Advice on an Aero

[Boneman]

Folks... I need car advice. I've had a couple of Volvo's...S60...now got a current shape S80...they've been good motors...but I'm hankering after a Saab. I've got a got of mates who love them and swear by them.

Now here's my dilemma. Do I go for a current (ie 06 - 07 plate) 9-5 Aero....or go for a pre face lift Aero? Or what about a 9-3 Aero? I need auto. I do about 25 - 30 k per year. I have my own business so can charge my company mileage...as long as it does 30 ish...that's ok. I want lot's of toys and for them to work....reliably. Most of my driving is motorway, but I love the odd blast.....

Please help and offer you insight....are pre face lift models better built than later ones...??? (I've heard....but maybe rumours...)

[aeropilot]

Forget the 9-3.

I personally (but I'm biased as I've got one) prefer the 04/05 shape 9-5 Aero's rather than the 'Dame Edna' 06-09 ones, especially the interior as the newer 06-09 ones have much more GM content in terms of audio/switchgear etc and IMHO the dash looks a mess compared to the older versions, and I also prefer the more logical location of the flappy paddle shifters on the older car rather compared with the newer one.

On my commute within the M25 boundary, I average about 24-25 out of my auto, 35 is easily achieved on a run.

Whatever one you go for, make sure it's got enough kit in it, as apart from the last of the line Turbo Edition ones which had all the extras included, a lot of the toys were extra cost options (or included in the Aero Lux pack for 04/05 and various convience packs etc for the 06-08 cars)
Don't be too bothered about having the factory Nav as it's not that brilliant, OK if its in a car that's nice, but don't walk from a good one because it doesn't have it.

[Boneman]

Aeropilot....thanks. Having scouted this forum, I was hoping you would reply.

I'll start hunting for a 9-5 then. Thanks for the advice on the kit. Happy with my Garmin Sat Nav. Will always prefer a separate Nav, no matter what car. For a very late 05 model, what sort of money should I be looking at for a low mileage, mint, loaded motor. Money is not really an issue, but we all like to get value don't we!!

I'm hoping this will last me until the new 9-5 is a few years old and proves (hopefully) to be a good barge bargain....!!

[NST]

Well i can only say one thing about the 9-3 2.8T, i wouldn't get one. (SAAB are you listening?)

The engine is causing plenty of problems with misfires, Boost control Valve, AMM (Air Mass Meter), and coil pack issues. This is probably in part due to the Hirsch upgrade imho, my email to Hirsch still hasn't been responded to. The current solution of replacing spark plugs/boost control Valves etc are short term fixes. But replacing the coil packs and AMM is very very expensive.

The engine is great when running.. smooth linear power, excellent fuel economy for power and excellent performance. But when it is causing small problems it is just a pain in the ar$e.

It maybe my style of driving (hard) and constant high WOT loads for extended period of time that is causing these problems, but imho this high lights the lack of testing by SAAB. My next trip to germany will be taken in something other than the saab..

great when it runs not so great when it is playing up.
Though it hasn't failed on me... (yet)

cheers
NST

[aeropilot]

NST said:

This is probably in part due to the Hirsch upgrade imho

I know of one owner with the Hirsch upgrade that hasn't had any problems yet, and another one, like you, that has.
I've also seen at least one one owner with a standard car that's had similar problems, but, I also believe that it affects the Vauxhall's as well...?

[aeropilot]

Boneman said:

For a very late 05 model, what sort of money should I be looking at for a low mileage, mint, loaded motor.

From a trader with a warranty you could be looking at up to £7k....but likely less.

Private, anything from £4k and upwards I would guess.

[NST]

aeropilot said:

NST said:

This is probably in part due to the Hirsch upgrade imho

I know of one owner with the Hirsch upgrade that hasn't had any problems yet, and another one, like you, that has.
I've also seen at least one one owner with a standard car that's had similar problems, but, I also believe that it affects the Vauxhall's as well...?

Yep effects the Vectra VXR as well.

I just wish SAAB would get on top of the problems.. The dealers are at a loss as to how they solve the problems. Vauxhall seem to be on the ball alittle more..

NST

[aeropilot]

NST said:

The dealers are at a loss as to how they solve the problems. Vauxhall seem to be on the ball alittle more..

Sadly, I suspect this is because Vauxhall are still GM, whereas Saab have now been cast aside and are now almost effectively a 'customer' of GM and are further down the food chain......which sadly is nothing new

[Boneman]

aeropilot said:

Boneman said:

For a very late 05 model, what sort of money should I be looking at for a low mileage, mint, loaded motor.

From a trader with a warranty you could be looking at up to £7k....but likely less.

Private, anything from £4k and upwards I would guess.

Fab....!!! A cheap car by my standards....

I'm fed up with depreciation....and changing motors every couple of years. I want something that I can keep for 5 - 7 years and put a load of miles on.....and be safe....and still have a modicum of style (subjective, I know!).

[Boneman]

Also...what's your advice on a saloon vs estate. I don't need an estate, but a mate (Saab 9-5 owner) say's it's a better proposition...?

