Opinions on Saab 9-5 3.0 TiD

[mattc]

Hi

Does any one have direct experience of these cars? How do people rate them, whats the reliability like, what are the weak points

We are considering one of these for Nat (I am also considering renewing the 124 estate too)

 

[developer]

Hi

Does any one have direct experience of these cars? How do people rate them, whats the reliability like, what are the weak points

We are considering one of these for Nat (I am also considering renewing the 124 estate too)

Only very broadly speaking, I recall when i had my SAAB that the introduction of the 1.9TID engine was seen as a big step forward from the 2.2 and 3.0 diesel.

Have a nose around a SAAB forum for info.

Fabulous seats BTW.

 

[A210AMG]

Hello

My brothers had two Saabs, a 9-3 hot and then a 9-5 Aero Hot Estate, one manual and one auto.

Very nice cars for the money lots of standard kits, go very well athough front drive makes slightly wet roads interesting.

Quite pricey to fix so you need to find a good indy.

I guess you have looked at the E class also?

 

[moonloops]

Not had direct experience of the diesel 9-5 but it is a GM engine so well understood.

I've had a 9-5 Aero Hot, handling aside it was a sterling performer with no real problems. I never understood how I got so good economy from a 2.3 (250bhp) turbo ??

 

[Benzmanc]

Underneath in reality they are vauxhall vectras

 

[BlackC55]

One word. Boring

 

[A210AMG]

^?

Not sure I agree with that? for the money the Aero Hot Estate is a lot of car. Almost every option you can think of, 250bhp. Is it because its based on a vectra or fwd?

What makes it boring?

 

[91dm]

I'm sure the 3.0 has problems with the liners, I know in the vectra's it is a common problem.

 

[mattc]

thanks for the opinions so far.

was thinking of something like this one here. is seems to have all the toys.

 

[A210AMG]

Hello

One thing I remember my brothers having an issue with was the display on the trip computer the pixels went a little odd... Cheapish fix apparently though.

How about this one..

Auto-Sportiva : Saab 9-5 Vector V6 Tid FSH

Compared to a £3k merc you will not find any rust on it

 

[mattc]

A quick check on the old internet and that idea seems to be a very bad one!

 

[grober]

The V6 diesel was regarded as very unreliable. 9-5 1997 | SAAB | Car Reviews | Honest John
You get an idea how bad when they junked it for one made by Fiat!

 

[Gucci]

I quite like Saab, but a bit nervous at the state of the company. I'd feel exposed owning a vehicle from a defunct brand. Fingers crossed they don't go all Rover on us.

 

[A210AMG]

A quick look on the internet on almost any car and no one would buy anything....

E class..... Rust, radiator issues, electrical problems

5 series, turbo's blowing etc

You could find 'bad' info on any car out their. I think the best bet would be to join some Saab forums and ask around or search for info. Almost anything you buy around £4k will have some niggles I'm sure.

 

[bpsorrel]

Can't speak about the 3.0 Tid 9-5, but I had a 9-5 2.3T which was far from boring and over the two years I had it, rock solid reliable. Now I have a 9-3 convertible with the FIAT sourced twin turbo 1.9ttid engine which is a very, very good engine. Again, over two years (so far) no problems. Not sure where the negativity comes from. Yes, they're not rear wheel drive, but for the money, they are good cars. As for the state of the company, if the car's not under warranty, why worry. There's loads of Saab specialists out there and parts are guaranteed for at least 10 years, no matter what happens to Saab. Value for money cars, IMO.

 

[NOMONEYBUTAMERC]

A friend of mine has a 95 estate , duel fuel , runs it mostly on lpg. Now showing over 180k on a 5 year old car. Mainly motorway miles , but still on its original turbo and drives like new. Nice spec , comfortable car.

 

[davidjpowell]

Not sure about the 3.0 diesel, but the Petrol ones go on for big mileages, provided that the sump is kept clean on the 2.3 lpt version. Needs to run on fully synthetic, whereas the initial Saab spec was for semi-synthetic oil.

From memory the 3.0 diesel is not that fast, or economical, and given the economy (easily over 30 mg) you can get from the Petrol's make that diesel questionable.

I never found the parts particularly expensive (not that I needed many though) on mine, and it was very easy to work on.

 

[wemorgan]

Does any one have direct experience of these cars? How do people rate them, whats the reliability like, what are the weak points

I found this forum helpful when I had my Saab

Saabscene :: Saab Forum - Saab Technical Information Resource

Rightly or wrongly I don't associate Saabs with diesels, just turbo petrols.

FWIW I'd consider an Audi A6 2.5TDi or Honda Accord 2.2TCDi if I was after a large affordable diesel.

 

[grober]

The 6DE1 DMAX V6 engine DOHC 24V turbocharged engine with 170 PS (125 kW) and 350 N·m (260 lb·ft) of torque found in the Saab 9-5 is originally an IZUZU designed engine. [manufacturing rights bought over by General Motors] They were notorious for dropped cylinder liners around the 80K miles mark but this could happen at any time evidently. Th e problem was cured in 2004 around the time Saab dropped the engine. I have a soft spot for the Saab 9-5 which always struck me as perhaps the last of the good old fashioned value for money big saloons. However despite Saab's deserved rep for safety [ many of GM's present models have benefited from Saab's safety research] their construction precluded the incorporation of any side/curtain airbags during their production life. And its funny how small things can put you off--- have you seen where their air filter/intake is located?

here's a mod thread to give you an idea! http://johnossaab9-5.synthasite.com/9-5-open-air-intake.php

 

[John]

I found this forum helpful when I had my Saab

Saabscene :: Saab Forum - Saab Technical Information Resource

I can recommend that forum too - very helpful and nice bunch.

I had a 2004 9-5 Aero Hot Auto previously and it was a great all round car - longest I've kept a car (3.5 years).

They share the chassis with the Vectra but are not simply a Vectra with a different shell.

I think Spyker own them now but there are cash flow issues - my guess is this will be ironed out...

Plus points - great fun to drive, excellent handling, comfortable, fantastic mid-range ability, pretty good fuel economy considering 2.3 4 cylinder auto with a massive turbo running at 250BHP (I got late 20s even whilst giving it the beans).

Bad points - year on year, servicing was quite expensive from an independent for mine (around £400/£500 each year). Hard to get 250BHP / 350nm torque down when accelerating hard. You can feel the car grappling to get the power down - even with Conti Sport Contact 3s.

I've not heard great things about the 3.0TID using the early Isuzu unit as said - so avoid and go for 2005 onwards I would say. 1.9 might be a better bet.

However, despite the cost of servicing, mine never broke down and only needed two extra-cirricular items (DI cassette - common and replaced pixel display showing the climate temperature) - very reliable.