Saab 9-5 questions

danlightbulb

danlightbulb

danlightbulb

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Hi guys,

I'm looking out for Saab 9-5's to replace my old Mondeo.

I was mostly interested in 2002-2004 models, in the 2.3T HOT aero variety. Spotted one only yesterday on ebay for £1295 but it sold so I didn't get to view it. They are not easy to find, but there are quite a few overpriced ones around which presumably won't sell.

I have read that the 2.3t 185 bhp model or the smaller 2.0t 150bhp model can both be remapped to over 200bhp by Noobtube.

My main question is whether the engine is the only spec difference between the aero's or say the vector 2.0t or 2.3t models?

I think they come with 16" instead of 17" wheels which I'd be looking to change. Straight swap over?

Anything else I need to know about the lesser model? How does it drive after remapping? As fast as the aero? How about the suspension?


Anything you guys can offer in advice on this please.

Thanks
Dan
 
One thing I would say, is get the sump and oil pickup checked for sludging. It's known to make engine bearings fail due to oil starvation.
 
I would go and find an Aero straight away. It has a bigger turbo than the 2.3's and stiffer dampers, springs and up-rated anti roll bars. (Vector Sports have the same chassis as the Aero). They are generally better equipped as Aero's come with a lot of kit as standard. Most non Aeros do not have the bi-xenon headlights for example. 04+ has the revised breather system so anything before that I would look into its history to see if it has had the sump dropped and revised breather system fitted. Saying that all the lower 2.0 and 2.3 models will remap to over 200bhp with the aero again remapping into the 275bhp region.
 
2.3t has a different turbo which is known to fail at relatively low mileage, get the HOT if you can. The turbo is a different unit (Mitsubishi as opposed to Garret IIRC) which normally goes on forever.

Sludging is caused by 2 things - a PCV system with rubber components which break down, but revised in 04 onwards cars. The other thing is oil, the exhaust and turbo run under the sump so it gets very hot and semi synthetic oil sludges up under the heat - this is why they MUST have fully synth. If you are confident that it's always run on fully synth then there's no need to drop the sump but at this age the confidence is hard to find. Look out for failed rear shocks too, they're quite pricey and fail at lower mileages. 05 onwards is the final facelift - more modern interior, albeit with some lower quality materials and the dame Edna headlights. The last of the pre facelifts are therefore the cars to go for - 04/05, ignore mileage.

Value wise, they're a stupid amount of car for the money if you're willing to put time into finding a good one. Starting point for nice ones is about 2 grand - estate and automatic add a premium of about 500 quid each. Auto suits the car much better and the manual isn't the best gearbox ever, so the few mpgs are worth having the auto for.

Beware of dogs though and don't be afraid to walk away - I hopped on a train to Oxford from exeter to see a 2005 automatic saloon. It was on eBay at 1295, I wonder if that's the one you saw? Dark silver/gold? If that was the one then you dodged a bullet. The "dealer" assured me that it just needed a bumper respray due to a scuff but was perfect otherwise. I arrive to find the worlds dodgiest car washing business with some horrendous workshop and some used cars scattered around. The car looked ok but had 3 illegal and 1 barely legal mismatched tyres, all 4 wheels needed a refurb and there were a lot more scuffs and nicks than he suggested. Interior was absolutely filthy and falling apart. The engine cover was missing and the exhaust manifold was cracked into 3 pieces - the timing chain rattled very loudly at startup too. One of the xenon headlights was knackered and it squeaked and clunked over bumps like no other Saab I've driven. It was cheap and was expecting to put some money into it but this car was such a pig that it would have been a money pit.. So I walked away pretty sharpish.

Find a private sale or specialist, find a car that's been really cared for and don't get hung up on high mileage - you can find a great car for a small outlay if you do it right
 
The one i looked at was on ebay for 1295. It looked in great nick but sold before i could even arrange to view it. It was a 2002 manual estate. Its still on ebay not been took down yet.

So if they can be had for that price why £2k? There seem to be some very silly priced ones currently for sale, owners chancing their luck i guess.
 
Like I said, the ones to have are 04/05 cars for the revised PCV - the age accounts for the extra cash. However a well looked after 02 car may well have had the revised PCV parts fitted and would be a better car than a tatty 04. I'd personally prefer as new as possible though
 
Some adverts have stated that the sump has been dropped and cleaned and renewed oil parts installed.

I need to get a fairly cheap one. Ideally £1500.
 
nutcase_1uk said:
Noobtune not tube ;)
Click to expand...

Took my 9-3 Aero up to him in Nottingham. Proper car nut and nice guy. Took my ECU out and remapped it whilst we chatted away about cars. 30 minutes later I had 250hp up from 210hp :D

The cost you ask?

£80

Car has been faultless since.

If you do get a Saab I highly recommend going to see him.
 
ExRayTed said:
Took my 9-3 Aero up to him in Nottingham. Proper car nut and nice guy. Took my ECU out and remapped it whilst we chatted away about cars. 30 minutes later I had 250hp up from 210hp :D

The cost you ask?

£80

Car has been faultless since.

If you do get a Saab I highly recommend going to see him.
Click to expand...

I've only ever heard good things about Karl (?).
 
Yep, Karl's a good bloke. Great service by post, too.

Just beware that it can show up weaknesses in failing parts (particularly ignition coils). And, well, clutches too. :D

Well worth the money he charges IMO.
 
I loved my 95, its still going strong (sold it to a mates dad) just ticked over 250k :cool:

As above be wary of the sludge issue otherwise they are bullet proof :)
 
I've had 2 HOT Aeros. A 1999 and a 2005.

The 2005 one at some point had the seals go where the drive shafts come out of the gearbox, I think it ran low on transmission fluid, this caused some play or slack in the gearbox, meaning it could judder a little if you lifted off and accelerated again. It also had a whine from the gearbox, it's worth looking out for.

The gear linkage can wear as well causing a sloppy gear change, fairly easy fix though.

I had a mapped ECU for the 1999, sadly the engine blew shortly after, I think it had some sort of underlying boost issue.

Other than that I love these cars, the power delivery is superb and the seats are the best I've ever had.
 
The manuals are pretty weak generally, the other issue is the bonkers locking mechanism - people often try and yank it out of reverse and end up snapping the locking bits. The auto suits the nature of these cars so much better and is quicker off the line in the real world :)
 
I love Saabs and funnily enoughw as looking last night. 9-3 Aero 03 was mine the pre dash change one... was superb, mine was remapped at 252bhp and 245lbs of torque, shifted and was bullet proof. Bought on 55k miles and I sold on 165k miles... the only thing is, DO NOT LET THEM RUN OUT OF FUEL AS THE FUEL PUMPS BURN OUT! Design flaw!
 
I had a 54-plate 9-5 Aero a fair few years back, and also had the Noobtune - I actually went with DIY service, where Karl sent me ECU with map on it (after providing him some details), I fitted it and sent him back the original ECU. Power went up nicely, although - as others have said - it started to show weaknesses of car (i.e. Clutch slip)......fab car, got rid when the throttle body died as was planning a change anyway.

Loads of car for the £s, just make sure it is a good one :)
 
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