RE: Shed Of The Week: Saab 9-5 Aero Estate
Discussion
RobEB said:
30 mpg??? I would challenge anyone to get anywhere near that in this car in the real world..
I've seen the bog standard 2.0 4 cyl turbo use a 1/4 tank (according to the fuel gauge) to go 14 miles, and that was being driven gently, not above 3000rpm in any gear.
These things drink fuel like Concorde with all 4 engines on Reheat, with a hole in each of the fuel tanks and loose fuel lines.
My ones currently showing 33mpg. Ok, thats a result of long distance runs or 8 mile commutes (town/motorway) but its does frequently see full throttle. it won't do 0-60 in 6s anymore though. The front tyres lasted about 18,000 miles which is very good given how easy they are to spin!I've seen the bog standard 2.0 4 cyl turbo use a 1/4 tank (according to the fuel gauge) to go 14 miles, and that was being driven gently, not above 3000rpm in any gear.
These things drink fuel like Concorde with all 4 engines on Reheat, with a hole in each of the fuel tanks and loose fuel lines.
RobEB said:
30 mpg??? I would challenge anyone to get anywhere near that in this car in the real world..
I've seen the bog standard 2.0 4 cyl turbo use a 1/4 tank (according to the fuel gauge) to go 14 miles, and that was being driven gently, not above 3000rpm in any gear.
These things drink fuel like Concorde with all 4 engines on Reheat, with a hole in each of the fuel tanks and loose fuel lines.
Around 34-35mpg on a longish run from the manual version. I don't know about the smaller engines, but the 2.3T Aero had a really tall 5th gear, around 30mph/1000rpm, which made it very long-legged on the motorway, ~2300rpm at 70mph.I've seen the bog standard 2.0 4 cyl turbo use a 1/4 tank (according to the fuel gauge) to go 14 miles, and that was being driven gently, not above 3000rpm in any gear.
These things drink fuel like Concorde with all 4 engines on Reheat, with a hole in each of the fuel tanks and loose fuel lines.
My last 9-5 (of 3 owned) was a 2004 model Aero. I sold it with 155,000 on the clock & there was plenty of life left in it. The handling left a lot to be desired. I fitted Hirsch suspension to mine, and it got a bit better. Then I fitted a Quaife LSD, and had the front subframe polybushed at the same time. After that it became the best handling car of the 35-or-so I've owned. Phenominal handling & grip. The bushes in the subframe issue is the result of a terrible design & time!
Sludging on lesser models... it's an issue if you let it become an issue. I bought my first one (1997, so an early model), a 2.0 LPT Auto with 150bhp. The sump was one of those jobs I'd put off, until one day on the motorway the oil pressure light flickered at about 70mph. Then you instantly think 'why the hell didn't I do it. So I did it about 2 hours later, and the car lasted another 2 weeks before the engine went bang. In my case the oil pick up strainer was blocked, hence oil starvation.
On tuning, my first one went to Abbott Racing for a remap. Expensive, but it went from 150bhp to 217bhp, and was immense fun.
My last one got tweeked by NoobTune in Long Eaton. 280bhp, combined with a Hirsch exhaust, that LSD & suspension, a JamSaab quickShift kit, and lots of other nicities. The one car I genuinely shouldn't have sold.
Reliability-wise, DI cassettes don't make the car smokey, they throw an engine light, & worst case they'll let you down on the fast lane of the M25. They're cheaper than £400 though.
Other things... a bad camshaft position sensor will give hot starting problems (usually). The throttle bodies were prone to failure, but seem to have gotten better with age. The ABS reluctor rings can snap due to driveshaft corrosion underneath (same as any BMW really). If you have Xenon lights the front level sensors are weak, the arms can break or the unit gets water in it. Again, like any BMW E46!
