Saab 9-3 Aero or BMW 330CI
Discussion
I am in need of a bit of advise regarding my daily driver.
I currently am using a Celica VVTI for my daily drive (50 mile round trip, rarely going over 40mpg in traffic), there is nothing wrong with the car its just not very exciting and painfully slow unless revving the A$$ of it.
So have been toying with the idea of changing and really like the look of a Saab 9-3 Aero, this also got me thinking about other cars, and the BMW 330ci looks such a well rounded package.
However my weekend car is a E46 m3 which is my pride and joy, but would a 330 kill the experience of getting in the M3. (Almost the same car)
Am I Mad thinking this?
And does anyone have any recommendations regarding the Saab?
I currently am using a Celica VVTI for my daily drive (50 mile round trip, rarely going over 40mpg in traffic), there is nothing wrong with the car its just not very exciting and painfully slow unless revving the A$$ of it.
So have been toying with the idea of changing and really like the look of a Saab 9-3 Aero, this also got me thinking about other cars, and the BMW 330ci looks such a well rounded package.
However my weekend car is a E46 m3 which is my pride and joy, but would a 330 kill the experience of getting in the M3. (Almost the same car)
Am I Mad thinking this?
And does anyone have any recommendations regarding the Saab?
Are you looking at the 2.0T petrol aeros from around 2003/2004 onwards, or the diesel Aeros that came with the face lifted car around 2007?
I had a 2005 petrol Aero as a daily for 3 years and really liked it; my dad now has it and even though it's on 200k it's still got its original turbo, clutch, timing chain, etc etc and goes like a good 'un. Interior isn't as nice as a BMW but get one with Sat Nav and it's not too bad (non-Sat Nav dashes look a bit basic); the face lifted interior looks a bit nicer. Seats are supremely comfy; major issues with mine were small fry; a sticky capilpers, wiper linkage seized up, all 4 springs cracked. But other than that it cost pennies to run.
Alternative wise, have you considered a Mazda 6 MPS or a Lexus IS?
I had a 2005 petrol Aero as a daily for 3 years and really liked it; my dad now has it and even though it's on 200k it's still got its original turbo, clutch, timing chain, etc etc and goes like a good 'un. Interior isn't as nice as a BMW but get one with Sat Nav and it's not too bad (non-Sat Nav dashes look a bit basic); the face lifted interior looks a bit nicer. Seats are supremely comfy; major issues with mine were small fry; a sticky capilpers, wiper linkage seized up, all 4 springs cracked. But other than that it cost pennies to run.
Alternative wise, have you considered a Mazda 6 MPS or a Lexus IS?
I've had my '06 2.8T Aero for about a month now, in short I love it! The engine is great, smooth with low down torque meaning it's very easy to drive, it does like the unleaded but I went into this wit eyes fully open and for the performance I feel consumption is acceptable.
Mine came with sat Nav and makes the dash looks really smart at night;
Most of the early cars have worn buttons on the dash, fortunately mine is okay but look out for it.
The standard spec is good, at least part leather, bi-xenons, cruise etc, although sadly
mine comes without heated seats
You'll read that the stereo is poor and that's the truth, the basic cars only come with 4 speakers and are awful. Mine is business with 7 but is still not too great, the premium has 13 speakers but won't win awards. It's tough to upgrade due to the fibre optic system used.
Mine is expensive to tax at 480 but I thought my car was still good value at just over 2 grand. The manual, like mine, doesn't have many fans, although I haven't found it too bad at all. I must have driven some proper crap then
Mine came with sat Nav and makes the dash looks really smart at night;
Most of the early cars have worn buttons on the dash, fortunately mine is okay but look out for it.
The standard spec is good, at least part leather, bi-xenons, cruise etc, although sadly
mine comes without heated seats
You'll read that the stereo is poor and that's the truth, the basic cars only come with 4 speakers and are awful. Mine is business with 7 but is still not too great, the premium has 13 speakers but won't win awards. It's tough to upgrade due to the fibre optic system used.
Mine is expensive to tax at 480 but I thought my car was still good value at just over 2 grand. The manual, like mine, doesn't have many fans, although I haven't found it too bad at all. I must have driven some proper crap then
We had a 01 9-3 2.0t SE (HOT version) ran a remap, turbo back exhaust, and a few other mods. That car was very fast! They are cheaply remapped and the power gains are very noticeable. A remapped 9-3 Aero will dust a 330, but the 330 will handle better no matter what you do to the Saab.
I am sort of looking at the Celica VVTI 190's as a daily driver for when I move. (might get a Clio 182 instead haha)
I am sort of looking at the Celica VVTI 190's as a daily driver for when I move. (might get a Clio 182 instead haha)
Don't get me wrong the celica is a very good car for what it does, I just got bored easily.
I have the 140, the 190 is supposed to be a different animal once in the power band 6k+ but when I was looking I had to think how many times I was going to be in that rev range, answer not very often, hence why I'm getting bored of the celica, as below this point it struggles to keep with with the flow of traffic
I have the 140, the 190 is supposed to be a different animal once in the power band 6k+ but when I was looking I had to think how many times I was going to be in that rev range, answer not very often, hence why I'm getting bored of the celica, as below this point it struggles to keep with with the flow of traffic
nipsips said:
I bought a 9-3 Aero, never again.
Constant EML issues resulting in a limp hode only incident that nobody could diagnose.
Terrible ride, but handled well, interior trim not very good either. Comfortable seats and brilliant stereo.
To sum up. Buy an ST220.
The ST220 is horrid on fuel though isn't it? And not that fast?Constant EML issues resulting in a limp hode only incident that nobody could diagnose.
Terrible ride, but handled well, interior trim not very good either. Comfortable seats and brilliant stereo.
To sum up. Buy an ST220.
TheAngryDog said:
The ST220 is horrid on fuel though isn't it? And not that fast?
Depends how you drive it I guess. The one I drove felt OK - but is very lazy compared to an Aero. Similar 0-60 times though. V6's donT feel fast compared to turbos.I've never owned an ST220, however comparing the Aero to my MK3 Ghia, I would be picking up the Mondeo keys every time I went out.
nipsips said:
I bought a 9-3 Aero, never again.
Constant EML issues resulting in a limp hode only incident that nobody could diagnose.
Terrible ride, but handled well, interior trim not very good either. Comfortable seats and brilliant stereo.
To sum up. Buy an ST220.
Intake manifold swirl bar popped off or sticking.Constant EML issues resulting in a limp hode only incident that nobody could diagnose.
Terrible ride, but handled well, interior trim not very good either. Comfortable seats and brilliant stereo.
To sum up. Buy an ST220.
groundcontrol said:
groundcontrol said:
Nankang NS-2s
lolEdited by Sump on Sunday 30th November 19:39
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