telling the 9-3 turbos apart

[chutneymunch]

I have today decided to go in search of a 9-3 convertible.
How can you tell if the car is the 155, 185 or HOT?
I currently have a 9-3 saloon which is 155bhp, but I can not see any way of telling it apart from a 185 model.
Thanks
Max

[Prof Beard]

chutneymunch said:

I have today decided to go in search of a 9-3 convertible.
How can you tell if the car is the 155, 185 or HOT?
I currently have a 9-3 saloon which is 155bhp, but I can not see any way of telling it apart from a 185 model.
Thanks
Max

Aero HOT's have a body kit and little badges on the side of the front wings that say "Aero" - see pic on my profile.

[Prof Beard]

This might be useful - has all details specs equipment etc for all 98-03 9-3 Convertibles

http://tinyurl.com/2ml5pt

[chutneymunch]

thanks for that - The HOTS look easy tell apart but the 155 and 185 bhp models look a little harder.

[BIG DUNC]

The 155 does NOT have the turbo ( boost ) gauge above the temp & fuel gauge. I believe the 185 and HOT do ( but am not 100% sure )

[Prof Beard]

HOT has boost gauge...

[BIG DUNC]

You can also tell from the VIN number.
In the hand book of my 9-3 it has the details and one of the VIN digits relates to what engine is fitted ( or was fitted when it left the factory anyway ).
If that may be of use I can scan that page & e mail it to you.

[Nick_F]

2.0t or 2.0T badge on the engine cover - by no means foolproof, though.

[BIG DUNC]

The 8th digit of the VIN number is the engine varient where :

T = 2.0 turbo ( 154 BHP )
D = 2.2 Diesel
G = 2.3 turbo viggen
H = 2.0 turbo ( 185 BHP )
J = 2.0i
K = 2.0 turbo ( 205 BHP )

Of course you have to check the car still has its original engine.....

I hope this is of help.

[jamesk]

Ooo good thread - am seriously thinking about getting a 9-3 convertible for the summer. They seem excellent value and large enough to take my 2 daughters along too (4 and 2 with car seats).

I really dont want an auto but other than that is it worth trying to hold out for a certain version? Budget is as near to £5k as possible. Is the 155 gutless?

[Prof Beard]

jamesk said:

Ooo good thread - am seriously thinking about getting a 9-3 convertible for the summer. They seem excellent value and large enough to take my 2 daughters along too (4 and 2 with car seats).

I really dont want an auto but other than that is it worth trying to hold out for a certain version? Budget is as near to £5k as possible. Is the 155 gutless?

I wouldn't say the 155 is gutless - the 185 is generally thought to be the most "drivable" - the 205 is actually fine but takes a bit of getting used too

Mrs B has 133bhp GM900 and that has enough go for the average driver...

[wadeski]

just reflash the 155hp LPT.

PPC unit goes into the tech-2 socket, and gives you Aero boost levels.

210hp or so, for £500.

then "unflash" it when you dont want the extra power.

[jamesk]

So the physical turbo's are the same, just one run on a lower boost?

I wouldn't pass up a good car regardless of the model but I'd like all the toys which seem to come as standard on the more powerful versions.

[Prof Beard]

jamesk said:

So the physical turbo's are the same, just one run on a lower boost?

I wouldn't pass up a good car regardless of the model but I'd like all the toys which seem to come as standard on the more powerful versions.

I'm not they are all the same - the same PPC flash on an Aero HOT takes it to just under 250bhp - for a kick off the Aero and Viggen had intercoolers?

[BIG DUNC]

Ours is the 155, with auto box.
While it is not the fastest car I have ever driven, it is still possible to make good progress ( where its safe to do so ) or drive like a hooligan if the mood takes you.
Remember, 15 years ago, the top hot hatches "only" had about this power ( altho they were a bit lighter than a SAAB )

[jezrider]

hi guys

I purchased a 9-3 SE Turbo last night and my 8th digit on my chassis number is actually C, which is not listed above. It hasnt got a boost guage but makes good progress and im no stranger to speed , ive had M3s and other quick cars.

