In the market for a 9-3 Aero

[Jonjo91]

Hi all,

Currently own a Renault 172 Cup and I've actually become a bit bored of it as my daily drive.

I've been looking at the 9-3 Aero and see you can get a lot of car for not a lot of cash.
My budget is 2.5k, preferably under 100k.
What problems/things should I be looking out for?

Thanks.

[griffin dai]

Which year & engine size?

[Jonjo91]

griffin dai said:

Which year & engine size?

2.0T and anything 03 onwards I think my budget would get?

[griffin dai]

£2.5k should get a nice 04/05 model. I've got the 2.8 so can't really comment on the 4 pot, but there's loads around

Try here for more info
Www.uksaabs.co.uk
Www.saabscene.com
Www.saabcentral.com

[Prawnboy]

I have the four pot Aero, (with a slight Hircsh remap from the dealer 230HP), been fautless for the last 6 years and it's on 75k. I had the Air con condenser go, (a £200 fix), others on here have mentioned that so don't fall for the 'probably needs a re-gass line' and that's it, get one.

[Jonjo91]

Thanks for the information so far.

I've found one local to me. 2.0t aero FSH, long tax and MOT. 100,000 miles.
Hopefully going to view tonight or tomorrow morning.

Any specific things I should look out for, check, problems?

Thanks.

[griffin dai]

What year is it?

2003-2006 cars have a terrible (as in possibly the worst you'll ever get in a modern car!) stereo system. It's all fibre optic linked and very difficult to upgrade to anything more than different speakers....unless you fancy a challenge

The basic system has 4 speakers, next is 7 speakers plus amp under passenger seat, and full system is 13 speakers with an additional amp in the boot. 13 speakers is still pants though...
Got a link/pic handy and we can have a better idea what's fitted?

07 onwards have a double din HU which is easy to upgrade if that's on the cards? there's also a few 06 pre facelift cars with the new system fitted just before the changeover so depends what's fitted

Only problems I've really had was the front spring snapped....on the way to the MOT station!!! (seems a common fault and I think a lot were recalled earlier on) so fitted Eibachs and swapped the dampers same time for Bikstein B8's & fitted a strut brace which improved the handling a fair bit although it was pretty decent as standard.

Rear door seals both leaked, fitted new ones at £220 and it's ok now.

Both front seat belts went lazy and wouldn't retract, a whopping £290 (each) to replace so I sorted that myself with some emery paper & scalpel....half hour job and it's as good as new.

The front spoilers can break/crack pretty easy as its so low, mines cracked but not that bad.

100k I'd look at maybe upgrading the suspension and renewing a few components/bushes as they'll probably start going soon.

Tbh that's about it, I've had a cooling issue on my v6 so swapped the tstat & engine temp sensor but it's back again...I think its the sensor that's gone again.

Nice cars though! And the 4 pot is REALLY cheap to tune! £100 remap should see around 250bhp on the aero with similar torque. Give Saabnoob a call on UKSaabs for that. Also worth upgrading the brakes same time, pointless adding more oomph if you can't stop like I did!

[Jonjo91]

griffin dai said:

What year is it?

2003-2006 cars have a terrible (as in possibly the worst you'll ever get in a modern car!) stereo system. It's all fibre optic linked and very difficult to upgrade to anything more than different speakers....unless you fancy a challenge

The basic system has 4 speakers, next is 7 speakers plus amp under passenger seat, and full system is 13 speakers with an additional amp in the boot. 13 speakers is still pants though...
Got a link/pic handy and we can have a better idea what's fitted?

07 onwards have a double din HU which is easy to upgrade if that's on the cards? there's also a few 06 pre facelift cars with the new system fitted just before the changeover so depends what's fitted

Only problems I've really had was the front spring snapped....on the way to the MOT station!!! (seems a common fault and I think a lot were recalled earlier on) so fitted Eibachs and swapped the dampers same time for Bikstein B8's & fitted a strut brace which improved the handling a fair bit although it was pretty decent as standard.

Rear door seals both leaked, fitted new ones at £220 and it's ok now.

