2009/2008 Legacy 3.0R Limited vs non-Limited vs Canada

[nevets27]

I'm planning on purchasing a 2009/2008 Legacy 3.0. I'm trying to figure out the differences in trim between different regions/years etc.

 

So far from what I've read (cars101)

 

2008 3.0R's were all Limited

2009 Subaru made two options for the 3.0R a Limited and a not Limited

 

2008 3.0R's had some of the following key features:

18" 7spoke alloy wheels

Bilstein Sport Suspension, inverted struts

Navigation (standard and not an option?)

(No mention of Aluminum suspension)

 

2009 3.0R non-limited had some of the following key features:

17" alloy wheels, 6 spoke

Torsen limited slip Rear Differential

 

Non limited are missing things like:

Leather seats/seating wheel

Climate control

All weather package

Wood trim

etc.

(No mention of Bilstein or Aluminum Alloy rear suspension arms and upper links to reduce weights)

 

 

2009 3.0R Limited had some of the following key features:

Bilstein Sport Suspension, inverted struts

Aluminum Alloy rear suspension arms and upper links to reduce weights

18" 7 spoke alloy wheels

Leather interior

All weather package

Climate control

Wood trim

Navigation was optional

 

 

Now the questions.

 

What differences is there between a 2008 3.0R Limited and a 2009 3.0R Limited? I know in 2009 they added Harman Kardon. But was that the only change? Was anything removed from the 2009 that was in the 2008? Cars101 states Aluminum Alloy suspension in 2009 3.0R Limited but not in 2008 or on 2009 non Limited.

 

Also what years/trims got the Torsen limited slip Rear Differential? Its not mentioned in 2008. But is mentioned on the non limited 2009 which should mean its on all 2009's.

 

Now the bigger question I more confused about. Canada always seems to do different trim packages. From a previous post I figured out that all Legacy GT's were Limited in the USA but there was no Limited model in Canada. But they are essentially the same with only two differences I was told and observed being that in Canada we didn't get TPS or power passenger seat.

 

Moving to the 3.0R. I've been looking at a few here in person and some online from the USA. I noticed that there were two types of rims I was seeing. The explanation to that from what I gathered is. 2009 non limited have the 6 spoke, and ALL 2009 3.0's in Canada come with the 6 spoke. In the USA 2008/2009 Limited come with the 7 spoke.

 

That was my first clue until I noticed other differences.

 

From what I've observed (though I haven't seen too many in person) in Canada we may or may not have both limited and non limited in 2009. My guess is we didn't have both options and there was only one trim package available. I have only seen one car without climate control which wold make it a non limited but I think it was a USA car. So far I haven't seen a non limited Canadian car. So my guess is we got some sort of hybrid of the two which included some limited features but not all. This is what I want to know. What things are we missing? What I've noticed as far is similarities and differences:

 

2009 3.0R Limited USA vs 3.0R in Canada

 

Similarities:

The entire interior

Leather

Wood trim

Cruise

Climate etc.

All weather package

Fog lights (Not sure if ours are "projector beam")

Turn signals in mirrors

 

Differences, we don't get:

18" 7 spoke alloy wheels. All Canadian cars I've seen have the 17" alloy wheels, 6 spoke

Bilstein Sport Suspension of the two cars I've seen, they don't have the blue and yellow. Just all black

Aluminum Alloy rear suspension arms and upper links to reduce weights again the cars I've seen not shiny aluminum, and a little bit of surface rust

 

Things I'm not sure about:

Torsen limited slip Rear Differential. At least in 2009 it was listed on both the limited and non limited so it should be in the Canadian cars but I don't know.

 

Could someone shed some light onto this?

 

Of the things we might be missing is any of them not easily upgraded? Example the suspension arms looks like can be purchased and installed if desired same with the "Bilstein Sport Suspension" as they are just springs and struts. Of course wheels can be swapped. Lastly if the diff is different I know it could be changed but that a little more involved cost wise but of course doable.

