Services on 9-5

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.

Mark,

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

Ade

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

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

If it helps at all. Charles

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

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

Ade

"Charles Christac>> Hi All,

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,

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: