Thinking of buying a 93X
Discussion
I've always had a soft spot for Saabs which was heightened by my experience of flinging a 93X Estate around a frozen lake in Sweden a few years ago.
Does anyone have experience of ownership?
I'm specifically looking at pre 2009 93Xs without the softroader look.
What should I look out for?
What are they like to drive?
Does anyone have experience of ownership?
I'm specifically looking at pre 2009 93Xs without the softroader look.
What should I look out for?
What are they like to drive?
RedLeicester said:
They're rubbish to drive on account of not existing. The 9-3X was launched in 2009 for 2010MY and is a soft-roader estate like the Audi Allroad. 1.9 diesel or 2.0 petrol.
Which car do you think you mean? The Turbo-X? Which isn't a softroader at all, has totally different suspension, exhaust and engine (2.8 V6)? That was 2008-2009 and then replaced (ish) by the Carlsson.
My bad. I didn't mean the Saab 9-3X, I meant - of course - the Saab 9-3 Turbo XWhich car do you think you mean? The Turbo-X? Which isn't a softroader at all, has totally different suspension, exhaust and engine (2.8 V6)? That was 2008-2009 and then replaced (ish) by the Carlsson.
Edited by RedLeicester on Sunday 30th August 23:14
Silly me.
Anyway, I've bought the car now, so in answer to your question, it does have a 2.8 V6
It's a 2008 manual saloon.
It has Maptun adjustable coilovers fitted and JZW Stage 1 (various maps) or Maptun Stage 1
Good for 600NM and 320bhp apparently.
It's in very good nick, has been very well taken care of.
Tyres fitted 2,500 miles ago.
XWD just serviced.
Brand new Coils and Plugs just fitted.
Brand New Front Discs & Pads
Rear Drop Links and rear D Bushes
Only issue is the nav unit is liable to freeze, I use my phone for navigation anyway and will be replacing the head unit so I can hook up my ipod. Just need to find a unit that I can use with the existing steering wheel controls!
I'll be collecting it in a week or so.
Can't wait.
It has Maptun adjustable coilovers fitted and JZW Stage 1 (various maps) or Maptun Stage 1
Good for 600NM and 320bhp apparently.
It's in very good nick, has been very well taken care of.
Tyres fitted 2,500 miles ago.
XWD just serviced.
Brand new Coils and Plugs just fitted.
Brand New Front Discs & Pads
Rear Drop Links and rear D Bushes
Only issue is the nav unit is liable to freeze, I use my phone for navigation anyway and will be replacing the head unit so I can hook up my ipod. Just need to find a unit that I can use with the existing steering wheel controls!
I'll be collecting it in a week or so.
Can't wait.
RedLeicester said:
Yay sounds great. The head units are spectacularly rubbish, mine freezes with annoying regularity. Finding one to interface with the steering was one thing, I never successfully found one that would talk to the Bose DSP, and the audio system is useless with that turned off so I gave up in the end and put up with the sticky Nav. Using and aux cable is inelegant, but does at least allow me to plug my phone in.
The current owner told me there was some good info on an American Saab forum but I've forgotten the name of it. I'll see if I can find it because I don't really want cables all over the place - I'd like an iPod dock hardwired in so I can bluetooth the phone and use it as a sat nav / speed camera warning.
Well, after a couple of weeks I'm really enjoying the Saab.
My wife says my driving is more relaxed too. I think it's down to the power delivery compared to the M135 I had. Where the BMW was instant, racy power the Saab is more building swell.
I'm also loving the space and doors - we were sure 3 doors would be OK and we'd cope but as soon as we put the child seat in the Saab we did a collective, riiiiiight!
There's a couple of things I want to do
- new stereo is a must, I can't stand my ipod going into a front aux socket and the nav is broken.
- I'll probably get the alignment done, just to make sure everything is solid
- locking wheel nuts - really nice wheels, can't believe this hasn't been done already
- wing mirror surrounds looking a bit faded
- spacers just to align the wheels and arches especially the rear
- door handles - both rears a bit worn, need a good yank to open
But these are bits to do here and there
My wife says my driving is more relaxed too. I think it's down to the power delivery compared to the M135 I had. Where the BMW was instant, racy power the Saab is more building swell.
I'm also loving the space and doors - we were sure 3 doors would be OK and we'd cope but as soon as we put the child seat in the Saab we did a collective, riiiiiight!
