Topics

16

Gallery / 9-5 Aero 2008

« on: 22 May 2017, 03:56:30 PM »

Picked up my 9-5 Aero saloon this morning.

Had a 2004 Aero a few years ago and that had some issue with performance as it wasn't that quick - this one has no problems with performance! I'm getting better economy than my 2002 9-3 2.0 lpt with the extra performance which is nice. Far nicer place to be too having done less than half the miles of my 9-3.

17

Classic Saab 9-5 (MY 1998-2010) / Brake pad issue

« on: 22 May 2017, 02:05:12 PM »

Picked up my new (to me) 9-5 Aero this morning.

The brakes feel dangerous when you really need them - seller told me that the front disks and pads have just been done (I believe them as there's loads of tread on the pads and the disks do look new).

However there is a vibration when braking anything other than very gradually.

Looked at the brakes - left side looks okay, but the right side - this pad doesn't look to be fitted properly:

18

Off-topic chat, Help, Advice, General motoring issues / Which car?

« on: 06 April 2017, 11:01:23 AM »

I bought an Audi A3 TDi as my main car but hated it so I've flogged that on to get shot.

Now looking again as the Audi went a few weeks ago.

I had narrowed things down to a Saab 9-5 Aero or a Merc E320 CDI.

Now, I was just browsing through Autotrader / Ebay / Pistonheads etc, and I came across a very nice looking 9-3 Convertible. This is a 2002 model so the older shape which I prefer.

I almost looked at a 9-3 convertible when I was looking for my current 9-3 hatch. I really like the look of the convertible though I'm way too miserable to have a wind in your hair car.

Basically - talk me out (or in) to the convertible. It's impractical though a very nice looking car.

My perfect 9-5 would be a 9-5 Aero Estate 2005 (not dame edna) with nav. Would love a sunroof too, though I've only ever seen one for sale which isn't cheap for the age though the service history is excellent - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Saab-9-5-2-3HOT-AUTOMATIC-AERO-Estate-1-owner-F-SAAB-S-H-16-stamps-/332160839072?hash=item4d56542da0:g:Pd8AAOSw2gxY16Dk

Any pointers / tips / advice?

19

Off-topic chat, Help, Advice, General motoring issues / Practical Classics show - NEC 2017

« on: 05 April 2017, 01:46:56 PM »

Not sure if anyone else went to this. Good show but almost too big. Many very interesting old cars there. Also saw an interview with Mike Brewer at the show which was interesting (re Wheeler Dealers etc). I have a pic of this, but the quality is poor due to my lack of skill!

Here's some pics from the show if anyone is interested:



















Pic of the Carlsson is poor, but all I have of the Saabs!








Lotus Sunbeam - remember them when they were brand new. Would love one, but in a bit better nick than this:



My rubbish pic of Mike Brewer and the new Wheeler Dealers chap (Ant?):

20

Off-topic chat, Help, Advice, General motoring issues / Recommendations for body shop for rust repair in Midlands

« on: 14 March 2017, 04:49:09 PM »

The rust on the rear arches is starting to become fairly obvious on my 2002 9-3.

Assuming it's not hugely expensive, I wouldn't mind getting them sorted properly (cut out rust and replace with fresh steel and repaint).

Any recommendations for anywhere in the Midlands (preferably close to Hinckley LE10)  that would do this sort of minor restoration?

21

Classic Saab 9-3 & GM900 (MY 1994-2002/03CV) / Brakes seized

« on: 17 February 2017, 02:38:26 PM »

Car has been sat for 3 weeks without moving. Just went to give it a run though one wheel is refusing to turn. (Left rear).

The disks and pads have only done around 8000 miles.

Is it likely that my disks and pads are scrap, or if they are freed off should I get away with it? Hoping it's the latter as the car has only sat for 3 weeks in the garage - immediately prior to that it did a 1000 mile round trip to Scotland.

22

Off-topic chat, Help, Advice, General motoring issues / What device to replace iPod Classic

« on: 06 February 2017, 12:57:54 PM »

Sort of car related as I use this in my car.

My 160Gb iPod Classic is on its way out. Apple no longer flog these, so what would you recommend I get to replace this bearing in mind this is iTunes format?

Even though I work in IT, I'm not very tech savvy when it comes to smartphones, mobile devices or whatever you call iPod type things these days.

Is there a player you can get for an Android phone? If so, are there downsides (need big memory etc)? Is there another device I can get (that's not an iPhone or one of those smart watches or whatever they're called)?

23

Off-topic chat, Help, Advice, General motoring issues / Saab Specialists close to the M6 / M74

« on: 21 January 2017, 08:38:16 PM »

My son will be taking my 9-3 to Scotland next week. I'm sure the car will be fine (2002 hatch with 148,000 miles), but just in case, I'm trying to find out if there are any Saab Specialists close to the route he'll be taking should he need it.

He'll be going:

M6 Toll
M6
A74M/M74
A82 past Loch Lomond and beyond to Campbeltown

Anyone know of any specialists on that corridor up into Scotland?

24

Off-topic chat, Help, Advice, General motoring issues / Spigot Rings

« on: 13 January 2017, 01:25:15 PM »

Didn't know these things existed until I went in to get my wheels balanced the other day.

I'm using an after market set of alloys that I bought from MyTyres with winter tyres.

