Thread of several Saabs: Roof Success!!

[SiC]

20 minutes ago, Split_Pin said:

Yes thats the one, excellent sleuthing!

That could be an option.

I've learnt that these modern electric convertibles are all the same shit parts in them. 

Difference is that mine is worth a fair bit more still and too much money for me to throw away. So I have to fix it!

Even worse it's more complex and even more likely to fail than your 9-3. When it does, there is no proper manual override either. If the roof is stuck in the boot, you're shit out of luck for the most part. If the boot solenoid goes, there is no manual way of even getting into the boot. 

The battery is in the boot too...

[SiC]

13 minutes ago, MAF260 said:

Broadway?

Beautiful place, especially at Xmas time.

Yes! Also went to Boughton-on-the-Water. Not been to either for a while (probably was this time last year the last time) and just as much a tourist trap as they have ever been. 😂

[Split_Pin]

Identified another issue:

Hydraulic cylinder is pissing fluid out.

Looks easy enough to change, not sure if that's part of the cause of the roof thinking it's open, e.g. insufficient pressure to hold it shut?

[brownnova]

As the shiter that originally bought this car on to the forum from its many years living with an old dear on Anglesey… 

I’m surprised it’s lasted this long! But I’m glad it has.

Almost tempted to buy the number plate for old times sake… 

Anyway; I should probably go and write the advert I’ve been meaning to write for a few weeks for the Saab 9-3 convertible I want to sell… just in case 🤣

[Split_Pin]

I'd be happy to remove the plate and sell it for the cost of the transfer fee.

It's been a good car considering it was so cheap and the sad thing is, it still drives fantastic (bar the slightly tired suspension). It's definitely the quickest out of the 3 Noobed 9-3s I've owned and the gears and clutch are a joy to use, very light and smooth. Even the brakes are nice!

[N Dentressangle]

I'd be doing Cartakeback too. Fixit whackamole otherwise.

That gen of 9-3 seem to have gone from 'nice car' to 'dogmeat' with no interim stage. Plus they seem to have lots of QA problems - shame, as they could have been a really nice car. Middle aged convertibles never seem to be very desirable though, whatever the make.

[Split_Pin]

So I'm currently negotiating a courier price for this:

2.0 't' so it's a 175bhp, manual and generally looks nicer than mine. Higher range head unit as well. Failed MOT in May for lights and exhaust. Agreed on £300, will hopefully get most of that back scrapping NTH.

The latter has a few other parts which I'll be swapping over such as mirrors, lights, badges and of course the nice valve caps. 

[dome]

5 hours ago, Split_Pin said:

So I'm currently negotiating a courier price for this:

2.0 't' so it's a 175bhp, manual and generally looks nicer than mine. Higher range head unit as well. Failed MOT in May for lights and exhaust. Agreed on £300, will hopefully get most of that back scrapping NTH.

The latter has a few other parts which I'll be swapping over such as mirrors, lights, badges and of course the nice valve caps. 

If you end up buying that one definitely hold on to the other one as you're bound to need parts from it.

Can the noobtune ECU be swapped into the new one or is that too big a job involving keys too?

[Split_Pin]

Nowhere to store it and the cash would be handy.

I'll swap over lights, exhaust and anything else needed. Ill probably MOT it before I scrap NTH though, incase parts are required.

In terms of the ECU, I doubt they can just be swapped over although the key is married to the CIM not the ECU (or maybe it is as well!)

[Split_Pin]

Also, if anyone wants the plate J19 NTH for the cost of the £80 transfer fee, do let me know. I am currently oversubscribed on that side of things so if nobody wants it, It'll be spirited away with the car. 

Tagging a few folk I can think of who have form for private plates:

@brownnova

@Kiltox

@Dave_Q

@Jazoli

I'm not roffling it BTW, haven't the time or inclination.

[JMotor]

43 minutes ago, Split_Pin said:

In terms of the ECU, I doubt they can just be swapped over although the key is married to the CIM not the ECU (or maybe it is as well!)

I'd ask someone with Tech 2 first. 

As some GM stuff could have the ECU "divorced" from the car. IIRC it's basically removing the VIN number from the ECU which leaves it free to be fitted to another car and the new VIN programmed in. 

This what I had done with an 06 Vectra C diesel to get rid of a remap. I did all via Opcom. Can't remember if Opcom covers some later Saabs? 

But! Depends on the ECU's being the same part number and for safety the same engine. 

Do get the feeling it's probably quicker and easier to send the new car's ECU off to be mapped. It's not a everyday car so it could sit for a short time? But that's only IF you want get it done? 

Back to the subject. Yeah, these cars are almost a consumable now with the values of semi decent cars still reasonable money. Fixing a bad 'un an expensive and lengthy process for something else on the car to shit itself and landing someone back to square one. 

[Jazoli]

52 minutes ago, Split_Pin said:

Also, if anyone wants the plate J19 NTH for the cost of the £80 transfer fee, do let me know. I am currently oversubscribed on that side of things so if nobody wants it, It'll be spirited away with the car. 

