9-5 3.0v6 TID Estate- whats it like?
Discussion
I'm looking to get something safe, reliable, large but with some go as well as a bit of economy. Downsizing from an xc90 to cheaper second hand car so we can supercharge are other car 
. Have been looking for ages at different cars and think these seem to tick a lot of boxes. Anyone got any experience good or bad with these?
. Have been looking for ages at different cars and think these seem to tick a lot of boxes. Anyone got any experience good or bad with these?Hi
Just coming up to 94k on an 04, had it from new.
Only problem outside of servicing was a small water leak on a heater valve.
SID generally floats upwards of 35mpg, but can drop as low as 30mpg id a lot of time is spent around town.
Great motorway car.
A lot of people have a downer on the 3.0 TiD, but speaking as I find it's been a great car, and I plan to keep it a while longer yet!
Just coming up to 94k on an 04, had it from new.
Only problem outside of servicing was a small water leak on a heater valve.
SID generally floats upwards of 35mpg, but can drop as low as 30mpg id a lot of time is spent around town.
Great motorway car.
A lot of people have a downer on the 3.0 TiD, but speaking as I find it's been a great car, and I plan to keep it a while longer yet!
Hi
Once it was out of warenty I started to use a local independant garage, generally for a normal service about 150 compared to 250+ at Saab, he even collects the car and drops it back.
Don't know much about other make's costs as I run 2 x Saab's, one of which is still under warenty so I have to suffer Saab's prices!
Happy hunting
Once it was out of warenty I started to use a local independant garage, generally for a normal service about 150 compared to 250+ at Saab, he even collects the car and drops it back.
Don't know much about other make's costs as I run 2 x Saab's, one of which is still under warenty so I have to suffer Saab's prices!
Happy hunting
Mr_annie_vxr said:
I'm looking to get something safe, reliable, large but with some go as well as a bit of economy. Downsizing from an xc90 to cheaper second hand car so we can supercharge are other car . Have been looking for ages at different cars and think these seem to tick a lot of boxes. Anyone got any experience good or bad with these?
If you want something reliable DON'T risk a 3.0TiD . Have been looking for ages at different cars and think these seem to tick a lot of boxes. Anyone got any experience good or bad with these?
The engines are a financial time bomb as they are prone to dropping cylinder liners at a drop of a hat and that means a new engine......and that's around £8000 from Saab....
While under warrenty, they are great cars, and when it works that 3.0Tid engine is nice.....but, I wouldn't touch one with a barge pole used, too big a risk IMHO.
Aeropilot, can you confirm that this is a personal experience you have had as I have spoke to several people in the trade, and they don't recognise it as a 'common' problem.
This is the same engine used in current models by GM in another well known brand!
If it is a personal experience, what was the build year and milage that fault accured?
John
Visit www.saabscene.co.uk, you will find several people with the dropped liner issue. Now admittedly that most forum posters are posting a moan rather than something positive, but it is fairly widely recognised that the 9-5 petrol engines are more reliable, more so the Aero engine which has a stronger turbocharger and is less prone to sludging. The 2.2 Diesel is regarded as a bit of a tractor.
I have a 2000 9-5 2.3SE Auto Estate, at its just been serviced today at 160k. Very little has gone wrong with this car, I have a former busines partner with an 01/02 facelifted 3.0 TiD whose had all sorts of niggly issues, and he's covered 50k less miles.
The Saab petrol engines are very efficient returning 34-40mpg on a long run 70-80mph cruise on the motorway, so aren't hugely different from the 3.0TiD.
Personally I would take a good look at an Aero, an added advantage is that it is likely to have all the toys and depreciated a lot from new and can be had at a relative bargain. When I get round to replacing my car, I'll be going for an Aero, but I'm sure I can eek out another 100k miles from my current steed.
davidy
Visit www.saabscene.co.uk, you will find several people with the dropped liner issue. Now admittedly that most forum posters are posting a moan rather than something positive, but it is fairly widely recognised that the 9-5 petrol engines are more reliable, more so the Aero engine which has a stronger turbocharger and is less prone to sludging. The 2.2 Diesel is regarded as a bit of a tractor.
I have a 2000 9-5 2.3SE Auto Estate, at its just been serviced today at 160k. Very little has gone wrong with this car, I have a former busines partner with an 01/02 facelifted 3.0 TiD whose had all sorts of niggly issues, and he's covered 50k less miles.
The Saab petrol engines are very efficient returning 34-40mpg on a long run 70-80mph cruise on the motorway, so aren't hugely different from the 3.0TiD.
