Author Topic: Snow tires for 2005 Subary Legacy 2.5i Wagon (Read 2059 times)

simon604 · « **on:** December 08, 2004, 08:06:05 pm »

hi all -- my first post.

i just bought a new 2005 subaru legacy 2.5i wagon. the all-season tires on it are 205/55-16. i have a nearly new set of snow tires from my old bmw -- size is 205/60-15.

can i use these snows on the legacy?

by my calculation, the snows are about 5mm smaller in diameter than the subaru's recommended size, and about 15mm smaller circumference. that seems like a small difference to me -- is it? again, by my calculation, with the snows on the speedometer and odometer will be off by less than 1%.

are there any other issues with using a slightly undersize tire that i need to be aware of?

thanks in advance for your responses.

multipath · « **Reply #1 on:** December 08, 2004, 08:14:38 pm »

It should work just fine, with minimal effect on your speedometer, as long as the 15" wheels provide enough clearance to the brake calipers.

simon604 · « **Reply #2 on:** December 08, 2004, 08:41:42 pm »

thanks multipath.

multipath · « **Reply #3 on:** December 09, 2004, 12:53:39 pm »

No problem! I'm guessing by your name you live in the Vancouver area?

simon604 · « **Reply #4 on:** December 09, 2004, 02:01:00 pm »

yep, i recently moved back to vancouver after 5 years on the wrong side of the border. it looks like you're in the area too.

can you recommend a decent detail shop in the area? i want to put a paint sealant on the new car but don't want to pay the $300 the dealer charges ...

thanks.

multipath · « **Reply #5 on:** December 09, 2004, 02:20:39 pm »

Welcome back home! Yeah, I'm out in Surrey.

I wish I knew of a good detail shop around here. Maybe someone else from the area knows of one. I usually just wax my car twice a year and it seems to do the job fine, but then of course there is the hassle of trying to fit that into a busy schedule.

I wonder if a place like WashWorld does that sort of thing.

brianmw · « **Reply #6 on:** December 11, 2004, 10:29:59 pm »

Hi Simon604,

This is off-topic, but I would be very interesed in your impressions of the Legacy wagon (i.e., what you like, don't like, how it handles, compares to other cars, ...). My wife is looking for a new vehicle and the Legacy 2.5i (5 speed) is one she's considering.

Thanks

morty · « **Reply #7 on:** December 12, 2004, 12:53:53 am »

You can only go with 16" on the Subaru Legacy 2.5i Wagon. Calipers are too large to accomodate 15" wheels. What this means is that although they are the correct OD, they will not fit on your new suby.

Maybe you know someone else who needs a set of winters. These tires will work on a lot of models, just not the one you want.

TireTrends - Get ready for winter!

simon604 · « **Reply #8 on:** December 13, 2004, 05:55:53 pm »

thanks everyone for your responses.

morty: thanks for your input. i'll see if the 15" wheels clear the calipers. if not, i guess i have some snows to sell.

brianmw: so far, we like the legacy a lot. there's a lot of room inside & the interior redesign is a huge improvement over earlier models. although it doesn't handle like a bmw (the suby replaced a 328is), it does handle very well. it's a very comfortable ride, with great visibility & tons of room in the back.

the other model we were seriously considering was a mazda6 wagon. although lots of people really like the 6, we thought the legacy handles better & has better visibility, we expect it to be more reliable, and it has the added bonus of awd. that said, there are some very good deals to be had on the 2004 mazda6 right now.

brianmw · « **Reply #9 on:** December 14, 2004, 12:09:32 am »

The Legacy wagon looks to be a great car to replace her 98 Isuzu Rodeo which handles like a truck, rides rough, and has weak brakes. She hasn't forgiven me for trading in her 92 Mazda MX-3 Precidia (V6) for the Isuzu.

My wife is 5'1" and would appreciate the visibility - so many cars have high beltlines these days.

Thanks for the feedback