Time to heat up? 9-3 TiD

[MonkeyBusiness]

I'm currently driving around in a Merc C220 whilst my 9-3 TiD gets repaired.
The heating system in the Merc is excellent and the cabin gets warm very quicky.

My Saab isn't a patch on this, taking a while to heat up. Is this normal for a 9-3? (or diesels in general). My car certainly isn't broken as the climate control does work, just takes a while get some heat out.

[dave_s13]

Don't some Mercs have a system that works off the battery to get some heat into the car immediately, if it's brass monkeys outside?

I clearly remember my old E39 was toastier, quicker than my current 95.

[LongQ]

My 9-5 Aero warms up pretty quickly - warmth starts to come through the climate system within a minute or two even in winter and engine temp gauge at normal with a couple of miles.

Had a 9-3 Tid on loan during the last service a couple of weeks ago and noticed that that the temp gauge didn't move at all for the first 4 or 5 miles. It wasn't cold enough to be concerned about the heater much but it did seem to take a while to get going.

So I assume this is normal due to less heat output from the engine or Saab ensuring the engine gets preferential attention during the warming cycle.

[threespins]

My 95 Vector Estate is the same, takes ages to get warmed up, the heated seat sort of compensates for it though.

[cozzmik]

my 9-3 gets warm very quickly and stays under half way on the temp gauge all day long.perhaps its a diesel problem.

[AnthonyC]

My 93 diesel takes ages to warm up ( escpecially when compared to my wifes Merc ), however, crazy as it may sound, if you take it off the automatic climate control and just turn the fan up, hot air comes through much quicker.

Maybe I should tell Saab ?

[MonkeyBusiness]

AnthonyC said:

My 93 diesel takes ages to warm up ( escpecially when compared to my wifes Merc ), however, crazy as it may sound, if you take it off the automatic climate control and just turn the fan up, hot air comes through much quicker.

Maybe I should tell Saab ?

That's interesting! I'll give it a bash when I get my car back (still getting repaired!)