9-5 estate - second date

[tooSavvy]

OOOFF!!! That 12V 'jump pack' looks a given... for rugrats 'skipratt' skooter, eh?

 

Ha..

 

 

TS

[stripped fred]

Spent some time on this yesterday. Fixed the broken door mirror, which I now realise is heated after all. I glued a new glass into the backing plate.

 

I used some carb cleaner on the boost sensor as it was quite gummed up. The egr valve looks quite new so I left that for the moment as the car now starts, although it turns over for a few seconds before doing so. I checked the battery and it was 12.45v, 14.35v with engine running and 14.12v with electrical items switched on to put a load on the alternator. I think that's all ok.

 

I was impressed by the double sun visors although they confused me at first.

 

I've been out in this today. It does drive very nicely and is a great cruiser. The gearbox feels good but getting it into 5th is a struggle. I've booked it in the garage to get this looked at, along with the non working parking sensors, rear wiper and rear screen heater.

 

I've now mastered the cruise control although unsure where to put my right foot when it's on? I like the resume function. Note to self: don't 'resume' to 70mph when in third gear....

 

Managing to get over 50mpg at a steady speed but 40's in normal use. Pleased with that.

[beko1987]

I found I still covered the accelerator with my foot with the cruise on, my brain assuming that I was still pressing it, so when I needed to brake my subconscious could just move my foot over as normal.

 

After missing cruise on the new gooner I have to say I'm back used to not having it at all now, on anything less than a clear road I found I was pausing it, dropping down a few mph and resuming that speed constantly, then upping it again to where I was, then repeat etc

[Guest Hooli]

I find tucking my foot under the pedal is comfy with cruise on.

 

Good game for motorways is see how long you can go without touching the pedals but just turning cruise on n off as needed,

[stripped fred]

I found I still covered the accelerator with my foot with the cruise on, my brain assuming that I was still pressing it, so when I needed to brake my subconscious could just move my foot over as normal.

 

After missing cruise on the new gooner I have to say I'm back used to not having it at all now, on anything less than a clear road I found I was pausing it, dropping down a few mph and resuming that speed constantly, then upping it again to where I was, then repeat etc

I used it quite a bit today. It's a slightly strange feeling. I'm wary of putting my foot too far from the brake. It does make sense on a free stretch of road though.

 

One thing I noticed is that going down a steep hill, the car does speed up.

[stripped fred]

I find tucking my foot under the pedal is comfy with cruise on.

 

Good game for motorways is see how long you can go without touching the pedals but just turning cruise on n off as needed,

I will try that! It does accelerate quite fast when you hold the + button.

[stripped fred]

Not a bad result today although I realise it might be a bit optimistic. If it's anywhere near the truth then it's the most economical car I've owned (not factoring in any modern diesel repairs!).

[stripped fred]

Two things I need to sort...

 

The wonderful Saab seats give me backache! I think it's because the lumber adjustment is broken. Apparently you can fix this but it involves undoing the cloth on the back of the seat. Am I brave enough?

 

The headlights are sh*t. They are projector types with h7 halogen bulbs. They are already 120% uprated items. I think they will benefit from being adjusted as they don't reach far enough. A lot worse than the Sharan ones though and quite hard work, and a bit unsafe, on rural roads. I will try some osram nightbreakers but an internet search says that the projector lenses can go 'milky' on the inside and this may be the case with mine. New headlights are £250 each so that's not an option. There is a way to clean them using isopryl alcohol but it looks quite involved and maybe above my skill set.

[SiC]

Is the aim a bit low? Every Saab I've owned has been and needed winding up manually a few turns. Maybe try parking the Sharan towards a garage, mark (masking tape?) against the wall of the light cut off. Then swap and park the Saab in the same place and finally adjust the light height on the Saab to match.

 

Saab seats should be the most comfortable things you've sat in. If they're knackard, there should be plenty of replacement ones about cheap on eBay and much higher trim level too. You might even be lucky and have the wiring there for heated seats.

[beko1987]

I will try that! It does accelerate quite fast when you hold the + button.

Best fun I've had all year was pressing resume on the old gooners cruise from 30 with it set at 90... Only works on an auto though

[stripped fred]

Is the aim a bit low? Every Saab I've owned has been and needed winding up manually a few turns. Maybe try parking the Sharan towards a garage, mark (masking tape?) against the wall of the light cut off. Then swap and park the Saab in the same place and finally adjust the light height on the Saab to match.

 

Saab seats should be the most comfortable things you've sat in. If they're knackard, there should be plenty of replacement ones about cheap on eBay and much higher trim level too. You might even be lucky and have the wiring there for heated seats.

The aim is set very low. On the country roads through Lincolnshire this evening, I had cars driving up my arse as I was so slow. I couldn't see which way the road was going. I will adjust them up. I think new bulbs are required too.

 

I did pull over and give the headlights a clean as they were filthy after a while, which helped a bit. What happened to headlight wipers on saabs???

[SiC]

Replaced with high pressure headlight washers on the first facelift they did! But mostly only came on those with HIDs. Saab bulbs tend to last a long time, as the body computer regulates the voltage to 13.8v to make them last longer. I tend to leave mine switched on all the time. That way they come on and off with the ignition.

[clayts450]

I'm following this thread with mucho interest as a Saaaab is very much on my want list for mway cruising.

 

Bizarrely I rather like the old school 2.2 tractor engine, but it's interesting to see how the JTD fares in your ownership.

 

Keep the stories coming

[stripped fred]

Replaced with high pressure headlight washers on the first facelift they did! But mostly only came on those with HIDs. Saab bulbs tend to last a long time, as the body computer regulates the voltage to 13.8v to make them last longer. I tend to leave mine switched on all the time. That way they come on and off with the ignition.

Do you area mind of information on all things Saab. Keep the little snippets of information coming please!

 

I prefer the light arrangement on the VW where you can leave the side lights on, or an indication stalk down, when parked. I don't like not being able to do that also want my car to be seen on occasions.

 

I also prefer the ignition being permanently as I will sometimes leave something charging in the car.

[stripped fred]

I'm following this thread with mucho interest as a Saaaab is very much on my want list for mway cruising.

 

Bizarrely I rather like the old school 2.2 tractor engine, but it's interesting to see how the JTD fares in your ownership.

 

Keep the stories coming

The 1.9 jtd feels quite good. A bit gruff but smooth power delivery. It doesn't feel like 170bhp, or even 150bhp to be honest apart from when accelerating in 3rd or 4th. Maybe that's due to the weight of the car. I swear the 115bhp of engine in the Sharan is gutsier, although a lot noisier in my car. I think it's more due to the way the torque is delivered , and the gearing. The jtd seems efficient though judging by the mpg so far.

[stripped fred]

Getting it into 5th gear is a trial. It needs a throw to the tight, and forward. Then little nip to the left at the last minute . One time out of three it goes into 3rd. Hopefully this will be sorted this week as it does detract a bit. Luckily the gearbox and clutch feel strong, and no DMF rattles.

[stripped fred]

Another thing I've noticed is that, although the Saab is a big car, I think the Astra estate I had was more roomy in the load area. Certainly taller.

[twosmoke300]

Shame the headlights are crap , the 98 9-5 I had had mega lights ( proper old glass lights ftw)