depending on trim. Your tyre placard shows the size for your car.
What wheel size does the Subaru Legacy / Liberty BL/BP use?
Factory wheels are 17 × 7 inch and 16 × 6.5 inch, depending on trim. The stock table lists the offset for each.
What is the Subaru Legacy / Liberty BL/BP centre bore?
56.1 mm. Aftermarket wheels with a larger bore need hub-centric rings sized to it.
Specs checked against
- TireWheelGuide: 2007 Legacy sizes by market, bore and thread
- Mavis: 2005 Legacy GT standard tyre size
- LegacyGT.com: wheels that fit the 2005–2008 Legacy and Outback
- LegacyGT.com: fitting wheels and tyres on a spec.B
- LegacyGT.com: 8.5-inch wide rim fitment
This guide is a starting point, not a fitment guarantee. Specs can differ by market, trim and previous modifications. Confirm all sizes, clearances and fastener requirements with a qualified wheel and tyre professional before buying or fitting parts.
Related cars
More guides from Subaru or cars with the same bolt pattern. A matching pattern alone does not make a wheel interchangeable.