For Sale Well, that was unexpected.

[rantingYoof]

I'll be at home in an hour so you should be well on your way home by then.

 

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

[fatharris]

Well, that was also unexpected.

 

 

 

...and it wouldn't start after. Luckily, a Polish chap saw me struggle and helped me out so all is good, the immobiliser didn't disengage for some reason but it's fine now.

 

Found a lit carpark too!

 

 

 

Initial impressions are good, clutch is a bit low and the gear linkage wants looking at but there's a stack of receipts and the owner before last was a club member so it's had lots of work done!

 

Next stop, home!

[Jim Bell]

That does look lovely. Last of the propper Saabs.

[RoadworkUK]

Aye, lovely thing, that.

 

If mine had been turbocharged and manual I'd probably still have it.

[fatharris]

All well so far, just passed Swindon and averaging 38mpg. Car has only done 100 miles since the MOT in June and is loosening up nicely.

[rantingYoof]

I didn't have an onboard computer on mine.

 

Damned good thing, too. I can believe 12mpg around town.

[vulgalour]

That's swanky is that.  Apart from it breaking down, that's wanky.  Look forward to the in depth report on this one later.

[trigger]

That looks nice, godspeed on the journey back young sir.

[fatharris]

 

Home. Knackered. 38mpg average. Full write up in due course.

[Jim Bell]

Ur michael nightrider aicmfp.

[billyboy406v6]

Lovely car, well kollectined !!!!! Hope Mrs likes it ?

[320touring]

Glad you got back in one piece

[SiC]

Looks fab.

[rantingYoof]

Top collecting! That's a proper Saab...tripling its mileage since the MOT in one impromptu trip without any prior prep. And then doing nearly 40mpg in the process.

 

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

[Lacquer Peel]

Turbo?

[fatharris]

Of course. Ecopower, so the LPT.

[brownnova]

Great purchase!! Gotta love a 9000...

[BavarianRetro]

Hmmmm. A contemporary of the early E38s.

 

Discuss the relative merits and demerits of each and using an evidential approach, explain which is the better vehicle and why?

[Shep Shepherd]

Of course. Ecopower, so the LPT.

 

In my experience, the Ecopower LPT engines go very well, especially the 2.3 version. The FPT/HOT version is in a different league, however    

[jonathan_dyane]

Looks marvellous! I think I'm right in saying that to go full pressure you just need to plug in an APC valve and reflash the computer? Then probably change the clutch and HG....

[fatharris]

Now that you mention that, the seller did include an APC valve, and the car did once have a Hirsch Stage 1 ecu once. Might look into it further. The seller forgot to put in the advert that he had "a few receipts" with it.

 

Only really just getting up now, got to nip to town with MrsH (naturally taking the SAAB) and will get some photos done soon, promise!

[Lacquer Peel]

Hmmmm. A contemporary of the early E38s.

 

Discuss the relative merits and demerits of each and using an evidential approach, explain which is the better vehicle and why?

 

9000s handle like a bag of spuds.

[doobietoo]

Lacquer Peel, on 12 Nov 2016 - 12:46 PM, said:Lacquer Peel, on 12 Nov 2016 - 12:46 PM, said:

9000s handle like a bag of spuds.

 

True but in a str8 line the Saab will make the Beemer look like a slug on a saltflat... from 20mph up...

[SiC]

Now that you mention that, the seller did include an APC valve, and the car did once have a Hirsch Stage 1 ecu once. Might look into it further. The seller forgot to put in the advert that he had "a few receipts" with it.

 

Only really just getting up now, got to nip to town with MrsH (naturally taking the SAAB) and will get some photos done soon, promise!

I'll leave this link here:

http://www.txsuite.org

 

Open source ECU mapping and flashing Programmer for Tronic 5 (9000/900/9-3), Tronic 7 (9-5/9-3), Tronic 8 (9-3NG).

[dome]

Hmmmm. A contemporary of the early E38s.

 

Discuss the relative merits and demerits of each and using an evidential approach, explain which is the better vehicle and why?

 

Size and age wise they're more an e34 contemporary I'd say. I wrote this on another forum about my 9000 opinions many years ago

 

 

"9000 Aero's drive like a big hot hatch-lots of power-wheelspin as standard in the first 3 gears of my last one- torque steer that kept you on your toes(my party trick was to overtake cars on A roads by simply putting my foot down-the car would go into the outside lane all by itself  but they are however a well balanced and well setup car. I only had uprated bushes on mine and the handling was excellent. Compared to my mates Octavia VRs the Saab was faster, better built and the handling better-Octavias are pretty stiff and get their handling this way-through stiff springs and dampers whereas the Aero, although softer, had excellent controlled ride on bumpy B roads, loads of wheel travel so you were always in contact with the ground and excellent bump absorbtion. They also respond well to lifting off half way round a corner with the front tucking in or the rear stepping out depending on what you wanted-very impressive for such a big car."

