Discussion
I revived an old thread about the 9-3/9-5 in the Saab forum, but it must be quiet over there, so I'm asking again here.
A 9-3 Aero of 2003-2005 vintage ticks all my current boxes, on paper. 4 proper seats, 4 doors, decent luggage space with helpful split fold rear seat, reasonable performance, possibility of upgrades/remapping, 30+ mixed use mpg, a bit odd/unusual, and at the moment, to be had from £1-2k which is cheap enough to make residuals after 25k/2 years a non issue, and the cheapest can be effectively thrown away in the event of a major bork for little loss.
What are the major bork factors on these? Turbo? Timing chain/belt? head gasket? I'd appreciate if anyone could provide estimates of likely big costs. I can home spanner the basics (oil, plugs, brakes, suspension, straightforward on/off stuff). Are parts readily available? I know there are lots of breakers and much of the stuff under the skin is from the GM parts bin, but are there any parts that aren't available?
Summary question I think is: What will kill it? What can possibly go wrong?
A 9-3 Aero of 2003-2005 vintage ticks all my current boxes, on paper. 4 proper seats, 4 doors, decent luggage space with helpful split fold rear seat, reasonable performance, possibility of upgrades/remapping, 30+ mixed use mpg, a bit odd/unusual, and at the moment, to be had from £1-2k which is cheap enough to make residuals after 25k/2 years a non issue, and the cheapest can be effectively thrown away in the event of a major bork for little loss.
What are the major bork factors on these? Turbo? Timing chain/belt? head gasket? I'd appreciate if anyone could provide estimates of likely big costs. I can home spanner the basics (oil, plugs, brakes, suspension, straightforward on/off stuff). Are parts readily available? I know there are lots of breakers and much of the stuff under the skin is from the GM parts bin, but are there any parts that aren't available?
Summary question I think is: What will kill it? What can possibly go wrong?
First 12 months of production of these were always to be avoided from memory of my Saab owing days......early cars were let down by electrics and interior quality issues, so I would be looking at getting as new as possible in your budget, although as ever, buy on condition rules apply.
For all things Saab get yourself over to uksaabs.co.uk
Very friendly, helpful and enthusiastic bunch.
Default stance is usually to go for a model year 2004 Aero, because this sorted a problem with the oil breather system, however a sump drop and replacement system for 2003 and earlier years does the job too. Aim for AS3 audio if poss.
Stage 1 map via Noobtune is approx £80 and yields 270bhp and about 300lbft for an Aero. Unless you are absolutely fixated by manual, the autos are plentiful and cheaper and in my opinion suit the car well. Can't beat them for value for money at the moment.
Do it.
Very friendly, helpful and enthusiastic bunch.
Default stance is usually to go for a model year 2004 Aero, because this sorted a problem with the oil breather system, however a sump drop and replacement system for 2003 and earlier years does the job too. Aim for AS3 audio if poss.
Stage 1 map via Noobtune is approx £80 and yields 270bhp and about 300lbft for an Aero. Unless you are absolutely fixated by manual, the autos are plentiful and cheaper and in my opinion suit the car well. Can't beat them for value for money at the moment.
Do it.
NiceCupOfTea said:
The oily bits are good, it tends to be the electronics that let the side down.
This. My old 2005 Aero is now on 145k (my dad bought it off me when I got my 645) and it still runs perfect with no work to engine, turbo, clutch etc other than regular servicing. most common issues have been various electrics going awol (parking sensors, window regulators, Central locking etc) and brake calipers sticking, but otherwise it's been pretty smooth going in the 6 years of ownership between us. We owned a stage 3+ 2001 9-3 aero 'vert for many years (put about 70k miles on it)
1- oil: petrol, turbo Saabs are particular about oil, We used Shell Rotella T full synthetic every 5k miles (basically a fully synthetic 5/40 turbo-diesel oil)
2- CCV update, make sure the system is updated to the newest revision (takes about an hour to fit)
3- oil pressure- They do NOT like long interval oil changes due to the oil pick up design, are very susceptible to sludge, I installed an oil pressure gauge immediately.
4- T7 engines have issues going through ignition cassettes, T8 engines are better
5- tuning-easily tuned, ours had a stage 3+ from JZW in the US, full 3" turbo back exhaust, no cats, one silencer, Forge BPV, 3.5 bar FPR. Car was an Aero so it already had the Viggen FMIC and TD04 Viggen turbo from the factory. It was incredibly fast and ate axles/tyres.
