helllooo Saab people

[skyrocketship]

Hello from the wedge forum

I have just bought a 2003 Saab 93 Aero 2.0T 210 Bhp (or so it says on the log book )

Going to be using it every day for work - mostly M25 and A roads around the shires.

couple of questions please -

1) Its got 2 months Saab warranty left - is there anything I ought to get checked out before the warranty runs out? - any known common problems etc ?

2) Whats the generally accepted service interval with these?

3) Does anyone know a good place (or email me if you know a bad place) in essex/herts to get it serviced?

Many thanks - here's some pics

[Piglet]

Hi

Welcome to the wonderful world of SAAB - I think all SAAB owners are a bit "special"!!!

I can't help on specifics or a dealer but when mine was coming up to the end of its warranty (I'd had it from new) I found a really good local independant Saab garage and booked it in for an end of warranty check - I think I paid £40 or simiar for it and I liked the peace of mind it gave me. I'm not been happy with the SAAB main dealer that I'd used (I had a free servicing deal) and really wanted to get an opinion from someone who didn't have a vested interest in NOT finding faults until the warranty was done!

[LongQ]

As a MY02 9-5 Aero owner I can't help much of the specifics of the 9-3 but mine came (from a SAAB dealer) with a 1yr/20k mile extended used car warranty. When that expired I was asked if I wanted to extend it again, which I would have done except that the cover is not available for cars with over 100k recorded.

It's not cheap but didn't seem that expensive either for what is covered and included AA cover. It would certainly give peace of mind for commuting. Might be worth enquiring even if you decide not to take it up.

For what it's worth my local dealer seems really excellent so far but I guess I am lucky in that respect.

[NiceCupOfTea]

Looks lovely!

Two Stroke To Turbo are based in Herts (between A1 and M11 IIRC) and I've found them to be a decent specialist.

[skyrocketship]

thanks chaps - its booked into two stroke for end of warranty inspection - not due for a service until 56k

[aeropilot]

skyrocketship said:

thanks chaps - its booked into two stroke for end of warranty inspection - not due for a service until 56k

Oh dear.....

I take it you are looking for a good independent rather than Saab main dealer...?

Only decent indie I would recommend is Howe Engineering, but they may be a bit out of your way.
www.howe-engineering.co.uk/

As for Saab main dealers, North City Saab in Chigwell are good, as are Viking Saab in Watford.

[nicecupoftea]

Don't you rate Two Stroke? Have had two jobs done by them and although they weren't cheap they seemed honest and didn't do any unnecessary stuff.

My indy of choice is West Midlands Saab Specialists in Erdington.

[skyrocketship]

aeropilot said:

skyrocketship said: thanks chaps - its booked into two stroke for end of warranty inspection - not due for a service until 56k Oh dear..... I take it you are looking for a good independent rather than Saab main dealer...? Only decent indie I would recommend is Howe Engineering, but they may be a bit out of your way. www.howe-engineering.co.uk/ As for Saab main dealers, North City Saab in Chigwell are good, as are Viking Saab in Watford.

I was charged £240 (incl vat) for new pads, skimming the front disks, balancing the wheels and 1 hours labour for the inspection at two stroke. I knew the pads were lowish and the wheels needed balancing - I was a bit surprised they didnt find anything else, I hope there is nothing else.

They quoted me £250 for the next service and approx £500 for a power upgrade - all of which sounded reasonable. The bloke I dealt with there seemed to know his stuff and I agree the prices are not "cheap" but they are not expensive either when you compare them to the rest.

Only thing was they are a fair bit out of my way, and the courtesy car was horrible but I would go back there if I could not find anyone nearer. - where are howe engineering? their website does not say...

cheers

>> Edited by skyrocketship on Sunday 26th February 18:54

[Truckosaurus]

Howe Engineering are in Hare Street out near Buntingford, so they are close to the borders of Herts/Cambs and Essex.

In my time living out that way in past, I've used all three of Two Stroke, Howe and Offords and would recommend all of them.

[nicecupoftea]

skyrocketship, did you get the n/a 9000 2.0 auto with 150k that pulls to the left?

I rather enjoyed it!

[skyrocketship]

skyrocketship said:

[quote=nicecupoftea]skyrocketship, did you get the n/a 9000 2.0 auto with 150k that pulls to the left? I rather enjoyed it!

No, I didn't and I was hoping for some old Saab to drive around in for the day, but instead I got some 1000cc Hyundai thing, which in itself wasn't to bad, albiet a little scary on the M25 and it did get a few laughs when I turned up at the office in it - BUT IT DID NOT HAVE A RADIO, which drove me nuts all day