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Saab 2.2TID any good?

marco - 14/12/11 at 10:56 AM

We're on the look out for a diesel and wondered what these saabs are like. We would prefer a medium to larger car and under 2k. Other alternatives are the A4 or Passat TDI's.. At this price most will be 100k miles or over.

PSpirine - 14/12/11 at 11:05 AM

Never had a Saab but have heard very positive things about them in terms of build quality and longevity from friends and work colleagues. Mind you, none of these were the 2.2tids you're looking at.

As for passats/A4s, find a good one (one that doesn't have electrical, front suspension arm bush, central locking or DMF problems) and mileage isn't an issue. Mine's a bit of a shed (looks wise) but is on 215k at the moment as a daily long distance runner. Absolutely immensely engineered cars.

You should be able to get a very very decent example for Ł2k if you have a look round a few.

britishtrident - 14/12/11 at 11:32 AM

Service record is important with these.

Also look at Rover 75/MG ZT diesels very good diesel (best version of BMW diesel no swirl flaps), Getrag gearbox, BMW electronics brakes and suspension built like luxury brick privy and parts are cheap ----- Ł1200 to 2000 will find a very decent car. with 70,000 to 14000 miles on the clock.

[Edited on 14/12/11 by britishtrident]

nick205 - 14/12/11 at 11:58 AM

Are you looking at 9-3 or 9-5's?

My old boss had two 9-5's, both 3.0TiDs. Both were used very hard (i.e. 100k+ in 3 years) and stood up very well all round. The 3.0TiD engine was a little agricultural, but not unpleasant to drive.

Another colleague had a 9-3 1.9TiD Sport and wasn't overly happy with it. His comments were along the lines of "an expensive Vectra and not as good as a Vectra" (they're built on the Vectra platform I believe).

VAG would be my choice, Passat, A4 or Skoda Superb. 100k + miles isn't an issue on these (or most other) cars.

It always amuses me when people make the point about service history being important on a specific car - it's important regardless of make/model...!?!

roadrunner - 14/12/11 at 12:41 PM

I believe the 2.2 is the old style diesel engine. If you can , I would go for the 1.9 instead, more powerfull and more efficient .
Brad.
P.S. I have a Passat on a 52 plate, but its the 1.8t and goes really well.
The only complaint I have is the micro switch in the drivers door has broken and the car does not recognise this when the door has been opened.

[Edited on 14/12/11 by roadrunner]

marco - 14/12/11 at 12:41 PM

I found a couple of the new shape 9-3's which IMO look much more modern than the older ones pre 2002, I had heard they were Vectra based and share the same engine/parts

I had thought about the rover but neither of us like the shape that much, I didn't know you could get a MG ZT in Diesel thought it was only the standard ZT's?

stevebubs - 14/12/11 at 12:47 PM

Avensis? Mondeo? Both good cars....

ashg - 14/12/11 at 01:02 PM

the 2.2's are generally the most troublesome of the bunch. the best of the lot are the ones fitted with the 1.9 8v engine as the 16v versions have inlet manifold problems. in my little fleet i have a signum elite which is also vectra based and a nice motorway drive

mcerd1 - 14/12/11 at 01:17 PM

quote:
Originally posted by marco
I didn't know you could get a MG ZT in Diesel thought it was only the standard ZT's?

standard ZT ?? - do you mean a rover 75 ?

looking at the diesel MG's only there are 37 saloons and 24 estates (ZT-T) on autotrader now, and more on ebay, gumtree, pistonheads, etc.....

I'm not a big car person at all, but I always liked the look of the laast of the facelifted MG's like this one:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201141420995100/sort/pricedesc/usedcars/fuel-type/diesel/model/zt/make/mg/radius/1501/page/1/postco de/eh331rd?logcode=p

[Edited on 14/12/2011 by mcerd1]

Greenie - 14/12/11 at 02:03 PM

SAAB have just confirmed this past fortnight that they have gone in voluntary liquidation, my brother is bailing out of his SAAB.

Ninehigh - 14/12/11 at 02:22 PM

Again?

marco - 14/12/11 at 03:06 PM

quote:
Originally posted by mcerd1

quote:
Originally posted by marco
I didn't know you could get a MG ZT in Diesel thought it was only the standard ZT's?

standard ZT ?? - do you mean a rover 75 ?

looking at the diesel MG's only there are 37 saloons and 24 estates (ZT-T) on autotrader now, and more on ebay, gumtree, pistonheads, etc.....

