It just keeps rolling along ...

[steventon95]

It's a MY2003 2.2tid Linear Estate. It's just past 185,000 miles and just keeps on rolling along. It rattles a bit on start-up, but I have a feeling that if I keep changing its oil regularly and treat it to new back tyres every so often, it will last for ever.

How long do these things keep going for ? 

[Audax]

If we're just talking about the 9-5 then I've an early petrol model with over 300k on it, no idea if it was the original engine or not but it had got a replacement turbo at least once in the past and it was getting scrapped due to the turbo exploding in reality it was starting to fall to bits and was a shed needing quite a bit of money spent. I also know of a 3.0 v6 tid that died at about 260k and again it had started to fall to bits, I've seen a fair few petrol cars with over 200k on them that have been OK. As for 2.2 9-5 diesels I think the highest mileage I've seen on one of them was about 170k.

The trouble is that by the time a 9-5 gets over 150k it's worth about 50p and when someone finds that to get it through an MOT will be £600 without a service and still needs a few hundred quid spending in the near future that's when they get scrapped.

[steventon95]

It's just got through it's MOT with a couple of unserious advisories, and its very good on depreciation ...

[Griffin Dave]

I have a MY2001 3.0 V6 petrol on 202,000.
Only needed wear and tear items, it will need a new exhaust in the next few thousand miles.
Nothing fallen off, still feels great to drive.
I don't mind spending a few quid on it as it's still loads cheaper than buying a new car.

[steventon95]

Wow, is that on the original engine ?

[Audax]

My second Saab 9000 was a 2.3 full pressure turbo and was scrapped at 285,000 and was on the original engine. Only reason it was scrapped was because it was tatty and wasn't economical to sort out the list of niggling problems, at the time I'd been offered another 9000 for £650 that was a totally genuine and solid car so the old one was easier to just scrap.

[sean treacy]

imho if you look after an ageing 9-5 and keep on top of issues that arise then they should again if looked after reach the 200k mark and beyond.if things start falling off that will be down to owner  neglect.i have had several saabs with well over 150k on them and NONE have fallen apart,so just keep changing the oil and most will run and run.

[Griffin Dave]

Yes, mines on the original engine, I had the gearbox re-conditioned around 186,000 miles and it's had the turbo replaced.
I change the oil every 6,000 miles or so.

[Norfolk Jim]

I had a 9-5 SE and sold that 3 years ago with 185k on clock (original engine, clutch and gearbox) and the guy that bought it off me really looked after it like I had and is still in same ownership and taxed till Jan 2013 so must be well past the 200k mark; the guy that bought it was a musician with a double bass. 3 years ago I sold it for £1950 and it was a 1999 SE 2.3 185 manual estate that Abbotts tuned to 265 with intercooler, downpipe, full exhaust etc. Nothing at all done to engine itself and sump had been kept clean by the one previous owner to me and likewise I did the same. Failed one MOT with cracked windscreen other than that never an advisory

I can see no reason at all for my 2.2tiD passing the 200k mark if I keep it that long. Bodywork and underside is all in immaculate condition and all running tickety boo (famous last words)

In fact I've never had a Saab (9000 or 9-5) that's had less than 118k on clock when I bought it and I generally put on at least 50k in my ownership or more.

My 9k aero on 'L' plate was brill - all tuned by Abbotts but engine original and gearbox and never ever let me down except battery went fut. I put on 85k faultless with no niggles and never failed MOT or had advisory.

Perhaps I've been lucky but then I am v careful when buying and DO keep highly maintained which hold there money well.

[mikeloadsasaabs]

I can see no reason at all for my 2.2tiD passing the 200k mark if I keep it that long.

We know what you mean Jim, but I don't think you mean what you said!

[Steve440]

While I was looking for my 9-5 Aero I looked at quite a few. One that comes to mine had about 250,000 on it and apart from a saggy drivers seat and some stone chips on the bonnet was 100% OK.

I was surprised how well it drove, the list of major replacements was a new clutch at about 175,000 and a turbo about the same time.

It had oil changes every 6000 miles or so and I would have considered it if the owner had been more realistic on the price with the mileage.

Steve

[CitTone]

I think the loaner I had during my last visit to the indie (for suspension bush replacement) was an R reg 9-5 petrol with 185K or so on the clock. Felt and ran solid but (cf. my 2.2TiD) felt a bit soggy in the engine department. I suspect it had whatever the base engine was in those days, though!

[Finbo]

Mine's on 156k (2.2tid) and still going strong. But I will look at changing it fairly soon for another with far fewer miles on the clock, purely because I'm doing 30-35k per annum with my business. But I have been thinking whether it may be better just to run it into the ground. The main dilemma is I need a car available day in, day out and inevitably as the miles climb things will need replacing meaning time off the road.
When having a look on Autotrader, I can't see much else that offers the space and comfort of a 9-5 for the price. They are excellent value for money secondhand.

[Norfolk Jim]

Uhummm - sorry Mike

Finbo with your mileage I would have thought it'll go on and on and on as it was intended by Saab for long distance cruising. It will be those that sit around for long periods that will suffer but yours with such regular use should be good for yonks!

The only other I did consider but money was rather more was the other Swede - a V70 SE D5 as they seem to last and offer good mpg. They seem though to have an Achilles heel on their injectors if not run frequently. I paid £3350 for my 2.2 tid Vector Sport manual estate on 55 plate with 118k miles and full dealer history. It also has heated electric memory seats which I found rare and the newer aero style front. The equivalent Volvo was nearly another 1k more. Although smaller I would have gone for a V50 2.0D SE like my wife's which is superb and averages high 50's but on 55 plate a good one was and still is around £6500

[steventon95]

It seems to me that the last of the 2.2tid's are actually a very good buy. The engine may be a bit agricultural and possibly a bit underpowered for the 95 estate body, but it's still got enough oomph for most day-to-day purposes.