Tagging a few folk I can think of who have form for private plates:

@brownnova

@Kiltox

@Dave_Q

@Jazoli

I'm not roffling it BTW, haven't the time or inclination.

Thanks but not for me this time, I'm only buying ones with family initials on, and I'm not changing my name

[Dave_Q]

1 hour ago, Split_Pin said:

Also, if anyone wants the plate J19 NTH for the cost of the £80 transfer fee, do let me know. I am currently oversubscribed on that side of things so if nobody wants it, It'll be spirited away with the car. 

Tagging a few folk I can think of who have form for private plates:

@brownnova

@Kiltox

@Dave_Q

@Jazoli

I'm not roffling it BTW, haven't the time or inclination.

Thanks, I would buy it to immediately roffle and make a few quid, so I'll hang on a few days to see if anyone wants it to put on a car first.

[Split_Pin]

Yeah Id rather someone put it on a car and then paid it forward when they were done with it 👌

Plate now provisionally spoken for now, cheers!

[Split_Pin]

1 hour ago, JMotor said:

probably quicker and easier to send the new car's ECU off to be mapped

My thoughts are this, such an easy process!

[brownnova]

2 hours ago, Split_Pin said:

Plate now provisionally spoken for now

If it doesn’t happen let me know and I’ll take it. 

[paulplom]

Third in line please.

[purplebargeken]

4th in line for the reg please

[purplebargeken]

Take off the noobtune heat sink!!!  Boot lid is a good un as are the rear lights. Bootlid rams  and hinges are sound as well. Seat belts are good, these can be handy to keep. Bonnet is good also.

[Split_Pin]

'New' 9-3 is paid for and deposit left with the courier. Set for delivery around 2.30pm, hope I'm not on a work call!

 

[purplebargeken]

It’s a shame when a car gets to this point, it was one of the most brisk cars I have owned, driving it back from getting NT’d was a bloody revelation, holy shit.  It felt a comfy and solid car and was a lovely looking design.  Hey, you can only go so far with something. This has a fair bit of roof work prior to my ownership.  Powered roof is lovely when it all works fine, utter twunt when not. At least there is a manual override. 
Well done for trying with it. 
 

The valve caps are nice aren’t they 😊

[Split_Pin]

1 hour ago, purplebargeken said:

valve caps

#1 thing I'll be saving!

It's definitely the nicest driving engine in all my 9-3s (which all had the same Noob map).

The new one might be a shed but I'll just use it as a donor to make NTH semi decent for hopefully another year. I cant really lose wother way!

[Split_Pin]

'New' Saab is on its way from Leuchars.

I love scrap money stuff because I won't care at all if it turns out to be a complete duffer!

[Split_Pin]

One in

[Split_Pin]

First impressions:

Bodywork is excellent, no rust and way better than NTH.

It's a different colour so no panel swaps.

Sopping wet inside and plenty dug hair. The mats are wet too so likely just condensation from sitting.

Sounds good, clutch is good. Radio works.

Tyres all good and decent brand.

Roof inop which I knew about.

Headlights just need a buff.

Rear exhaust is toast and hanging off.

Rear badge is delaminated.

Overall I'm very pleased.

More to follow!

[mercedade]

The 9-3  convertible I'm an occasional custodian of was absolutely sopping inside, but had totally water-tight roof AND cabin filter (two very common entry points).

Took a period of terrible weather but no discernible increase in internal dampness to realise it was a blocked AC condensation outlet overflowing back into the cabin. Hasn't been wet inside for 12 months now.

[Split_Pin]

11 minutes ago, mercedade said:

The 9-3  convertible I'm an occasional custodian of was absolutely sopping inside, but had totally water-tight roof AND cabin filter (two very common entry points).

Took a period of terrible weather but no discernible increase in internal dampness to realise it was a blocked AC condensation outlet overflowing back into the cabin. Hasn't been wet inside for 12 months now.

Where about is that outlet?

[mercedade]

21 minutes ago, Split_Pin said:

Where about is that outlet?

In an absolute fuckabout of a place behind the engine on the bulkhead.

If I remember rightly, it's actually not that bad for access, provided you can bend your forearm in the middle. I think I removed the turbo heat shield which was pleasingly straightforward. People talked about using wire coathangers, strimmer wire etc, but I just kind of squeezed it a lot as much as a could, like milking a cow (I imagine). In all seriousness, a lot easier to do than I'd imagined, just hard to actually see.

Imagine stolen from another forum

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i292/alfa16v/saab_9_3_sportcombi_2_0t_xwd_2009_other_engine.jpg

 

AC Drainage Problem - passenger foot well | SaabCentral Forums

[Split_Pin]

Thanks man, definitely worth a shot!

[Split_Pin]

Lights on the new Saab polished and relacquered.

Exhaust backbox is crispier than a pack of Golden Wonder. Availed myself of £94 for a new one from Neo Bros.

Also ordered oil and filter. I think its acceptable to nick the nearly new air filter from NTH.

In terms of the latter, part of me feels I should submit it for an MOT as well, just to see....