Topics

16

Saab 9-3 Sport Saloon / Convertible / Combi (Wagon/Estate) / Turbo X / AWD (2003 on) / Was I asleep when that happened?

« on: 08 November 2023, 06:09:53 PM »

So the road tax reminder for the Aero arrived today, and I opened it, confident it would be around the usual 300 quid (ish) mark.

Now, I must have been asleep or unconscious when they must have announced it, because this year Matthew, my road tax is going to be £365 😳😳😳🥺🥺🥺

When did that go.up?!!!

17

Off-topic chat, Help, Advice, General motoring issues / SKY very quiet when contract period ends!!!!

« on: 04 November 2023, 05:16:54 PM »

Well I only spotted on my bank account that my monthly payment to SKY had gone up from aroun £90 a month to £142 a month without them reminding me the 18 month contract was coming to an end!! WHich was very good of them, but think of the shareholders!!!!!

So when I ring them, the best they can do is reduce it to £118 a month...unless I wait till the 24th November when they have some Black Friday deals.....

 

I can hear Freeview calling me back again 

18

Saab 9-3 Sport Saloon / Convertible / Combi (Wagon/Estate) / Turbo X / AWD (2003 on) / Stainless steel exhaust options

« on: 27 October 2023, 07:13:06 PM »

I'm starting to wonder if the rear end of the exhaust on my Aero saloon 2.0T is starting to blow a little.

I don't really want to be spending loads on an exhaust, but I also don't want to be getting some rubbish aftermarket system that will also be blowing before you know it. One option might be to buy a second hand stainless system, if I can find one.

Anyone got any recommendations, or advice on what to look out for, new and/or second hand? My car has the single tailpipe on the LHS of the rear bumper.

19

Off-topic chat, Help, Advice, General motoring issues / Cheap cars for new drivers

« on: 27 October 2023, 07:03:11 PM »

So number 1 son seems to keep looking at Autotrader now that he has passed his test (he's 17), although he is insured on (and currently the main user of) my Peugeot 107. As he has to take a drumkit to gigs, although it does fit in the 107 with seats folded, he wants to get something a bit bigger.

But insurance is horrendous on everything, if he is covered as the main driver.

Looking around on Autotrader/Ebay etc, he seems to have noted that the Dacia Sandero, seems to be a bit of a bigger car that is slightly less to insure (and tax if you get the right year/model). I've seen a couple advertised as spares repair because of 'oil in the coolant', so not sure if these engines suffer with head gasket issues.

Anyway, anyone recommend a Sandero, or anything else of similar size that is relatively cheap to buy/run/tax/insure for a new driver?

20

Saab in the news / Emily GT -a spiritual successor to the NG 9-5?

« on: 18 October 2023, 03:52:31 PM »

https://www.saabplanet.com/nevs-presents-the-emily-gt-project-at-sld2023/

21

Saab in the news / Saab parts manufacturing to return to Trollhatten

« on: 14 October 2023, 10:55:57 AM »

https://www.saabplanet.com/reviving-saab-parts-manufacturing-returns-to-trollhattan/

22

Off-topic chat, Help, Advice, General motoring issues / Mileage to warrant a diesel?

« on: 11 October 2023, 12:45:21 PM »

Hi all, here's a general question. How many miles and what sort of driving do you need to do to make having a diesel worthwhile? I am thinking particularly cars with DPFs etc.

If I drive to work on the nearby A46 (dual carriageway) and M40, I probably do about 10 or 11 miles. So if I go that route and back, 5 days a week, it would be that distance each way at around 50 - 70mph.

Would the car suffer DPF issues with regular journeys like this?

23

Saab 9-3 Sport Saloon / Convertible / Combi (Wagon/Estate) / Turbo X / AWD (2003 on) / Sprucing up your pre facelift dash

« on: 08 October 2023, 11:20:44 AM »

This may be a bit of a crazy idea, but has anyone ever painted or wrapped parts of the centre of the dash (climate control panel around the buttons, cup holder panel, CD player and ashtray) to match the silver gear lever surround trim?

Had the idea of getting the trim that goes over the steering column and around the speedo/dials etc a carbon fibre finish, but that leaves this dour expanse of black plastic on the centre console area, so was wondering if anything could be done with that.

