Test Drive Saab 9-5 since 2010 Sedan

Cummy few

Saab-9-5 turned out to be no better and no worse than other European competitors, but did not take approved popularity. Just by the time of his debut in 1997, fashion for Saabs in Russia has already passed. Today, the nine-fifth, including the used, buy only devotees of the Swedish brand. And they know what money pay for.

Scandinavian automotive companies Volvo and Saab alone organized the official sales of their cars on the emerging Russian market. While it was not about to choose from anything, the demand was distributed as follows. Conservative Swedish Volga bought mostly state officials and bankers, and rapid sabs accounted for ambitious businessmen.
 
But even then, in the first half of the 90s, when Saab dealers threw their hands from record sales, it was possible to assume that the euphoria would continue for a short time. As the choice of preferences, our compatriots have shifted towards German and Japanese competitors. On their background, Saabi looked too distinctive to qualify for massiness. Plus, they have proven themselves capricious and expensive in operation. As a result, interest in Saabam began to rapidly fade.
 
In such a situation, 9-5 was already initially accepted without much enthusiasm. Moreover, it soon turned out that the new model lost the main highlight of SAABOV. Compared to its predecessor, nine-day, the nine-fifth on the move became much more comfortable, but I found a completely unknown Saabam plumbing and rambanity. Yes, and problems with the technique at first there were even debt. Handrill electronics, motors refused to start in the cold, flew the turbine. Most childhood diseases managed to defeat the 2000 model year. By the way, at the same time the chassis settings have changed, as a result of which the nine-fifth again became a driver for the driver.
 
Therefore, if SAAB-9-5 is sympathetic to you, it is better to look for an instance since the 2000th model. And you can love this car for what.
 
 
For many years, the Universal SAAB for many years was created on the basis of 9-5 and appeared in 1999 model year
  

 
Signs of breed
First, for his individuality. In the nine-fifth, from which angle is not looking at, it is absolutely recognized by a real Saab: the long sinks of the body, the wedge-shaped silhouette, coming on the sidewalls of the hood line. In our time, universal unification, the recognizable appearance is expensive. And Salon? The front armchairs with high backs, between which the ignition lock is on the floor, heavy, deployed around the driver torpedo with large keys. Especially expensive this arched board looks, if a tree is finished with a tree, a fan of Saabov with any experience will feel in the nine-step like at home.
 
Body machine mechanics characterize from the best side. Problems with paint, foliage delivering around moldings and on the edges of the wings, were resolved during the 9,000th. And with corrosion resistance of the Scandinavian cars, everything was always in order. Perhaps only the long front bumper and the fog sites located in it can suffer from contacts with snowdrifts and border stones. This is especially true of the aero version with a reduced road clearance and developed plastic body kit along the bottom perimeter of the body. However, on the nine-day front spoiler was generally considered consumable.
 
Used nine-fifth can present surprises with the electrical equipment of the cabin (especially the cars of early editions). At first glance, they seem small, but the elimination of some faults will require significant spending. Therefore, about possible sores of electrical equipment is better to inform the capricious climatics in advance.
 
 
The aero version is characterized by sports seats, plastic spoilers on the bottom perimeter of the body, sports suspension and more powerful brakes. Service and repair costs somewhat more expensive than civil modifications

 
Capricional climatic
 
Checking the work of electrical equipment, first of all, pay attention to automatic climates. The installation should adequately react to the change in the direction of air flow (up-down) and temperature (heat-cold) on both sides of the driver's and passenger. The fact is that the distribution of streams and temperatures is made by electric valves. So, plastic adapters of complex shape connecting electromotors with flaps have the property to break in half. Details are kopeck, but to change them, you need to remove and put the climatic climates again, which takes 12 norms. And, most importantly, adapters are not supplied separately in spare parts. It remains either to buy new climates ($ 1950), or look for a used on disassembly (not the fact that it will be good), or begged the Saabov mechanical mechanics so that they will bring a malfuncting piece of plastic on their channels.
 
