Saab 9-5 vm98-

Jos lontoo taipuu niin tassa vinkkeja:

K, I have searched through the 9-5 forum but I can't see the info I am after.

Can I have some input from current 9-5 owners as to the sorts of things to look out for when viewing a Saab 9-5 as
a potential purchase. The one to be viewed is a 1999/T 9-5 2.3t Wagon - but all information covering the range of
Saab 9-5s would be welcomed here to serve as a guide for future users.

NB: Can we keep this one on topic please, it will then be a useful thread in the Saab 9-5 forum

TIA
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Posts: 5090 | From: Brighton, UK | Registered: Jun 2000 | IP: Logged |

mcwill

Saabisti
Member # 1093

Member Rated:
posted 10-09-2003 12:55
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(From a 99/T 2.0t Estate)

Items to check

Rear shocks (Common problem)

ECU/EMU/Whatever the black box is called, should have been replaced by a recall.

SID pixels (As always - although I didn't have any problems in the 3 years I had mine)

Front fogs are pricey to replace if cracked.

Hows that for a start.
Iain
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Posts: 146 | From: Northants | Registered: Apr 2002 | IP: Logged |

Leon (9-5 stg2)

Saabscene Staff
Member # 831

Member Rated:
posted 10-09-2003 14:35
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I'll sticky this for a while, get as much feedback as possible, then perhaps us mods can get together and do a full
write up?? I know we keep saying it

Thanks Mcwill, excuse if I cover your input already!

Engine:
Blue smoke on start up, a fairly common problem on lpt variants, saab have introduced modified parts over the life span but
can still be a problem even on later cars.. up to MY00 is rife!
Ultimate cure could be a new turbo.
Can effect HOT models too, but is quite rare.

PCV system, check the 2 main hoses 1 comes off cam cover just behind 'SAAB' should be firm but squeezeable, other is a
smaller bore one to the left running to metal breather pipe that terminates at the intake pipe.

Rattles, the 9-5 engine is a little more vocal than its 9000 cousin, due to reduced weight, i.e less metal! Check for usual
things, timing chain rattle, etc.

Oil leaks, Common issue is the head gasket leaking oil on the right hand front corner, decide for yourself how serious each
leak is!
Check for oil leaks around the throttle housing, on platic inlet pipe models, there is an O ring that can get lost/brittle, ¨
easy 47p fix!
Check for oil leak around timing cover, known prob on early models, now appears fixed by modified parts.

Transmission:
Auto box appears reliable so far, no real known faults, usual autobox checks apply.

Manual box, check engagement of reverse and 5th, another known problem, again saab have modified parts in place now.

Front wheel bearings can be short lived, check for noises under cornering.

Suspension:
For some reason the 9-5's rear shocks tend to be fairly weak, and can leak oil at a low mileage!
OEM parts are not cheap either!

The car in std trim can feel a little floaty, but the ride should be quiet and sublime!

Check for any unusal suspension noises, it should be quiet, any knocks or clonks will need further investigation.

Body:
SID unit....
All too common, not many get away with it, at £160 a throw not cheap, SID still works, you just can't read the info
correctly, most appear to have some success with fairly simple repairs , good bargaining point all the same!

ACC panel, ditto SID, tends to loose its symbols over time, but should still function correctly!
Also whilst checking do a re-calibration, check fault codes , this is done by holding auto and off buttons together.
If theres any fault codes stored take care, as some repairs can be very costly!

Check for recalls, as with most new cars, there were a number of recalls early on, contact a saab dealer with the cars
details,
ask them to check for any outstanding recalls.

A couple of problems that may not be apparent on test/viewing, Throttle bodies went through a period of failure,
any check engine lights, make sure you get the fault code pulled, not simply reset.
DI cassttes, seem to have a life of anything between 60k miles and 150k miles! £190 part from SAAB, doesn't appear
to tell you when its failing, simply refuses to start at some point! Check the plugs are the correct SAAB spec, i.e
NGK BCPR 7ES-II, NO OTHER make of plug should be used on DI cars.

Once engine is started the only dash light you should see is the 'INFO DISPLAY' checking the SID will probably
show TEST BRAKE LIGHTS simply press the brake pedal to clear the SID and light, no ther dahs light should be on.....
except maybe the fuel low light
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Posts: 2475 | From: Herts, UK | Registered: Oct 2001 | IP: Logged |

sgould

Motor Mouth
Member # 946

Member Rated:
posted 10-09-2003 14:39
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Soggy / blocked crank vent pipes and PCV valve.

