Saab 9-3 Diesels 1.9 or 2.2 relative merits / problems

Saab 9-3 Diesels 1.9 or 2.2 relative merits / problems

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Discussion

Phil C

Original Poster:

419 posts

282 months

Wednesday 25th February 2009
quotequote all
Planning to replace my daily driver and been looking at Saab 9-3's. Can anyone comment on the relative merits of the 1.9 v 2.2 diesel engine? Reliability / economy etc. Planning to use it as my daily driver to replace the ageing Golf...... The 9-3's seem to be available at some tempting prices.....(between £3-5K looks like it should bag something sensible)
Thanks

900T-R

20,405 posts

264 months

Wednesday 25th February 2009
quotequote all
Overall 1.9 is preferable to the point that the only reason for getting a 2.2TiD (which is the old Isuzu/Opel lump) is when it's really, really cheap. It's not quick or especially thrifty, a bit agricultural by today's standard, eats rotary injection pumps with some regularity and drinks a little oil (if not nearly as much as Vauxhall's 2.0 litre version in the contemporary Astra/Vectra/Zafira).

Piglet

6,250 posts

262 months

Thursday 26th February 2009
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I've got a 9-3, 2.2 (MY 2002) and it is a bit agricultural and noisy but to date, it's been pretty rocket proof (this is presumably where it self destructs tonight...), I've done 114k miles in it and haven't spent much on it at all.

We've just bought OH a 9-5 (MY05) with the same engine and his seems slightly more refined.

My Saab indy reckon that the 2.2 is pretty robust and doesn't cause them much difficulty.

aeropilot

36,519 posts

234 months

Thursday 26th February 2009
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Phil C said:
Planning to replace my daily driver and been looking at Saab 9-3's. Can anyone comment on the relative merits of the 1.9 v 2.2 diesel engine? Reliability / economy etc.
Not so easy, as you are looking at two different 9-3's..?

The 2.2 was fitted in the pre-03 shape 9-3, and the 1.9 is fitted in 9-3SS models from 03 onwards, so two very different cars not to mention different engines.

So, what year car are you looking at, if you want a pre-03 hatchback 9-3 then you will get the 2.2 engine, and if you want the post-03 9-3 saloon/estate you will get the 1.9 engine.

Edited by aeropilot on Thursday 26th February 13:33

900T-R

20,405 posts

264 months

Thursday 26th February 2009
quotequote all
aeropilot said:
Phil C said:
Planning to replace my daily driver and been looking at Saab 9-3's. Can anyone comment on the relative merits of the 1.9 v 2.2 diesel engine? Reliability / economy etc.
Not so easy, as you are looking at two different 9-3's..?

The 2.2 was fitted in the pre-03 shape 9-3, and the 1.9 is fitted in 9-3SS models from 03 onwards, so two very different cars not to mention different engines.
First few years of the 9-3 Sports Saloon got the 2.2 - Saab only got the Fiat/Alfa diesels in 2005 or so...

Phil C

Original Poster:

419 posts

282 months

Thursday 26th February 2009
quotequote all
Looking at both old and new shape. Old shape has hatch - hence nice and practical. New shape just looks a bit nicer and seem to be available for sensible money for reasonably newish cars..... not wanting to pay over £5000.......

aeropilot

36,519 posts

234 months

Thursday 26th February 2009
quotequote all
900T-R said:
aeropilot said:
Phil C said:
Planning to replace my daily driver and been looking at Saab 9-3's. Can anyone comment on the relative merits of the 1.9 v 2.2 diesel engine? Reliability / economy etc.
Not so easy, as you are looking at two different 9-3's..?

The 2.2 was fitted in the pre-03 shape 9-3, and the 1.9 is fitted in 9-3SS models from 03 onwards, so two very different cars not to mention different engines.
First few years of the 9-3 Sports Saloon got the 2.2 - Saab only got the Fiat/Alfa diesels in 2005 or so...
Sorry, yes forgot that. 1.9 came in at start of MY05 in Sept 04, so effectively first year only of 9-3SS was 2.2.

2.2 is a boat anchor though anyway smile