Saab 9-5 estate 2litre turbo 150 bhp Advice please

[Billywizz74]

Hi,
Im going to look at a 2002 Saab 9-5 estate 2.0 turbo tomorrow, just wondered if there is anything i should be looking out for? It's advertised as having 2 owners and f/s/h with 73,000 miles. It's the low pressure turbo 'arc' edition, im buying it to use as a family barge. Any advice is much appreciated.

[SirSamuelOfBuca]

If it has fsh and is tidy get it! Why this over Volvo though?

[HeatonNorris]

Aren't these the ones which suffer with 'sludging' of oil if they have been run on cheaper oil than specified?

You'll be wanting to see some invoices for removal of the sump and cleaning out the oil pickup.

[v8will]

HeatonNorris said:

Aren't these the ones which suffer with 'sludging' of oil if they have been run on cheaper oil than specified?

You'll be wanting to see some invoices for removal of the sump and cleaning out the oil pickup.

This.

These must be run on fully synth oil, nothing else. An invoice for the updated PCV kit (crank case breather) would be nice to see as well

[otolith]

As I understand it, the issue is that the lower powered cars had semi-synth specified by Saab. The Aero models specify fully synth and don't suffer to the same extent. If you get the sump dropped and only use fully synthetic from then on it should be fine. Likewise if you are sure that is already the case.

[ajb85]

Assuming it all stacks up, they are stunning value cars that ride beautifully. These old 95s have depreciated as quickly as big Citroens used to. Nice buy

[HeatonNorris]

ajb85 said:

Assuming it all stacks up, they are stunning value cars that ride beautifully. These old 95s have depreciated as quickly as big Citroens used to. Nice buy

True, but that just means there's absolutely no reason not to buy an Aero HOT.

[Chrisw666]

HeatonNorris said:

True, but that just means there's absolutely no reason not to buy an Aero HOT.

This, for the economy offered at 150bhp the 2.0 makes little sense over an aero.

[ajb85]

HeatonNorris said:

ajb85 said:

Assuming it all stacks up, they are stunning value cars that ride beautifully. These old 95s have depreciated as quickly as big Citroens used to. Nice buy

True, but that just means there's absolutely no reason not to buy an Aero HOT.

Indeed, I love the HOT Aeros, a proper Q car! And realistically, how much better on fuel are the LPT cars going to be? I'd just try to be sensible with the HOT by staying out of the turbo as much as poss when dotting around, and then hoon it when the mood takes me

[otolith]

^^ this is true.

Obviously insurance varies from person to person, but I found sod all difference between an Aero and lower powered turbos. I think it also has better fuel efficiency than most of the petrol models - same CO2 figure for the 250bhp and 150bhp cars.

[Billywizz74]

Thanks guys, i will taking it straight to my mates garage for a full inspection and sump drop. Going for the 150bhp purely for insurance reasons. I hope it is as good as it looks on the advert. How much is the breather kit if it has not had it?

[va1o]

My mate has had a few of these, they are good cars. Abbot Racing do brilliant remaps can see well above 200bhp.

[otolith]

If you get the sludge cleaned out before it blocks anything, nothing. Otherwise, oil starvation and potentially serious mechanical damage.

Info here:

http://www.serioussaab.co.uk/articles_pages/sludge...

[J4CKO]

I had that engine in a 9-3 and it felt like way more than the 150 bhp, it had the legs to match stuff like Cooper S Mini's and CTR's, lovely engine, so flexible and mine didnt sludge up at 100 odd k.

Thought I had a HG fail, it just needed the head bolts re-torqued which I did myself.

Not sure how it will cope with the additional weight of the 9-5 but I expect it will be fine.


I had the choice of the 150 BHP LPT without A/C and the 130 BHP non Turbo, considering there was only a 20 bhp difference the difference was nigth and day, the N/A felt feeble in comparison, gutless and peaky so I put up with what I called the "9-3 Club Sport"

[Billywizz74]

Bought it, dropped it straight to my mates garage for a full monty inspection and service. Drove really well on the way home. I spoke to Ed at abbott racing who was more than helpful, i plan on the 200bhp upgrade when i get it back. Looking forward to a roadtrip through north France in august.

[HeatonNorris]

Am I missing something here?

Surely if you chip it and declare that for insurance purposes, you'll end up paying at least as much as you would for a HOT anyway?

[Billywizz74]

Yea thats right your missing something!

[HeatonNorris]

Am I right in thinking that the missing link is that you won't declare the chip?

[dome]

Nice car. With regards to Aeros, mine averages well into the mid 30s with the best I've seen being 39mpg between Ayr and Fort William.

If you've not done so already get yourself over to www.uksaabs.com and register. With regards to remapping search over there for saabnoob, his remaps cost less than £100, give a choice of performance, economy and normal and are highly regarded.

Enjoy!

[Billywizz74]

i will keep you updated, got a big drive through France in august so il post again soon. Il checkout the re-map company you suggested. Thanks