I think I need a complete new exhaust for the Carlsson

[sgould]

The exhaust is broken.  I think I need a new rear section, if not a complete exhaust.  I will investigate further, but I bandaged up some bits last summer before we drove to Berlin, so the end is nigh.

It's a cat-back exhaust for a 9-3 Carlsson.  So XWD with twin round tailpipe ends.

Any sources other than Jetex?  Their suppliers are a bit vague as to the exact specification.  I've seen Heuschmid, but their exhaust is €1900...

[carrera]

Have you considered getting a custom made stainless exhaust made ?

I had one done a couple of decades ago (not for a Saab) & the cost was much less than I suspected

[sgould]

That's what I will be exploring.  I doubt it will be cheap if it's any good.   (and I've just had a new boiler fitted...)

[Audax]

With my 2.0T XWD after I got it I took it to indysaab in Rushden and one thing they found was that there was a crack in the Y section. They advised that I should get it welded ASAP as it was NLS from Saab so I got them to arrange to do it as they know a guy who can sleeve it and repair, they've said it should now last a good long while.

If you can't get it repaired then I'd look at a custom system, I was advised £560 would get me a full exhaust with lifetime warranty in 2022 from https://www.longlife.co.uk/ however this was for my old single exit hidden tailpipe for the old Aero, so I'm guessing a full system for an XWD would be a bit more with inflation and the extra bits, perhaps £750-£800?. Another option might be a system from maptun? https://www.maptunparts.com/exhaust/maptun-sport-exhaust/4640/cat-back-twinpipe-9-3-ii-xwd-twinpipe-maptun.html is 660 Euro but not sure how much VAT and shipping and fitting would be.

[sgould]

Thanks!  I remember seeing the Maptun one a while back, and I had forgotten them. That gives me a starting point.  I will get some quotes locally and see how it goes.

But first I need to get under and see if it’s just noisy, or about to fall off!

[welshwizard]

Try Redhill classics.  Joe in Epsom told me about them as they said my NG exhaust was on its way out but still going strong after 2 years!!  So not gone to them yet but they might be able to fabricate a fix for you.

[sgould]

I think Joe got my 9-5 flexi replaced at Redhill Classics.  But it was quite expensive for a flexi and two welds.  Maybe cheaper if I get a whole one done.

I found these in Slough.  They talk a good job, but may be even more expensive.  https://www.profusioncustoms.com

BUT... I have been under the car and the rear right silencer is gone.  So has the centre resonator at the branch. The bendy pipe between the two is flopping about, but still sticking in at both ends, so not completely detached.  However the rear silencer is held in place because it's wedged against the plastic bumper at the back and resting on the anti-roll bar at the front.  A bodge will be needed before I drive anywhere.

[sgould]

Waiting on a couple of quotes for custom stainless.  But in the meantime I have found that the (currently unavailable!) last listed cost of the original mild steel parts from Saab, as list on esaabparts in the US would convert to over £700.  Then you would have to get them fitted…

The rough price suggested for a custom stainless exhaust is about the same, possibly cheaper.

It looks as if all the aftermarket offerings keep the front pipe and remove the silencer at the tee piece, replacing it with one in the longitudinal line. Similar to the German offering.

[sgould]

I've found a detail of a replacement 9-3 XWD exhaust from Germany.  I'll see if the UK guys can do something similar.

[phoenix]

Apparently the Jetex sounds very nice- not too roarty. I've also heard that if you take your car to them there's a good deal to be had with fitting.

[sgould]

I looked at the Jetex one.  Going there to get it fitted would be no problem as my son & daughter-in-law live nearby.  But it's showing that the one I want is out of stock, and the more local(ish) custom builder has quoted a stainless exhaust for about the same price.  I'm speaking to the local guy in the morning to see what the details are and the timescale.  SWMBO is (very) keen to have her car back.  She is a professional singer and is not insured to drive my car on business trips.

[sgould]

I have accepted the quote from Redhill Classics.  It's a touch more than Jetex but it's doable in a day, there and back.  She will have to use my car for a week, as they are quite busy.  But it's fairly quiet at this time of year and not much professional singing after Christmas, apart from funerals...

[sgould]

Car is home with a new exhaust.  Sounds different, but perfectly acceptable and quiet on the motorway with no drone.  Not cheap, but not a lot more than the off the shelf ones.

[carrera]

Good news, so you are back up to two cars again then 

[sgould]

Yes.  Two cars, both working!!

It involved two train journeys across London.  I took the car down yesterday afternoon and returned by train.  I left the garage at 4.00pm and expected to be home by 5.15.  After a landslide at Crawley stopping trains coming north and a fatality a East Croydon stopping trains going south, there was chaos on Thameslink and I got home at 6.45.  Then this afternoon I left Watford at 1pm on the direct train to East Croydon.  We only went one stop and the train stopped due to a points failure at Harrow.  Everyone was told to take the slow train into London and go on the tube or overground, or whatever.  I chose the tube to London Bridge and the man on the gate hadn't heard about the points failure, so I had to pay again.  At London Bridge they let me use the original ticket again.  Instead of arriving at the garage at 2.30pm, I arrived at 4pm and caught the rush hour on the M25 on the way home and got back at 5.30pm.  Two fairly wasted days.

Tomorrow the man comes to fix and certify the gas supply.  After the boiler was fitted, the guy tested the whole house and found there was a small leak   Nothing too serious, but better fixed.