Another constructive puncture in the microclimate system is a fan installed in front of the cabin filter. To begin with, he is clogged with foliage and begins to make noise, and after 23 years, in our dirt, dies completely.
 
Approximately the same as motor destructors of fartoocots who have the basic threads of slush. Like the door locks that refuse quite rarely, they change assembly.
 
On the central console over time, both dis-les onboard computer and climate control flashes (they begin to disappear defined characters in turn). Despite the modest sizes, the displays are quite roads. It is not surprising that they are stealing from cars, like the radio.
    
What is the price
Replacing the heater fan $ 285
Replacing the Motor Faroocomant $ 250
Replacing door lock $ 235
Replacing computer display $ 545
Replacing Climate Control Display $ 450
 
Real Saab Turbo
Another highlight of the Saabov is their famous turbo engines. The company from Trollhattan became a pioneer of the mass application of turbo technologies and today is a recognized leader in this area. The fans of the brand believe that the real SAAB must have a 4-cylinder motor without activation with turbocharging.
 
On 9-5, several versions of the ranks of 2.0 and 2.3 liters differ in charge pressure are established. Until 2000, only low-mounted motors were offered, providing a flat, stable thrust in a wide range of revolutions. They develop the power of 150 and 170 forces. Then two highly informed engines were added to them, outstanding a powerful splash of acceleration after 2000 revolutions. The most common of which is 250-strong 2.3 liters, installed on the sports version of Aero. Less often occurs a 190-strong 2-liter unit. It comes mainly to the countries of Southern Europe, where taxes are highly dependent on the volume of the engine.
 
The gamma of 4-cylinder turbocovers with a volume of 2.0 and 2.3 liters is installed on Saabs for a very long time. Theer is that with the transition to 9-5, they retained a lot of characteristic sores. This is especially true of models of 19981999. Their motors can put the owner on a large amount.
 
In addition to the row fours, the nine-fifth is equipped with a low-end 3-liter V6 power of 200 forces. This is a somewhat recycled motor from Opel Omega. Despite the installation of the turbine, the capacity of Saabovsky V6 compared to the Opeless analogue not only did not increase, but on the contrary, decreased by 11 forces. The fact is that Swedish engineers set the task of getting a noble, drag, but not very high-speed engine, combined exclusively with an automatic box. As a rule, V6 is found on the prestigious version of Griffin.
 
In the time of Saaba-9000, the mechanics about the Opeless motor responded not in the best way. But by the time of the appearance, 9-5 V6 became much more reliable. With the exception of a turbine, not distinguished by durability up to 2000 model year.
 
Disease engines
The planned that for all engines in our conditions is recommended to be carried out in 10,000 km. And this is due to this not so much oil replacement (although if there is a turbine in good synthetics, it is better not to save), how much the service life of the spark plugs. Usually there are enough of them just 1012 thousand. Even at AERO, where platinum candles are installed, they rarely withstand two periods between that.
 
4 cylinders
All 4-cylinder engines have the timing chain drive, which eliminates the regular replacement of the belt. However, up to the 2000 model year, they suffered a more unpleasant disease from the front cover of the engine (may appear on any mileage). In principle, the Europeans go with it. However, oil contemplated from under the cover can soften the generator belt, and that jumps out. And the oil itself goes a lot. Therefore, it is still desirable to change the lid (now in spare parts are reinforced). But the trouble is that for this it is necessary to remove the engine and its attachments of the aggregates. Works per 18 hours. Therefore, if the car runs about 150,000 km and you are not going to part with it, it is better to simultaneously replace both crankshaft seals and a complete set of TGR drive, including tensioners, shoes, chains and sprockets of balancing shafts. The amount is very decent, but also the glands, and the chain drive (wear is determined by the sound) will still soon require substitutions. What is the point of paying for 18 hours of work again?
 
