Topics

1

Off-topic chat, Help, Advice, General motoring issues / Recommended Garage to upgrade / refresh my 9-5

« on: 31 October 2018, 12:37:52 PM »

Keep thinking of getting a new car but it would be cheaper to keep the 9-5 and spend a chunk of money to get it upgraded.

Thinking of a complete suspension upgrade, possibly new turbo, more power, repairing bits that need doing along the way. I want the comfort which it has, but I want it to handle a lot better with even more power than it currently has.

I know of the local Saab Indies to me (Malcolm Miles / Bond Street Saab / WMSS) though not sure if they'd be the best to undertake this sort of work.

I believe Neo Bros / Abbott / Saabflight / JamSaab do this sort of work, though none are near me and I've heard good reviews and bad about some of them.

Any other recommendations for somewhere close to Leicester / Coventry / Tamworth / Nuneaton etc or would it be worth the travel to someone further afield?

2

Classic Saab 9-5 (MY 1998-2010) / Central Locking / key fob issue

« on: 24 July 2018, 07:45:57 PM »

A couple of times now my key fob has not worked. Tried pressing to lock the car many times and nothing happens. Can lock with the key no problem (all doors lock). There are no messages on the SID and I've replaced the battery in the key fob a few months ago.

After a while I'll go back to the car and it works fine.

Any ideas what this is likely to be? I would have thought there'd be a message on the SID if there was an issue..

3

Off-topic chat, Help, Advice, General motoring issues / vRS Octavia

« on: 21 July 2018, 02:14:59 PM »

Went to see this vRS Octavia today (245 BHP):



Although the Octavia handled and stopped far better than the Saab, it did not feel quicker than my 9-5 Aero. We were two up on the test drive, but even taking this into consideration, I'd say the Saab was quicker.

The DSG gearbox also seemed very slow witted - even compared to my 10 year old car. Salesman said they learn your driving styles and it should get quicker, though I expected better. Even in Sport mode, it didn't seem to kickdown very quickly.

By the time the DSG had decided what it was doing, the Saab would have already gone.

The ICE in the Octavia was brilliant, and it was high spec with Adaptive Cruise, Pan roof, electric heated seats etc, etc.

However, I'm not sure it was worth over 16 times what they'd give me for the 9-5!

I did want to see a Superb 4x4 280BHP as well, but it had sold. The Superb's look better than the Octavia's inside and out, and I would have been very tempted if it was still available - assuming it's 5.6 to 60mph felt quicker than my 9-5.

On the way home, I was thinking maybe I should just spend a bit on the Aero instead as it'd be a lot cheaper than "upgrading".

Main issue I have with mine is the handling. I've already spent some money on rear shocks and drop links, though this solved some issues but introduced others. Are there any Saab specialists in the Midlands who are good with suspension / handling? Don't mind spending the money if I get the improvement.

PS. Just seen there is a Hirsched 9-5 Aero 2.8 4x4 for sale, though it's very strong money and nowhere near me

4

Classic Saab 9-5 (MY 1998-2010) / Warped brake disk

« on: 22 May 2018, 09:53:07 AM »

I have a warped brake disk on the front nearside.

Would I get away with replacing that one disk and pads for both sides, or would I be better to replace both disks? They're only a year old, so the other one should have plenty of life in it.

5

Off-topic chat, Help, Advice, General motoring issues / ODB2 scanner - recommendations?

« on: 16 November 2017, 08:45:08 PM »

Wouldn't mind getting a cheap but decent scanner to use that can clear CEL lights.

What would you recommend for my 2008 9-5 Aero auto in the £30 - £80 ish range?

6

Off-topic chat, Help, Advice, General motoring issues / 2017 Winter Tyres thread

« on: 19 October 2017, 11:11:05 AM »

It's that time of year again.

I'm looking to get some winter tyres for my 9-5 Aero.

I had Continental (Continental WinterContact-TS-850 195/60 R15 88T) on my 9-3 hatch which is now gone.

Had Nokian (Nokian WR A3 215/55 R16 97H XL ) previously, and these felt like they had more grip than the Continentals, but this was on a different car so hard to tell.

I prefer grip to a tyre that lasts longer (I don't see the attraction in being able to admire the 6mm left on the tyres as it lays upside down in a hedge). 

Any recommendations for this winter?   

7

Classic Saab 9-5 (MY 1998-2010) / 2008 9-5 Aero misfire

« on: 13 October 2017, 12:02:46 PM »

Getting misfire issues on my 9-5 Aero Auto.

Here's the history:

22nd May - bought 9-5 Aero. Car was "serviced" by the selling garage, though not confident what was done apart from oil change and sump drop.
End May - Check Engine Light on though no other symptoms - DI replaced:


Late September - flashing CEL with loss of power - went away after stopping for a few minutes
9th October - flashing CEL / CEL then on, misfire and knocking. Car had to be towed home [See here]
10th October - plugs replaced and CEL cleared:

            Misfire Detected on Cylinder 1.

I've bought some new silicon hoses to replace the vacuum hoses, though not got round to that yet.

The CEL or poor running / misfire hasn't re-occurred since the plugs were changed, though that was only 50 miles or so ago. I'm not convinced the car is running right - seems a little rough to me, though I don't know if this is just me looking for problems.

I'll keep this thread updated with any developments / things done. Any advice in the meantime would be greatly appreciated. 

8

Off-topic chat, Help, Advice, General motoring issues / Urgent - Saab specialist near Waltham Abbey

« on: 09 October 2017, 09:49:51 AM »

Car is dying- not happy at all.