Personally I would take a good look at an Aero, an added advantage is that it is likely to have all the toys and depreciated a lot from new and can be had at a relative bargain. When I get round to replacing my car, I'll be going for an Aero, but I'm sure I can eek out another 100k miles from my current steed.
davidy
Oh and BTW, if you have an older Saab then it will be serviced by a main dealer or authorised service agent cheaper. Over 4 years old 10% discount and over 5 years old 20%, you often have to ask for this though. It does apply to parts and labour and in my mind takes main dealer pricing very close to indie pricing.
I have a very good relationship with my local dealer (now an authorised service agent), my car is serviced every 5 months or so with my mileage, and currently am paying just over £200 inc VAT per service
davidy
I have a very good relationship with my local dealer (now an authorised service agent), my car is serviced every 5 months or so with my mileage, and currently am paying just over £200 inc VAT per service
davidy
Edited by DavidY on Friday 10th August 17:03
John D9395 said:
Aeropilot, can you confirm that this is a personal experience you have had as I have spoke to several people in the trade, and they don't recognise it as a 'common' problem.
This is the same engine used in current models by GM in another well known brand!
If it is a personal experience, what was the build year and milage that fault accured?
Not personal...I have an AeroThis is the same engine used in current models by GM in another well known brand!
If it is a personal experience, what was the build year and milage that fault accured?
As DavidY says do a search here on UKSaabs http://www.uksaabs.co.uk/index.php[/url] and as he mentions on Saabsecene, [url]http://www.saabscene.com/forum/?Cat=0 for the 3.0Tid horror stories.
Well it is a common problem, so much so that I've seen reports on the Saab forums from an owner that the new engines were on back order as demand exceeded supply.
Saab only sell a complete replacement engine, not a 'short block' unit which is why it's not unheard off for early used cars to be 'written-off' as the replacement engine cost exceeeds the cars value.
The engine in the Saab isn't exactly the same as the one fitted to Vauxhalls, as it was designed specifically for the 9-5 between Saab and Izuzu with unique Saab specific features, and before the similar units now used in Vauxhalls.
Guys
You are right, on the 'other' site, there is mention of the cylinder liner problems, however, it appears to be on pre 04 models, ie up to and including 03, luckily for me mine is an 04, which very shortly after getting it had the new dip stick which increased oil levels by just short of a ltr (or so I was told).
Re the Vauxhall use of the engine and it been different. I can't believe the main mechanics are any different to Saab given the cost of tooling, ie thay would want to make as many blocks as they can the same to maximise R & D costs, ie my 9-5 has the same mirror switch as a Vectra, the more they make, the cheaper they become!
The 9-5 3.0 TiD was my 1st Saab and I have been very please with it, as detailed in an earlier thread, outside of service cost's I have had only one small water leak.
I have (& still am) so please with it that I also have bought a 9-3 Aero rag top, and unlike all the threads on this and other sites, I appreciate it doesn't have the 9-5 build quality (or BMW etc), but I have no rattles, have great performance (Hirsch 230 bhp upgrade + springs), that all in all I think it offers great value for money (several grand cheaper than a BMW!).
All cars / manufacturers have problems, but to the guy who is asking about a 9-5 3.0 TiD purchase, I would say yes, but in view of recent research make sure its an 04 or newer!
K321
Yes it is, but some dealers just give it to you, others you have to ask!!
My car has always been Main Dealer serviced and they just let me know and applied the discounts on each invoice accordingly.
I've always had good service from the main dealers ad my other reason for doing it, is that the 2.0 and 2.3 engines (non Aero) have had oil sludging issues wrecking engines (often caused by prolonged use of non fully synthetic oils), Saab also have an 'unwritten' 8 year warranty on these engines due to these issues, but expect a full Saab service history before assisting with the replecement cost. I thought for piece of mind it was the way to go.
davidy
Yes it is, but some dealers just give it to you, others you have to ask!!
My car has always been Main Dealer serviced and they just let me know and applied the discounts on each invoice accordingly.
I've always had good service from the main dealers ad my other reason for doing it, is that the 2.0 and 2.3 engines (non Aero) have had oil sludging issues wrecking engines (often caused by prolonged use of non fully synthetic oils), Saab also have an 'unwritten' 8 year warranty on these engines due to these issues, but expect a full Saab service history before assisting with the replecement cost. I thought for piece of mind it was the way to go.
davidy
Just to add my comments, I bought a 51 plate v6 tid 7 weeks ago. It had done 59,000 when I bought and is already up to 68,000. I bought it as a cheap workhorse to cover big mileage so will let you all know when it dies! Anyone know a good indie in Norwich for servicing? It took the main dealers 3 days to tell me what the service intervals were, due to them apparently not seeing many. Seems like a lot of car for the money, but you never know if you've bought a cheap car until the day you sell it!!!
if you're anywhere near nottingham try wessy http://www.saabperformancecentre.co.uk/ or visit saab central for somw help
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