Saab 9-3 TTid 2008 180bhp high spec

DE1991

Thinking of going for a change of car but dont want to financially cripple myself. Seen one in dublin for 6500 in a dealer, wondering if anyone has had experiences good or bad with this model?

PatL23

The Saab 9-3 is based off the opel vectra platform. Saab took the General Motors engine and highly modified it to their own spec. Any good mechanic will be able to fix it.
The seats are super comfortable with great lumbar support, equal to Volvo. Aero spec can be a bit stiff on Irish roads but it's still a great mile muncher and not nearly as stiff as a 3 series msport. On motorways you'll get 55mpg and 40mpg on short trips and that's with a heavy right foot. It has a 2 stage single turbo to reduce lag with great linear pull.

Like most cars it has its potential problems. Firstly the dpf, short trips really knackers the dpf, if you get one make sure you take it for a blast once a week in fourth or fifth gear with revs above 2.5k to activate regen mode which will super heat the dpf and spit out the soot. One thing you have to watch though is if you do a lot of short trips without clearing the dpf you'll potentially run into big problem when you try to clear it with a fast run. Oil levels can rise which will cause oil to be ingested into the turbo and cause something called runaway engine where the engine won't turn off and stays at same revs despite turning off the ignition. If this happens you need to put it into high gear and try to stall it with the brake as fast as possible or the engine will blow, ruining all auxiliary components, turbo etc. A replacement engine can cost North of 2k + labor.
An easy fix for this is to gut the dpf and blank the egr valve for 4-500(can be remapped to 210hp also), dpf can cost 1500 to replace. There are rumors that nct are going to introduce checks for dpfs, but a gutted one should pass as long as the physical component is there.
Alternator can be weak problem 4-500 fix. Make sure the cam chain and water pump is done, normally around 80k miles. If not done negotiate a better deal because this is vital maintenance at a cost of 6-700 AFAIK. Dmf is also another thing to watch out for.

As with most other cars if you search for problems on the Internet you'll read the worst but seldom the good experiences. Bmws have timing chain and turbo issues, different, dmf. Audi 2.0 have injector problems, dmf. Honda have exhaust manifold problems, dpf, Dmfs. Most modern refined diesels have these problems, wear and tear and some down to poor engineering. Ask the opinion of a few mechanics.
If still undecided buy a petrol or a Toyota.

DE1991

PatL23 wrote: »

The Saab 9-3 is based off the opel vectra platform. Saab took the General Motors engine and highly modified it to their own spec. Any good mechanic will be able to fix it.
The seats are super comfortable with great lumbar support, equal to Volvo. Aero spec can be a bit stiff on Irish roads but it's still a great mile muncher and not nearly as stiff as a 3 series msport. On motorways you'll get 55mpg and 40mpg on short trips and that's with a heavy right foot. It has a 2 stage single turbo to reduce lag with great linear pull.

Like most cars it has its potential problems. Firstly the dpf, short trips really knackers the dpf, if you get one make sure you take it for a blast once a week in fourth or fifth gear with revs above 2.5k to activate regen mode which will super heat the dpf and spit out the soot. One thing you have to watch though is if you do a lot of short trips without clearing the dpf you'll potentially run into big problem when you try to clear it with a fast run. Oil levels can rise which will cause oil to be ingested into the turbo and cause something called runaway engine where the engine won't turn off and stays at same revs despite turning off the ignition. If this happens you need to put it into high gear and try to stall it with the brake as fast as possible or the engine will blow, ruining all auxiliary components, turbo etc. A replacement engine can cost North of 2k + labor.
An easy fix for this is to gut the dpf and blank the egr valve for 4-500(can be remapped to 210hp also), dpf can cost 1500 to replace. There are rumors that nct are going to introduce checks for dpfs, but a gutted one should pass as long as the physical component is there.
Alternator can be weak problem 4-500 fix. Make sure the cam chain and water pump is done, normally around 80k miles. If not done negotiate a better deal because this is vital maintenance at a cost of 6-700 AFAIK. Dmf is also another thing to watch out for.

As with most other cars if you search for problems on the Internet you'll read the worst but seldom the good experiences. Bmws have timing chain and turbo issues, different, dmf. Audi 2.0 have injector problems, dmf. Honda have exhaust manifold problems, dpf, Dmfs. Most modern refined diesels have these problems, wear and tear and some down to poor engineering. Ask the opinion of a few mechanics.
If still undecided buy a petrol or a Toyota.

Thanks for the informative reply i appreciate it. I rang up and asked about the cam chain and water pump, he isnt fully sure as there is no markings on the engine, although with 100k miles done id be hoping it has been done. If not the dealer said it will be done before leaving the yard.

I do make a few short 10 minute trips a week to the gym, but also go from kildare to galway once a week to the gf's house so that should suffice to clear out the soot.

Changing from my 05 Passat 2L 4 motion. I actually love this car as its high spec with all the extras and just over the weekend spent 600 for timing belt, water pump and oil pump chain kit to be done. But i think its time to change while the passat has some value still. Once i can get a decent trade in value.

Any idea what i should try hold out for with the exchange? I knkw its just an estimate unless you could see both cars, but you seem to be well up on them so could give me a but of confidence before going up to negotiate

PatL23

DE1991 wrote: »

Any idea what i should try hold out for with the exchange? I knkw its just an estimate unless you could see both cars, but you seem to be well up on them so could give me a but of confidence before going up to negotiate

Old model passat or new? As with every purchase, Cash is king. If at all possible try to sell the car private firstly as you'll wont get anywhere it's real value trading in. 4motion passats are rare here but that won't matter to the dealer, depending on milage you'll get 3k Put it on donedeal(can be a pain in the hole). Don't overprice it and you'll sell fast especially With all that work done(list on ad with proof) and spec you'll find a new owner fairly fast.

If you want to trade he'll probably give you 1500 for your own maybe 2k at an awful push. If he does the cam and pump you may get it for 4500 your own money. If going with cash 6k with work done because in Ireland nobody gets the price they advertise lol. Labor and parts will cost him damn all

Remember its a buyers market as the market is flooded with newer UK imports and vehicles coming off pcp + saab no longer make cars so are hard to sell.
Best of luck

DE1991

PatL23 wrote: »

Old model passat or new? As with every purchase, Cash is king. If at all possible try to sell the car private firstly as you'll wont get anywhere it's real value trading in. 4motion passats are rare here but that won't matter to the dealer, depending on milage you'll get 3k Put it on donedeal(can be a pain in the hole). Don't overprice it and you'll sell fast especially With all that work done(list on ad with proof) and spec you'll find a new owner fairly fast.

If you want to trade he'll probably give you 1500 for your own maybe 2k at an awful push. If he does the cam and pump you may get it for 4500 your own money. If going with cash 6k with work done because in Ireland nobody gets the price they advertise lol. Labor and parts will cost him damn all

Remember its a buyers market as the market is flooded with newer UK imports and vehicles coming off pcp + saab no longer make cars so are hard to sell.
Best of luck

He offered me 2250 but wont come down from the 6750 for the Saab. So the 4500 is a bit more than i wanted to spend so im gonna put the car on donedeal and hopefully can get around 3 or 3250 then go back in with cash if the car is still there. The aero is nicer in person than i was expecting, kinda fell in love with it ha so hopefully its still there if i can sell mine quick