Messages

1

Classic Saab 9-5 (MY 1998-2010) / Re: Diesel odour in cabin

« on: 08 June 2012, 12:55:47 PM »

Definitely emanating from air vents – have stuck my nose there to confirm! Doesn’t seem half as bad today though.

If it was an injector problem would the smell not be there all the time? Would there also be an adverse effect on fuel economy and performance? Currently 37mpg town/country and 43mpg Mway which is about right for an automatic?

LF

2

Classic Saab 9-5 (MY 1998-2010) / Re: Diesel odour in cabin

« on: 07 June 2012, 06:01:29 PM »

Thanks all. Will get it looked at.

LF

3

Classic Saab 9-5 (MY 1998-2010) / Diesel odour in cabin

« on: 07 June 2012, 03:13:02 PM »

I have noticed over the past couple of weeks a distinct diesel odour in the cabin when stationary. This appears to clear if the ACC is turned off and also once the car is moving again. Being new to Saab diesels is this something to be concerned about?

LF

4

Cleaning and Detailing / Re: Cleaning Routine

« on: 16 May 2012, 09:48:50 PM »

Great info + links. Thanks 

Car is light blue so might even stay shiny for a few days after a good clean!

LF

5

Cleaning and Detailing / Re: Cleaning Routine

« on: 15 May 2012, 09:57:21 PM »

This is all very interesting - I think I might try some new techniques just to see what difference it makes over my usual routine.

I have always been happy with Autoglym products - are the mitts and micro fibre cloths they produce OK? Any definite does/donts when it comes to these products?

I have always found pressure washing disappointing compared to a hose and sponge ?am I doing something wrong.

I now have a blue rather than silver car so this should help and the paintwork seems in such good nick that I feel inclined to keep it that way. The wheels seem in pretty good nick too. I always felt my silver car looked good but comparing the paintwork on the new[er] car I think perhaps not!

LF

6

Cleaning and Detailing / Re: Cleaning Routine

« on: 14 May 2012, 10:22:38 PM »

Thanks Trenchfoot - missed link in earlier post! Thanks also for addressing individual Q.

LF

7

Cleaning and Detailing / Re: Cleaning Routine

« on: 13 May 2012, 10:23:49 PM »

Sorry to be dim but how does the 2 bucket routine go?

LF

8

Cleaning and Detailing / Cleaning Routine

« on: 13 May 2012, 09:58:46 PM »

Reading some of the threads I am starting to doubt my current cleaning routine:

Hose down rather than pressure wash.
Wash with Autoglym bodywork shampoo applied with a sponge.
Hose off again.
Buff to dry with Autoglym Aqua Dry synthetic chamois.
Clean glass with Autoglym Fast Glass.
Wheels cleaned with shampoo using separate sponge and chamois to dry.
Interior cleaned with soft cloth. Leather treated once a year.
I use Autoglym Super Resin Polish + Extra Gloss Protection once a year.

Several questions have resulted from reading the threads:

Should I consider:
Micro fibre cloths instead of synthetic chamois?
Wash mitts instead of sponge?
Specific wheel care products?
Is there a role for pressure washing?
Specific products for interior cleaning?

Any thoughts would be most welcome!

LF

9

Classic Saab 9-5 (MY 1998-2010) / Re: 9-5 TiD

« on: 05 May 2012, 09:06:04 PM »

Well I have now moved from 9-3 land back into 9-5 land 

The 2.8T Aero wagon is gone but a 2008 9-5 1.9 TiD Vector Sport wagon [auto] is on the drive in its place!

Very happy with it so far and even happier to find a post by sgould on the old Saabscene site to help me work out how to get the rear head rests off!! Kids car seats now in situ 

I had forgotten how comfy the front seats are after 5 years in a 9-3....
Will no doubt have a few questions in due course but happy with the blend of comfort, economy [already hitting 43mpg] and performance - a different experience to the Aero but at least I can take the family along for the ride in comfort now!

Thanks for all the advice.

LF

10

Classic Saab 9-5 (MY 1998-2010) / Re: 9-5 TiD

« on: 27 April 2012, 11:54:11 AM »

Very helpful thanks. Going to look at a few tomorrow. Auto and manual. Any particular issues I need to be aware of with auto?

LF

11

Saab 9-3 Sport Saloon / Convertible / Combi (Wagon/Estate) / Turbo X / AWD (2003 on) / Re: Replace Battery?

« on: 27 April 2012, 11:45:07 AM »

Thanks Aerojon - looks like Halfords battery finder service not so good!

I went to dealer in the end as more fault codes and felt diagnostic test was the way forward.

LF

12

Saab 9-3 Sport Saloon / Convertible / Combi (Wagon/Estate) / Turbo X / AWD (2003 on) / Re: Replace Battery?

« on: 24 April 2012, 09:15:27 PM »

Thanks 

13

Saab 9-3 Sport Saloon / Convertible / Combi (Wagon/Estate) / Turbo X / AWD (2003 on) / Replace Battery?

« on: 24 April 2012, 04:01:47 PM »

Over the past few wks my 9-3 has been struggling at start up. Also a few random electrical issues - clock lost time, passenger seat belt light on with no passenger, occasional loss of sat nav display etc. Yesterday engine warning light came on. All other problems resolved either spontaneously or after shutting engine down. However engine warning light still on today but car driving fine.

Suspect battery issue - Halfords £89.00 for lower end to  £119.00 for Bosch version.

Local Saab dealer quoted £130 to fit new battery + diagnostic check for fault codes.

Have bkd in but should I just fit new Halfords battery and hope engine light problem resolves with this - saving a few pounds at the same time - or should I stick with the diagnostics to exclude another problem?

Assume battery fit pretty straight forward [2007 pre face lift 9-3 2.8T Aero Wagon].

LF

14

Classic Saab 9-5 (MY 1998-2010) / Re: 9-5 TiD

« on: 23 April 2012, 04:23:01 PM »

Thanks everyone both for the welcomes and advice 

It is a tough call as swayed by diesel for reasons already mentioned and currently have 25mpg and £445 annual road tax from 2.8T Aero.

I am probably around the 12-13K/yr mark but this may increase towards 15K if used as the main family car. However average daily commute probably 35mins each way and mixture of town + country/A roads.

LF

15

Classic Saab 9-5 (MY 1998-2010) / 9-5 TiD

« on: 22 April 2012, 08:55:22 PM »

Hello All

Good to see the old Saabscene has morphed into a new site. I have not visited for a while and found the old site has rather gone to the dogs. Very happy to find an old email to direct me to this new site.

I am thinking about moving back into 9-5 land needing the extra space and with no new model option it looks like time to reacquaint myself with the "old" 9-5. I am also considering a move into the world of diesels and wondered what the collective thoughts are on the 1.9 TiD unit? Manual vs Auto? Optimal spec etc. I accept it will feel quite different to my current petrol Aero but look forward to better economy and cheaper road tax 

LF