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9000 #4

78K views 232 replies 32 participants last post by  GrantB5 
#1 ·
Greetings all!

It has to be said that my recent motoring karma has not been good. This could be traced back to the fateful decision I made to sell this,

2012-06-24144452 by Mark Blewitt, on Flickr

I loved this car so much - I have never kept a car for as long as I kept this (very nearly 5 Years........)

I sold it because the gearbox was failing and the dreaded rust had started to kick in........Now I realise that I should have got all of these things sorted because from this I got the OG 9-3 Aero which was a nice car but this came to a sticky end when the front wheel came off. Next came the Big red bus ('00 9-5 Aero estate) - which although it looked great, I never, ever bonded with. When the 9-5 started to become a little naughty, Mrs B called time on 'bangernomics' and demanded that we get a sensible and suitable 'modern' car to comfortably seat our now very-much growing 3 children. This led to us buying our XC90 - which to be fair does the job beautifully. This then led me in to selling the 9-5 and then using Mrs B's 9-3 vert. Mrs B as soon as she got her much-wanted XC90, she knew that I wouldn't keep the vert and that she knew I would go 9000 shopping! Of course, as I am not the type to let people down, I started my search.........

What I wanted was a either an Aero or a decent Anniversary. This turned into a long search, mainly because since I got my last 9000 the number of 9000s has all but disappeared!
Eventually, a friend mentioned how he had been to P&P car sales and that they had a real beauty. He had intended to buy this example but then decided I should get it instead. But when I rang P&P they were sorry to report that it had sold. But they suggested I get in contact with DCA Saab as they thought that they might have a 'few' Anniversaries.... So I did - they said that they did indeed have 3 awaiting attention. Daniel at DCA promised he would go up to their yard and see what they were like and pull out the best one. This turned out to be a '97 2.3 FPT auto in Scarab green. Here are the initial pictures he sent me of the said car;

2.3FPT Anni by Mark Blewitt, on Flickr

2.3FPT Anni by Mark Blewitt, on Flickr

2.3FPT Anni by Mark Blewitt, on Flickr

2.3FPT Anni by Mark Blewitt, on Flickr

Suitably interested, I asked for more information. They told me that it had full S/H (mainly Main agents and the rest Independent specialists - 19 stamps in all!) and that it had done 123k.

So with that I organised to go view during this past week - however as is often the case with family life plans didn't go to plan. I was then faced with the prospect of cadging lifts and using public transport for another half term. With this I took the brave (maybe stupid?) decision to buy the car 'blind' and get it delivered.........scary stuff!

So the 9000 was listed on Uship and eventually I agreed to have it delivered on Saturday. So when it arrived looking like this;

20171028_145210 by Mark Blewitt, on Flickr

20171028_145242 by Mark Blewitt, on Flickr

20171028_145526 by Mark Blewitt, on Flickr

20171028_145710 by Mark Blewitt, on Flickr

20171029_114848 by Mark Blewitt, on Flickr

20171029_114853 by Mark Blewitt, on Flickr

The spoiler was particuarly manky........

20171028_145535 by Mark Blewitt, on Flickr

But generally the car is sound and pretty much rust free - but boy is it ever grimy and dirty!

So fast forward to today I was set about giving her possibly the most thorough detail she had have in many a year - this was the regime;

Washed using G3 bodyshop prep shampoo
Clay mitt (G3)
Washed again with Megs Gold class shampoo
Megs Ultimate compound
Scratches treated with G3 scratch paste (loads have now gone!)
3 coats of Autoglym Super resin polish
2 coats of Autoglym HD wax
Interior - thorough hoovering
Leather cleaned and conditoned (Meguiars mirror bright leather treatment)
Door shuts cleaned - more needed
Tyres dressed using Megs Endurance

After around 4 hours this is how she looked;

20171029_162550 by Mark Blewitt, on Flickr

20171029_162413 by Mark Blewitt, on Flickr

So what are the priorities?

1. Tyres - they are not good. Looking at quite what to do in terms wheel options. I have always dreamt of set of Exposed nut Superaeros. If not a better set of Anni alloys - in any case a set of Uniroyal Rainsports are the dream

2. Replace number plates - these are ordered

3. Replace front and rear badges

4. Get the code for the head unit - this is being addressed this week too. Now done and working, sort of.......

5. Get the central locking working - module is needed. Sourced!

6. Get better rear spoiler in Scarab

There will be more.............

