9-5 Aero frustration

[NiceCupOfTea]

Even with balance shafts the 2.3 4-pot is not going to be as smooth as a BMW S6. It's a very different power delivery, and it took me a while to get used to the M52 in my e36 after a 2.3 Turbo Saab 9000.

Console yourself by going and looking at the prices of similar age and spec 530 manuals in the classifieds!

(if you want to sell the 9-5 give me a shout, I have been looking for manual 330 and 530 tourings and have all but given up )

[ruggedscotty]

The 95 is an old design. The 2.3 engine will never feel as smooth as a six or sound as characterful as a V8. but it is highly developed and although it has a few issues like oil sludging and ignition packs its still a very characterful engine in its own right.

The engine producing 260hp with an 0-60 in 6.5 and topping out at 155 thats serious performance for a big four door saloon.

Its a good car and frustrations coming from expectations against reality. It is a four always will be a four - its got balance shafts in and all sorts to make it palatable to the americans. it aimed for the left of middle with giving decent power and the economy of a four when cruising. it attracted a cult following and it was a well received car.

looking at the Buick Lucerne a similar segment luxury fitted with a northstar V8 - it produces 292 bhp with 288 lbs/ft. The 2.3 saab isnt far behind that at all. the 0-60 times being roughly similar.

never had a saab but I do like the 9-5. think its a great car.

[macp]

Completely agree with you Scotty its an accomplished road weapon no doubt as I got to find out on the Cornish roads this afternoon. I also have uprated brakes and she has been breathed upon a tiny bit too. I guess its a car where you feel whats going on so more of a drivers car really.

[ruggedscotty]

Marmite - you either like it or you dont. But they are really good cars. My father was into his saabs for a while and so was my brother. had some really nice ones aswell - 9000 anniversary 95 griffin and a viggen. The viggen is very similar to the 95 aero. Although the engine didnt suit the 93 chassis very well bulkhead issues and all that. when you see what saab were doing - small capacity and large outputs they even played with variable compression engines.

I do have a soft spot for them and think they were great cars, still think they can run rings round some of the modern material out there.

Keep us posted on how you get on, I do think you will like it and you will grow to enjoy the performance, its fast off the mark but the word crushing springs to mind when you discus mid range.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCpjyC6h9J4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsCEbxmuTzY

[anonymous-user]

surely a good exhaust would sort the noise issue. 4 pots can sound good with a decent exhaust.

[addsvrs]

I have 2 now, a 2003 manual one and a 2006 auto. I love them but agree ive never thought the engine sounds nice. Saying that i pick them for the value / kit / load carrying ability / and a good turn of speed, but it will never be a BMW / merc / Audi. Im looking for another at the moment as i didnt get on with the autobox in my last one. My in-between car is a 530i Touring and that just sounds lovely.

[otolith]

It's actually reasonably refined for a four, it just doesn't make a noise you'd particularly want to hear.

[bakerstreet]

The Spruce goose said:

surely a good exhaust would sort the noise issue. 4 pots can sound good with a decent exhaust.

The engine sound is pretty dull and I've watched a few videos of 9-5 Aeros with performance exhausts fitted and I didn't think they sounded very special at all.

My Aero is an auto. Very slow compared to the manual. Think mine is listed as 8.2 to sixty Great mid range though

[macp]

I have had two 9-5 aero autos and liked them both but dont really remember them being that much slower than the manual.
I have since begun to reconsider my thoughts on selling it mostly because like they do its beginning to get under my skin.