There's a couple of things I want to do
- new stereo is a must, I can't stand my ipod going into a front aux socket and the nav is broken.
- I'll probably get the alignment done, just to make sure everything is solid
- locking wheel nuts - really nice wheels, can't believe this hasn't been done already
- wing mirror surrounds looking a bit faded
- spacers just to align the wheels and arches especially the rear
- door handles - both rears a bit worn, need a good yank to open
But these are bits to do here and there
On the locking wheel nuts I'll have to check, just not had time.
I remember the previous owner showing me a locking nut in the glove box and saying something along the lines of, "I don't know why I still keep it", as though it was useless. Anyway, will check when I have some spare time
In other news, I got a new stereo fitted. A Pioneer AVH-X3700DAB and very happy with it for many reasons, not least of which is that the steering wheel controls still work. I'd spoken to Dynamic Sounds in Wandsworth a couple of weeks ago and they told me they'd had someone with a 2008 9-3 in the day before and nothing could get the steering wheel controls to work. The guy eventually backed out of the install.
I'd also spoken to Saabtech and they said, it's impossible.
When I went to DS the other day they told me it was actually a 9-5 so I was a little bit more optimistic. Anyway, on Friday I left them to it and now have a fully functioning stereo, hardwired dashcam and all in all a much tidier (cable free) interior.
I remember the previous owner showing me a locking nut in the glove box and saying something along the lines of, "I don't know why I still keep it", as though it was useless. Anyway, will check when I have some spare time
In other news, I got a new stereo fitted. A Pioneer AVH-X3700DAB and very happy with it for many reasons, not least of which is that the steering wheel controls still work. I'd spoken to Dynamic Sounds in Wandsworth a couple of weeks ago and they told me they'd had someone with a 2008 9-3 in the day before and nothing could get the steering wheel controls to work. The guy eventually backed out of the install.
I'd also spoken to Saabtech and they said, it's impossible.
When I went to DS the other day they told me it was actually a 9-5 so I was a little bit more optimistic. Anyway, on Friday I left them to it and now have a fully functioning stereo, hardwired dashcam and all in all a much tidier (cable free) interior.
Edited by Hackney on Wednesday 7th October 13:13
Hey Nemo, no problem telling you where the car was serviced (when I get home and check the receipts) but it was the previous owner who did it and he lives in Yorkshire.
If it's any help I'll be taking the car to Saabtech in Welwyn Garden City when the time comes, they seem to be praised on the forums.
FWIW I don't live in Hackney any more, we're in Harrow but Welwyn isn't too far from that neck of the woods.
If it's any help I'll be taking the car to Saabtech in Welwyn Garden City when the time comes, they seem to be praised on the forums.
FWIW I don't live in Hackney any more, we're in Harrow but Welwyn isn't too far from that neck of the woods.
Nemo Sum said:
Yorkshire...will have to rethink that one then!That does help actually I will look into them, Cheers
Not used them yet but a lot of people on the Saab forums mention / rave about them.
They could be getting my business instead of the place in Welwyn, just because of the convenience.
I spoke to them before catching up on this thread.
The car is booked in on Monday for them to have a look at a few bits and bobs (to coin a phrase)
- I want to get under the car inspected to check London's speed bumps and a particularly nasty one on the entrance to the car park where I work - which means I now park down the road - haven't done any damage. It'd be a shame if I had to replace the exhaust with an aftermarket one
- Also noticed a slight squeak from somewhere at low speeds. First noticed it in heavy traffic and heavy rain, possibly disappears at high speed but road noise could drown it out
- help me decide whether to (pay for the subscription and ) keep the JZW stage 1 tune or switch to the maptun remap I also have (unfortunately no rolling road data for Maptun, only JZW)
- General once over and see if I like the operation
No mention when I called that they don't do anything, will see on Monday
The car is booked in on Monday for them to have a look at a few bits and bobs (to coin a phrase)
- I want to get under the car inspected to check London's speed bumps and a particularly nasty one on the entrance to the car park where I work - which means I now park down the road - haven't done any damage. It'd be a shame if I had to replace the exhaust with an aftermarket one
- Also noticed a slight squeak from somewhere at low speeds. First noticed it in heavy traffic and heavy rain, possibly disappears at high speed but road noise could drown it out
- help me decide whether to (pay for the subscription and ) keep the JZW stage 1 tune or switch to the maptun remap I also have (unfortunately no rolling road data for Maptun, only JZW)
- General once over and see if I like the operation
No mention when I called that they don't do anything, will see on Monday
Very impressed with Neo Bros, only downside of a very busy / popular garage is very little time to chat about the car other than what needs fixing. Time is money I suspect. And to be fair I did get some useful info from them.