Random stalling.

Throttle body change (may not be able to tell).

ECU replaced if early car.

Sound deadening foam mat present between floor and spare wheel.

ACC pixels.

Radio reception. Radio Upgrade?

Wiper arms seized on spindles.

Headlamp wipers operating and parking.

Blue smoke on start up.

Oil leak from gaskets.

The right boxes tick on the modification plate under the bonnet. (Can't look now, it's p***ing down!).

Upgrade packages: rear cup holders in front of armrest/floor mats/centre arm rest/cruise control.

All heat absorbing glass present - not replaced by ordinary glass.

Ignition locks in reverse (manual only). May have been forced out and broken by valet parker.

etc.
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Posts: 2354 | From: Hertfordshire. UK | Registered: Jan 2002 | IP: Logged |

John Worth
Regular Saab Guy
Member # 1092

Member Rated:
posted 10-09-2003 15:58
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Can I add a Service book with Saab dealer stamps close to the specified service intervals - these things like regular
oil changes.

Run by uncaring company car drivers - the 12,000 mile service intervals stretch the endurance of the oil - especially
if lots of short journeys are undertaken.
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Posts: 88 | From: Warwick | Registered: Apr 2002 | IP: Logged |

James

Saabscene Staff
Member # 212

Member Rated:
posted 10-09-2003 16:16
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Sheehs, you guys seem to have it all covered already

I'm sure I've read something somewhere about loose suspension bolts or something.

Aero front spoilers will be scratched / grounded more often than not

Faulty batch of auto-dimming mirror mounting brackets in MY00 at some point

AS1 is rubbish ...

There've been a few threads in the past on spec, what the various models should have etc, which are worth a read.

Cheers

James
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Posts: 1982 | From: Cape Town, SA | Registered: Jul 2000 | IP: Logged |

sgould

Motor Mouth
Member # 946

Member Rated:
posted 10-09-2003 16:49
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Modification boxes marked on my 1998 2.3 are: B5, C4 & C5.

Plate is on left hand front wing, under bonnet.

Not sure if they all/any need to be done on later models.
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Posts: 2354 | From: Hertfordshire. UK | Registered: Jan 2002 | IP: Logged |

Woofage

Admin
Member # 300

Member Rated:
posted 11-09-2003 19:19
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There was some discussion on trim levels and options in this thread:
http://www.saabscene.co.uk/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=12;t=000528#000000
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Posts: 1460 | From: Bury St Edmunds, UK | Registered: Nov 2001 | IP: Logged |

fliptop

Saab Nut
Member # 1753

Member Rated:
posted 11-09-2003 22:38
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There's another potential gearbox gripe affecting manual 9-5s and 9-3s, which is when it becomes v. difficult to disengage
4th at the first attempt when hot - can be a bit of a pain when you come up to a busy roundabout and want to nip into a gap!

Again Saab are aware and there is a kit to fix, may get done under warranty as can appear as low as 15-20K.

If poss I'd avoid the low spec models & go for an SE or SE Airflow as resale will be easier - though leather was only
an option even on the SE at that age IIRC??.

99/T - will that be the 170 bhp car rather than 185?
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Posts: 249 | From: N Yorks | Registered: Jan 2003 | IP: Logged |

sgould

Motor Mouth
Member # 946

Member Rated:
posted 11-09-2003 22:50
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Ooops! Posted in reply to the wrong question

[ 11.09.2003, 22:51: Message edited by: sgould ]
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-97 -99 malleista kakkosen synkronointirengas onko korjattu recallilla. Kakkonen ei mene paalle pienemmalle vaihdettaessa.

99 mallista 2.3l koneella ja automaatilla on kokemuksia 134tkm verran.

Ainoat viat olivat muistaakseni heti uutena hajonnut ohjaustehostin, 2xDI-boxi, 1xikkunan nostimen kytkin ja SID näytön valot.

Auto oli 80tkm ajan viritetty ja erittäin mukava auto muutenkin.

Voin kuitenkin suositella ehdottomasti 2.3l konetta, vaikka 2.0l koneen tehot saa helposti chipattua samalle tasolle. Niiden väännössä ja luonteessa on vain selvä ero.

Katso onko vaihdelaatikossa vuotoja,lähinnä vetoakselien stefat.Ja katso pölläyttääkö sinistä savua kun laitat kylmänä käyntiin,jos niin huohotin systeemissä tai pahemmassa tapauksessa turbossa vika.Näitä samoja asioita on kysytty monet kerrat vastauksia löytyy kun selaa taaksepäin.