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2003 saab 2.2 Diesel should i buy?

  • 25-05-2009 10:23am
    #1
    hidden
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 23 ✭


    Hi, I am looking at buying a 2003 2.2 saab 93 diesel 90,000mls. I dont know too much about them, is there anything about them i should look out for? are they very expensive to service? are they very hard on juice(one web site i saw said they do 48MPG seemed ok to me), when do they need the timing belt done? i know the tax will be high (€860).
    Thanks


Comments

  • #2
    Biro
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,091 ✭✭✭Biro


    The 2.2 is an old Opel engine and is tripe. Look for the 1.9 diesel in the 93. Its from Fiat and is leagues ahead.


  • #3
    hidden
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 23 ✭hidden


    This car I am looking at is going for less than 6k I would love the 1.9 engine but there is no way I would get it that cheep.


  • #4
    godtabh
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 23,243 Mod ✭✭✭✭godtabh


    timing belt and water pump to be done at 60k


  • #5
    BnA
    Closed Accounts Posts: 616 ✭✭✭BnA


    I looked into this about 2 months ago. I have always had a Gra for Saabs and I needed to get a cheap diesel to last me a while.

    I saw that you could get a few of the earliest of the current model with the 2.2 engine fairly cheap, particularly in the UK.

    However, I came to the conclusion, that if I was going to do that, I might as well just buy the older model with the 2.2 engine altogether and save a few grand.

    Something like this...

    http://www.carzone.ie/search/Saab/9-3/2.2-Turb/200915192460783/advert?channel=CARS

    P.S. In the end, my neighbour who is a mechanic threthened to beat me up if I bought one and I ended up buying an old Passat instead.


  • #6
    furtzy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,464 ✭✭✭furtzy


    kearnsr wrote: »
    timing belt and water pump to be done at 60k


    Pretty sure they have a timing chain.

    Had this engine in a 03 vectra and it suffered from persihed fuel return pipes which is a very common problem with these. Symptoms are very poor starting and a lot of smoke when they do. Its an easy and inexpensive fix. They are a highly regarded engine and I never had much hassle with it but its very outdated and agricultural compared to the 1.9 150bhp Fiat unit I have now but I guess prices reflect that


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  • #7
    godtabh
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 23,243 Mod ✭✭✭✭godtabh


    furtzy wrote: »
    Pretty sure they have a timing chain.

    Had this engine in a 03 vectra and it suffered from persihed fuel return pipes which is a very common problem with these. Symptoms are very poor starting and a lot of smoke when they do. Its an easy and inexpensive fix. They are a highly regarded engine and I never had much hassle with it but its very outdated and agricultural compared to the 1.9 150bhp Fiat unit I have now but I guess prices reflect that

    The think that goes most on these cars is the timing belt and water pump. Had a look at one on Saturday and the log book has the change noted in it


  • #8
    furtzy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,464 ✭✭✭furtzy


    kearnsr wrote: »
    The think that goes most on these cars is the timing belt and water pump. Had a look at one on Saturday and the log book has the change noted in it

    But is it not a timing chain? Was always told it was and a quick google confirms it. So the chain should last a lot longer than the belt


  • #9
    godtabh
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 23,243 Mod ✭✭✭✭godtabh


    furtzy wrote: »
    But is it not a timing chain? Was always told it was and a quick google confirms it. So the chain should last a lot longer than the belt

    It’s a timing belt that the receipt I saw on Saturday said.

    Thats for a petrol if that makes any difference?


  • #10
    furtzy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,464 ✭✭✭furtzy


    kearnsr wrote: »
    It’s a timing belt that the receipt I saw on Saturday said.

    Thats for a petrol if that makes any difference?

    Would make a big difference. The OP was talking about the diesel which is definitley a timing chain so the OP would have one less bill to worry about. The chain should be good for about 120k miles.


  • #11
    cashmni1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 629 ✭✭✭cashmni1


    furtzy wrote: »
    Would make a big difference. The OP was talking about the diesel which is definitley a timing chain so the OP would have one less bill to worry about. The chain should be good for about 120k miles.

    I thought that some cars with a chain didn't ever need to be changed....I always thought that a belt needed to be changed but a chain would last for the lifetime of the car, so to speak. Nissan micra and some Mercedes engines come to mind.
    Please correct me if I am wrong tho..?


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  • #12
    furtzy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,464 ✭✭✭furtzy


    cashmni1 wrote: »
    I thought that some cars with a chain didn't ever need to be changed....I always thought that a belt needed to be changed but a chain would last for the lifetime of the car, so to speak. Nissan micra and some Mercedes engines come to mind.
    Please correct me if I am wrong tho..?

    Chain life and change intervals vary per manufacturer. Chains can stretch and wear prematurely if not properly lubricated also tensioners and sprockets can wear and fail so they not guaranteed to last the lifetime of the car but but usually require much fewer changes than belts


  • #13
    godtabh
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 23,243 Mod ✭✭✭✭godtabh


    Belts just go. Chains would give you warning


  • #14
    Eoin
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,263 ✭✭✭✭Eoin


    hidden wrote: »
    This car I am looking at is going for less than 6k I would love the 1.9 engine but there is no way I would get it that cheep.

    6K sounds like quite a lot for what is supposed to be a very rough engine.

    Are you sure you even need a diesel? It often takes more mileage than people would think before it really makes sense to go for one. Not that I'm anti-diesel, but I've just not heard many positives about this one.


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