But, to start at the beginning, the squeak became a scrape and turned into a seized caliper. Kwikfit - where'd I'd gone on spec quoted £500 so a quick call to Neo Bros got the same job priced at £200 odd and able to fit me in that afternoon.
Further investigation meant a new disk too and same for the other side. While I was there I got the passenger side heater vent replaced (missing knob was annoying me; a cargo net for the boot (yet to be fitted) and a new key as the button on the old one was sticking.
They also switched me back to the Maptun remap from the JZW - their advice was that JZW were cagey with the figures and the map could be a bit brutal on the engine / transmission. Maptun just much better resolved. (Should point out there was no money in this for them as I had both available to me)
I'd be wondering whether to pay the $100 off dollars for JZW updates, but probably won't now.
Their (NB's) view was that if it was well resolved in the first place you wouldn't need updates.
From looking at the Maptun site I'm back to 295 bhp from 320 but I haven't really noticed a difference yet, possibly only psychological. I'm tempted to go for bigger better from Maptun in the future though.
Total bill was £560 which includes labour at around £60 per hour IIRC for the brakes and more peace of mind than I'd get from Kwikfit. Just hope I don't get any more big bills this side of Christmas.
I'll definitely be going back to Neo Bros though. I just hope they can persuade the council to resurface the road down to their industrial estate, it's a bit agricultural in places. Not ideal when you're on lowered suspension.
But, to start at the beginning, the squeak became a scrape and turned into a seized caliper. Kwikfit - where'd I'd gone on spec quoted £500 so a quick call to Neo Bros got the same job priced at £200 odd and able to fit me in that afternoon.
Further investigation meant a new disk too and same for the other side. While I was there I got the passenger side heater vent replaced (missing knob was annoying me; a cargo net for the boot (yet to be fitted) and a new key as the button on the old one was sticking.
They also switched me back to the Maptun remap from the JZW - their advice was that JZW were cagey with the figures and the map could be a bit brutal on the engine / transmission. Maptun just much better resolved. (Should point out there was no money in this for them as I had both available to me)
I'd be wondering whether to pay the $100 off dollars for JZW updates, but probably won't now.
Their (NB's) view was that if it was well resolved in the first place you wouldn't need updates.
From looking at the Maptun site I'm back to 295 bhp from 320 but I haven't really noticed a difference yet, possibly only psychological. I'm tempted to go for bigger better from Maptun in the future though.
Total bill was £560 which includes labour at around £60 per hour IIRC for the brakes and more peace of mind than I'd get from Kwikfit. Just hope I don't get any more big bills this side of Christmas.
I'll definitely be going back to Neo Bros though. I just hope they can persuade the council to resurface the road down to their industrial estate, it's a bit agricultural in places. Not ideal when you're on lowered suspension.
griffin dai said:
Should have stuck with JZW there mate, the bhp isn't that much higher but you get a shed load extra torque which makes for a much quicker car imo. But Maptuns still highly regarded in SAAB land 
What's the $100 updates? Did that come from John or mentioned elsewhere? I'm not 100% how it works if you've purchased a JZW stage 1 car and want to upgrade to stage 3 or 4 if your not the original owner? But for me to go from stage 1 to 5 it was $150 as its a custom map, stage 1-4 is free (but I originally bought the map from him)
Updates may be the wrong word. Previous owner (Davo on UKSaabs) bought the map originally so it's probably the new owner licence fee.What's the $100 updates? Did that come from John or mentioned elsewhere? I'm not 100% how it works if you've purchased a JZW stage 1 car and want to upgrade to stage 3 or 4 if your not the original owner? But for me to go from stage 1 to 5 it was $150 as its a custom map, stage 1-4 is free (but I originally bought the map from him)
I may well miss the torque - although it's not short of it with the Maptun map - but this is my daily driver / only car and will be used *a lot* so I don't want to to cause damage if I can help it.
Having said that I might have been given a scare story by Neo Bros ("I'm not just saying this because we're their agent") but I did wonder whether updates would mean it's a bit trial and error (trial by user) than fully refined.
I'll see how it goes. Upgrade the intercooler and then look at Stage 2 Maptun I think.
BTW I have same username on UKSaabs - just getting into the swing of it over there though.
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