[BavarianRetro]

I agree. They definitely are more of an E34 competitor. But fatharris has an E38.

[fatharris]

Well, some investigation is needed, because this car is not quick by any measure of the word. Ideally, I'd drive another ecopower 9000 to compare. It's on the to-do list.

 

 

Other things in the to-do list include

 

A damn good polish/clean. It has been sat around growing moss for months and the black paintwork is so heavily oxidised, it looks like Doom Blue.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The sunroof motor needs a look. Goes up and down, not in and out, also makes a whistling sound when supposedly sealed.

 

There is no stereo, but there are speakers. Nice easy job there.

 

The gear linkage desperately wants looking at. Looking at the pile of receipts, it's had a replacement. I'll hazard a guess that it wasn't fitted right, as 3rd and 5th are literally right next to each other, and the box is quite graunchy getting into gear. Concerning, considering its supposedly had a full box refurb in the last couple of years.

 

The clutch pedal needs looking at.

 

 

For one, it's got checker plate drilled onto it, secondly, there's a good inch and a half of play before the clutch begins disengagement, which has a low biting point.

 

The heated seats do not work.

 

 

Ditto the heated rear screen.

 

New headlights and indicators, and a rear light centre panel are required.

 

 

 

 

There's a loud noise when on full lock which warrants further investigation.

 

The idle is really erratic on startup and the car sometimes takes three attempts to start. I'm hoping this is a result of the duff battery.

 

Rear brake light out warning lights remain illuminated on the dash despite being fine.

 

Damn good service.

 

Exhaust has a slight blow.

 

Cruise doesn't work. Not that important really.

 

Rear window washer doesn't work.

 

Headlight wipers have a mind of their own, as usual.

 

And that's pretty much it. Despite the faults, it's a very endearing car. Perusing the service history proved interesting too, as the previous eBay advert was included.

 

 

This wadge of papers also showed how much had been done to the SAAB over the years, head gasket, replacement head, Hirsch ecu on, Hirsch ecu off, gearbox rebuild, it goes on and on and on.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The amount spent here on the pages is utterly mind boggling.

 

Seems a shame to let that go to waste.

 

Picture of the alloy wheel and the huge boot because I couldn't find anywhere else to stick them.

 

 

 

So, as usual, needs some TLC but generally runs, perfect compromise.

[RoadworkUK]

I'm well confused now. As far as I know mine was a non-turbo 2.0 (B204), yet the V5 stated EcoPower on it.

 

Having no turbo badge on the back would align it with either N/A or LPT, but its lack of performance definitely suggested N/A.

 

Oh, I don't know.

 

Here it is, anyway, while I'm feeling misty eyed.

 

 

 

I still think these are fantastic looking cars. I forgot the digital on-dash voltmeter, too!

 

Enjoy yours.

 

EDIT: Looking at your underbonnet shot, mine definitely didn't have that curved metal boost hose, so is therefore confirmed as having been snail-free.

 

Enjoy the illuminated front seat belt buckles and green illumination of the glovebox and cassette box!

[320touring]

Looks OK actually:)

 

Re performance. I had the 150bhp 2.0lpt in a 9-3.

 

Fucking grim.

[SiC]

The big lump of metal under the manifold looks suspiciously like a turbo to me.

 

Lacking in power and rough idle are probably going together. Things I would look at are vac pipe, plugs and coilpack initially. Plugs & coilpack are critical on a Saab as they are used to sense knock and also do timing. Worth getting plugs replaced as when worn they stress the coilpack and knacker them out. Take off the coilpack too and check for cracks. Ideally and carefully remove the plastic housing off the bottom and have a good inspection. Duff coil pack causes a whole manor of crap running. When they die, they tend to die completely and cause a FTP. Most Saab owners keep a known working spare in the boot...

 

New coilpacks really need to be genuine Saab if you don't want problems and for them to last. Unfortunately they're all pretty expensive.

 

My 185bhp 2.3t LPT is pretty lively. Not ballistic but gets a shifty on when prodded. As its a small turbo, it spins up very quickly which makes it nice and nippy for around town.

 

The only correct configuration of headlight wipers!