The seats are awesome, like a comfy armchair. There are lots of different specs out there, 2002/3 seemed to be the years they threw every extra on the cars to shift them. So if the ad says 'most electrics work' it's probably things like folding or dimming exterior mirrors that don't. 2004 the 9-5 got a black top dash & better SID, so no more dead pixels. 2004 also saw the spec revert to spartan, but it improved again in 2005. 2006 models were the Dame Edna. Sold with mostly the 1.9TiD (Fiat) engine as also found in the Vectra of the day. Usual EGR shenanigans. Some petrol ones are about too, including the Aero with 260bhp. Watch the high tax rate after March 2006 on the Auto's!
Sludging on lesser models... it's an issue if you let it become an issue. I bought my first one (1997, so an early model), a 2.0 LPT Auto with 150bhp. The sump was one of those jobs I'd put off, until one day on the motorway the oil pressure light flickered at about 70mph. Then you instantly think 'why the hell didn't I do it. So I did it about 2 hours later, and the car lasted another 2 weeks before the engine went bang. In my case the oil pick up strainer was blocked, hence oil starvation.
On tuning, my first one went to Abbott Racing for a remap. Expensive, but it went from 150bhp to 217bhp, and was immense fun.
My last one got tweeked by NoobTune in Long Eaton. 280bhp, combined with a Hirsch exhaust, that LSD & suspension, a JamSaab quickShift kit, and lots of other nicities. The one car I genuinely shouldn't have sold.
Reliability-wise, DI cassettes don't make the car smokey, they throw an engine light, & worst case they'll let you down on the fast lane of the M25. They're cheaper than £400 though.
Other things... a bad camshaft position sensor will give hot starting problems (usually). The throttle bodies were prone to failure, but seem to have gotten better with age. The ABS reluctor rings can snap due to driveshaft corrosion underneath (same as any BMW really). If you have Xenon lights the front level sensors are weak, the arms can break or the unit gets water in it. Again, like any BMW E46!
The seats are awesome, like a comfy armchair. There are lots of different specs out there, 2002/3 seemed to be the years they threw every extra on the cars to shift them. So if the ad says 'most electrics work' it's probably things like folding or dimming exterior mirrors that don't. 2004 the 9-5 got a black top dash & better SID, so no more dead pixels. 2004 also saw the spec revert to spartan, but it improved again in 2005. 2006 models were the Dame Edna. Sold with mostly the 1.9TiD (Fiat) engine as also found in the Vectra of the day. Usual EGR shenanigans. Some petrol ones are about too, including the Aero with 260bhp. Watch the high tax rate after March 2006 on the Auto's!
teacake said:
RobEB said:
30 mpg??? I would challenge anyone to get anywhere near that in this car in the real world..
I've seen the bog standard 2.0 4 cyl turbo use a 1/4 tank (according to the fuel gauge) to go 14 miles, and that was being driven gently, not above 3000rpm in any gear.
These things drink fuel like Concorde with all 4 engines on Reheat, with a hole in each of the fuel tanks and loose fuel lines.
Around 34-35mpg on a longish run from the manual version. I don't know about the smaller engines, but the 2.3T Aero had a really tall 5th gear, around 30mph/1000rpm, which made it very long-legged on the motorway, ~2300rpm at 70mph.I've seen the bog standard 2.0 4 cyl turbo use a 1/4 tank (according to the fuel gauge) to go 14 miles, and that was being driven gently, not above 3000rpm in any gear.
These things drink fuel like Concorde with all 4 engines on Reheat, with a hole in each of the fuel tanks and loose fuel lines.
Great shed but maybe not this one, the dodgy box makes me a tad concerned and the lack of details on what 'mostly' works. You're going to have to go slightly North of shed territory to get something a bit reliable and check to see what oil has been used (synthetic is what your're after) or factor in the sump drop, clean and refill as soon as you get it - it might just be on the border of the engine lube system redesign:
http://www.serioussaab.co.uk/articles_pages/sludge...
