Saab Aero advice
Discussion
Hi
I have been looking at Saab 9-3 Aero's recently. They seem great value (looking around 3k) with good performance.
Mpg on autotrader seems to vary between 23-25 urban...what are peoples experiences on mpg around town? Bearing in mind I rarely use the motorway.
Also, how are they for reliablity and issues? I can handle a few niggles as long as I can still use the car, but don't want much that will put it out of action for a while.
I have looked at the diesels but I'm put off with the possiblity of DMF and injector costs if they need doing.
Thanks
Iain
I have been looking at Saab 9-3 Aero's recently. They seem great value (looking around 3k) with good performance.
Mpg on autotrader seems to vary between 23-25 urban...what are peoples experiences on mpg around town? Bearing in mind I rarely use the motorway.
Also, how are they for reliablity and issues? I can handle a few niggles as long as I can still use the car, but don't want much that will put it out of action for a while.
I have looked at the diesels but I'm put off with the possiblity of DMF and injector costs if they need doing.
Thanks
Iain
iaincb1 said:
Bumping up from the fourth page with no replies ..... is it that crap a question? Haha
I guess no one with a Saab has been on yet.
Probs best to have put this in the Saab thread to be honest. Might be worth asking the mods to move as you will get replies there. I guess no one with a Saab has been on yet.
Not what you are looking for but I have a 9-5 Aero and love it.
Paul
I had a '52 plate 9-5 Aero - Loved it - BUT - make sure it has FSH and actual evidence of regular oil changes, it MUST be fully synthetic, no if buts or maybes - The PCV system is flawed on these as well, there is a number 6 or 7 update that most will have had done - if it the "Dame Edna" shape, then they are totally different PCV's so no need to worry (The oil should still be fully synth though)... I had the sump dropped on mine, cleaned and was sludge free...
They tend to get a lot of blow by gas, so when the engine is running, open the oil filler under the bonnet and if there is a lot of pressure there or it sounds like a fizzy drink bottle being opened, walk away as a ring or two may be on its way out..
Mine needed a turbo not long after buying it, no signs of wear, just went, but hey ho! £275 for a used unit and away I went!
The engine is a cam chain - so no worries about belt changes/failures, but if the oil services are not tip top you will run the risk of shortening the life of the chain, then it is a lot more damage than if a spindly rubber belt goes!
They are Direct Injection and as such have a "DI Pack" - these can be prone to failure and are rare and few and faw between from certain models...
Do not get an Auto as it takes the 0-60 from 6.5 to 7.8 - nearly a second and a half slower! (and juicier too...)
They go like stink and are very capable on twisty B roads... and will return over 30 mpg with mixed driving - a lot more on a steady cruise on motorway.. loved mine ...
Get over here: www.uksaabs.co.uk
This was mine: http://www.uksaabs.co.uk/UKS/download/file.php?id=...
They tend to get a lot of blow by gas, so when the engine is running, open the oil filler under the bonnet and if there is a lot of pressure there or it sounds like a fizzy drink bottle being opened, walk away as a ring or two may be on its way out..
Mine needed a turbo not long after buying it, no signs of wear, just went, but hey ho! £275 for a used unit and away I went!
The engine is a cam chain - so no worries about belt changes/failures, but if the oil services are not tip top you will run the risk of shortening the life of the chain, then it is a lot more damage than if a spindly rubber belt goes!
They are Direct Injection and as such have a "DI Pack" - these can be prone to failure and are rare and few and faw between from certain models...
Do not get an Auto as it takes the 0-60 from 6.5 to 7.8 - nearly a second and a half slower! (and juicier too...)
They go like stink and are very capable on twisty B roads... and will return over 30 mpg with mixed driving - a lot more on a steady cruise on motorway.. loved mine ...
Get over here: www.uksaabs.co.uk
This was mine: http://www.uksaabs.co.uk/UKS/download/file.php?id=...
iaincb1 said:
Thanks for the replies. MPG not too bad then.
How are the 9-5's for reliability? I feel a bit too young for one of those yet (23) but I assume other than capacity/power they must be fairly similar
Quicker than a lot out there and bloody comfortable to boot. Buy mine if you want, its up for grabs!How are the 9-5's for reliability? I feel a bit too young for one of those yet (23) but I assume other than capacity/power they must be fairly similar
I'll have a look tonight to see what I achieve, mine spends the majority of its time in an urban environment. I'd expect mid-20s, it's not particularly efficient (but then I don't aim to drive efficiently).
I bought a 66,000 mile example four years ago and have done about 30,000 miles in it. It's been out of action twice, once with a puncture and once with a flat battery (caused by me leaving the lights on).
Niggles: The interior's a bit rattly (stupid 18" wheels look cool but don't help). Twice the key fob has refused to work and I've had to open the door, set the alarm off and place the key in the ignition to stop it. On maybe four occasions the stereo's refused to work until I switch the engine off and on again. That's about it...
I bought a 66,000 mile example four years ago and have done about 30,000 miles in it. It's been out of action twice, once with a puncture and once with a flat battery (caused by me leaving the lights on).
