9-5 TiD 3.0 Vector Sport Estate - Info required please?

[Pablo16v]

Hi there

I'm in the market for a new estate car to replace an ailing A4 and I've been offered an '04 version of the above car with 80k on the clock and apparently in mint condition with full service history. I've not seen the car in the flesh but the pics seem to back up the description and the price is well below book so I'm tempted to break my tradition of VW/Audi ownership and try Saab.
Can anyone tell what to look out for mechanically with these cars and if there's anything in particular to watch out for at this mileage. It would also be good to hear some info on general ownership costs such as average MPG, servicing costs etc etc. I'll be adding about 20k miles per year.

Cheers
Pablo

[aeropilot]

'04 was the last year of the 3.0Tid engine and was when they finally fixed (supposidly) the engine failure problem with dropped cylinder liners.

Is there documentation to say whether it's had a replacement engine fitted under warrenty..?

If it's got it's original engine by now, maybe it's a late car with the revised engine fitted, as by now most will have had a replacement fitted as it's likely to have dropped a liner by now.

Other than the engine, the usual 9-5 things of missing pixels in the info display and ACC panels are common, front arb drop links normally need replaceing by about 60k miles or about 4/5 years.
Check it's got 94W rated tyres fitted.

[Pablo16v]

Thanks for the info aeropilot. I looked at the car last night and ended up shaking hands on it. It was first registered at the end of Oct '04 so perhaps it has the later engine. It certainly performed well enough and I can see why people rate Saabs so much especially when it comes to overtaking. The grunt in 3/4 & 5th gear is just crazy. Even my wife was enjoying the experience.
I can't tell if the drop links have been done but the service book is main dealer stamped up to the last service and as the car was company owned I'd hope that all the relevant mechanical work was carried out. As far as I can see there are no issues with the LCD displays. The dash will take a bit of getting used to after years of logical german ones but I like the quirkiness off it.
So far my first impressions of the car are extremely positive and I'm looking forward to driving something a wee bit different.

[aeropilot]

Pablo16v said:

It was first registered at the end of Oct '04 so perhaps it has the later engine.

Almost certainley, likely one of the last ones made, as the MY04/05 changeover occured in Aug 04.

Yes, the overtaking, mid range grunt is what Saab have always been about...

[John D9395]

I had an 04 (April) from new.

Car never missed a beat until 108k when it needed a new fuel pump (had a second hand fuel pump fitted from a 29k right off, still not a cheap job!).

Between 108 & 120k it had some rear susspension bushes and front drop links replaced (only to be expected at 120k).

At 120k I decided to change the car for something with lower mileage thinking I was on borrowed time (I do 30k+ / year).

SID mpg floated between 35 & 36 for the 4 years I had it.

Hope the car is kind to your back pocket!

[slippery]

My 3.0TiD is still running fine and my fingers and toes are still crossed at 152k. It's a 2002 by the way. Enjoy the car!

[Pablo16v]

Thanks guys. Very pleased with it so far and managed to rack up 300 miles at the weekend. Here it is

[slippery]

Knew I shouldn't have said a word, now one of my rocker cover gaskets is leaking!