Saab refined the engine's positive crankcase ventilation system (PCV) for the 2004 and later model years and required use of fully synthetic oil, virtually eliminating the problem.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saab_9-5#Engines
I see no reason at all why you can't get 30mpg+ in anything other than dedicated town driving.
http://www.serioussaab.co.uk/articles_pages/sludge...
Saab refined the engine's positive crankcase ventilation system (PCV) for the 2004 and later model years and required use of fully synthetic oil, virtually eliminating the problem.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saab_9-5#Engines
I see no reason at all why you can't get 30mpg+ in anything other than dedicated town driving.
RobEB said:
30 mpg??? I would challenge anyone to get anywhere near that in this car in the real world..
I've seen the bog standard 2.0 4 cyl turbo use a 1/4 tank (according to the fuel gauge) to go 14 miles, and that was being driven gently, not above 3000rpm in any gear.
These things drink fuel like Concorde with all 4 engines on Reheat, with a hole in each of the fuel tanks and loose fuel lines.
I normally get 400 miles to the tank. 4000 miles across Europe I averaged 35MPG. 140mph+ on the autobahn 22MPG. Normal mixed driving sees 28-30mpg. One of the main reasons I went for the Saab was its fuel economy compared to say a BMW straight six of the same generation. For something with 250BHP that is quite heavy and was conceived in the late 1990's I think that is fantastic.I've seen the bog standard 2.0 4 cyl turbo use a 1/4 tank (according to the fuel gauge) to go 14 miles, and that was being driven gently, not above 3000rpm in any gear.
These things drink fuel like Concorde with all 4 engines on Reheat, with a hole in each of the fuel tanks and loose fuel lines.
BricktopST205 said:
RobEB said:
30 mpg??? I would challenge anyone to get anywhere near that in this car in the real world..
I've seen the bog standard 2.0 4 cyl turbo use a 1/4 tank (according to the fuel gauge) to go 14 miles, and that was being driven gently, not above 3000rpm in any gear.
These things drink fuel like Concorde with all 4 engines on Reheat, with a hole in each of the fuel tanks and loose fuel lines.
I normally get 400 miles to the tank. 4000 miles across Europe I averaged 35MPG. 140mph+ on the autobahn 22MPG. Normal mixed driving sees 28-30mpg. One of the main reasons I went for the Saab was its fuel economy compared to say a BMW straight six of the same generation. For something with 250BHP that is quite heavy and was conceived in the late 1990's I think that is fantastic.I've seen the bog standard 2.0 4 cyl turbo use a 1/4 tank (according to the fuel gauge) to go 14 miles, and that was being driven gently, not above 3000rpm in any gear.
These things drink fuel like Concorde with all 4 engines on Reheat, with a hole in each of the fuel tanks and loose fuel lines.
I just picked up my own 9-5 Aero shed this week
2004 model, saloon, auto gearbox, 103K miles, fsh, plus recent belt change, gearbox fluid change and sump drop
I did view this advert but dismissed it in my search, the gearbox "issue" had the alarm bells ringing, wheels looked good though, tow bar is also a no for me
Mine was up for £1500 initially, then dropped to £1250, I ended up paying £1000, which included delivery to me on a flatbed
2004 model, saloon, auto gearbox, 103K miles, fsh, plus recent belt change, gearbox fluid change and sump drop
I did view this advert but dismissed it in my search, the gearbox "issue" had the alarm bells ringing, wheels looked good though, tow bar is also a no for me
Mine was up for £1500 initially, then dropped to £1250, I ended up paying £1000, which included delivery to me on a flatbed
RobEB said:
30 mpg??? I would challenge anyone to get anywhere near that in this car in the real world..
I've seen the bog standard 2.0 4 cyl turbo use a 1/4 tank (according to the fuel gauge) to go 14 miles, and that was being driven gently, not above 3000rpm in any gear.
These things drink fuel like Concorde with all 4 engines on Reheat, with a hole in each of the fuel tanks and loose fuel lines.
