gazzawrx

iTrader: (11)

Pm'd

daveyj

iTrader: (1)

I love the Hammerhead alloys got a set on my MK3 Cavalier.

Henrik

iTrader: (5)

My first car was a 900i (1988), and that poor thing rusted to pieces completely. Wheel arches went, and the lower parts of the doors were all rusted to pieces.

My second saab was a 1997 9000 (2.3 litre turbo, what an engine!!), and to be fair that was completely rust free back in er.. 2010 or there-abouts.

Paben

iTrader: (5)

I've had several Saabs (still got one) and a few years back tried one of the 93 Trolls, which was pretty fast by Saab standards. I considered buying one but tried an Sti first and that was in a different league. Don't know how many Trolls got sold, I'm guessing not too many.

Don't know if Hirsch still do the Troll kit for the 95, about 250bhp if I remember.

LSherratt

iTrader: (1)

Some recent pictures after an 8 hour detail this week .

Bodywork washed, de-tarred, de-ironised, clayed with clay mitt, machine polished, protected werkstat prime, 2 layers of werkstat jett, final layer of werkstat gloss. Black plastics protected with aerospace 303. Glass sealed with werkstat prime. Wheels cleaned with megs wheel brightener and tyres dressed with AF tyre gel. Exhaust tip quickly polished with britemax metal polish/sealant.

By the way, I'm in the market for an E39 BMW 540i sport touring if anyone knows anyone with one who wants to sell. I need to own a V8 .

InTurbo

iTrader: (3)

You could combine your love for Saab and Subaru into one with the Saabaru!

https://www.carthrottle.com/post/til...x-in-disguise/

LSherratt

iTrader: (1)

Ridiclious!

Skoobie Dhu

iTrader: (3)

I've taken the plunge and flogged my 2011 BMW X3 and bought a late 2006 Aero estate.

The BMW was nice, but dull. It had done almost 60k miles in four and a half years, and the only fault in that time was a front wheel bearing. But as its no longer a lease vehicle, I have to pay servicing and I was offered a very good price so decided it was wise to let it go.

The Saab has done 116k miles, service history seems okay, but the previous owner didn't like spending money unless necessary, so there's a number of silly faults needing sorted.


So far I've replaced the battery, fitted 2 new Michelin pilot sport 4's (had 3 different brands on it!), replaced the PCV and hose (air leak), and glued the loose leather on the steering wheel. And given it a damn good clean inside and out.
Next week I'll be servicing it, and looking at exhaust solutions (short flexi blowing, but rear section is pretty ropey as well)

The xenons don't self level (probably the sensor on the front suspension)
The door mirrors only move left (ordered replacement switch)
The rear wiper is missing completely (motor failure is a common problem)
Also have an occasional CEL, but it's running fine and I've ordered a code reader.

Will probably also overhaul the brakes as they've lost their bite - picked up new rear calipers and pads from eBay yesterday for £50.

Need a dog guard and boot tray, just need to order these.

Other than that, I'm very impressed, it's very quick, smooth and comfortable. Bodywork is in very good condition, and even underneath is pretty clean and not too rusty for the age/mileage.
The plan is that this'll become a workhorse and give me time to decide what to buy next.

Will post pics later once washed.

LSherratt

iTrader: (1)

Awesome, yeah get some pictures up. I bet you got it for a stupidly cheap price too. The only thing I've done to mine since ownership is £45 MOT, 2 new front tyres (Pilot Sport 3's ordered online) £160 fitted, oil filter and service £80 which I did myself and a few touch up bits as mentioned in my first post.

I could still sell mine for the price I paid guaranteed. I was reading some threads on PH recently and I could probably sell mine for more than I paid. I intend to keep obviously as it's such a great daily. As we speak my partner is driving it and my GSD is sleeping in the back .

fat-thomas

iTrader: (4)

Awesome car.
In these days of people renting poverty spec cars they can't afford it's lovely to see a sensible car bought for real money.

Skoobie Dhu

iTrader: (3)

Here's a quick pic.



Spent today replacing the window rubber trim/seals on each of the doors (£15 at the scrappie) and realigning the gear leverto the input shaft to make the change into 5th a bit smoother.

Enjoying getting my hands dirty again after having the BMWs.

The Hoff

iTrader: (5)

Change the brake fluid, makes a difference on the brake feel if it's black like mine was!

I also had a front xenon level sensor down. Mine had the connector melted slightly from when it shorted out, got a loom and sensor for £25 from a breakers. Be sure to check the fuse in the engine bay too.. number 4 I think, 15A mini blade. Mine was popped so thought I still had a duff sensor till I replace it.

The Hoff

iTrader: (5)

If the xenon start going purple they are on their way out and will stop all of a sudden bringing up the same xenon light warning on the dash. New HID bulbs are £20 a pair for cheapy one via HIDS-direct.co.uk or something. I've still got one unused should you need a single replacement

Skoobie Dhu

iTrader: (3)

Thanks for the advice.

I'll check the brake fluid, but I've already decided to replace the discs and pads, and I found cheap new rear calipers, just to find a solution for the front calipers - at a minimum I'll be fitting new seals. I like to know what sort of state my brakes are in for peace of mind, and as I can do it all myself it's not that expensive.

I've looked further at the xenons, turns out they do adjust when turned on, and in the service book it had new xenon bulbs last year? So I'm stumped what the dash warning light is telling me? Although I do see a comment in last years MOT saying the lights were pointing a bit high. I've also read that when fitting a new front sensor you need to use the tech 2 tool to adjust the headlights - I'm wondering if that's all that's reqd, maybe it's had a new sensor, or maybe new bulbs also require the leveling system to be adjusted.

LSherratt

iTrader: (1)

I found that my xenons were auto-levelling too low. There is an easy manual adjustment under the bonnet near each front light which is adjusted by simply turning an adjustment bolt with an allen key.

The Hoff

iTrader: (5)

On start up, If they go all the way up then judder down for more than 2 or 3 seconds then it could well be the front sensor. If both are ok it goes up an stays put a most straight away.

The rear one being faulty will default to use the front but still show the error.

Easy to access, just remove the rent drivers wheel and you'll see it. If it's working you can test it by popping off the hinge mechanism from the swinging and moving it independently, you will hear the light motor adjusting when you move the armon the sensor

The Hoff

iTrader: (5)

Don't forget to check the fuse in the engine bay fuse box, it's for the sensors... not the adjusting motors

I didn't need a tech 2. Replace sensor, replace fuse.. fault light went away.

Skoobie Dhu

iTrader: (3)

Been busy, tinted rear windows and now running 19" VXR alloys, next mod is to get rid of the front chrome by colour coding it to the body. Managed to get a dog guard, just need to find a proper boot tray now.

Still to sort the xenon leveling - thanks Hoff for the advice, suspect it's the front sensor.

Other than that it's going fine

LSherratt

iTrader: (1)

Those suit it very well.

I've done a 3 hour round trip today in mine with the missus and the dog. So much more comfortable than an unnecessary 4x4...

Skoobie Dhu

iTrader: (3)

Finally got the wheels painted, new tyres, and fitted to the car.




And the repairs continue, got the xenon levelling sorted, both sensors plus a cable, replaced some bushes, gear linkage, rocker cover gasket, rear discs/pads, etc, etc. only thing still not working are the parking sensors, had the rear bumper off for a look, but need to look properly.

Cars now going well, nice and comfy, huge boot and doesn't attract any attention.
Fingers crossed now for a couple of years of trouble free motoring, with only forking out for the 99 ron fuel and consumable bits.