Flashing CEL then poor running now CEL on.

When I start it out feels like it's misfiring even at idle.

Need to get this recovered to a Saab specialist.

9

Classic Saab 9-5 (MY 1998-2010) / 9-5 Aero Handling issues

« on: 03 October 2017, 06:01:33 PM »

I'm convinced my 9-5 Aero is not up to par in the handling department.

There is torque steer on hard acceleration if the wheel is turned (eg pulling out to overtake).

The car feels floaty and does not inspire confidence. Doesn't seem to be able to handle the power (this is a 2008 Auto Aero).

There is a very slight play in the steering - now and again I can feel a slight knock transmitting through the steering.

Car isn't high miles (67k) though is 9 years old.

Is this likely to be worn bushes? I've also heard drop links mentioned as well.

One thing that does need doing is the tyres - the fronts are both Pirellis but not the same tread pattern (one is a P Zero and the other is not). The rear tyres don't match either.

Excluding the tyres, what are the most likely culprits causing my uninspiring handling?

10

Classic Saab 9-5 (MY 1998-2010) / Brake Light bulb

« on: 24 September 2017, 07:56:06 PM »

What size/ type is the brake light bulb for a 2008 9-5 saloon? Can't see anything on Oreo or Eurocarparts.

Can't get to the car at the moment to take out the bulb to check - anyone know what the bulb is so I can get one ordered? Assuming these are a common size, would a Halfords jobbie be any good?

11

Off-topic chat, Help, Advice, General motoring issues / 9-5 Aero Stage 1

« on: 16 August 2017, 10:45:17 AM »

I've got my Dame Edna booked in with Karl this Saturday to remap to a Stage 1.

Have been disappointed with the performance of the car, so hoping this will rectify this to some degree at least!

12

Classic Saab 9-5 (MY 1998-2010) / 2 issues - Whistling Turbo - Rear screen heater

« on: 11 August 2017, 02:48:12 PM »

Had my 9-5 Aero for a couple of months now - couple of issues outstanding at the moment:

1. Under hard acceleration there is a whistle from the turbo. Remember having this with older turbos back in the day (RS Turbo etc) but should by Aero be doing this? If not, is this potentially expensive, or a leak somewhere?

2. Rear window heater isn't working properly. It is working but not clearing the rear screen fully (probably about 25% of what it should do). Wing mirrors appear to be working okay. What is this likely to take to fix?

13

Off-topic chat, Help, Advice, General motoring issues / Maptun Stage 1

« on: 17 July 2017, 09:24:22 PM »

I've withdrawn my 9-3 from sale and am thinking about applying the Maptun upgrade I've had sat in the car for months:

Maptun Stage 1 Performance Upgrade, Saab 9-3 B205E 00-02 (9-3STG1-C). Upgrades the power from 150bhp/240NM to 225bhp/340NM.

I've been encouraged by this video which makes it look a lot easier / quicker than I was anticipating:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=un1wmP_USA8

The bumph recommends a trickle charge being connected as the ignition is turned on without the engine being on - I assumed it must take 40 minutes or something. If the above is anything to go by I'm not going to need a trickle charge as my battery is fairly new.

If I do get round to this I'll let you know how I get on  

14

Off-topic chat, Help, Advice, General motoring issues / Checking if car's you've owned in the past are still on the road

« on: 12 July 2017, 09:37:48 AM »

Got this idea from the Merc forum (mbclub.co.uk).

I know these sites are well known but I hadn't thought of using them to see if cars you've owned in the past are still about.

Still taxed/MOT'd:

https://www.gov.uk/check-vehicle-tax

MOT History:

https://www.gov.uk/check-mot-history

I had this Superb from new as a company car. I got made redundant shortly afterwards so the car left me around 10 months old and 12000 miles approx:



Poor thing now appears to be dead having appeared to have being used as a taxi going off the mileage (248k at last MOT) and the very poor MOT history.

Most other cars I've checked are long dead - some early ones lasting longer than I'd thought including my first car (Morris Marina) and a Ford Cortina which were both sold to mechanics for next to nothing. Had thought they'd been scrapped but they both lived on for another 4 or 5 years which does make me happy somehow. Glad they didn't get binned straight away.

Are any of your previous cars still on the road and you assumed they were dead?

15

Classic Saab 9-5 (MY 1998-2010) / DI Cartridge problem - symptoms?

« on: 26 May 2017, 04:33:17 PM »

The CEL light has come on and off several times in my new (to me) 9-5 Aero.

When the car was in having new brake disks, I got my non-Saab mechanic to put it through the diagnostics machine. Obviously not a Tech 2, but it came back saying there was an issue with the breather pipes and he found evidence of at least one of the pipes being perished.

For confirmation, I took this to a Saab Specialist with a Tech 2.

They relieved me of £54 to tell me it needed a new DI Cartridge. Just got home and realised they've put nothing on the invoice to say what the problem was - they've just put "To carrying out diagnostic checks" which is not very informative. I may be claiming through a warranty company so I think I just may need more detail than that! 

Are the symptoms of the CEL coming on for some journeys and then not for other journeys consistent with a problem with the DI? I have no problems starting and the car is running fine. Without the CEL light I wouldn't have a clue there was an issue.

Not sure if I'm being overly cynical in doubting the diagnosis from the Saab Specialist after they've put nothing in writing to say what Tech 2 said. New breather pipes would be a lot cheaper than a new DI.