2.8T V6 good for high miles?
Discussion
So after looking at various cars for ages, about a year in fact! I believe I've finally settled on a 9-3 aero as my next London car. They are really good value for a decent car with lots of kit.
So I was almost set on a 2005 2.0T with around 130K on the clock, but now I have found a newer 2.8T for around the same money but has upwards of 150K miles. Looks in good condition but you never really know until you can have a good look.
Running costs aside would you Saab guys go for a high mileage 2.8 or stick with the relatively safe 4 pot?
So I was almost set on a 2005 2.0T with around 130K on the clock, but now I have found a newer 2.8T for around the same money but has upwards of 150K miles. Looks in good condition but you never really know until you can have a good look.
Running costs aside would you Saab guys go for a high mileage 2.8 or stick with the relatively safe 4 pot?
The 2.8's a very strong unit, 99% sure its a Holden engine with some Saab fairy dust sprinkled on it. It's also the same engine used in the Vectra VXR.
They're not that quick standard and definitely need a remap to liven things up a bit
Completely transforms the car...this is how they should have left the factory. To be fair its BALLISTIC now!
Depends what your after, if its better performance then the v6 is definitely the way to go. £450 JZW stage 1 remap and straight away your in 2.0 stage 5 territory.....then things get a bit mad from there on with just bolt on parts like a bigger IC (Chinese evo one off ebay) 3" DP and then a stage 3+ remap (free) should see you around 350bhp & 450-460ft/lbs. If it's the manual the clutch will need upgrading, Autos seem to cope fine with some mental torque numbers (530ish ft/lbs and maybe a tad more going off some cars over the water!)
6 speed manual is pants, very very notchy but can be fixed with either a new gearbox turret or fixing/cleaning up the original. Given the choice again I'd go for the auto.
I wouldn't be too concerned about milage as long as it's been regularly serviced but with 150k miles the suspension will be past its best and could do with upgrading. Eibach or H&R springs with B8's would be my choice.
The only issues I've had is the water temp gauge was rising a little high, swapped the tstat & engine temp sensor out which fixed it for a few months but it's back again. So I think its a problem with the gauge itself.
Had a snapped front spring (common fault it seems!) so swapped for the Eibachs.
MPG is dreadful! Only slightly better than my old E55 AMG! So if that's a concern and your doing some miles maybe the 4 pot will be better? Doesn't bother me as I'm only doing around 5k a year.
03-06 stereo is absolutely terrible not matter what car you get, but the 07 onwards is a little better. 03-06 also has different stereo packages so if that's important to you then try to get one with at least ICM2 fitted (small green display) with the amp under passenger seat as this will have the front door speakers fitted, still crap but not as bad as icm1 (just buttons) and only 4 small speakers front/rear. The top system is ICM3 (Satnav) but that's not great either! Full speakers would be 7 upfront & 6 in the shelf with another amp in the boot powering the rear 6x9's......and it's still pretty poor imo!
Edit: ICM1 can also come with the amp & door/centre dash speakers but its rare. Only seen on couple with this option.
The tax band changed sometime in 06 so facelift v6's will have the higher RFL and some 06 pre facelift with the newer style dash were made during the changeover which also have the higher tax.
Have you got a link or picture of the car? That'll give us a better idea what's fitted.
Some had heated seats some don't like mine
They're not that quick standard and definitely need a remap to liven things up a bit
Completely transforms the car...this is how they should have left the factory. To be fair its BALLISTIC now!Depends what your after, if its better performance then the v6 is definitely the way to go. £450 JZW stage 1 remap and straight away your in 2.0 stage 5 territory.....then things get a bit mad from there on with just bolt on parts like a bigger IC (Chinese evo one off ebay) 3" DP and then a stage 3+ remap (free) should see you around 350bhp & 450-460ft/lbs. If it's the manual the clutch will need upgrading, Autos seem to cope fine with some mental torque numbers (530ish ft/lbs and maybe a tad more going off some cars over the water!)
6 speed manual is pants, very very notchy but can be fixed with either a new gearbox turret or fixing/cleaning up the original. Given the choice again I'd go for the auto.
I wouldn't be too concerned about milage as long as it's been regularly serviced but with 150k miles the suspension will be past its best and could do with upgrading. Eibach or H&R springs with B8's would be my choice.
The only issues I've had is the water temp gauge was rising a little high, swapped the tstat & engine temp sensor out which fixed it for a few months but it's back again. So I think its a problem with the gauge itself.
Had a snapped front spring (common fault it seems!) so swapped for the Eibachs.
MPG is dreadful! Only slightly better than my old E55 AMG! So if that's a concern and your doing some miles maybe the 4 pot will be better? Doesn't bother me as I'm only doing around 5k a year.
03-06 stereo is absolutely terrible not matter what car you get, but the 07 onwards is a little better. 03-06 also has different stereo packages so if that's important to you then try to get one with at least ICM2 fitted (small green display) with the amp under passenger seat as this will have the front door speakers fitted, still crap but not as bad as icm1 (just buttons) and only 4 small speakers front/rear. The top system is ICM3 (Satnav) but that's not great either! Full speakers would be 7 upfront & 6 in the shelf with another amp in the boot powering the rear 6x9's......and it's still pretty poor imo!
Edit: ICM1 can also come with the amp & door/centre dash speakers but its rare. Only seen on couple with this option.
The tax band changed sometime in 06 so facelift v6's will have the higher RFL and some 06 pre facelift with the newer style dash were made during the changeover which also have the higher tax.
Have you got a link or picture of the car? That'll give us a better idea what's fitted.
Some had heated seats some don't like mine
Edited by griffin dai on Friday 11th July 03:27
Thanks for the info mate, really great stuff!
I think the car I'm looking at has ICM2, which is what the text describes and 7 speakers. However the images show a full sized 'satnav' sized screen along the lines of the ICM3 so I'm not sure if that unit was knackered and was swapped back for the ICM2.
I'll give the place a ring and see whether I can view this weekend.
Thanks a again
I think the car I'm looking at has ICM2, which is what the text describes and 7 speakers. However the images show a full sized 'satnav' sized screen along the lines of the ICM3 so I'm not sure if that unit was knackered and was swapped back for the ICM2.
I'll give the place a ring and see whether I can view this weekend.
Thanks a again
Keep seeing these comments regarding crap stereos in the earlier cars - i have an 03 with the 'infotainment plus' setup inc satnav (ICM3??) and i thought it was pretty good
perhaps my hearing is going in my old age!
OP - recently purchased a 2.0T and found that to be pretty good all rounder - on short commute journeys (5miles each way) i'm averaging around 25-26mpg but into the 30's easily on a run
I purposely went for a pre-06 to avoid giving the robbing tax man an extra £200 a year to drive it - a small victory i know but I can't face seeing a £500 tax disc
perhaps my hearing is going in my old age!
OP - recently purchased a 2.0T and found that to be pretty good all rounder - on short commute journeys (5miles each way) i'm averaging around 25-26mpg but into the 30's easily on a run
I purposely went for a pre-06 to avoid giving the robbing tax man an extra £200 a year to drive it - a small victory i know but I can't face seeing a £500 tax disc
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