Sheddy Saab 9-5
Discussion
Obviously, with having a frugal, sensible load lugger in the Berlingo ( https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&... ) , I had to rebel..
A mate offered me this at a price that could not be refused.
A 2003 2.0t Saab 9-5 Vector Estate.
It has a COVID-19 MOT til Jan 21, and 128k on the clock.
It's had all the important things done - sump drop, new clutch. Posh tyres too.
There are some issues:
Got it with a flat battery - despite 2 days of charging, the resting voltage is 8.4v so it's toast.
Ignition switch is an 'acquired technique' to get it started - replacement a likely plan.
Bonnet doesn't always release on both sides
Rattle from front suspension
One rear door doesn't work on the central locking
Only the 150bhp 2.0
But MOST CRITICALLY - the snazzy cupholder doesn't work!
It's had a clean inside but badly needs a wash
Anyway, enough nattering:
Pikturz
A mate offered me this at a price that could not be refused.
A 2003 2.0t Saab 9-5 Vector Estate.
It has a COVID-19 MOT til Jan 21, and 128k on the clock.
It's had all the important things done - sump drop, new clutch. Posh tyres too.
There are some issues:
Got it with a flat battery - despite 2 days of charging, the resting voltage is 8.4v so it's toast.
Ignition switch is an 'acquired technique' to get it started - replacement a likely plan.
Bonnet doesn't always release on both sides
Rattle from front suspension
One rear door doesn't work on the central locking
Only the 150bhp 2.0
But MOST CRITICALLY - the snazzy cupholder doesn't work!
It's had a clean inside but badly needs a wash
Anyway, enough nattering:
Pikturz
Edited by 320touring on Saturday 29th August 23:06
Nice, I have the saloon version. Bought as a shed for the train station but it's cost me a fortune to get it how I want, like trigger's broom. I've basically ended up restoring it by mistake! Nice old things though and so comfy to drive, a stage 1 remap takes them to from 150 to 225 hp which really wakes them up. Biggest challenge I found was fixing boost leaks.
Interestingly, the only other car with that cup holder is the Monaro and I have one of those too.
Enjoy!
Interestingly, the only other car with that cup holder is the Monaro and I have one of those too.
Enjoy!
Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 26th August 20:48
wormus said:
Nice, I have the saloon version. Bought as a shed for the train station but it's cost me a fortune to get it how I want, like trigger's broom. I've basically ended up restoring it by mistake! Nice old things though and so comfy to drive, a stage 1 remap takes them to from 150 to 225 hp which really wakes them up. Biggest challenge I found was fixing boost leaks.
Interestingly, the only other car with that cup holder is the Monaro and I have one of those too.
Enjoy!
Thanks Interestingly, the only other car with that cup holder is the Monaro and I have one of those too.
Enjoy!
Edited by wormus on Wednesday 26th August 20:48
I helped my mate buy this car a couple of years ago - so know it had plenty history. Either ways, assuming not too much goes wrong, It can stick about at least until MOT time.I'm on the hunt for a cupholder!
Filled this up today before heading through to the Unit to tinker..
How close to 481 miles do we reckon I'll get? 70L tank.
Place bets now!
Once at the unit, the plan was to find out what the rattle was from the drivers side front - I got all set up
Then got a call from my dad saying he had a puncture - so I had to load back up and head out to help him.
Once back and jacked, the fault was obvious - the anti-roll bar bracket has rusted away and the rubber bush has disappeared.
Hopefully it's an easy enough fix.
That identified, it was time to sort out the outside of the car - a wash and wax were the order of the day..
And the manky wheels had a seeing to as well.
The paint is crap, but they cleaned up ok.
Overall, it looks much more presentable!
How close to 481 miles do we reckon I'll get? 70L tank.
Place bets now!
Once at the unit, the plan was to find out what the rattle was from the drivers side front - I got all set up
Then got a call from my dad saying he had a puncture - so I had to load back up and head out to help him.
Once back and jacked, the fault was obvious - the anti-roll bar bracket has rusted away and the rubber bush has disappeared.
Hopefully it's an easy enough fix.
That identified, it was time to sort out the outside of the car - a wash and wax were the order of the day..
And the manky wheels had a seeing to as well.
The paint is crap, but they cleaned up ok.
Overall, it looks much more presentable!
geraintthomas said:
Nice knowing the rattle isn't something serious. Looks to be a simple fix!
I how to have the bracket here next week + just need to confirm the ARB diameter so I can order the correct bush, then it's time to try and extract the bolts..Pages of threads abound with tales of woe, so I assume it'll be a simple job..
They look oh so simple to get at, and have plenty of room to drill out if needed (not)
I'll deploy some remonstrating fluid before attempting to remove them
SirGriffin said:
Lovely car, I had a Saab 9-3 NG, and despite the Vectra jokes, it was every inch a Saab, and I had many happy miles in it. Shame they are so rare now.
Thanks! I had an X plate 9-3 with the same 2.0 150bhp lump. I didn't particularly enjoy it. Felt fairly wooley and vague without the attendant comfort that the larger 9-5 affordsI think I've still got a working cupholder here OP you can have, I'll try and find it and let you know. It's not too much of a faff to fit, you'll need to take the dash trim off as described here. It's for a LHD car but the screws are in the same places on a RHD car.