I'm not a big car person at all, but I always liked the look of the laast of the facelifted MG's like this one:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201141420995100/sort/pricedesc/usedcars/fuel-type/diesel/model/zt/make/mg/radius/1501/page/1/postco de/eh331rd?logcode=p
[Edited on 14/12/2011 by mcerd1]

yes rover 75 sorry the ZT's look better

TimC - 14/12/11 at 03:16 PM

My Co Car is a 9-3 convertible with the 1.9TTid. The engine is cracking. The rest of the car, erm, not so much. Dynamically the thing is pretty poor. Whether or not those with a rood are better I can't say.

britishtrident - 14/12/11 at 04:11 PM

quote:
Originally posted by stevebubs
Avensis? Mondeo? Both good cars....

Service history is important with the Avensis -- like the Saab essential that only fully synthetic 5w/30 oil has been used and changed without going over mileage. With the Toyota the problem is piston slap, not a major problem but annoying, also applies to petrol versions. Avensis models tend to be let down by cheap interior trim, Toyota don't want it stealing more profitable Lexus sales.

Diesel Mondeo I personally wouldn't buy apart from a reputation for DMF and injector problems the steering feels rubbery petrol Mondeo are more viable. A good indication of what to buy in this sector is what Minicab drivers are buying Mondeos are out of favour but in my are at least the Avensis is growing in popularity.

[Edited on 14/12/11 by britishtrident]

britishtrident - 14/12/11 at 04:16 PM

quote:
Originally posted by marco

yes rover 75 sorry the ZT's look better

Amazing when you consider how few changes actually differentiate the two models it would have been interesting what might have been if BMW hadn't interfered with Rovers styling and market niche decisions.
The face lift worked a lot better on the ZT than the 75

mark chandler - 14/12/11 at 04:45 PM

I picked up a v40 lux TD volvo, nov 2002 for Ł1000

It's done 150,000 miles but looks to be a good buy at present, no rust that I have seen and everything is robust and works correctly, cruise, climate leather etc without any knocks or rattles.

They have renault engines, it happily pulled my locost on trailer with tools etc showing 50mpg, returns 45mpg on town driving so maybe worth considering one of these.

Regards Mark

britishtrident - 14/12/11 at 05:11 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Greenie
SAAB have just confirmed this past fortnight that they have gone in voluntary liquidation, my brother is bailing out of his SAAB.

Dosen't alter the cars they have built, it will have almost zero affect on parts supplies Saab have always been exceptionally well supported by specialist after market suppliers, in fact if the MG-Rover experience is anything to go by it will hold parts prices down.

britishtrident - 14/12/11 at 05:14 PM

quote:
Originally posted by mark chandler
I picked up a v40 lux TD volvo, nov 2002 for Ł1000

It's done 150,000 miles but looks to be a good buy at present, no rust that I have seen and everything is robust and works correctly, cruise, climate leather etc without any knocks or rattles.

They have renault engines, it happily pulled my locost on trailer with tools etc showing 50mpg, returns 45mpg on town driving so maybe worth considering one of these.

Regards Mark [/quote

Good cars but again a good service history is vital with the Renault engine.

Bare - 14/12/11 at 05:46 PM
Saabs? Bought my first New one in 84 been buying them ever since. Up to 98 (current and last I will ever own).
For '99 GM/Saab altered the designs dramatically .. the accountants? degraded damned near Everything mechanical.
IMO, all Saab productions, 1999 MY on, are not worth the metal they were cobbled from.
Honestly dunno about diesel versions, they had NO appeal in North America and.. did not... meet Emmissions regs even if some would have bought a few.
Saabs are gasoline guzzlers though, No denying that! Especially so when tweaked for 20 psi boost.
But then without that owner induced 'extra' boost, there's little reason in owning one.. these are both pricey to maintain and suffer abysmal reliability, not an endearing combination.

dray13dad - 14/12/11 at 06:52 PM
1.9 saab is fiat engine in a vectra, suffer with inlet manifold/egr valve and flap probs,Ł1000 -Ł1500 fix look at contrl rail behind rocker cover and inlet manifol. check radio works ampliper faults get full of water under passenger seat..

water pumps and alternators are a fav normally about 70,000 miles.

can have probs with wiring faults injector misfire..

mondeos are norm for clutches,crank pulleys and injectors.

passats 2.0 pdi oil pump and chain faults for oil pump drives are a fav have one in w/shop at mo been waiting since nov for bits..

pmc_3 - 14/12/11 at 07:00 PM
I used to have a 9-3 2.2 tid and it went reasonably well but wasn't amazing on fuel, on the type of driving I do it would average just over 40mpg compared with the 1.9 tdi Passat I have now which does just over 50mpg. It was a well built car that I had for a year and put 20k odd on.

The engine is the same as the 2.2dti in the Vectra B

marco - 14/12/11 at 07:45 PM
Thanks everyone I think we'll be looking for a VW or Audi as the better ecomomy is going to sway it. I've had fords and vauxhalls before although they were ok I think the above feel better built..