It was also reliable and very fun to drive, in 70k miles (bought at 50k, sold at 120k) it never left us stranded, and returned well over 30mpg on motorway driving.
1- oil: petrol, turbo Saabs are particular about oil, We used Shell Rotella T full synthetic every 5k miles (basically a fully synthetic 5/40 turbo-diesel oil)
2- CCV update, make sure the system is updated to the newest revision (takes about an hour to fit)
3- oil pressure- They do NOT like long interval oil changes due to the oil pick up design, are very susceptible to sludge, I installed an oil pressure gauge immediately.
4- T7 engines have issues going through ignition cassettes, T8 engines are better
5- tuning-easily tuned, ours had a stage 3+ from JZW in the US, full 3" turbo back exhaust, no cats, one silencer, Forge BPV, 3.5 bar FPR. Car was an Aero so it already had the Viggen FMIC and TD04 Viggen turbo from the factory. It was incredibly fast and ate axles/tyres.
It was also reliable and very fun to drive, in 70k miles (bought at 50k, sold at 120k) it never left us stranded, and returned well over 30mpg on motorway driving.
Some really helpful replies there, cheers
Yes, I'm mainly looking at 9-3 simply because the mrs wants it small, but reality may change that in due course.
I've done some searching around the various forums and I'm aware of the need for fully synth oil and short changes, this isn't a problem. I've also noted comments about the breather system and some sort of upgarde for it, but I haven't yet delved deeper into what's needed.
T7 vs T8 engine... can you enlighten me about the difference and what model year had what? As you can guess I'm new to Saabs, so not up to speed with the jargon yet!
Doing it is virtually certain, the window shopping is already very much on. Only stumbling block I can find so far is the amount of greyscale cars, it's like a BMW or Audi colour chart...
Yes, I'm mainly looking at 9-3 simply because the mrs wants it small, but reality may change that in due course.
I've done some searching around the various forums and I'm aware of the need for fully synth oil and short changes, this isn't a problem. I've also noted comments about the breather system and some sort of upgarde for it, but I haven't yet delved deeper into what's needed.
T7 vs T8 engine... can you enlighten me about the difference and what model year had what? As you can guess I'm new to Saabs, so not up to speed with the jargon yet!
Doing it is virtually certain, the window shopping is already very much on. Only stumbling block I can find so far is the amount of greyscale cars, it's like a BMW or Audi colour chart...
T7 is the 9-5 and og9-3 from 2000-2003 (old shape 9-3)
T8 is the 2003 onwards 9-3
Also consider the 2.8 v6 turbo....torque monster with a remap
I've got a 55 plate 9-3 v6 Aero. Only problems I've had are the seat belts failed the mot as they were slow retracting, fixed it by cleaning up the guide. Front spring snapped (seems a common fault). Temp gauge throws a wobbly now and again and reads into the redline when it's really running normal temp. I think it's a faulty gauge so the whole cluster needs replacing, changed the thermostat & temp sensor and it's still there so must be the gauge. And coil packs can go on the v6.
Nice cars, I'm happy enough with mine, handles well on eibachs & bisteins, goes like stink after the remap......although the stereo is abismal
Its a nightmare to change/upgrade so if that's an important factor I'd look at a '07 onwards one instead as it's much simpler to upgrade.
T8 is the 2003 onwards 9-3
Also consider the 2.8 v6 turbo....torque monster with a remap
I've got a 55 plate 9-3 v6 Aero. Only problems I've had are the seat belts failed the mot as they were slow retracting, fixed it by cleaning up the guide. Front spring snapped (seems a common fault). Temp gauge throws a wobbly now and again and reads into the redline when it's really running normal temp. I think it's a faulty gauge so the whole cluster needs replacing, changed the thermostat & temp sensor and it's still there so must be the gauge. And coil packs can go on the v6.
Nice cars, I'm happy enough with mine, handles well on eibachs & bisteins, goes like stink after the remap......although the stereo is abismal
Its a nightmare to change/upgrade so if that's an important factor I'd look at a '07 onwards one instead as it's much simpler to upgrade.The later model engines are very tough, I had one, it was fast with a remap, enough to give a fellow PHer with a TVR cause to crack open the excuses, a 911 Turbo driver to express surprise at its cross country pace and an Escort Cosworth driver to stop for a chat, but they arent much fun, the performance and handling are pretty effective but not very engaging.
