How Many Miles Has Your Saab Done?

[Quhet]

108k on my 2001 9-3 diesel. No issues...

[Gorilla Boy]

About to hit 100k in my 04 9-3 aero

[NotDave]

2006 Saab 9-3 1.9 TID vector sport (150)

Bought 3 years ago, 52k miles, Full Saab Service History.

Now on 98.5k miles, does 300-500 a week.

Alternator died at 63k, cost £120 job jobbed.

Since then tyres & brakes are all it wants for.

Does 47-51mpg on our lass' 60+ mile s day mixed use commute.

Aesthetically & mechanically I keep it "mint"... Plan to run to death.

Dual Mass Flywheel has a slight wobble, but no reason it shouldn't see 125-150k miles

[PJ3074]

I've recently bought a 9-3 with the 2.2TiD engine (as heard they were pretty bomb proof and are chain driven). It's 53-Reg, Vector in Silver and is approaching 106K and still looks like a new car, save for the odd minor wear and tear mark.

I have to say, its the most comfortable car I have ever owned and will be adding another 100K to its mileage within the next 5 years. If all goes well, will just run it 'til it starts costing me money. But, coming from an Alfa Romeo, maintenance on this is like pocket change in comparison.

[bakerstreet]

I have a 2005 93 Vector 1.9TID (150)

I bought mine at 122k nearly two years ago. It now has just over 158k on the clock. In that time its had the following:

New Alternator
New Intercooler
New EGR Valve
New Wiper Linkage
New Track Control Arms
Three Oil changes plus air/fuel filters
New Rear caliper
New front discs and pads all round.
New Cambelt and water pump
Two Michelin Primacy HP Tyres
New Thermostat

Mine returns approximately 44mpg and can be stretched to 51mpg on a long motorway run. Don't really believe these people who say they get 50mpg out of it all the time.

It is incredibly comfy over distance and incredibly practical with a large boot and folding seats. Engine is strog, but short first gear is a bit of a pain. Don't expect great handling either. The brakes are good, but the steering is vague and the ride is a little crashy at times.

Mine has had the clutch and the DMS changed at 100k, but the car is on its original Turbo and shows no sign of giving up.

I don't think mine really falls into the cheap to run category any more. I can see the road tax being £200 within two years and other cars are more economical for size/weight/power.

Very handsome car though

[NotDave]

I'll agree on certain points but not others:

- Steering - Light as fk, and no feel. It's crisp enough, just little feedback. And hides how well the car handles. They will stick to the road well, really well when pushed, just you can't feel it.

- EGR valve - Why replace? Just strip, modify/clean, rebuild. £25 job & lasts 50k miles - That and a bit of toe down abuse regularly clears the gunge out

- RFL/Road Tax - They're cheap for what they are, and £200 PA isn't bank breaking. On 20k miles a year I'd call that a bargain. The 4x new tyres every 12months/20k miles at £500-£600 is more crippling.

-Em Pee Gees - Horses for courses. Around town & country, high 30s, low 40s..... But I'm heavy footed. Our lass does 400 miles a week, mostly on CC, driving steady listening to RadioHead or some other dross...... She's averaging 49-51mpg (maths result, not OBC)

- Seats - They're brilliant. I did 850miles in a day in mine, averaged 50mpg and got out feeling fresh as a daisy. Comfortable, supportive.

- Crashy Ride - Round town - 17" wheels, sports pack springs etc, rides like st over Lincolnshires rough, potholed, knackered roads.

[bakerstreet]

NotDave said:

I'll agree on certain points but not others:

- Steering - Light as fk, and no feel. It's crisp enough, just little feedback. And hides how well the car handles. They will stick to the road well, really well when pushed, just you can't feel it.

- EGR valve - Why replace? Just strip, modify/clean, rebuild. £25 job & lasts 50k miles - That and a bit of toe down abuse regularly clears the gunge out

- RFL/Road Tax - They're cheap for what they are, and £200 PA isn't bank breaking. On 20k miles a year I'd call that a bargain. The 4x new tyres every 12months/20k miles at £500-£600 is more crippling.

-Em Pee Gees - Horses for courses. Around town & country, high 30s, low 40s..... But I'm heavy footed. Our lass does 400 miles a week, mostly on CC, driving steady listening to RadioHead or some other dross...... She's averaging 49-51mpg (maths result, not OBC)

- Seats - They're brilliant. I did 850miles in a day in mine, averaged 50mpg and got out feeling fresh as a daisy. Comfortable, supportive.

- Crashy Ride - Round town - 17" wheels, sports pack springs etc, rides like st over Lincolnshires rough, potholed, knackered roads.

You can put four new Michelins on the Saab for £430 or there abouts. Mine runs Primacy HPs on the front and has Goodyear F1s on the back. Got 27k out of the Michelins on the fronts, but the current ones will struggle past 20k, which I'm a bit disappointed about if I'm honest. I may try Avons or Contis next time.

Yes, the steering really does lack feel. As far as I'm concerned that does not make it a great handling car. You are right, that it does hold the road quite well, but its not much use when you can't feel what the car is doing. Its my biggest bug bear of the entire car.