Definitely hit up Noobtune for a stage one remap from 150hp/250nm to 220hp/360nm.
Definitely hit up Noobtune for a stage one remap from 150hp/250nm to 220hp/360nm.
lancer778544 said:
I think I've still got a working cupholder here OP you can have, I'll try and find it and let you know. It's not too much of a faff to fit, you'll need to take the dash trim off as described here. It's for a LHD car but the screws are in the same places on a RHD car.
Definitely hit up Noobtune for a stage one remap from 150hp/250nm to 220hp/360nm.
Thanks for the offer of the cupholder -that would be ace. Tried to email you but no dice.Definitely hit up Noobtune for a stage one remap from 150hp/250nm to 220hp/360nm.
Going to wait until the ARB is sorted before boosty times!
320touring said:
Thanks for the offer of the cupholder -that would be ace. Tried to email you but no dice.
Going to wait until the ARB is sorted before boosty times!
Found it, it still works and it's in great nick. If you can PM me your details I'll get it in the post when I can Going to wait until the ARB is sorted before boosty times!
Edit: I've changed the member email setting now so you can email me.
I thought about going to look at that Aero, would have just been killing it to use as a parts car though so kind of glad it's had another chance!
.
320touring said:
I how to have the bracket here next week + just need to confirm the ARB diameter so I can order the correct bush, then it's time to try and extract the bolts..
Pages of threads abound with tales of woe, so I assume it'll be a simple job..
They look oh so simple to get at, and have plenty of room to drill out if needed (not)
I'll deploy some remonstrating fluid before attempting to remove them
If the car is a keeper (it will be when it gets under your skin), it might be worth dropping the subframe and using it as an opportunity to press in new bushes and cover it with something a bit more rust proof! It's something I plan to do on mine before it ends up needing a subframe Pages of threads abound with tales of woe, so I assume it'll be a simple job..
They look oh so simple to get at, and have plenty of room to drill out if needed (not)
I'll deploy some remonstrating fluid before attempting to remove them
.
Interior on that looks quite clean. No heated seats though 
I also like those alloys
I have had a 05 9-5 Aero Estate Auto and a 05 9-3 TDI 150 Saloon manual.
The 9-5 Aero was an excellent car. I bought mine with 201k on the clock and it had a stack of history. Sold it 18 month later for £880 and it needed a bit of work for MOT (Washer bottle pump), but other than that it was solid as a rock. The alloys on my 9-5 were the rather boring 5 spokes.
Despite it having 201k on the clock, the seats were in a really good state and still very comfortable. I have recently bought a Subaru Outback and the seats are truly awful. All car manufacturers should go and sit in a Saab and learn something about how good seats can be.
Best of luck with the 9-5 OP. Decent 9-5s of that era are becoming harder to find these days.
I also like those alloysI have had a 05 9-5 Aero Estate Auto and a 05 9-3 TDI 150 Saloon manual.
The 9-5 Aero was an excellent car. I bought mine with 201k on the clock and it had a stack of history. Sold it 18 month later for £880 and it needed a bit of work for MOT (Washer bottle pump), but other than that it was solid as a rock. The alloys on my 9-5 were the rather boring 5 spokes.
Despite it having 201k on the clock, the seats were in a really good state and still very comfortable. I have recently bought a Subaru Outback and the seats are truly awful. All car manufacturers should go and sit in a Saab and learn something about how good seats can be.
Best of luck with the 9-5 OP. Decent 9-5s of that era are becoming harder to find these days.
Glad it got to you alright That's the original out of my 9-5. It was stuck down when I got the car and I replaced it but as you'll see, its basically just clipped together so I took it apart to have a nose and it was just the cam/peg thing that had come off. Reinstated and it works fine so yours might be repairable as well.
That's the original out of my 9-5. It was stuck down when I got the car and I replaced it but as you'll see, its basically just clipped together so I took it apart to have a nose and it was just the cam/peg thing that had come off. Reinstated and it works fine so yours might be repairable as well.Lugy said:
I thought about going to look at that Aero, would have just been killing it to use as a parts car though so kind of glad it's had another chance!
My mate is the good sort who can look past the blemishes and see a car that has had as lot of care and attention and is a useable tub.This came with plenty history and lots of big bills, much like mine.
The trick is getting out before the next big one falls due..
Lugy said:
If the car is a keeper (it will be when it gets under your skin), it might be worth dropping the subframe and using it as an opportunity to press in new bushes and cover it with something a bit more rust proof! It's something I plan to do on mine before it ends up needing a subframe .
The bracket and bolts Will determine whether it stays past the MOT date. If the bolts snap, I can't be arsed trying to sort it, so off it will toddle..DailyHack said:
Nice Saab OP, always liked this model 9-5, love the "nailhead" alloys aswell, brilliant design!
I was bitten with the Saab bug last year, well always have been for a while... got a '2011 9-3 TTid, love driving the thing and I really don't know why...
Cheers. It's not the most engaging of drives, but it seems competent and comfortable. Ideal as a daily smokerI was bitten with the Saab bug last year, well always have been for a while... got a '2011 9-3 TTid, love driving the thing and I really don't know why...
wormus said:
I’ve got the same wheels on mine. I think they are supposed to represent 3 Viking axes.
That's quite as cool thing to knowEdited by 320touring on Friday 4th September 17:14
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