But - the main feeling is that I am so delighted to be back in a 9000!

As I have said many times before - 'you gotta love a 9000'!
 
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#3 ·
They are just great cars! So happy to be back in one.

There has been a few issues since last I updated this thread........

1. Oil leak - this 'seemed' like potentially a major problem - but it turned out to be a leak coming from the oil feed on the turbo which in turn was dropping on to the exhaust......you can only imagine the smell and then one night the clouds of blue smoke. Pretty scary stuff!

2. Thermostat needs replacing - at the same time the coolant will be fully flushed, silicone hoses fitted and maybe a new header tank (now genuine Saab ones are available).

I have a couple of questions that really need images to illustrate my points;

1. Wrinkled orginal mats - what can be done?

2. Small dent in the bonnet - can this be sorted with a 'smart' repair?

3. Engine bay - as the car was stored for nearly 2 years before I got it the engine bay is a bit of mess........what can be done?

I will add images to show what I mean in due course!
 
#4 ·
Thanks for a very welcome trip down memory lane!

I had a black 9000SE about 20 years ago. I loved that car and took it to Norway and Sweden and back on two long summer holidays.

Still the best seats I've ever sat in in a car. You could drive all day long and still be fresh.

But the turbo lag:doublesho!!

Peter
 
#6 ·
I had a P reg 9000 Griffin Auto 2.3 for several years. Absolutely wonderful car.
I went from an 'X' reg 9-5 Aero that was its antithesis; night and day. I really never know such a poor car as a 9-5. It makes me angry even now.

I sold the Griffin to a friend who kept it and now has over 300k on the clock, if I recall correctly. For me, it offered depreciation and repair-free motoring. We still have a P reg Volvo 850 Tdi CD Auto estate because it is the cheapest car we could cover 20k miles a year in.

What I noticed is that you can actually witness how that period marked a point when 'old' turned into 'new' in very much a Concorde way. The old Saab and Volvo didn't need traction control because they had well designed mechanicals. I have the bill of sale for our Volvo - it was £33k in 1996 ie more than an XJ6 at the time, or £59k if adjusted for inflation. A new V90 is about £36k.
(http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/...tion-calculator-value-money-changed-1900.html)

The 2001 E39 530i Auto I went to after the Griffin wouldn't move on icy carparks that the Griffin didn't even - notice because of its LSD.

It is also notable that these two were the last 'proper' Saabs and Volvos before their respective takeovers. It is comforting to know that these cars didn't offer them a profit sufficient to keep them in business, arguably because they were made too well. It is also notable that the same companies made commercial vehicles that last.
 
#9 ·
So I have given the old girl a bath and fitted the new number plates;

before;

9000 Anniversary by Mark Blewitt, on Flickr

20171029_162550 by Mark Blewitt, on Flickr

and after;

20171219_144526 by Mark Blewitt, on Flickr

20171219_151050 by Mark Blewitt, on Flickr

20171219_144510 by Mark Blewitt, on Flickr

It is true what they say about the little things, they really do make a big difference!

Next (cosmetically) is to deal with the badges front and rear (I am led to believe these might be coming to me via a man with a long white beard)......

Worried about the rear badge on the decor panel - anyone have any experience of replacing these without causing damage to the decor panel?

Moving onto the engine bay. As you can see from the photos below she was sat for around two years before being recommissioned by DCA Saab before being sold to me. Anyone got any ideas how to get rid of the 'mottled' effect on the metals?

20171219_133334 by Mark Blewitt, on Flickr

20171219_133338 by Mark Blewitt, on Flickr

20171219_133341 by Mark Blewitt, on Flickr

Early in the new year the thermostat to be changed, coolant flushed and changed. Alongside replacing the coolant hoses with silicone ones;

https://www.neobrothers.co.uk/maptu...-kit-saab-9000-91-98-20--23-petrol-5365-p.asp

and also one of these;

http://www.saabits.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=676

I have now done around 1500 miles and apart from the oil leak (now temp fixed) and the frozen door mechanism, she has performed brilliantly. Loving be back in a 9000!
 