[98legwag]

The 09 3.0R limited did not get any of the aluminium suspension parts.

[Dispatch20]

US 08/09 3.0R Limited came with the larger Legacy GT brakes. 2009 non-limited 3.0R used same brakes as 2.5i and Outback.

 

Correct that nav was standard on US 08 3.0R Limited and optional on 09 Limited.

 

As previous poster stated, no US 3.0Rs came with aluminum suspension bits.

[Dispatch20]

Also, I think you're right that both 08/09 3.0Rs in Canada used the 6 spoke 17" GT design and did not have the 18" used in the US (and rest of world).

 

The US 08/09 3.0R Limited was the only non-Spec.B model to get bilsteins. Keep in mind that many parts of the world had spec.b models in 2.0t, 3.0r, etc trims. Canada only got the Spec.B in GT form.

[nevets27]

I'm thankful for all the info on cars101 but have to wonder how much info is wrong.

 

Anyhow thanks for the responses.

 

Right, I did see it mentioned that the non limited came with the smaller brakes. A further reason for me to have no interest in the non limited.

 

So 2008 is equal to the 2009 Limited minus the Harman Kardon sound system.

 

Suspension wise the 2008 and 2009 Limited are the same as a spec.b except that the spec.b got aluminum parts.

 

So moving onto the Torsen limited slip Rear Differential. Would it be correct that all 3.0's got it?

 

So for me to make a Canadian 3.0R into a USA Limited I would need the 18" 7 spoke wheels and the Bilsteins, correct?

 

So if I was to upgrade the stock suspension that I would be getting here, what would be my best option? With the intent to get something that is at least as comparable to the stock spec.b/3.0 USA suspension.

[Dispatch20]

Cars101 is a site put together by a Subaru sales guy. It's bound to have mistakes but it's a great resource.

 

It looks like Canada only got the 3.0R Legacy in 2009. These links seem pretty accurate:

http://wwwb.autotrader.ca/research/subaru/legacy/2008/

http://wwwb.autotrader.ca/research/subaru/legacy/2009/

 

Yes, I believe any 3.0R 5EAT has the torsen rear limited slip differential.

 

To make a Canada spec '09 3.0R Limited or Premier into a USA 3.0R Limited you would need: 18" wheels, bilsteins, and possibly brake calipers/rotors/pads (if the rear rotor is solid in the middle then you have the smaller 2.5i brake setup). The smaller brakes work just fine for 99% of people that daily drive their car.

 

Fresh KYB struts are almost as good as Bilsteins. I've had 5 Legacys with varying suspensions and I'm not sure I'd bother putting on Bilsteins. Maybe if you can find a cheap set used in good condition. The stock SpecB and 3.0R Limited suspension is nothing miraculous, and is really just competitive with most other vehicles on the road.

[nevets27]

Thanks for the great info and links Dispatch20.

 

Its likely the 2008's I've seen here have been USA cars then.

 

It's quite unfortunate, at least for me/us up in Canada to loose out on some of the nice bits, thankfully they at least made us feel like we were getting the top of the line by giving us the limited interior.

 

Yup, we have solid rears.

 

Did some quick reading last night and I thought everyone loved the Bilstiens over the KYB's....

 

Either way I'm hoping to save a bit of money on the car I'm currently looking at and use that money for a suspension refresh and a few other little upgrades and improvements.

[elvin315]

Below are pages I used when shopping for my 2008 3.0R Limited. I couldn't find any specs for Canadian versions but you can compare American 2008 - 2009 models. Lots of good stuff here.

