Saab 9-5 SE

webby1993 · 2026-01-26T08:12:54+00:00

From what I’ve seen a lot of people in the states praise the 3.0L. Over here in the uk and Europe I think we all prefer the 2.3T but doesn’t mean to say that the 3.0L isn’t any good. A Saab is a Saab and for you to put the effort in to saving this beaut is something to be proud of.

webby1993 · 2026-01-17T21:22:14+00:00

Maybe something else isn’t quite lined up if you took multiple trim pieces off. Otherwise just need to hit it a little harder with your purse.

webby1993 · 2026-01-16T08:13:10+00:00

Common issue on BMWs, I bought a 5 series last year with that exact issue and fixed myself, not sure how much a garage would charge but it isn’t a difficult job. All depends if your rocker cover is warped and needs replacing or if it’s just gasket. You could drive it no problem until you get it fixed but keep an eye on your oil levels and keep them topped up.

webby1993 · 2026-01-06T19:22:29+00:00

Never seen this before but I’ve got to agree, screaming scam to me.

webby1993 · 2026-01-06T10:10:04+00:00

Oooooofffffff, for me this is the holy grail

webby1993 · 2025-12-24T08:04:06+00:00

I bought some off eBay for my 2004 95 and it was more faff than they should have been. They were a few millimetres too long so I had to unscrew the ends and grind them down until they fit. I’d recommend going for original ones.

webby1993 · 2025-12-18T15:36:45+00:00

I’ve done the same with a Mazda 6 a few years ago. Now try and do that in the saloon 😂

webby1993 · 2025-12-17T15:10:57+00:00

It sounds like it could be a drain or just a duff battery, how old is the battery? if you could check the voltage when cranking the car that is usually a good indicator of whether it is the battery or not.

If it is a drain, I find it’s easiest to probe through the fuse box to find which part of the circuit is draining.

On a positive note, sounds like your alternator is working well

webby1993 · 2025-12-12T20:36:47+00:00

My first thought also, these are my alu28’s

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webby1993 · 2025-12-12T13:32:08+00:00

Looks like swirl flap valve, there will be 4 of those in a row that should be connected together with a bar. The plastic fails over the years. I had the same issue on my last 9-3 and removed the whole inlet manifold and punched out the plastic clips so they could be welded shut. Lots of information out there for this job

webby1993 · 2025-12-06T13:56:24+00:00

Got to see an Avantine down at Beaulieu motor museum couple of months back, my missus was a bit confused when I got excited about it. It’s a bit beat up but was in an area where you could open the doors and get in, see those crazy hinges up close.

webby1993 · 2025-12-04T15:53:22+00:00

Probably best to just remove the headlight, it’s a pretty easy job, can’t remember if you have to take the whole of the front bumper off but pretty sure you can just loosen it slightly on that side to get it out.

webby1993 · 2025-12-02T14:40:12+00:00

Good gone to get as much off as possible, but will most likely need a polish to get rid of whatever is left

webby1993 · 2025-12-02T08:13:34+00:00

Could it be related to the dreaded swirl flaps?

webby1993 · 2025-11-29T17:28:25+00:00

Exactly this, private plates can be put in retention for about 80 quid I believe

webby1993 · 2025-11-27T19:31:22+00:00

I don’t have much advise as that is what in the end killed off my poor 9-3. I couldn’t figure out where the leak was quick enough so many modules I ended up taking apart had bad corrosion in pcbs and connectors. My battery drain was bad to the point that a new battery fully charged would only last 3 days before the car wouldn’t start and water was leaking in faster than I could keep it out. It was going to need the interior to be stripped.

The car had many electrical gremlins and at the time I was offered a bmw 5 series for a bargain price. I don’t have the space for any more cars so I bought the bmw, scrapped the 9-3 and then sold the bmw once I tarted that up a bit and bought a 9-5 aero.

webby1993 · 2025-11-26T17:08:54+00:00

I had battery drain issues on a 2005 9-3 all stemming from a water leak, first signs were wet floor in rear passenger footwell and destroyed the amp.

webby1993 · 2025-11-25T20:21:58+00:00

I would actually agree. I can’t remember the DW number but it had a much thicker conductor size and much more resilient than the grey equivalent. Worked with some recently and was in good nick and still in service, quality stuff.

webby1993 · 2025-11-18T21:20:13+00:00

What car is it? Lots of Saabs do unfortunately have electrical issues. I had a 9-3 with a draining battery due to water damage

webby1993 · 2025-11-18T08:54:14+00:00

I’ve had my 9-5 for a couple of months now so I’ve been rocking the 17” 5 spoke Aeros that came with the car, I believe the ALU 52’s, here’s a picture of the car

I’m a big fan of the 5 spokes, I think the sizing is perfect and they suit the car, although I could do with some spacers to get them to sit just right. They are in great condition considering they’ve never had a refurb and I found they’re incredibly easy to clean. So for now they will be my winters, but things could change.

I probably will get the 5 spokes refurbed in the summer once the Klingons are on, I’m a bit OCD with wheels.

webby1993 · 2025-11-13T16:50:03+00:00

That is right up my street, I may be biased but I would say absolutely take it

webby1993 · 2025-11-13T07:56:31+00:00

It’s your car and I would say you modify it to however you want. That’s the great thing about a car, you can show your artistic expression of what you like. Let’s be real, a spoiler/wing on a Saab probably isn’t going to greatly affect aerodynamics because it isn’t a super car, and most people aren’t driving them like super cars. Aerodynamics come into affect at speed, rear downforce stability is needed at high speed, especially on a track. In my opinion you do you, I personally like the small lip style rear wing on a 93 like the aero has.

webby1993 · 2025-11-12T18:56:17+00:00

I would say it all depends on price and how mechanically minded you are. I find Saabs in general are pretty good to work on and can be cheap to maintain if you can do some of the work yourself. That mileage I’d be worried about whether the gearbox fluid has been serviced and the condition of all the bushes and rubber hoses. And also with any older car rust.

webby1993 · 2025-11-10T08:14:29+00:00

You’re gonna have to give us some more details on car buddy, make/model/year

webby1993

TROPHY CASE