2003 SAAB 9-3 2.0t SE from Norway - Comments

30th Sep 2007, 14:26

"Unlike any other"

What things have gone wrong with the car?

85.000km - Vibration at speeds over 100 kmh. Probably due to chip upgrade, which increases hp/torque from 150hp/240nm to 215hp/342nm.

Left rear electric window inoperative when bought. Have not had it fixed yet.

General comments?

The 2 litre turbo engine (B205E) is very good. It's torque peaks @ 1800rpm, compared to 3-4000 rpm on my previously owned BMW. I've had it chip-tuned to increase the power and torque, and the car is now faster than a 2.5 Porsche Boxster in a straight line. Unfortunately, the suspension and handling is poor. Very poor. Get me right though, it's safe meaning that if you push the line it'll just under-steer a lot, but the car is incapable of being driven fast on curvy roads. To much body-roll, and too soft suspension. Build quality is good, secondhand value is not.


6th Apr 2008, 16:59

I wrote this review. The car has now covered 102 000km. At 91 000 km, the front suspension was upgraded, and the vibration is now gone. I've also upgraded the brakes, to EBC discs/pads. The original brakes doesn't like heat very much, and they'll start fading.

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