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Just picked up my new baby :-) 2002 MY, 9-5 Aero in Steel Grey/Charcoal
Leather :-) It was a factory order (took 5 weeks from order placement to
delivery in the UK) and replaced my 99 (T Reg) 2.0 SE auto.
Very very pleased with it so far. 5 spd auto is v.nice, and handling has
much improved - a report on performance will have to wait until she's run
in. I ordered the 2002 upgrade spec (which is the new MY improvement in the
UK, I guess aimed at combatting the european import price difference). The
upgrade spec comes with heated seats (mine came with heated front and rear,
though I didn't specify the rear seats heated - not sure that this is part
of the UK 2002MY upgrade spec), Memory/Electric seats, HID/Xenon lights,
LCD Rear View Mirror and Park Assist at no extra charge. The only extra I
specified on top was the Rain Sensor wipers, as I've been more than happy
with the AS2 audio in each of my 3 previous 9-5s, and didn't want a Sunroof.
Much to my surprise, the silver dash looks *much* better than I'd
anticipated with the grey leather interior. I'd only seen it before with
the beige, and didn't like it at all. My planned dash swap will now be put
on hold, as I think I can grow to like the silver in this interior.
Build quality seems to be up on my previous 9-5s. Lots of minor little
changes that make a difference. The LCD Rear View mirror is fantastic.
Just took it out in the dark to try out the HID/Xenon lighting, and the
mirror really caught my attention - it was excellent - much better than a
two position manual mirror. The effect was excellent at dusk, when a normal
mirror would be too dark, or too dazzling depending on its position. Dash
display captions seem to have been sharpened up and colours seem more
saturated than before.
I notice that the 2.3 unit isn't quite as smooth as the 2.0, though the
difference isn't huge, and has been commented on before. Other minor
changes I noticed - the cruise control dash indicator has moved position
over the 99 model. It is now more sensibly located across the bottom of the
instrument panel. The rear cup holders aren't as "damped" as before when
opening (maybe a minor cost cutting exercise). The only v.slight adverse
thing I've noticed so far is that when you release the brake pedal quickly,
there is a quiet but audible metallic clunk from the pedal. It really is a
trivial thing, but something I've not had before on my previous 9-5s (anyone
else, or is this just a feature?). Ride is obviously firmer with the sports
suspension, but very well controlled, and handling now feels much more hot
hatch-like, with good turn in and feel compared with my previous SE. Body
roll has been all but eliminated. Sports seats are great - nicely
supportive, and very comfortable. I very much like the neat thoughtful
touches such as the nearside door mirror angling down when in reverse if
desired, and the way the LCD rear view mirror brightens up in reverse -
nice. The smaller keys are a bonus too!
The Steel Grey Metallic IMO really suits the car - to me it looks more
aggressive than the other colours. My previous ones were Silver Metallic,
but I thought with the new grill, the Silver looked a little more effeminate
and softer, whilst the Grey seemed to beef up the appearance; anyway, I like
it a lot. Paint finish quality (as before) is superb. That's about it for
now, time to read the manual :-)
Simon Watkins
posted by 62.64.205...
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