#18 ·
So the old girl has been used and abused since my last update - 3000 miles since it's last bath before today left her looking like this;

20180215_112606 by Mark Blewitt, on Flickr

20180215_112616 by Mark Blewitt, on Flickr

really rather grim, I'm sure you'll agree!

But having spent 3 hours using the following method/products;

1. 2 bucket wash using Megs gold class shampoo
2. Megs Ultimate compund
3. AG SRP
4. 2 coats of AG HD wax
5. Glass cleaned using AG glass polish
6. Tyres and rubbers/plastics dressed with Megs endurance

she looked like this;

20180215_141849 by Mark Blewitt, on Flickr

20180215_141900 by Mark Blewitt, on Flickr

20180215_141916 by Mark Blewitt, on Flickr

Whilst I was on a roll I decided to change the bonnet badge,

20180215_140303 by Mark Blewitt, on Flickr

But I chickened out doing the rear badge on the decor panel............

In those 3000 miles she has averaged 29 MPG which is pretty good really - on some longer runs I saw the average rise to 36 MPG!

But - I still need to attack my Aero seats with the Gliptone twins.......and get them in.......don't want to rush into anything though!
 
#19 ·
#20 ·
Also - I have had a frustrating time trying to sort the non-funtioning CD player.

Firstly I couldn't get the bloomin' thing out of the dash and now I cannot get the screws undone to clean the head...........

20180216_152822 by Mark Blewitt, on Flickr

20180216_152831 by Mark Blewitt, on Flickr

Any thoughts on the right screwdriver? Can't get anything to work........most frustrating!
 
#22 ·
Nice updates! It looks great in those pictures. Good to hear you’ve had some decent trouble free motoring out of it too!

Still curious to see what improvement you can get on those seats. I think theylll come up a treat.

And I would agree, those screws just look like regular PZ-2 heads from the picture?
 
#24 · (Edited)
Greetings all!

Having all of this snow has at last left with me some time to tackle the '£10' Aero seats.

I had got these off the bay in very early January and to be honest I had unloaded them into the garage and not really inspected them at all.

So having ordered these;

20180303_144321 by Mark Blewitt, on Flickr

I went about cleaning and feeding the seats - starting with the passenger front first - this is what it looked like at first;

20180303_100811 by Mark Blewitt, on Flickr

20180303_100834 by Mark Blewitt, on Flickr

Intensive cleaner doing it's thing;

20180303_101201 by Mark Blewitt, on Flickr

All cleaned and dried looking rather better;

20180303_102525 by Mark Blewitt, on Flickr

20180303_102539 by Mark Blewitt, on Flickr

Suffice to say it was FILTHY!

20180303_101146 by Mark Blewitt, on Flickr

20180303_103746 by Mark Blewitt, on Flickr

Encouraged by the results, I moved on to the very grotty driver seat.......before.......

20180303_103829 by Mark Blewitt, on Flickr

20180303_103824 by Mark Blewitt, on Flickr

During;

20180303_105312 by Mark Blewitt, on Flickr

20180303_105316 by Mark Blewitt, on Flickr

As you can see the intensive cleaner went straight through the dodgy matched dye!

After;

20180303_110352 by Mark Blewitt, on Flickr

20180303_110404 by Mark Blewitt, on Flickr

Passenger seat now fed with the conditioner;

20180303_112411 by Mark Blewitt, on Flickr

20180303_112420 by Mark Blewitt, on Flickr

On to the driver's seat - much better but more applications of conditioner needed;

20180303_113328 by Mark Blewitt, on Flickr

All in all - I am delighted - the rear seats all look great!

20180303_115616 by Mark Blewitt, on Flickr

20180303_121840 by Mark Blewitt, on Flickr

20180303_143632 by Mark Blewitt, on Flickr

Rear headrests

20180303_121900 by Mark Blewitt, on Flickr

20180303_121851 by Mark Blewitt, on Flickr

Not bad for a tenner!

Good 'ole Gliptone!
 
#25 · (Edited)
Greetings!

So are these a clue as to what I took on yesterday?