It was broken then. My Aero estate manages 24mpg on my stop start commute into Bradford and on my previous one did 26mpg driven very hard on A roads and then some stop start town driving. Sat at 80ish on the motorway it gives low 30's and it'll do high 30's if you stay below 70 and drive sensibly.I've seen the bog standard 2.0 4 cyl turbo use a 1/4 tank (according to the fuel gauge) to go 14 miles, and that was being driven gently, not above 3000rpm in any gear.
These things drink fuel like Concorde with all 4 engines on Reheat, with a hole in each of the fuel tanks and loose fuel lines.
Fuel economy isn't really the point though. There's very little else that gives similar comfort and performance for price.
The auto aeros are not a 6 second 0-60 car. The box was dated when it was new and robbed them of power and increased emissions
DI cassettes are not £400
With proper chassis mods they handle extremely well indeed
Specialist SID repairs are available for around £60 per unit with a lifetime repair guarantee
HiFis generally are good and should be Harmon Kardon if specced right
Dad's had his 2.0lpt Vector Sport estate with Hirsch map for 10 years now with only minor issues:
DI cassette, wheel alignment/tyre issues, xenon self-levelling.
His is a 210bhp car with manual box and it is brisk but not quick. I shouldn't imagine a 260bhp slusher is much quicker. I believe the estates has a stiffer rear axle but are heavier.
They are however great value if bought carefully. I would consider a manual aero saloon with sensible miles. And that would be my 10 tenth Saab.
DI cassettes are not £400
With proper chassis mods they handle extremely well indeed
Specialist SID repairs are available for around £60 per unit with a lifetime repair guarantee
HiFis generally are good and should be Harmon Kardon if specced right
Dad's had his 2.0lpt Vector Sport estate with Hirsch map for 10 years now with only minor issues:
DI cassette, wheel alignment/tyre issues, xenon self-levelling.
His is a 210bhp car with manual box and it is brisk but not quick. I shouldn't imagine a 260bhp slusher is much quicker. I believe the estates has a stiffer rear axle but are heavier.
They are however great value if bought carefully. I would consider a manual aero saloon with sensible miles. And that would be my 10 tenth Saab.
Others said:
Stuff about 9-5s, blah, blah, blah....
The listing for that 300ZX is maybe the most 'special' thing I have ever seen in the classifieds. I think it warrants a PH article in its own right SOTW or not. For those who haven't had a look yet I strongly recommend doing so for a giggle... http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/n...Raramuri said:
The listing for that 300ZX is maybe the most 'special' thing I have ever seen in the classifieds. I think it warrants a PH article in its own right SOTW or not. For those who haven't had a look yet I strongly recommend doing so for a giggle... http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/n...
I was just thinking the same thing. Amused and made me uneasy in equal measures.spodrod said:
Raramuri said:
The listing for that 300ZX is maybe the most 'special' thing I have ever seen in the classifieds. I think it warrants a PH article in its own right SOTW or not. For those who haven't had a look yet I strongly recommend doing so for a giggle... http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/n...
I was just thinking the same thing. Amused and made me uneasy in equal measures.Sick track
British Beef said:
I had one for 4 years, only the 150hp low pressure turbo, and it was a barge good for motorway munching and ligging loads. Terrible rolly handling and a gutless engine, ultimately turbo blew, then the gearbox went and finally engine packed in, not a happy ownership experience.
Over exactly the same period my dad had the v6 turbo, in which he racked up 120k miles, never had a problem, and went and sounded really nicely.
You could get lucky with this and run it for 2 years without major problem, or not!
Just a minor problem with this shed would render this thing a write off, as easily uneconomical to repair.
I think the V6 Turbo is the same engine used in the Vectra VXR and V6 Elite models.Over exactly the same period my dad had the v6 turbo, in which he racked up 120k miles, never had a problem, and went and sounded really nicely.
You could get lucky with this and run it for 2 years without major problem, or not!
Just a minor problem with this shed would render this thing a write off, as easily uneconomical to repair.
If so, the performance is really rather good!
I missed mine as soon as I sold it
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