Both front seat belts went lazy and wouldn't retract, a whopping £290 (each) to replace so I sorted that myself with some emery paper & scalpel....half hour job and it's as good as new.

The front spoilers can break/crack pretty easy as its so low, mines cracked but not that bad.

100k I'd look at maybe upgrading the suspension and renewing a few components/bushes as they'll probably start going soon.

Tbh that's about it, I've had a cooling issue on my v6 so swapped the tstat & engine temp sensor but it's back again...I think its the sensor that's gone again.

Nice cars though! And the 4 pot is REALLY cheap to tune! £100 remap should see around 250bhp on the aero with similar torque. Give Saabnoob a call on UKSaabs for that. Also worth upgrading the brakes same time, pointless adding more oomph if you can't stop like I did!

Thanks for the information, its a 03 model.
I would be checking for PCV upgrade. Initially it sounds like a good deal, serviced annually, long tax and MOT.

I'm just waiting on more details and pictures to come through.

I'm coming from a Clio 172 Cup where everything rattled and squeaked so hoping this is a much nicer ride, will also need a towbar for a trailer and motorbike!

Edited by Jonjo91 on Friday 27th June 11:42

[griffin dai]

Steel Grey like mine



That's mine lowered to give an idea what a 35mm drop looks like.

I think the upgrade PCV kit is more for the 9-5 but not 100% on that?

If its 2003 it might have the basic audio fitted which is ICM1 & 2 dash 3.5" mids with 4" shelf speakers, but I've also seen ICM1 with the under seat amp and door 6.5" woofers & center dash fitted. But as it's the Aero maybe has ICM2?

Basically ICM1 is the plan dash unit with just buttons, ICM2 has the small green display, ICM3 is the Satnav. Pretty hit & miss what's fitted on these. Mines a 55 plate v6 Aero and doesn't come with heated seats, a friend had the 2004 4 pot Aero with heated seats and Satnav! So all depends!

[griffin dai]

Right that's defo ICM1 so more than likely has the dash & shelf speakers only.

When you view it check under the passenger seat, if there's a small silver box there it's AMP1 and this powers the door & center dash speaker.

Not sure if Audio's important to you but it'll be pretty difficult to upgrade this one, doable but not easy/cheap. Most just swap the front speakers for JBL329's which improve it a bit or try and source some Boston Acoustics BA35's but they're hard to find. Depends what you want to do with it really and if your confident enough to rip it out and have ago. An audio shop would probably run a mile as its a fair bit of work.

Here's mine (still ongoing)
http://uksaabs.co.uk/UKS/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=...

Edit- looks like you've also got heated seats which is nice! See what I mean! Its a lottery what these come with!

Edited by griffin dai on Friday 27th June 11:56

[Jonjo91]

griffin dai said:

Right that's defo ICM1 so more than likely has the dash & shelf speakers only.

When you view it check under the passenger seat, if there's a small silver box there it's AMP1 and this powers the door & center dash speaker.

Not sure if Audio's important to you but it'll be pretty difficult to upgrade this one, doable but not easy/cheap. Most just swap the front speakers for JBL329's which improve it a bit or try and source some Boston Acoustics BA35's but they're hard to find. Depends what you want to do with it really and if your confident enough to rip it out and have ago. An audio shop would probably run a mile as its a fair bit of work.

Here's mine (still ongoing)
http://uksaabs.co.uk/UKS/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=...

Edit- looks like you've also got heated seats which is nice! See what I mean! Its a lottery what these come with!

Edited by griffin dai on Friday 27th June 11:56

Cheers for the help Griffin!

I'm not too bothered about the sound system, i'm sure it's better than my Clio.
Your Saab does look very nice, hows the ride with it lowered?
What's the consensus for replacement shocks/springs? standard shocks with aftermarket springs - rough cost?

How much is it to have the serpentine belt changed? The current owner isn't sure if it has been done but has a load of paperwork for me to go through.
So for the time being, 100,000 mile car on original aux belt.

Do you know what battery the key fob takes, owner says only down point is the battery has run out on the key fob so they have been using actual key to lock/unlock car. Is there a simple process to re sync the remote key to the car if it's needed?