I thinj Saabs make more sense when they arent trying to be a BMW/Audi, softer suspension, loping turbo delivery and just being a Saab, the Aero didnt really know what it wanted to be but it is still a decent car, depsite its ropey trim. Still think they are really handsome.
Didnt know Noobtune had got 270 bhp from that engine, mine had 247 via the BSR map, and that killed the clutch, also, if it misbehaves after a remap, regap the plugs.
I thinj Saabs make more sense when they arent trying to be a BMW/Audi, softer suspension, loping turbo delivery and just being a Saab, the Aero didnt really know what it wanted to be but it is still a decent car, depsite its ropey trim. Still think they are really handsome.
Didnt know Noobtune had got 270 bhp from that engine, mine had 247 via the BSR map, and that killed the clutch, also, if it misbehaves after a remap, regap the plugs.
Cheers again. The objective of this purchase isn't giant slaying performance, it's supposed to be a cost effective family bus and commuter with some PH appeal. I asked about the remap out of interest because my experience with the TT was much improved power/torque at better mpg, for my driving style and use, so I'd be interested again. But at the end of the day it's not the be all and end all, an upcoming house move and a couple of years refilling the kitty will see the Cerbera. Unless values launch ...
It looks like a 2004 on Aero with as few miles on it and preferably with the sump drop job done, if possible.
It looks like a 2004 on Aero with as few miles on it and preferably with the sump drop job done, if possible.
aeropilot said:
SlowV6 said:
Default stance is usually to go for a model year 2004 Aero, because this sorted a problem with the oil breather system, however a sump drop and replacement system for 2003 and earlier years does the job too. Aim for AS3 audio if poss.
The OP is asking about 9-3 not 9-5 
Jimboka said:
20-25 mpg, certainly not 30+!
Really? If that's the case it might be something with 6 cylinders in it instead. Alfa 156 V6 perhaps, or E36 323/328i.I've seen a lot of comments from other owners saying low 30s are easily achievable, closer to 40 on long motorway runs. I get 30-32 from the TT commuting, and 38 on long runs at 65-70. That's a 1.8T at 260 bhp, so 30ish from the 2.0T at 210 sounded about right.
goneape said:
Cheers again. The objective of this purchase isn't giant slaying performance, it's supposed to be a cost effective family bus and commuter with some PH appeal. I asked about the remap out of interest because my experience with the TT was much improved power/torque at better mpg, for my driving style and use, so I'd be interested again. But at the end of the day it's not the be all and end all, an upcoming house move and a couple of years refilling the kitty will see the Cerbera. Unless values launch ...
It looks like a 2004 on Aero with as few miles on it and preferably with the sump drop job done, if possible.
Isnt the sump thing for the first gen 9-3 with the Saab engines rather than GM units ?It looks like a 2004 on Aero with as few miles on it and preferably with the sump drop job done, if possible.
MPG wise, I used to get early mid twenties knocking about, 40 was possible if very, very gentle but realistically on a decent journey 32 was about the best it ever did.
I paid £600 odd for the BSR remap, if you can get a noobtune one for £100 or so that is great but it did cause the clutch to slip on mine, took the map back off and it was fine, so what you save on the remap might cost you a clutch, quite an expensive job as really it should be an uprated one, dont think the standard one is up to 300 lb/ft or it certainly isnt if its got a few miles on.
goneape said:
Jimboka said:
20-25 mpg, certainly not 30+!
Really? If that's the case it might be something with 6 cylinders in it instead. Alfa 156 V6 perhaps, or E36 323/328i.I've seen a lot of comments from other owners saying low 30s are easily achievable, closer to 40 on long motorway runs. I get 30-32 from the TT commuting, and 38 on long runs at 65-70. That's a 1.8T at 260 bhp, so 30ish from the 2.0T at 210 sounded about right.
Around 30 is about right, less if you map and spank it everywhere.
griffin dai said:
The day my beloved Saab tries to be a f
king Audi I'm pushing it over a cliff!!
As silly as it sounds I totally agree with you.king Audi I'm pushing it over a cliff!! People who buy Saabs are not doing it to fit in with the heard. They are often aware that their choice is a little leftfield and have their reasons for it.
Same as there are some idiots who still buy TVRs when we all know Porsches are much better
Then there are the real idiots who buy both
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