[aeropilot]

Boneman said:

Also...what's your advice on a saloon vs estate. I don't need an estate, but a mate (Saab 9-5 owner) say's it's a better proposition...?

If you don't need it, then I'd say don't bother.

The estates hold their money a bit better, but then that means you will have to pay more for one in the first place. To my mind they also feel a little bit 'tinny' inside with the extra 'volume of space' behind the rear seats. The audio isn't quite as good in the estate as well, even if you get the AS3 upgrade option, as you are a speaker down with 8 instead of the 9 you get with AS3 in the saloon.

The boot on the saloon is actually bigger than the under cover load space in the estate, so it's only if you need to carry a bulky items(s) on a regular basis that means you should consider the estate.

[NST]

aeropilot said:

NST said:

The dealers are at a loss as to how they solve the problems. Vauxhall seem to be on the ball alittle more..

Sadly, I suspect this is because Vauxhall are still GM, whereas Saab have now been cast aside and are now almost effectively a 'customer' of GM and are further down the food chain......which sadly is nothing new

yep The 9-3 could be a great if saab had alittle extra money to sort out what is fundamentally a rather good car.

NST

[Boneman]

aeropilot said:

Boneman said:

Also...what's your advice on a saloon vs estate. I don't need an estate, but a mate (Saab 9-5 owner) say's it's a better proposition...?

If you don't need it, then I'd say don't bother.

The estates hold their money a bit better, but then that means you will have to pay more for one in the first place. To my mind they also feel a little bit 'tinny' inside with the extra 'volume of space' behind the rear seats. The audio isn't quite as good in the estate as well, even if you get the AS3 upgrade option, as you are a speaker down with 8 instead of the 9 you get with AS3 in the saloon.

The boot on the saloon is actually bigger than the under cover load space in the estate, so it's only if you need to carry a bulky items(s) on a regular basis that means you should consider the estate.

Thanks Aeropilot..

Looks like a loaded 9-5 Aero saloon is on the cards.... I'll start looking. The audio is important to me as I'm used to pretty damn fine audio in the Volvos.

[Boneman]

Aeropilot,

Any thoughts on whether the Saab xenons are worth it? I don't have them on the current motor. Had them on the previous Volvo....very very good. Had them on a previous Audi and they were pretty average....

Thoughts,

Peter

[John D9395]

Boneman

I had an 04 9-5 with standard lights (got rid 18 months ago), and an 05 Aero Rag Top (still have it) with Xeon lights. The Xeon lights on the 9-3 were much better in my opinion than the standard on the 9-5.

[aeropilot]

Boneman said:

Any thoughts on whether the Saab xenons are worth it?

If you are looking for a late MY05 9-5 Aero....then it will have xenon's anyway.....no choice to be made on that

[ylee coyote]

NST said:

Well i can only say one thing about the 9-3 2.8T, i wouldn't get one. (SAAB are you listening?)

The engine is causing plenty of problems with misfires, Boost control Valve, AMM (Air Mass Meter), and coil pack issues. This is probably in part due to the Hirsch upgrade imho, my email to Hirsch still hasn't been responded to. The current solution of replacing spark plugs/boost control Valves etc are short term fixes. But replacing the coil packs and AMM is very very expensive.

The engine is great when running.. smooth linear power, excellent fuel economy for power and excellent performance. But when it is causing small problems it is just a pain in the ar$e.

It maybe my style of driving (hard) and constant high WOT loads for extended period of time that is causing these problems, but imho this high lights the lack of testing by SAAB. My next trip to germany will be taken in something other than the saab..

great when it runs not so great when it is playing up.
Though it hasn't failed on me... (yet)

cheers
NST

Since my coil packs have been changed it run faultlessly (its on 27k now) I have had no problems apart from a door lock solonoid
I am very happy with mine
not a track car but it cover the ground faster than most things

[NST]

ylee coyote said:

NST said:

Well i can only say one thing about the 9-3 2.8T, i wouldn't get one. (SAAB are you listening?)

The engine is causing plenty of problems with misfires, Boost control Valve, AMM (Air Mass Meter), and coil pack issues. This is probably in part due to the Hirsch upgrade imho, my email to Hirsch still hasn't been responded to. The current solution of replacing spark plugs/boost control Valves etc are short term fixes. But replacing the coil packs and AMM is very very expensive.

The engine is great when running.. smooth linear power, excellent fuel economy for power and excellent performance. But when it is causing small problems it is just a pain in the ar$e.

It maybe my style of driving (hard) and constant high WOT loads for extended period of time that is causing these problems, but imho this high lights the lack of testing by SAAB. My next trip to germany will be taken in something other than the saab..

great when it runs not so great when it is playing up.
Though it hasn't failed on me... (yet)

cheers
NST

Since my coil packs have been changed it run faultlessly (its on 27k now) I have had no problems apart from a door lock solonoid
I am very happy with mine
not a track car but it cover the ground faster than most things

Hi mate

You definitely have the updated and revised Coil packs! the part numbers are different, with each coil now costing £200+ instead of £70..

Glad to hear it is running well. I need to source new coils, as mine are definitely causing problems

NST