Saab 3.0V6 Diesel

[splatthefat]

Are the mentioned cars any good? Seen a '51' estate with sensible miles and service history for good money, thinking of something like that to replace Clive the C5 as I'm still not sure whether I like it or not. Other possibilities are an Ohmygod 2.6V6 estate, or a Mongdeo V6 (fancy something that will get me to work on time lol)

 

CJ

[Albert Ross]

If it's the Isuzu engine, watch for hardening seals in the cooling system. To get to the water pump, it's a cambelt off, timing cover off, timing gears off, and pump off (The water pump is oil immersed....) Proper twat of a job. Once you fix one water leak, as the system repressurises, another leak is found. Otherwise it's a Vectra isn't it? Oddly a google search on engine cc brings up Renault Vel Satis and Grand Espace. DO these also use the Isuzu unit or is it a coincidence?

[splatthefat]

Thanks for that, hmm could all be the same engine (yes it is the Isuzu lump) I suppose. Just checked Wikipeado (which is never wrong lol) and yes it is the same engine.

 

CJ

[pompei]

I'm afraid I can offer no practical advice other than to say that my 9-3 1.9 diesel experience has put me off oil burners for life;- DMF/clutch issues and swirl valve/manifold problems saw to that. Thankfully, I never had any EGR problems but the forums are full of people who have. I think that might have been down to taking the mechanics's advice of giving it a frequent Italian tune up and sticking cleaner in the fuel. I don't know whether the V6's are prone to these problems.

 

Other than that I really liked the car, so much so that I am picking up a "proper" Saab 9-5 tomorrow.

[Rocket88]

If you want a quick diesel, VAG PD [after 2000] with a re-map, at least 150 bhp, Skoda Estate for choice. Most faults are cheap to fix [EGR / N75 valve are usual suspects ] autos are a bit fragile [usually 150k miles before box gets snotty] Because they're not too lardy, they're a quick old bus, 50 mpg even if caned. Eleventy billion taxi drivers can't all be wrong

[splatthefat]

Thanks for your input, I had thought along those lines myself, or on a similar vein the Algi A6 estate, but finding one that isn't worn smooth for less than a bag of sand is hard going.

 

CJ

[R9UKE]

An EXCELLENT engine. One of my Vel Satis has it. As a rule I hate diesels but this engine has me almost tempted to drive it daily. It did 49 MPG on the 300 miles trip home, sitting under 2000 rpm at 80 MPH, absolutely brilliant. Settles at about 35 around town. Bags and bags of torque, can be a lazy cruiser or an absolute animal if the mood takes you.

 

Albert's right. There's been a spate of overheating Vel Satis' around, all with the 3.0 dV6. Touch wood, mine has just hit 112k miles, we've had it since 80k, and there's been no major engine issues at all. Belt change interval is 120k miles or 10 years.