SAAB! There, I said it.

[mintwth]

Obligatory pez station shot of my 18 year old Swedish bit on the side

 

[Agila]

Taken today after a wash. It's looking all sexy ready for sale.

 

[Vantman]

I have just bought this back!😃  It has been in the AS fold since i sold it in 2017.

[KitKat]

I have a 900 Turbo. Bought in July in 2019, spent a lot of time and money going through it with new brake callipers, discs, pads and hoses all round, new shocks all round (and springs soon), new head gasket with new exhaust valves, rebuilt the rear axle and had it blasted, painted and fitted new bushes. 

I’ve done a a shit-ton of welding to it: LHF driveshaft tunnel, rear inner arches, inner RHF wing and complete new outer wing, rear shock mounts....

Relocated the battery to the boot and fitted a JT 3” down pipe the other week. 

I love it. Can’t think of another retro/classic car that is quite so well-rounded, and ticks so many boxes: styling, space, fuel economy, performance, comfort, safety, and appreciated by a broad spread of personalities. 

[mercedade]

I need to pick the collective Saab hive-mind.

My dad's 55 plate 9-5 (2.3T) has a very occasional sulk about starting. Car unlocks, responds to button presses etc, but doesn't start. It cranks over and over but no hint of firing. He usually resolves it by swapping keys with my mum which he convinced himself was working for a while, but even that's stopped being a reliable fix.

He says when it happens (which is by no means regular - it is super erratic) the only post-event symptom is a puff of black smoke (definitely not blue smoke, he says).

I had a similar thing on my CLK - albeit my CLK wouldn't even crank - which turned out to be my electronic ignition switch, but I haven't seen much info on Saab forums about this kind of fault. 

Any hints? Cheers all

[Saabnut]

You need to get it on a Tech-II which will probably identify the fault. Could be many things from a failing ignition switch or a failing CIM unit. The puff of black smoke will be unburnt fuel injected whilst there is no spark, repeated occurrences will kill the cat. I have a Tech-II but suspect I am a bit far away.

[mercedade]

On 26/10/2021 at 09:18, Saabnut said:

You need to get it on a Tech-II which will probably identify the fault. Could be many things from a failing ignition switch or a failing CIM unit. The puff of black smoke will be unburnt fuel injected whilst there is no spark, repeated occurrences will kill the cat. I have a Tech-II but suspect I am a bit far away.

Yeah, agreed - on all counts. Presumably even a decent Delphi knock-off isn't going to cut the mustard, and only a genuine Tech-II is going to work.

And thanks for the offer, but yep - he's down in Hampshire, so even further away than me

[Jazoli]

58 minutes ago, mercedade said:

Yeah, agreed - on all counts. Presumably even a decent Delphi knock-off isn't going to cut the mustard, and only a genuine Tech-II is going to work.

And thanks for the offer, but yep - he's down in Hampshire, so even further away than me

You can use Vauxhall's op-com for quite a lot of things on the GM Saabs, You are right about the Delphi's, they don't really do a lot.

[grogee]

I am hopefully collecting this tomorrow, if the stars align. I hope it is completely fault free but I am also a realist/pessimist, so I also have a Tech 2 in readiness.

I am assuming, recklessly, that they are as well supported on the spares front as our other late friends from MG Rover.

[Saabnut]

Almost everything for a GM Saab is readily, and mostly cheaply available. First port of call should always be Bill Jones at Saabits.

[grogee]

The car shown in pictures is not what I'd hoped. Noisy PAS, bad paint job on front bumper, interior is a bit tatty and there's only one key. Which doesn't remote-thing. Also, very spongy brakes. 

All may seem trivial but I think there are better ones out there. 

[grogee]

This is what I'm up against:

"An immaculate example..."

I don't mind the scrape in the bumper. It gives me something to do. But don't pretend it's immaculate when it isn't..

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110278955818?onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=Used&model=9-5&include-delivery-option=on&postcode=cv472tu&sort=distance&radius=1500&advertising-location=at_cars&make=Saab&page=3

[mintwth]

From the look of things, there may be a few other inaccuracies in that ad.

[grogee]

1 hour ago, mintwth said:

From the look of things, there may be a few other inaccuracies in that ad.

"Just one former keeper"

Previous owners: 4

[TheOtherStu]

I'll be completely honest, I'd have loved a Saab Estate (and said so when selling the MR2). But it scares me about parts availability (same reason I ended up not getting a 75/MG ZTT).

I know they're quirky, but having a Saab key on the keyring is much more interesting than the usual modern shite. I can imagine it probably has an interesting user community too.

[Saabnut]

2 hours ago, TheOtherStu said:

I'll be completely honest, I'd have loved a Saab Estate (and said so when selling the MR2). But it scares me about parts availability (same reason I ended up not getting a 75/MG ZTT).

