Services on 9-5

Hi All,

I'm thinking of buying my first Saab and am looking at a 9-5, either 2.0lpt or 2.3lpt. I'm expecting to be able to afford about a '98 or '99 model with around 60-80K miles.

I've read a bit about things to look out for (blue smoke on start-up, oil leaks, engaging reverse & 5th on manual gearbox, rear shock absorbers).

However, looking for some advice about which services are likely to be expensive (for example, I've read that the 66,000 mile service is a big one, so I'd probably prefer a car with 70,000 miles to one with 65,000). Are there any other expensive services to watch out for? Can anyone tell me what makes this (and other) services more expensive?

I'm based in the UK, so the car would be euro-spec if that makes any difference.

Cheers in advance, Adrian

Reply to
Adrian
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Make sure the 60K service has been performed even if you get a "higher" mileage. 65 or 70K doesn't guarantee 60K service was done. In fact it could mean more negligence. Maybe try something under 50K with warranty if you are concerned. Good luck shopping.

Reply to
Mark Beckett

Mark,

Cheers - I'll certainly be looking for one with full service history...and done at the right times!

Ade

Reply to
Adrian

SAABs as far as I know don't have any special parts that have to be replaced. Normally a service at some interval will involve the change of (petrol models): Engine oil and filter Air filter Cabin air filter Sparking plugs Brake/cluthc fluid replacement Engine coolant replacement ...

It is a coincidence that a lot of the above come round on the 66 mile service. (Is it at 66K ? not multiples of 12)

Will you be buying from a main dealer? IF yes the car should be serviced for the next 12 months irrespective of the mileage it has on.

Will you be buying a car that does not have a verifiable saab service history ... then in theory you must always change certain key things as you have to assume they have not be done (you create your list of those things).

Without thinking much about it, services for my 97 9000 (with main dealer) have costed from 260GBP (including MOT fee) to high 300s. Add to that other bits like tyres, leaking pipes etc I wanted replaced and my bills have gone up to nearly 1000 (once anyway). My attitude is less than 400 for service + MOT (and MOT bits and pieces) + courtesy car for

2 days is OK. Don't expect to walk in out of a dealer many times and get change from 300GBP.

On the other hand, coffee is good in SAAB showrooms.

If it helps at all. Charles

Reply to
Charles Christacopoulos

Thanks for the advice, Charles.

As Mark mentioned, I have to be careful that the services have been done, but I'll only be buying one with FSH, and at the right mileages. Not restricting myself to only main dealer servicing though, as there aren't all that many to choose from at the best of times!

Servicing costs are what worries me, I must admit - my current car (Rover

600) has always been less that £150 at a local garage (never needed any work for MOT). Saying that, it did recently cost £1200 to have the engine stripped when my girlfriend didn't notice the engine temp light on the motorway...... ;-)

Cheers and hope I won't get too aquainted with the Saab coffee!

Ade

"Charles Christac>> Hi All,

Reply to
Adrian

Charles,

one other thing - unless I'm mistaken I think the big service is at 66K miles. Believe it has the first one at 6K then 12K intervals after that.

I assumed the 66K was more expensive because of belt changes but since read it has a timing chain rather than belt, which I'd imagine (hope) lasts longer than that. Unless I'm wrong....

Ade.

"Charles Christac>> Hi All,

Reply to
Adrian

Yup, that makes the numbers add up ... there is a service at 6k.

There are no particularly expensive items to be replaced. No belts UNLESS you get the 3.0 litre (v6) model. It is routine items like the ones I listed at the earlier message.

Labour tends to be expensive (bl**dy is) at SAAB garages, nothing less than 50GBP per hour + VAT. Some parts are reasonably priced (engine oil

  • filter, tyres etc). You pay for the coffee, the courtesy car, the fact that the car always gets washed before it is handed back to you.

Service history. Even dealer service history can be made up HOWEVER if buying privately look for SAAB receipts (they are always itemised) coinciding with service intervals marked in the book. If buying from a main dealer and they are selling a car they have serviced themselves they can print for you all the things the car had done to it.

As far as finding a used (main dealer saab) you might have difficulty because of the age+mileage of your spec (ie. budget). In theory they can bring you any car on sale in the UK but then you have no room to negotiate price. You will be aware of the following but just in case:

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from the approved used car locator (and you can always use post codes of neighbouring towns). If it helps at all. Charles

Reply to
Charles Christacopoulos

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