Saab cars - Diesels in particular
 

Time to replace the Pug sh*tter

Thinking a 02/03 Saab hatchback/saloon around 3.5-4K the 2.2TiD engine, seem to be around 80k+ miles at that sort of money.

I had a Saab Co Car 14 years or so ago, 2.ol 16v model 5 dr harch - it was ok but not something i ever loved driving.

What would be best to go for, spec/model.
What sort of MPG would i expect?
Are they expensive to service/run?
Are there any known faults to bare in mind?
whats the 2.2TiD engine like to live with, smooth, reliable and what sort of BHP&torque?
Would you have another one/what is overall driving/ownership experience like?

Thanks in advance

Paul

If im thinking correctly, the 2.2ltr diesel turbo is a fiat engine, 126bhp, 231lbs torque@2k rpm.
In truth, if you can get the 1.9 engine (newer one) then its probably a better all round engine as its newer (and common rail) as i dont think the 2.2 is a common rail engine.
Not sure on faults, probably have to look around the saab forums for those :)

Tony:)

The 2.2 unit is the GM engine. Rough as ar*eholes and used to no great effect in the Vectra and Omega.

The 1.9 is the Fiat Power engine, much nicer and very tunable.

Don't buy a previous shape 9-3-the hatch shape-had one of these for a month and got shot of it. Only about 40mpg, sh1te engine, sh1te steering and they've a reputation for the front bulkhead separating from the shell.

Is it the latest genaration 93 estate ???

Got to be the uglyest on the market

The 1.9 turbo diesel is shared with GM Fiat and Alfa, lovely engine, 47mpg average loads of torque 150 bhp, only downside some are having water pump failure around 40000 miles onwards, cambelts need changing at 70000, I read that their are other problems with the way that GM use this engine. Honest John website has loads of info.

This man is correct. 2.2 is Vectra lump. Was going to buy the same Saab as my work horse, but for a 2.2 diesel it's not that powerful(one I was looking at was a 51 plate and only had 115bhp). I do 100miles a day to work and back, so needed something reliable. My mates a mechanic and he told me to stay away from that engine.

Ended up with a B5 A4 2.5tdi with 150bhp. 1999 T plate with 90k on it. Cost me just over £2k last July. That's pretty quick for an out of the box diesel. no reliability issues after 18k miles so far.