As you can see, leak oils from under the cover or the need to replace the GDM drive can cause a car sale. As well as turbine. On all 4-cylinder engines, in addition to Aero (in this engine, a durable supercharger Mitsubishi was installed, the turbine perchain was rarely kept more than 60,000 km. By 2000, their design was changed, and the resource increased to about 150,000 km. However, cars with dead turbines on the market a lot.
 
In addition, on early release machines there were problems with running on the frost and the reliability of the engine control unit (it was oxidized and began to malfunction). It is possible to normalize the cold start by reprogramming of the brain, and unsuccessful control units changed under warranty. But if the car will be electronics of the old sample, it is likely that you will have to fork out on a round sum. A dying control unit ceases to keep idling and does not allow the engine to gain momentum.
 
By the way, the same symptoms show a gradual throttle boss block, which is enough for about 100,000 km. In the same period, we can expect the failure of the rear support of the engine, fuel pump and one on all cylinders of the ignition cassette (shown by the arrow). True, in contrast to the 9000th, the cassette at 9-5 was more reliable.
 
It happens that the pump, thermostat, the oil pressure sensor fails (when the ignition is turned on, the red lamp does not light up) and the crankshaft position sensor (the engine stalls in the heat, and in two hours again starts). But it is already little things.
 
V6.
On the 6-cylinder engine, the timing belt is given by a belt, so it must be changed every 90,000 km together with the rollers. Among the possible malfunctions from the fours, he was inherited to the turbine (up to 2000), the throttle block, the fuel pump, the crankshaft position sensor and the ignition cassette. With the only difference that cassettes on V6 two.
     
What is the price
Candle replacement 4 Cyl. / Aero / V6 $ 35 / 95/55
Replacing the front cover without the timing of the timing of $ 1050
Replacing the front cover with the timing of the timetable of $ 2250
Turbine replacement $ 1500-1600
Reprogramming of the $ 20 control unit
Replacing the engine control unit $ 1350
Replacing the throttle block $ 700
Replacing the ignition cassette 4-Cyl. / V6 $ 370/740
Gas station replacement $ 390
Oil pressure sensor replacement $ 145
Crankshaft position sensor replacement $ 140
Replacing the rear engine support $ 385
Replacing the timing belt with rollers (V6) $ 570
 
Check cooling fans!
Those that are installed behind the radiator (two of them). Over time, its bearing clinically clins, and the fan stops working. In this case, it does not rotate (or rotate badly) by hand. What it threatens the engine, I think it is not necessary to explain. By the way, the need to clean the radiators from dirt is valid every year, of course, and for nine-fifth.
    
What is the price
Replacing fan cooling $ 610
 
Mechanics or automatic?
With any of the 4-cylinder engines, you can get both manual and automatic box. The 170-strong 2.3-liter motor is particularly well combined with the machine. But sports aero, on the contrary, is interesting with mechanics. In this case, its motor originally possesses 20 nm in a large torque than with an automatic box. And only with the mechanic, the engine has an injection mode, when with intensive acceleration of the turbine for a while for up to 20 seconds it may set another 20 nm of traction.
 
 
Ignition Castle in Saabov tradition is located on the floor, behind the lever of the PPC
 

Manual box is absolutely troubled. Butter in it is flooded for the entire service life (if you have to change, then fill only brand, Saabovskoe), and the clutch usually grabs 150200 thousand. Surprisingly, on the background of expensive Saabov spare parts, the corporate clutch kit costs only $ 260 (plus 8 substitutionals for replacement).
 
The Japanese automatic box is also very durable, and the oil is recommended to be changed in 60,000 km. It happens that the electronic selector or block of control valves fails. In any case, the cost of repair will not exceed $ 300. Worse, if you still manage to burn a uludy Japanese machine. Spare parts for him roads, so the cost of large repair will be a little less than the cost of a new box ($ 4,400).
  
Toughie
The CAAB-9-5 is built on the Opel-Vector platform of the previous generation, although the dimensions and mass exceeds its donor. Accordingly, it was necessary to assume that the chassis of nine-fifth will not be durable enough. But, contrary to fears, the suspension and steering were surprisingly strong.
 
