Date: Sun, 17 Jun 2001 16:52:59 GMT From: "Scott Turnamian" <wahoonopsamd.rr.com> Subject: Thinking about enhancing my 9-5's performance - Looking for experience/recommendations
Hi all, I have a 1999 Saab 9-5SE 2.3 5 Spd. It's coming off lease. I am contemplating a couple of things. I've looked at and driven the Aero. A new BMW 530. A used BMW 540. I am also considering buying my car off lease and tweaking it a bit. I love my car other than it's a bit under-powered and soft. I was thinking about stiffer springs, a new Trionic chip for about 40-70 more horsepower. Perhaps 17" rims/tires. What experience have people had tweaking these newer Saabs?. Is it recommended? What impact has tweaking had on reliability? Is it worth the money? Which options should I take? Performance chip, springs, wheels, discs? I was considering the chip and springs initially. Then the beefier brakes and wheels later on. Which performance part vendors have people used and liked? I've seen several on the web. How far have people taken the stock 9-5 engine? 250Bhp? 300? Are the stock 9-5 and Aero engines identical other than perhaps the chip and boost pressure? Or has Saab made the Aero engines sturdier to withstand the extra stress of running at 230BHP? Will tweaking the 9-5 kill my ability to get an extended warranty from a 3rd party insurer? I suspect the answer is yes. Thanks! And happy Father's Day to all of you fathers out there. Scott Turnamian