I know they're quirky, but having a Saab key on the keyring is much more interesting than the usual modern shite. I can imagine it probably has an interesting user community too.

If it is an estate you want, there is really no problem regarding parts. Spares for the really old stuff can be more difficult, but I basically daily a 1990 900 and have had no problems. I needed a brake cylinder for a 2 stroke Sonett at short notice and had it the next day. For a 9-3 or a 9-5 (the only estates since the 1978 96 V4) almost everything is readily available. You might need to go secondhand for a few trim bits but there is a good supply of breakers. The users are all mad though........

[aldo135]

3 hours ago, Saabnut said:

If it is an estate you want, there is really no problem regarding parts. Spares for the really old stuff can be more difficult, but I basically daily a 1990 900 and have had no problems. I needed a brake cylinder for a 2 stroke Sonett at short notice and had it the next day. For a 9-3 or a 9-5 (the only estates since the 1978 96 V4) almost everything is readily available. You might need to go secondhand for a few trim bits but there is a good supply of breakers. The users are all mad though........

Just seen there is a ‘93 900 for sale in Aberdeenshire! Advert is a couple of months old though…

https://www.uksaabs.co.uk/UKS/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=206462

 

[JMotor]

I too have delved into Saab ownership.

It's the best built MK3 Astra I've owned 😆.

Even as a 150bhp model is actually quite punchy. Bet a Noobtuned one would be quite nippy.

If it wasn't for another car incoming. I might of kept it*. 

*Someone please do a buy?

[mintwth]

Anyone have a good source for DICs? 

Looks like mine has died. 

[Saabnut]

21 minutes ago, mintwth said:

Anyone have a good source for DICs? 

Looks like mine has died. 

Saab 9-5 ignition parts - SAABits UK, Worldwide shipping

 

Use code UKS2021 for a UKSaabs discount!

[Wgl2019]

1 hour ago, mintwth said:

Anyone have a good source for DICs? 

Looks like mine has died. 

Make sure you replace the spark plugs too, you don't wanna break your new DIC 😉

[mintwth]

Just swapped my DIC for a known good workshop example that the local saab specialist lent me and now she's firing up as normal.

It's satisfying when the parts darts works first time. 

From the looks of things mine wasn't a genuine saab DIC (no saab markings/stickers on it at all). It didn't give any early warning of imminent failure, just went from starting fine to no spark at all.

[Split_Pin]

I guess I can join this now!

This bargain lovely was collected from @SRi05 last Tuesday. Previously owned by @NorthernMonkey who fitted a new engine with a new chain and guides. Bought with a 'battery not charging' message on the SID. Ive been using it all week and it's certainly seems to be charging fine. 

It's a Vector spec with the GM 2.0 low pressure turbo engine and an auto box. I've never really considered a 93 as I always just assumed it would be like driving a Vectra C but this is closer to Lexus levels of refinement in my opinion. It far surpasses the Rover 75 in terms of quietness, smoothness of transmission and the ride is pretty much on par too. Its also a lot bigger than the 75 which adds to the presence. 

I've bought a service pack and a thermostat and once I've lobbed all that in I'll just see how it goes.

 

[SRi05]

I couldn't be without one for long

[Schaefft]

A Saab 9-5 was high on my list as winter beater while in Germany. Unfortunately I couldn't find a cheap local one.

[Mally]

My ex   @SRi05  9-3 has just sailed through it's MOT.

Just as well I left them alone with the other 2 as above.

I can now bide my time, hopefully for up to 12 months.

[Six-cylinder]

On 1/30/2021 at 9:59 AM, Six-cylinder said:

Saab, these are in the past, but I am not cured and I am hoping in the summer a deal will be struck with a friend to take on another one.

It did happen and I now own a 1973 Saab 95. 

Part of the deal is it can stay inside its garage until the spring where it has been for 20 years. Then I will be looking for help to collect it and recommission it.

[brownnova]

Because I’ve got other things to drive I’ve largely ignored my 9000 since it broke down. I should probably resurrect it as I really do love the car!

It either needs a new air-con compressor or a non AC drive belt to bypass the compressor altogether.

And an MoT… as that’s nearly out too. Might try the other Saab specialist in North Wales this time, as even though it’s a little bit of a trek I’ve not been over happy with the service at the more local one. 

[Vantman]

4 hours ago, brownnova said:

 

It either needs a new air-con compressor or a non AC drive belt to bypass the compressor altogether.

 

@brownnova Non aircon drive belt here--https://www.saabits.com/all/saab-9000-ancillary-drive-belt-non-air-con.

[FruttyFrutty]

I sold my last 900 a few years back & put the funds towards a house purchase. I should have just lived in the car.