Another point I'd like to add is that parts prices are going up. When I looked at getting replacement steering wheel stereo control, they were £41, now, they are £65. I suppose this can be expected once car manufacturers go out of business.

For various reasons, mine will probably be up for sale in the next few months. Not because I don't like it, but because I want something different and I won't be doing 20kpa anymore thanks to a new job. I'm tempted with the last of the 9-3s as I think they are one of the best looking saloons out there, but I fancy something different.

[NotDave]

Tyres - Around here Michellins are £500+ a set. Falkens (ones I trust) are £350 a set, and that's what she'll be on next.

Steering/Handling - Completely agree. For driver feel, the mk3 Mondeo I pootle about in as a DD/Snotter is head & shoulders above the 9-3 as was the E36 tourer.

Parts - Unknown for me as yet. She's needed nowt.

Last of the Saabs - God yes. One of the last 9-3 Aero TIDs are soooooo tempting.

[bakerstreet]

NotDave said:

Tyres - Around here Michellins are £500+ a set. Falkens (ones I trust) are £350 a set, and that's what she'll be on next.

Steering/Handling - Completely agree. For driver feel, the mk3 Mondeo I pootle about in as a DD/Snotter is head & shoulders above the 9-3 as was the E36 tourer.

Parts - Unknown for me as yet. She's needed nowt.

Last of the Saabs - God yes. One of the last 9-3 Aero TIDs are soooooo tempting.

What Falkens are you looking at? I think the ZE-912s came up for mine. I used to have Falkens on my old Mini and they were quite good. It was at a time when Falkens were considered what Nankangs are now...IE, a bit naff.

Agree on the TTID Aero. Fantastic looking car. SaabTech look after my car and they had an Aero TTID on the forcourt that had the 'murdered out' treatment. Blacked out windows, black bodywork and BBS LM replica alloys. It looked superb

[NotDave]

bakerstreet said:

What Falkens are you looking at? I think the ZE-912s came up for mine. I used to have Falkens on my old Mini and they were quite good. It was at a time when Falkens were considered what Nankangs are now...IE, a bit naff.

Agree on the TTID Aero. Fantastic looking car. SaabTech look after my car and they had an Aero TTID on the forcourt that had the 'murdered out' treatment. Blacked out windows, black bodywork and BBS LM replica alloys. It looked superb

Falken 452s ring a bell, recommended by 2x PHers with Saab 9-3s and what I used to run on my 200SX. Tried BlackCircles? That's where they sent me.

As for the new Saab, I'd be sorely tempted with either white or another silver one... As I have a soft spot for them (gratuotous pic):

[Gorilla Boy]

They dont make 452's anymore and the 453's arent great that replaced em. Vredestein Ultrac Sessantas are the tyres you want

[NotDave]

Moneys?

452s were cock on in the 200sx

[Gorilla Boy]

NotDave said:

Moneys?

452s were cock on in the 200sx

£82 a pop on camskill.

[NotDave]

Gorilla Boy said:

£82 a pop on camskill.

£360 a set then. What're they supposed to wear like?

Need 12 months or 20,000 miles from a set so don't want nothing buttery

[tonyvid]

bakerstreet said:

For various reasons, mine will probably be up for sale in the next few months. Not because I don't like it, but because I want something different and I won't be doing 20kpa anymore thanks to a new job. I'm tempted with the last of the 9-3s as I think they are one of the best looking saloons out there, but I fancy something different.

Sounds like it's had all the expensive and troublesome things done now so cheap motoring for the next couple of years, for someone

[Gorilla Boy]

NotDave said:

Gorilla Boy said:

£82 a pop on camskill.

£360 a set then. What're they supposed to wear like?

Need 12 months or 20,000 miles from a set so don't want nothing buttery

As good as falkens is what ive heard from mates, just better grip.

With that sort of mileage Dave, you want to be going for eco-ste tyres IMO.

[tonyvid]

Goodyear EfficientGrips will last an age but they don't give very good feedback through the steering. They work well enough, do make a good 40miles per tank difference but are hopeless in any dusting of snow! I might go back to these as £100 tanks of fuel everyweek are a bit painful.

[NotDave]

In 17" flavour I was somewhat stumped by the options, so in all honesty stood by what I've learnt, and that was the Michellins work well.

This batch are OK in snow, good in the wet and epic in the dry.

Lasted 14months so far, and over 20k miles. Probably 2mm from the markers at the front and 3mm at the rear.

Hard abuse in the wet makes it kick around though.

Will have a poke about.

[bakerstreet]

tonyvid said:

Sounds like it's had all the expensive and troublesome things done now so cheap motoring for the next couple of years, for someone

Indeed and that will my main point when I sell the car. However, I am on the original Turbo, but on the flip slide, its showing no sign of issues (touches wood)

[NotDave]

Turbo issues aren't a deal breaker tbh. Mine whistles a tiny bit under full load, but nothing I would t expect at 7 years & 100k miles. But like DMF they're a consumable.

Mine will get recon'd when DMF & gear selector are done within next 30k miles.

Then it's new brakes all round.

Then FMIC, insignia injectors, remap & a new exhaust... By all reports 200bhp and a fk load of torque whilst still getting high 40s mpg is do-able