The garage that removed the wheels last winter didn't tell me about these Spigot Rings and they have been misplaced.

Result is a vibration at 60mph plus.

I've tried to get some off MyTyres but they only come with the wheels themselves.

Is it possible to work out the size needed from the information on my invoice?

Item No.: KRA--TTDL8SA38--D-119195--ZJOXN

Item: Winter complete wheel for SAAB 9-3 2.0t (Type YS3DXXXX 151bhp) 1985cc Bolt circle 5/110, Rim

DEZENT TD silber lackiert 6.5 x 15 (LK 5/110, OS 38) Felge: Continental WinterContact-TS-850 195/60 R15 88T

Quantity:

25

Off-topic chat, Help, Advice, General motoring issues / Choice - conflicted

« on: 29 October 2016, 01:37:44 PM »

I'm conflicted about the route to go with my Saab 9-3. The choices I'm thinking of at the moment:

Keep the 9-3 and do nothing - probably sell in Spring.
Replace with a 9-5 2.8 V6 AWD (2011 ish)
Replace with a Merc E55 (circa 2003)
Replace with a 2005 ish 9-5 Aero

last option is more interesting but would mean I'd end up keeping the 9-3 for a long time as I'd never recoup the outlay:

Give the car to Abbott Racing to have the following done (assuming this can be done on an Auto):

2.3 conversion
High Flow Intercooler
TD04  Turbo
Full exhaust
tidy up bodywork

The 2.8 9-5 and the E55 would be the most expensive options, with the Abbott route not being too far behind. The 2005 9-5 would be a lot less. All three of the cars run the risk of costing more to get stuff fixed on an unknown car (especially the E55), whereas spending the money at Abbott would mean I'm improving a known quantity.

I could just keep the car and do nothing. I have already spent around £1500 to £2000 on this car (bought for £670!) so it should see me through several more years without issue. It's lost it's purpose a bit though since I bought a 6 year old Audi A3 which is far better on fuel, quicker and quieter. Hateful thing to look at though compared to the 9-3 which I have a soft spot for.

Doing these bits at Abbott would freshen the car up as well as lifting the BHP to more like 300 which would give me something different (better) than the A3.

I'm scared of seeing the 2.8 9-5 (or the 2005 9-5 Aero) as I'll probably like them and buy one of them. Would love the E55 though that has the biggest potential for wallet annihilation!

I'll probably do none of the above as I change my mind several times per day! What would you do? Anyone gone down a similar route with enhancing / restoring a previously worthless car?

26

Classic Saab 9-3 & GM900 (MY 1994-2002/03CV) / Car struggling to start in colder weather

« on: 05 October 2016, 06:37:56 PM »

My 2.0 lpt is struggling to start first thing in the morning of late.

The starter will churn away for ages before it eventually fires. After that it's starting okay through the day.

It is getting plenty of runs - rarely does short journeys.

No idea if it's related, but frequently whilst driving the revs will drop and the lights on the SID dim momentarily. It's done this since I bought the car 14 months ago. Is this the alternator?

Any ideas on what this could be and potential costs to sort?

27

Cleaning and Detailing / Leather care for cracked seats

« on: 25 September 2016, 02:53:45 PM »

Any recommendations for treating cracked leather? Just after something to stop it getting any worse.

Popped into Halfords this afternoon but all they had was Autogylm - would have to buy a cleaning product and balm. This would be about £18. Don't mind spending that if it does the job, though don't want to throw my money away if there's something that will do the job for less.

28

Off-topic chat, Help, Advice, General motoring issues / Saabs at car shows

« on: 18 September 2016, 02:22:41 PM »

Thought I'd start a thread for Saabs seen at Classic car shows / car shows.

Went to my local one today and there was only one Saab there:





Plenty of other interesting stuff there today - please forgive the extreme lack of Saabs. This is one of the ones on my list for when I win big on the EuroMillions:



Fairly rare Renault Alpine GTV6 Turbo:


Other interesting stuff:











I was probably the only person to photograph this Triumph Acclaim!:



Perfect one owner unrestored Astra:



Remember lusting after one of these back in the day 



Didn't know they did a coupe Jensen:

29

Saab 9-3 Sport Saloon / Convertible / Combi (Wagon/Estate) / Turbo X / AWD (2003 on) / 2.8 v6 XWD economy

« on: 13 September 2016, 06:00:18 PM »

Thinking of a 9-3 ss 2.8 V6 XWD.

I know the economy isn't a thing I should be buying one of these for, but am wondering what real world economy is like.

Figures according to Autotrader (which isn't always that accurate) are:

Urban mpg                    15.7 mpg
Extra Urban mpg           38.2 mpg
Average mpg                25.0 mpg

If I can realistically get over 30mpg on a run without going caravan pace, I'll be encouraged.

What's the power delivery like in these? Is the mid-range better than a 9-5 Aero?

30

Classic Saab 9-3 & GM900 (MY 1994-2002/03CV) / Time For Service

« on: 07 June 2016, 03:09:45 PM »

2002 9-3 2.0lpt - got "Time for Service" coming up on my SID. It was just serviced the other week though the warning wasn't on then. Can I reset this myself (I have tried holding "Clear" for ages on the SID but didn't work) or does it need Tech II to sort?

I thought I'd already asked this but can't find it on a search.