20180324_112035 by Mark Blewitt, on Flickr

Before long it looked like this;

20180324_121612 by Mark Blewitt, on Flickr

And then all of a sudden I had achieved this;

20180324_161626 by Mark Blewitt, on Flickr

20180324_161647 by Mark Blewitt, on Flickr

Feeling very pleased with myself - As we know I am not the most practical of men, which would probably explain why I didn't get on so well with rear seats.........

I cannot believe the difference the seats make - I had forgotten how wonderful these Aero armchairs are!

Anyway - a quick bath for the old girl to celebrate!

20180324_161612 by Mark Blewitt, on Flickr
 
#29 ·
Got another couple of very little but very satisfying jobs done on the old girl yesterday;

1. Fitted the 'turbo' grill badge;

20180411_160936 by Mark Blewitt, on Flickr

2. Took out, cleaned, oiled and re-fitted the noisy interior temp sensor - those of you with either a 9K or an OG 9-3 will know just how noisy these get when they get clogged up with dust;

20180411_160440 by Mark Blewitt, on Flickr

Oftentimes it is the case that the little jobs are very rewarding!
 
#30 ·
More jobs started today.

The engine bay is more than a bit of a mess - another inheritance from it's slumber in the DCA yard........So it had looked like this;

20171219_133334 by Mark Blewitt, on Flickr

After some cleaning it has started to look a little better;

20180413_150937 by Mark Blewitt, on Flickr

Particularly pleased with the delivery pipe;

20180413_150944 by Mark Blewitt, on Flickr

Obviously more to do...........

So I went to fit the replacement indicator unit;

20180413_143706 by Mark Blewitt, on Flickr

However when I went to fit the 'new to me' unit - the lens came away from the housing.........some glue beckons...........

So short term plans;

1. Get the 'good' spoiler fitted
2. Thermostat - combined with coolant flush
3. Silicone hoses - cannot decide which route to take with these - Black maptun ones from Neos or the Ali express ones.........
4. Fit the CD changer I have - anyone got a C-bus Clarion lead or a suitable 'cage' to secure it?

Longer term plans;
1. Wheels - 16" Exposed nut Super Aeros are the dream!
2. Tyres............
3. Have the Air con looked at/re-gas
4. Front armrest

I'm sure there is more......
 
#31 ·
More good updates. I’m glad to see the turbo badge fitted - I always look for those on the front of these Saabs. One of the few situations that a turbo badge is acceptable on a car :lol:

If you could get a set of the Aero wheels you mention - that would be awesome.

A thermostat change is always nice - every car I’ve done it on, I’m always surprised how much quicker the heater starts working. Equally working A/C will be a blessing in the coming months!
 
#32 · (Edited)
So I have been out shoppin'!

I have purchased a set of these;

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/UK-For-1...m=263560155127&_trksid=p2060778.c100290.m3507

£21 delivered! Others on here and mates of mine have fitted these and they have been all good. Notice also they come with a 5yr guarantee, so really it they had to be purchased. They had been listed for more like £50 delivered, which isn't too bad. I had considered the Maptun black set that Neo Brothers have in stock, but they have 5 hoses in the pack and I would have needed to get the clamps too - so that would have taken us to nearer the £70 mark.

Also I have ordered a genuine Saab thermostat. So the plan is to go and see Lewis Turner (he of the 9000 register in the SOC) who is a mate of mine and flush through the coolant system, change the stat, fit the hoses and then refill the coolant with the GM pink stuff which I have in the garage.

I am also thinking about getting a new expansion tank as mine is really rather horrible!

In stock awaiting fitting;

1. Passenger front locking actuator
2. Central Locking module
3. Rear spoiler in good nick
4. Replacement passenger front indicator
5. Oil and filter change
6. New rear badge for the decor panel
7. Fit rear Aero seats (Mother in-law is going to make me a cushion for the back seat)

Wants
1. C-bus lead and 'cage' for fitting the CD changer I have for her
2. Exposed nut Super Aero alloys
3. Air con re-gas - investigation of Air-con system to determine faults?
4. New Expansion tank

A new issue that has just reared it's head - the dreaded ABS light has come on............faulty sensor or mucky sensor.....? Who knows........just plain annoying!
 
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