True, on the earlier release machines did not differ in the durability of the front stabilizer rack. But after this problem was solved, the first interventions in the chassis became necessary only after 80,10100,000 km on our roads. And the numbers of more than 150,000 km say that these details on natural wear have not changed not yet. In any case, compared with the 9000th, chassis 9-5 delivers much less hassle. Of the probable unscheduled spending, it is only possible to note the failure of the hydraulic power supply pump and the front hub bearings.
 
By the way, the Swedes took care of the owners of the 19981999 model of the model years, the most machines that we remember did not differ in good handheld. If your Saab has a big and suspension mileage already tired, for $ 700 you can buy a sports chassis kit, which includes four springs and shock absorber, as well as both stabilizers of the transverse stability of the modified design. It is much cheaper than buying details separately.
 
Operating costs (chassis)
Front suspension and steering
Rear suspension
 
 
60 000 - 100 000 km
 
80,000 - 100,000 km
 
stabilizer racks $ 95
Shock absorbers $ 335.
 
brake discs $ 270
Silent blocks of longitudinal and transverse levers (6 pcs.) $ 780
 
silent blocks of the front levers $ 435
100 000 - 150,000 km
 
120 000 - 150,000 km
Hubs assembly with bearings (2 pcs.) $ 770
 
shock absorbers with upper supports $ 790
Brake discs $ 280
 
more than 150,000 km
more than 150,000 km
 
ball supports $ 90
Stabilizer racks $ 105
 
steering tips $ 105
Possible unscheduled spending
 
steering thrust $ 425
Replacement of power steering $ 585
 
 
Replacing the front wheel bearing (1 pc.) $ 215
 
_________________________________
 
 
 
The prices of original parts, taking into account the replacement in the authorized SAB technical center.
 
We buy?
If you regularly read our heading for three years not age, probably notice that the reliability of CAAB-9-5 does not differ in the best or worse from prestigious European classmates.
 
Yes, nine-fifth has characteristic problems with 4-cylinder engines, climate control and electrical equipment. But show me at least one German business class model in which Motorist and the electrician would have nothing to do. But Saab has reliable chassis and transmission.
 
What is really unpleasant is the recent increase in prices for original Saabov spare parts. Apparently, so managers from GI-EM are trying to raise the profitability of the Swedish firm belonging to them. However, even today the cost of branded spare parts for 9-5 is comparable to prestigious European competitors. Just when you know that yesterday was cheaper
 
But be that as it may, Saabi buy not from mercantile considerations. For such people there are unnecessary Camry and Maxim. And in the nominations to be not as well as the pleasure of riding competitors, nine-found there is a little. If you agree with that, be prepared to give a good copy of 2000 for those brought from Europe about $ 22,00026,000 depending on the engine. Cars earlier issues are essentially cheaper. But, as you already understood, they may require highly large investments, so diagnose them before buying should be particularly carefully.
    
Break
The probability of hijacking Saab is small, this is not a Mercedes and not Audi. However, the owners of nine-fifths should be afraid of another attack of the plundering of the car. It would be more like a nine-day model and is explained by the fact that the Saab car is rare, so the cheap used parts for her on the disassembly find it difficult. And the demand for them is.
 
The specials undress the car literally in 3 minutes. The movement is the most deficient and rapid details: headlights, grille grille, ignition cassette, large two-dinner radio tape recorders, on-board computer displays and climates, airbag. On the circle, at the prices of official dealers it turns out about $ 3000.
 
Therefore, the machine must be equipped with a properly installed hood lock (alarm for thieves not a hindrance), and lock the central locking should be double-clicking on the key fob button. So the superlock function is triggered, which does not allow you to open the doors from the inside, breaking the glass. And, if possible, do not leave the car without supervision. In Moscow, the city's most dangerous areas are the city center, where many prestigious cars, and southwest, where Saabov disassembly are located.
 
Alexander Konov.
 
 

A source: Limousine magazine [08/03]