Pretty excited if i'm honest, had heated leather seats in my RX8 and miss them dearly in the winter.

Edited by Jonjo91 on Friday 27th June 15:53

[J4CKO]

Thats the same as my old one, they are a decent car, apart fromt he crap stereo as Dai mentioned and some ropey/creaky interior bits, not the last word in feedback but mine, with the BSR Remap was pretty quick, probably not far off my 350Z. The power band is a bit diesel-eque and to be honest, the Aero suspension is hard and prone to crashing, they corner very nicely but its very effective rather than communicative.

I prefer these, like J4ckos mates new Cab on the smaller wheels and softer suspension, feels more like a Saab than a Saab doing and German accent.

They are roboust, the petrol engines seem indestructible (unless anyone has any tales of woe), springs break but are a doddle to change, brakes are easy as well, and on mine, possibly the most effective stoppers I have ever encountered.

They still look good, the Aeros do look still look purposeful and smart.

[bigtomski]

What about a 9-5?

Ok i know it's not under 100k but this is a very very good car:

http://www.uksaabs.co.uk/UKS/viewtopic.php?f=14&am...

(Not mine btw, I just know the guy who owns it and it's a lovely car)

Hertfordshire based as well.

[Jonjo91]

bigtomski said:

What about a 9-5?

Ok i know it's not under 100k but this is a very very good car:

http://www.uksaabs.co.uk/UKS/viewtopic.php?f=14&am...

(Not mine btw, I just know the guy who owns it and it's a lovely car)

Hertfordshire based as well.

I had a look at that advert a few days ago, looks superb but unfortunately more than I want to spend

[griffin dai]

Jonjo91 said:

I had a look at that advert a few days ago, looks superb but unfortunately more than I want to spend

I'd fire him a PM on UKS mate and ask how low he'd go, sounds like he wants to shift it. Fair bit done to that, LSD for starters which is a huge plus point and a fairly expensive upgrade. Given the choice of these two I'd probably go for the 9-5 myself....unless the 9-3 was a v6

No secret that the 9-5 is a better car (had one myself for 2 years and imo it is) Fair bit spent on that one aswel....will cost a LOT to get the 9-3 sorted to a similar level....

[Jonjo91]

griffin dai said:

I'd fire him a PM on UKS mate and ask how low he'd go, sounds like he wants to shift it. Fair bit done to that, LSD for starters which is a huge plus point and a fairly expensive upgrade. Given the choice of these two I'd probably go for the 9-5 myself....unless the 9-3 was a v6

No secret that the 9-5 is a better car (had one myself for 2 years and imo it is) Fair bit spent on that one aswel....will cost a LOT to get the 9-3 sorted to a similar level....

The 9-3 I'm looking at, I'd get change from 1450, not too much mind. I would love that 9-5, but I sold my clio to fund a car (hopefully this saab) tow bar, half a trailer and half a track motorbike, only half because I'm splitting costs with a friend.

[griffin dai]

Fair one then mate

They really are excellent value now. I'd get another no problem, but next time will be v6 wagon...and 07 onwards! Stuff the extra RFl! £200 extra's worth it vs the hassle of the audio upgrade

[Jonjo91]

Well, proud owner of the saab now!

needs a new ariel/cover - any links to decent ones?

Both key fobs start and drive the car but won't operate the central locking I've replaced batteries but still nothing, tried the sync method etc. Will this be a dealer job to re sync or can it be done at home with a laptop and relevant software?

Thanks

[griffin dai]

I think it'll need Tech2 mate? Any Saab specialists will be able to do this, no idea on costs though?

How are you finding it?

[Jonjo91]

griffin dai said:

I think it'll need Tech2 mate? Any Saab specialists will be able to do this, no idea on costs though?

How are you finding it?

Been doing a bit of reading and it may be the receiver unit that's duff, going to take the battery off tonight and see if it resets its self.

Other than not having remote central locking at the minute the car is lovely. Coming from a Clio Cup with no aircon, a harsh crashy ride, the saab is perfect.

20 mile motorway cruise to work this morning, heated seats on, cruise control on, no road noise, it was bliss.

It needs a good clean externally and internally then I will chuck some pictures up!