1999 SAAB 9-3 SE from North America - Comments

I have a 2001 Saab 9-3 Viggen, from new, and it now has 150K miles on it, and I have never ever had any problems with this car. I do all the service myself, and only use Mobil 1 oil (from the first oil change). My wife has a 99 9-3SE that I bought used, I use synthetic in that one as well, and have no issues.

Personally, I love these cars! Treat them well, and they will treat you well back!

Re: 1999 Saab 9-3 oil sludge issue. The reason that you have not experienced a sludge issue in your 99 Saab is not because you use synthetic oil, that has absolutely nothing to do with it. The 99 model year, the ones built in the first half of the year use the B204 engine which is the Saab original "H" engine, these engines are not prone to sludge, they are bullet proof. I have almost 200,000 miles on mine and change the oil every 7500 miles with regular not synthetic oil, no sludge, and it's reliable. The sludge issue is in the B230, 225 engines installed in 9-3s and 9-5s from 1999 1/2 till about 2003.

I have a 2001 93 SE with 184,000 miles on it. I just had it serviced by a ex dealer Saab mechanic. I have never experienced this sludge that is discussed here. I have had the oil changed fairly religiously over the life of the car, and I was doing a search to see what the lifespan of these cars was. I love the car, though it is now scratched up, black, (someone keyed it recently, boo hoo).

I never get a backache... it was one of the reasons I got the car, the seats, and I did a lot of driving first few years when I put 30-40 miles a year. Mechanic says car still feels good, must of been highway miles, and he was right. I am going to buy another used 93 if I can, because I feel that I have never had any major issues with the car, and besides it is fast and I have a lead foot.

I have 1999 Saab 9.3 Convertible, the roof stopped working!!! Can I use it manually?

Just buy an old 900i. You won't get any problems with that!

Ran out of places to call and search... I purchased a 1999 Saab 9-3 with a blown motor... I have called every where trying to find a B204R motor or a short block and have come across dead ends. Is there any Saab owner that know where I can go to find any Saab Parts besides the dealer???

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

I have a Saab 9-3 convertible, and at 65,000 miles the engine just STOPPED. I was told it had no oil, though I had just had oil put in. Now I need a new engine. If there is/was any kind of class action suit, please post details.

My 2002 9-3 SE Turbo is getting a huge repair. I'd like to know why the oil pump pickup screen on these cars is so prone to blockage?

Is the mesh ultrafine or is it purely that the poorly located CAT is causing the problem.

I've seen Fords that've run 90,000 without an oil change. Not pretty, but still ticking away!

Shame on you SAAB. Poor R & D IMHO.

Buying a used 2001 SAAB 9-3 185 hp turbo.

Should I empty the oil drop the oil pan and inspect for sludge?

Any comments, please respond.

We have a 2003 93 that has just started blowing smoke in the the morning, but not every morning, and on occasions when left for 6-8 hours, but again intermittently. It's OK on the run, doesn't blow smoke and has been maintained by Saab dealers up to approx. 60,000Kms, now just over 92,000kms, and has had oil changes every 10,000kms (not miles) using Casrol synthetic oil only.

I'm wondering about all these breather mods, and I'm quite disturbed with these sludge problems. Anybody got some more specific details please?

If you need SAAB parts call elite foreign in California. For certain parts it's very good. For things like alt. fuel pump etc. BUY NEW.

I am buying a Saab that just had a new motor put in it. It's a 1999 9-5. I think they are nice fast cars, but after reading all the issues on them, I don't know what to do. I am from Newfoundland and I don't see many of these cars. Can someone give me some advice? Thanks.

If the car is cheap enough, go for it. Be prepared to spend heaps on maintenance and get it properly serviced, though.