Does this perhaps mean i have handed over a carrier bag full of cash for a moody cut and shut Ford Orion ??

[Markh]

jezrider said:

hi guys

I purchased a 9-3 SE Turbo last night and my 8th digit on my chassis number is actually C, which is not listed above. It hasnt got a boost guage but makes good progress and im no stranger to speed , ive had M3s and other quick cars.

Does this perhaps mean i have handed over a carrier bag full of cash for a moody cut and shut Ford Orion ??

Hmm my 9-3 SE sport has the 8th digit 'P' and has a boost guage

cheers Mark

[aeropilot]

Markh said:

jezrider said:

hi guys

I purchased a 9-3 SE Turbo last night and my 8th digit on my chassis number is actually C, which is not listed above. It hasnt got a boost guage but makes good progress and im no stranger to speed , ive had M3s and other quick cars.

Does this perhaps mean i have handed over a carrier bag full of cash for a moody cut and shut Ford Orion ??

Hmm my 9-3 SE sport has the 8th digit 'P' and has a boost guage

8th digit engine code of both P and K mean the High Output Turbo.

C is a real mystery, never seen that listed?

[Prof Beard]

aeropilot said:

Markh said:

jezrider said:

hi guys

I purchased a 9-3 SE Turbo last night and my 8th digit on my chassis number is actually C, which is not listed above. It hasnt got a boost guage but makes good progress and im no stranger to speed , ive had M3s and other quick cars.

Does this perhaps mean i have handed over a carrier bag full of cash for a moody cut and shut Ford Orion ??

Hmm my 9-3 SE sport has the 8th digit 'P' and has a boost guage

8th digit engine code of both P and K mean the High Output Turbo.

C is a real mystery, never seen that listed?

I found this:

"B204R engine as used in the 9-3 SE sport HOT (200BHP) uses the Garret GT17 turbo, the definitive way to tell if you have this model is to check the 8th letter of the VIN# if its P then its a B204R. Only used the engine for two years, it's trionic 5 and it later became the B205R Aero (205BHP) which was Trionic 7 and had the Mitsubishi turbo"

Haven't tracked down the "C" yet

[Prof Beard]

Cracked it - I found this on another forum:

1 Geographical area

Y = Northern Europe

2 Country

S = Sweden

3 Car manufacturer

3 = Saab Automobile AB

4 Product line

D = 9-3

5 Model Series

A = Saab 9-3 with driver airbag
B = Saab 9-3 with driver and passenger airbag
C = Saab 9-3S with driver airbag
D = Saab 9-3S with driver and passenger airbag
E = Saab 9-3SE with driver airbag
F = Saab 9-3SE with driver and passenger airbag
G = Saab 9-3 Aero with driver airbag
H = Saab 9-3 Aero with driver and passenger airbag
N = Saab 9-3 Viggen with driver airbag
P = Saab 9-3 Viggen with driver and passenger airbag

6 Body type

3 = 3-door
5 = 5-door
7 = Convertible

7 Transmission

5 = Manual 5-speed
8 = Automatic 4-speed

8 Engine variant

J = 2.0 i, B204I
B = 2.3 i, B234I
N = 2.0 T, B204L
D = 2.2 TiD, D223L
T = 2.0 T, B204E
P = 2.0 T, B204R (this one is a HOT)
G = 2.3 T, B235R (this one is a HOT)
H = 2.0 T, B205L
K = 2.0 T, B205R (this one is a HOT)
C = 2.0 T, B205E

9 Check character

0 - 9 or X

10 Model year

W = 1998
X = 1999
Y = 2000
1 = 2001
2 = 2002

11 Place of manufacture

2 = Trollhättan
7 = Nystad
9 = Trollhättan, pilot series

12 Serial number

000001-999999