1998 Saab 9-5 2.0t

Tr1p

Tr1p

Tr1p

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20 May 2009
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303
Evening,

I have been offered my dad's 1998 Saab 9-5 2.0t. He has had this car almost 2 years, him being the second owner. The car has just clocked over 170K and has some issues that need fixing.

The exterior just needs a really good machine polish to bring up the colour better. However the left hand side rear quarter window has shattered as someone fell on this while drunkenly walking past the car, sourced one for £25.

He has offered me this car for £600. I think it's quite cheap for such a car and I drive it regularly now, as such I am used to the power and am seeking more. How reliable are these with a stage 1 remap on the standard parts? Has anyone got any experience with them? Also, does anyone know of a good steering wheel refurb company or person? It's looked a bit worn and worse for wear. If not I'll seek a replacement.

Thanks
 
Afaik the Saab 9-5 is one of the worst cars out there for reliability.

At 170k and 14 years old I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole. I cannot believe he is actually making you pay for it when it needs work doing to it. Adding a remap will probably kill it.
 
Not issues really. More just asethetic thing's I'd like to fix. Like the worn steering wheel, worn gear lever, some dead pixels on the information display and worn bolster on drivers seat. Nothing major.

However, when I get it, I will change the oil, filters and spark plugs.
 
OpenToSuggestions said:
Afaik the Saab 9-5 is one of the worst cars out there for reliability.

At 170k and 14 years old I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole. I cannot believe he is actually making you pay for it when it needs work doing to it. Adding a remap will probably kill it.
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If that's not a massively misinformed post, I don't know what is..
 
OpenToSuggestions said:
A very old Saab 9-5 with moon mileage, a bust window and various other problems being sold to you for £600 is hardly a good deal.
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Hardly moon mileage, 170k over 14 years is just over 12k p/a, so average mileage for it's year.

Any car with tax and test for £600 is a good deal, provided it works. In automotive terms, it's almost throwaway money.
 
OpenToSuggestions said:
A very old Saab 9-5 with moon mileage, a bust window and various other problems being sold to you for £600 is hardly a good deal.
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The onus is now on you to find a better car for £600!

Presuming the car here has had a good reliable history too, otherwise the OP wouldn't be entertaining buying it al all, nor would his dad of kept it. Sounds like it's been a reliable workhorse, has been looked after, and would be a good buy to me?
 
-westy- said:
If that's not a massively misinformed post, I don't know what is..
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This.

£600 isn't too bad, especially for a car you "know". Engines are essentially bulletproof unless it's the V6 (which it isn't). Only issue engine wise is sludging and the PCV system being up to date, which should have been taken care of as part of servicing, but best to check.
 
Bought a 1999 9-5 Estate a few years ago for £1000 with 150k on the clock and it's still going with my ex's mum driving it around now. The only real main issue with these is the rear shocks going and the engine oil sludging up which requires the sump to be dropped & the oil pick up cleaned etc. Other than that, not a bad car for the money, average running costs if on the heavier side of fuel usage. Comfy though.
 
I have now got the car from him, and the signs do lead to the engine suffering from the oil sludge. I am going out today to buy some fully synthetic oil to replace what is in there. Now I don't do any mechanical work myself so would I be insane to try and drop it and clean it myself?

Anyone have a rough estimate of what a garage would charge? Would ring around, however it is a Sunday so nowhere is open.

Cheers
 
Tr1p said:
I have now got the car from him, and the signs do lead to the engine suffering from the oil sludge. I am going out today to buy some fully synthetic oil to replace what is in there. Now I don't do any mechanical work myself so would I be insane to try and drop it and clean it myself?

Anyone have a rough estimate of what a garage would charge? Would ring around, however it is a Sunday so nowhere is open.

Cheers
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It's probably an hour maybe 2 max, we done one last week as the pick up gets blocked and reports low oil pressure.

There is nothing major in the way of the sump, just a couple of hours labour to remove, clean and refit and then refil with oil.
 
I've had my 1999 Saab 9-5 2.0 lpt for about 18 months now.

As soon as i got it i had the sump dropped and cleaned - Cost me roughly £250.

I change the oil every 4k (Shell Helix 5w/40 fully synth)

I also had a stage 1 remap done. There is a guy on ebay, Did mine for £150. You just tell him your VIN and he sends you a pre-programmed stage 1 ECU to fit. You can then resell your standard ECU (or keep it). It took it from 150bhp to 210bhp. Whilst not bum tingling exitement, it does leave a smile on your face. I was looking at Maptun/BSR but this will set you back £500-600.

Fuel economy around town is pretty bad but motorway is reasonable. I average about 21mpg in my auto. (thats a 2mile motorway + 6mile back road drive). Full motorway @ 80mpg returns about 35-40mpg according to my SID.



Problems i've had in 18 months-
1. break hose corroded (£100)
2. high presure power steering hose burst (rubbiing on rad) - £50 for a good condition 2nd hand one fitted it myself + £10 for p/s fluid.

need to be done for next MOT
1. front anti roll bar rubber mounts
2. hand brake cable
+ whatever else comes up :D

Very comfortable drive, heated leather seats in the winter are amazing.

Edit: Also when i had the sump dropped/cleaned, I fitted the new breather kit to stop future sludge buildup. Think it cost about £70 but may have gone up slightly since I got it.
 
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Cheers for the info Jay.

I am going to get a garage to drop the sump and clean it. I don't feel too confident doing it myself. Although if anyone here wants a stay then feel free. Obviously would be grateful for your time. Unlikely though.

Aslong as the sump is cleaned with a oil and filter change I think it will last a while yet with routine changes.

The remap is of interest to me though. Will have a look and see what I can find as that seems a good deal.

I've only had it 3 days but have done 80 miles of town and stop start traffic with a little carriageway driving and averaged 23mpg.
 
The sellers name is b3ryl_88.

Also, check what colour your injectors are - mine were Green and I had to buy some higher flow Bosch red ones. (fitted to Aero's and 2.3lpt 9-5's). This cost me about £90 for refurbed ones, and about 1.5hrs to fit.
 
Jay said:
The sellers name is b3ryl_88.
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Cheers for that. WIll have a look.

I've just booked it in at a garage and they are only charging me £125 to drain the sump, clean it, refill with oil and change the oil filter. I think that is rather cheap.
 
The sealant is Loctite 518 - cheaper to buy it in a loctite tube, and they may already have it. Don't forget to get the cam cover as well. And get the oil pickup strainer cleaned out.
 
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