24

Off-topic chat, Help, Advice, General motoring issues / External hard drive recommendations

« on: 30 August 2023, 10:56:49 PM »

I need to look to get another external hard drive to carry on backing up loads of videos I keep taking with my phone of my lad playing in various local bands he's in, and open mics he does. Yje 2 TB drive I got a while ago is filling up, so I need another one with good capacity very soon.

I'm interested in a solid state drive this time with as much capacity as I can afford.

Anyone got any recommendations?

25

Saab 9-3 Sport Saloon / Convertible / Combi (Wagon/Estate) / Turbo X / AWD (2003 on) / New a/c compressor

« on: 24 August 2023, 06:09:50 PM »

Finally got the car to Compressortech / Motorclimate in Warwick, for tomorrow, the noisy/rattling a/c compressor gets replaced and a new auxilliary belt fitted.

First major thing I'm having done in a while.

26

Cleaning and Detailing / Looking after your leather

« on: 18 August 2023, 12:11:14 AM »

https://www.saabplanet.com/car-leather-cleaning/

27

Off-topic chat, Help, Advice, General motoring issues / New driver insurance

« on: 11 August 2023, 07:08:39 AM »

My daughter has started looking at cars to get an idea of what to buy next spring/summer when she comes has saved a bit!!

So she is sending me links to all sorts of car ads!!!!

She is 18, and been a named driver on my Peugeot 107 since passing her test about a year ago.

So, just wondered if anyone had any recommendations for a suitable car to look for (re cost to run/buy, insurance/tax etc). Only stipulation is she wants an auto. And she's looking at all sorts at the moment,but doesn't want a 107/C1/Aygo!!!

28

Saab in the news / No chance of Saab brand resurrection???

« on: 05 August 2023, 08:36:14 PM »

https://www.saabplanet.com/saab-ab-no-entity-allowed-to-use-the-brand-for-cars/

29

Saab 9-3 Sport Saloon / Convertible / Combi (Wagon/Estate) / Turbo X / AWD (2003 on) / Sprucing up your interior door handles

« on: 03 August 2023, 08:49:35 AM »

My Aero having a nearly all grey and black interior, I keep wondering how to give the interior a bit of a lift. I was in an Audi the other day which had some black carbon fibre trims on the dash and in the doors which looked really good.

So I am thinking of a similar carbon fibre wrap/dip on things like the drivers side instrument binnacle, but also the interior door grab handles. Has anyone had this done, or maybe painted them?

30

Saab 9-3 Sport Saloon / Convertible / Combi (Wagon/Estate) / Turbo X / AWD (2003 on) / Easy job turns into nightmare!!!!

« on: 26 July 2023, 06:48:16 PM »

On Sunday, I finally decided to have a go at fixing the long standing but very very minor oil leak I have had for a couple of years. John our mechanic cleaned off the oil from the engine when we had the car on the ramp, and we thought the leak was then coming from an access cover on the driver's side of the engine, under the engine mount bracket, on the opposite side from the oil pump.

Four bolts hold it in place, and a YouTube video showed that you could access it by removing the air filter box. So armed with a new gasket I got from Saabits, I made a start, taking the air filter box out, and starting to slacken off the bolts with a spanner. Access was limited, but I managed it!!!

The old gasket was a little crusty at the bottom, as was the cover. I cleaned up the cover, and the corresponding surface on the ending, smeared the edges of the new gasket with a film of oil on each side, and then tried to refit the plate. This is where the panic started to set in. Although I could position said plate and new gasket, I could not get the holes to line up, and get any of the bolts in without dropping them!!!

I attempted several times, until I ended up jacking the front of the car up and taking the RHS front wheel off to access from below. Access was poor from both angles, and once you had your hand in there, you couldn't see what you were doing!!! As I was flapping on my back with my head in the wheelarch, it started raining!!!!!!!!

Luckily, it was only brief, so I carried on. As time passed, I managed to get the top bolt in finger tight.....but then I couldn't get it to line up to get the others in, from top or bottom. I was at the point where I thought I was going to have to abandon the job, and call my mechanic on Monday to come and retrieve the situation. But one last option was to see if my 17 year old son might be able to help.

With him trying to fit bolts from the top, and me trying from the bottom, despite many attempts we finally did it!!! 3 and a half hours to do a half hour job!!!

Now just hoping that was indeed where the leak was coming from, and that we have fixed it!!