9-3 2.8 T Aero

[NST]

I'm thinking of getting a 2.8 T Aero (2006 (55 plate) manual. MrsNST used to get 9-3 1.9 vector sports every 6 months in the company car scheme which gives me some questions which i'm hoping this forum can help with!
what i noticed was the general interior build quality was poor (rattles)and the leather seats would be worn on the bolsters quite early on, is this common?

Is the 9-3 generally reliable with the V6 engine? anything i should know about mechanically if i was to do 17-20,000 miles year? is mpg really bad on the motorway? can i expect 30mpg @75mph? low 20's around town?

any differences between the vector sport and aero in interior spec?

should i get one over a ST220? I used to own a ST220 so i know what they are like, but the wife thinks i should get the saab to be different!

cheers

NST

[NiceCupOfTea]

I can't speak for the engine but I have heard that the interior quality is sadly lacking

My dad had a convertible and it was a bit grey to be honest. His issue with the car was electrical gremlins. Many problems with the steering lock failing to disengage, and then the central locking packing up while on a European tour. He just had to leave it unlocked everywhere!

I head they are a good drive (passive rear wheel steer) and are reasonably nippy. Depreciation is an issue but probably no more so than the Mondeo!

[NST]

Thanks for the reply. The wifes 9-3 used to have the odd central locking issue, the car would sometimes unlock the car, when i went to check if the car was locked by pulling on the door handle the doors would open and set off the alarm ! LOL!

[aeropilot]

The interiors did get a bit better from about 06 onwards, but they are still not that great, although there is some improvement in the latest 08 models interior wise.

The V6 is thirsty, you should get low 30's on a M-way though, and low 20's around town, although I have seen posts of sub 20's Oh, and you'll want to make sure you get a pre-Mar 06 car for the cheaper VED, as the V6 is poor CO2 emissions wise, so a post Mar06 car will attract the top wack VED rate.

If you can live with the fuel and VED costs, the trouble you'll have with the V6 is trying to stop yourself getting a ECU upgrade for 285hp and a stonking 480Nm of torque.....DIY plug and play all for just over 600 quid....

[NST]

is this the same upgrade as the dealer hirsch(sp) option?

[aeropilot]

NST said:

is this the same upgrade as the dealer hirsch(sp) option?

No. The factory approved Hirsch upgrade is 275hp/400Nm and is a bit more expensive at £850+vat plus dealer time.....but it won't void the Saab warrenty (not an issue on a car older than 3 years of course) and it does give a more production car feel to the extra grunt rather than a more 'tuned' feel of the BSR software that I mentioned.
You can get the Swedish BSR upgrade in the UK from here :-

http://www.elkparts.com/product_info.php/cPath/76_160_838/products_id/3317