 

http://www.cars101.com/subaru/legacy/legacy2008.html

http://www.cars101.com/subaru/legacy/legacy2009.html

[elvin315]

My 3.0R's front end is now wearing KSport coilovers, Drilled & Slotted Rotors, ATS/Brembo front brake calipers, EBC Yellow Stuff pads (see note), with StopTech braided hoses. On deck are LCA polyurethane bushings, steering rack poly bushings, rear suspension poly bushings, Whiteline front and rear swaybars with, guess what?..... poly bushings. The trick with the 3.0R front end is there's less room for the swaybar because the engine is longer and interferes with L/GT bars. Since I haven't found time to install it I can't comment on the changes to handling but I expect less body roll in the turns with a little more harshness over rough pavement. It's a price I'm willing to pay.

 

So far the stiffer KSport springs are helping reduce body roll slightly and being adjustable for compression & rebound (36 settings between firm and soft) I'm still dialing them in for the potholed/asphalt patched NYState roads. So far they are a vast improvement over the stock struts. Taking into account that my 3.0R came with Bilstein cartridges that's saying a lot (they had over 100K miles on them but still....).

 

I don't want to install the new front swaybar (FSB) unless I can install the new rear bar (RSB) at the same time because a thicker front bar adds understeer just like a solo rear bar adds oversteer. My goal is less body roll and neutral handling. My new front bar will be 22mm and the rear will be 20mm. Combined they should give me the flat turn-in and enhanced tire grip I'm looking for.

 

I switched from A/S tires years, and several cars, ago. A/S tires are a compromise, trying to handle all temps and conditions. Sorry, I don't buy it. I always mount dedicated winter and summer tires, the best I can afford. They give me confidence, not to act stupid, but with their added ability to keep me out of danger (with just a little stupid speed thrown in).

 

Enginewise there's not much I could find for the EZ30D engine but I have to admit I didn't look very hard. I bought the 3.0R because I don't trust turbos. The EZ30D's 246HP is more than the 200HP my last car made with its 3.0 liter V6 so I was satisfied. Plus NYState has some of the pickiest emission testing requirements in the country. They require testing once a year and I'm afraid of any engine mods that might cause a fail. About the only thing I might try would be a cold air intake and a cat-back exhaust. Since more power isn't high on my list I'll focus on the suspension and brakes (I have plans for the rear brakes later).

 

NOTE: Just got back from a 3000 mile road trip to Dallas, Tx and back and learned I chose the wrong brake pads. They're too dusty, sticking to my wheels in a black matte coating. They also leave deposits on my rotors that cause a pulsation as if they were warped. I probably don't get the brakes hot enough to burn the deposits off. I just switched to ceramic pads which should solve that problem.

 

Cadillac ATS Brake Caliper Upgrade...........

http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/cadillac-ats-brembo-caliper-upgrade-your-subaru-251912.html?t=251912

http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=253011&stc=1&thumb=1&d=1501078531http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=253012&stc=1&thumb=1&d=1501078531

 

Almost forgot the new wheels & tires..........

[nevets27]

Thanks elvin. Just got my 3.0 last week. Needs front left ball joint and both inner CV boots.

 

Going to replace both ball joints and the bushings in the control arms. Clean, re-grease and re boot the CV shafts. Also going to do all the fluids. Get it all ready for me to own. Also have the bumper and headlights off to do some mods.

 

I'll start a thread for it. As for a comparison between Canada and USA. Looks like everything cover here was right. With the exception that no Legacy other then the spec.b received the torsen diff, its right in the service manual.

 

So we do miss out on a few things but thankfully so far its limited to stuff that's easy to upgrade anyway.

[Dispatch20]

I think the misconception on the 3.0R rear diff came from Edmunds. Link: https://www.edmunds.com/subaru/legacy/2009/sedan/st-101016547/review/

"The 3.0 R begins with the same standard equipment as the 2.5i Special Edition and adds a six-cylinder engine, SI-Drive and the Torsen limited-slip differential"

 

I think that's a mistake. All the 05-09 5EAT cars (3.0R, GT, XT) got a limited slip rear differential, but I think it was the viscous coupling kind rather than the torsen style. I don't think it's a major deal, though. Having a proper tire choice (i.e. winter tires) will make a bigger traction difference than the style of rear diff.