Niggles: The interior's a bit rattly (stupid 18" wheels look cool but don't help). Twice the key fob has refused to work and I've had to open the door, set the alarm off and place the key in the ignition to stop it. On maybe four occasions the stereo's refused to work until I switch the engine off and on again. That's about it...
Edited by nickbee on Thursday 26th July 17:05
nickbee said:
I'll have a look tonight to see what I achieve, mine spends the majority of its time in an urban environment. I'd expect mid-20s, it's not particularly efficient (but then I don't aim to drive efficiently).
I bought a 66,000 mile example four years ago and have done about 30,000 miles in it. It's been out of action twice, once with a puncture and once with a flat battery (caused by me leaving the lights on).
Niggles: The interior's a bit rattly (stupid 18" wheels look cool but don't help). Twice the key fob has refused to work and I've had to open the door, set the alarm off and place the key in the ignition to stop it. On maybe four occasions the stereo's refused to work until I switch the engine off and on again. That's about it...
The 2002 > turns the lights off with the ignition. I bought a 66,000 mile example four years ago and have done about 30,000 miles in it. It's been out of action twice, once with a puncture and once with a flat battery (caused by me leaving the lights on).
Niggles: The interior's a bit rattly (stupid 18" wheels look cool but don't help). Twice the key fob has refused to work and I've had to open the door, set the alarm off and place the key in the ignition to stop it. On maybe four occasions the stereo's refused to work until I switch the engine off and on again. That's about it...
Edited by nickbee on Thursday 26th July 17:05
bakerstreet said:
The 2002 > turns the lights off with the ignition.
If, as a result, you habitually leave the lights turned on, and your battery is a bit borderline to begin with, don't leave the key in the ignition so your wife can listen to the radio while you nip into Maplins for 15 mins... 
ReedyGT said:
I had a '52 plate 9-5 Aero - Loved it - BUT - make sure it has FSH and actual evidence of regular oil changes, it MUST be fully synthetic, no if buts or maybes - The PCV system is flawed on these as well, there is a number 6 or 7 update that most will have had done - if it the "Dame Edna" shape, then they are totally different PCV's so no need to worry (The oil should still be fully synth though)... I had the sump dropped on mine, cleaned and was sludge free...
They tend to get a lot of blow by gas, so when the engine is running, open the oil filler under the bonnet and if there is a lot of pressure there or it sounds like a fizzy drink bottle being opened, walk away as a ring or two may be on its way out..
Mine needed a turbo not long after buying it, no signs of wear, just went, but hey ho! £275 for a used unit and away I went!
The engine is a cam chain - so no worries about belt changes/failures, but if the oil services are not tip top you will run the risk of shortening the life of the chain, then it is a lot more damage than if a spindly rubber belt goes!
They are Direct Injection and as such have a "DI Pack" - these can be prone to failure and are rare and few and faw between from certain models...
Do not get an Auto as it takes the 0-60 from 6.5 to 7.8 - nearly a second and a half slower! (and juicier too...)
They go like stink and are very capable on twisty B roads... and will return over 30 mpg with mixed driving - a lot more on a steady cruise on motorway.. loved mine ...
Get over here: www.uksaabs.co.uk
This was mine: http://www.uksaabs.co.uk/UKS/download/file.php?id=...
Oil is not such an issue with the Aero, as fully synthetic was spec'd originally. It's the LPT version where Saab originally specified semi-synthetic. which then glouped up in the sump and blocked the oil pickup.They tend to get a lot of blow by gas, so when the engine is running, open the oil filler under the bonnet and if there is a lot of pressure there or it sounds like a fizzy drink bottle being opened, walk away as a ring or two may be on its way out..
Mine needed a turbo not long after buying it, no signs of wear, just went, but hey ho! £275 for a used unit and away I went!
The engine is a cam chain - so no worries about belt changes/failures, but if the oil services are not tip top you will run the risk of shortening the life of the chain, then it is a lot more damage than if a spindly rubber belt goes!
They are Direct Injection and as such have a "DI Pack" - these can be prone to failure and are rare and few and faw between from certain models...
Do not get an Auto as it takes the 0-60 from 6.5 to 7.8 - nearly a second and a half slower! (and juicier too...)
They go like stink and are very capable on twisty B roads... and will return over 30 mpg with mixed driving - a lot more on a steady cruise on motorway.. loved mine ...
Get over here: www.uksaabs.co.uk
This was mine: http://www.uksaabs.co.uk/UKS/download/file.php?id=...
surveyor said:
Oil is not such an issue with the Aero, as fully synthetic was spec'd originally. It's the LPT version where Saab originally specified semi-synthetic. which then glouped up in the sump and blocked the oil pickup.
Trouble is, if it's been serviced outside the dealer/specialist network there's no knowing what brand of chip fat they've seen fit to fill it with.
CraigyMc said:
I've heard of bulkheads cracking on Saabs. I'd start there.
C
Easy enough to check. C
Sit in the car with the engine running, vigorously turn the wheel left to right.
If the pedals move you've got a problem.
That said, if the bulkhead was going to crack I'd think it'd have done it by now.
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