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Greebo said:
floor pan, suspension, chassis, engine. Just the body work was Saab wasnt it? And the engine management was saab as well.
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The basics really are shared. Alternators, Aircon condenser, steering rack, Coolant expansion tank etc. Not a lot really. No different to how Audi is full of VW stuff.

Floor pan isn't even the same on the 9-5 at least as it is a lengthened version of the Vectra. Engine is Saabs own as is the gearbox, engine management is Saabs Trionic system which was very advanced for the time (Emissions is always fantastic come M.O.T time and can get 40's on a run which is good for a 2.3 which 300BHP in 2023 let alone 2004)

Just for example the front end of mine which was originally Vectra B based when first launched was changed to Vectra C half way through its life but that wasn't enough for Saab. The front arms, ball joints, anti roll bars, struts and even hubs were uprated and different to the Vectra counterparts to give a completely different alignment and track width. That is how mad they were at Saab.

I think this got slightly more diluted with the final 9-3 and 9-5 but don't really know much about them.
 
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The reason I poke fun was I remember the disappointment of my ex girlfriends dad who when he put this newly purchased SAAB on the lift noticed it had the same decade old rear suspension setup of his other car, a Vectra.
 
dLockers said:
The reason I poke fun was I remember the disappointment of my ex girlfriends dad who when he put this newly purchased SAAB on the lift noticed it had the same decade old rear suspension setup of his other car, a Vectra.
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Yeah the rear suspension is the same bar thicker anti roll bars etc but that isn't a bad thing when it is all multi-link and fully adjustable. All the manufacturers are the same though. The BMW E90 and F30 are very similar in their rear suspension with more evolution than revolution. (cheaper, thinner, stronger manufacturing processes rather than complete redesign) E30,E36 and E46 all shared the same front arms in basic form.
 
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adam cool dude said:
Yeah the rear suspension is the same bar thicker anti roll bars etc but that isn't a bad thing when it is all multi-link and fully adjustable. All the manufacturers are the same though. The BMW E90 and F30 are very similar in their rear suspension with more evolution than revolution. (cheaper, thinner, stronger manufacturing processes rather than complete redesign) E30,E36 and E46 all shared the same front arms in basic form.
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Greater than the sum of its parts. Another example is Alpina. They are pretty much all BMW parts, save some tweaks, fancy engineering, new wheels and interior materials. That certainly doesn’t detract from what they offer over the ‘standard’ cars, especially if you are in the 'know'.

What SAAB managed to do with the humble beginnings of Cavaliers and Vectras and those GM parts bin shouldn’t be undervalued; they were quirky cars but all the better for it. I miss my 95 Aero and I’m still aggrieved that the company doesn’t exist today.

Btw don’t forget the seats! The Saab interiors and their driving positions were soooo much better than the equivalent Vauxhalls, you certainly didn’t need a chiropractor after a long drive.
 
I've added a boring old B7 Passat to the fleet. Has the extra practicality of being an estate and the lower cost of being a dirty oil burner (£35 to tax/over 400 miles on a tank). Being effectively disposable I can park it anywhere, use it for tip runs and transport kids (and all thier paraphernalia) with little concern about the mess/destruction.

Does mean the Jag will have to go though. It's lovely and comfy and handles really well, but look at the size of it, its huge! Plus it's just too nice to ferry kids in. Will miss it.

 
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naefeart said:
I've added a boring old B7 Passat to the fleet. Has the extra practicality of being an estate and the lower cost of being a dirty oil burner (£35 to tax/over 400 miles on a tank). Being effectively disposable I can park it anywhere, use it for tip runs and transport kids (and all thier paraphernalia) with little concern about the mess/destruction.

Does mean the Jag will have to go though. It's lovely and comfy and handles really well, but look at the size of it, its huge! Plus it's just too nice to ferry kids in. Will miss it.

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understand the reasons why, absolute shame as its a beaut!
Seen a good few XJ's round the M25 and they are pretty damn long!
 
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Not the greatest shot! But got out and about in the sun today :)
 
mjt said:
Yes! #winning. B10 3.3 or B8? Not sure about the LCI front headlights with orange lenses at the front, and original clear lenses a the back though. Get some orange LCI rear clusters, I think it'll look nicer!
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Thanks it’s the B8 B10 V8. It has had a full respray and all rust removed and replaced with new metal.

Some may remember I’d only just bought a 540i but I’m not happy with the bodywork on that so thought why not upgrade.

not looked into the headlights but previous owner said they’re worth around a grand, there’s people with the clear willing to swap
 
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