16 replies to this topic

[Silent Steve]

Saab 9-5 3.0 diesel 2002.

 

Anyone any idea why one would be "losing coolant"?

 

Thinking of getting one to knock around in. Seen one but don't want to make the trip if it's a known terminal fault.

 

Thanks

[Wolfstone]

Graeme Lambert is your man for all things Saab.      

[Silent Steve]

Graeme Lambert is your man for all things Saab.      

 

Thanks Ken,

 

Anyone seen Graeme?

[Wolfstone]

I'll be seeing him Sunday.

[Graeme Lambert]

Steer clear of the 3.0-litre diesel Steve.

 

They have a nasty habit of dropping liners. Hence Saab dropping the engine from the 9-5 range as soon as they could.

 

Was replaced with the 1.9TiD (basically a fiat engine, and for some reason seems to be more reliable in the 9-5 than it is the 9-3).

 

If you have time, then a read of UKsaabs.co.uk is advised.

 

G

[Graeme Lambert]

Actually don't bother reading up, the consensus is that losing coolant points to dropped liners indeed. Avoid it like the plague pal.

 

G

[Silent Steve]

Thank you Graeme. Pity. It looked like a bargain. Much appreciated!

[slindborg]

and on a similar basis, avoid the Signum or vectra with the V6 derv unit too!

[morsey]

I had the vectra v6, izusu engine if i recall. Eml was always coming on. Silky smooth drive though!! 1.9cdti is the better engine, just watch out for broken swirls!!

[jameso]

I have a 9-3 with the 150bhp 1.9TiD... It's actually not a terrible engine for it's age. It doesn't pull at all off boost but on boost its actually pretty fast for a big old car with an old diesel engine with plenty of torque at 2200 or so and beyond.

 

Over the last 3 years or so I have had a 110bhp golf and a 1.5DCi megane and laguna (all relatively modern engines) and they are quite a bit more fuel efficient (the saab only does 40-41 mpg unless you do a chunk of motorway (where is it quite a bit more economical), and do pull better low down in the rev range but they were HORIFFICALLY slow even when on boost compared to the 9-3.

 

Common for water pump to go which then results in chain and pretty big engine bill - so if you can get one with a recent service receipt for those that is a bonus!

 

handling - quite wallowy and pretty much zero front end grip, including for braking, (might be because I have really old tyres on the car) - which isn't really the be all and end all as surely that's what I have the vx for.

[Alastair]

I had the 3.0 V6 unit in a Renault Vel Satis.  I had reservations buying it due to reading known issues of dropped liners.  Based on other feedback of the owners forum I am not aware of anyone having issues with this engine.  They sold 1000's of units, in Vauxhalls, Opel's Isuzu's and Saabs.  They do have a reputation - but statistically it is not half as bad as the reputation suggests.

 

I would also say it was a great engine (mine was chipped, economical and very powerful over the 60,000 miles driven)... it really suited the autobox in the car.....  that said.. if its leaking coolant, this is potentially an indicator of the liner issue and I would say walk away.  if the liners go, the engine is unrepairable and fit only for the scrappy..

 

 

[slindborg]

I had the 3.0 V6 unit in a Renault Vel Satis.    

Ohhhhh so you were the ONE

[Graeme Lambert]

I had the 3.0 V6 unit in a Renault Vel Satis.    

Ohhhhh so you were the ONE

I think 3 people bought them in the UK. If only they'd sold the Avantime diesel in the UK

[JohnTurbo]

I had the 120bhp 8v fiat TiD in a 9-3. It had poor performance but not too bad on boost, handling was a bit w4nk. Comfy c ar though. Bought a ds3 1.6 derv...was slow and uncomfortable. Kept 10 weeks. Now had a 9-3 Aero TTid (180) for two years. Still get 44mpg but its fast, never laggy, still comfy AND corners well. I keep trying to sell it but its an amazing car for the 4k its worth so I cant do it. Id have to spend 10k to match it.

[Alastair]

 

 

I had the 3.0 V6 unit in a Renault Vel Satis.    

Ohhhhh so you were the ONE

 

I think 3 people bought them in the UK. If only they'd sold the Avantime diesel in the UK

 

 

I bought it at 5 years old for some comfy motorway miles.  It had the receipt for £36,000 with it, the new owner added a £2.2k body kit, £600 for the engine chip, £600 to have it lowered, and £1900 for a custom stainless exhaust.  They must have been mental!!

 

After 5 years I paid £3k.  That must be the worst depreciation of any car in the UK!!  

[slindborg]

WOW thats worse than the Omega

[Silent Steve]

Depreciation? I once bought a new 7 series BMW PETROL... then swapped it in after two and a half years.

 

They still have my shirt in a display cabinet, I am told.