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, Tue, 24 Sep 2013 17:01:16
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The springs don't break, they just sack out and lose their tension, poor quality material or bad design, the only replacements are more of the same junk or aftermaket lowering springs that will lower your car and really knock your teeth out. Some have resorted to cramming solid spacers under the spring to restore ride height, it fixes the ride height issue and allows proper alignment to be possible, effect on driving dynamics can't be good with pooped out springs.
The bigger issue is all the rubber bushings that seem to give out at around 100k, pr even earlier, my car started creaking and groaning from this as early as 65 k. Some of them are say DIY items, others are a lot more challenging. You can see from many posts here on this subject, that this is the rule and not the exception. There are about a dozen of these that can go bad, look at PowerFlex, Eeuro, or the SaabSite and get your calculator out, they add up anywhere from 400-700, depending on if you go with poly or rubber. If you don't DIY, and have all replaced, add another 800 to 1100, depending on where you take it.
I was used to the factory Boge sourced shocks lasting a good 200k on any past Saab, but
not with this car. So one needs to budget for a set of shocks/struts a good 600.00-800.00
just for the parts, add another 500.00 or so for labor, add another 200 more for strut mounts.
Don't forget those motor mounts, I just did mine at 100 k and all four, including the torque rod were very bad. This coats me 400.00 and I did it myself, expect 200 to 300 labor if you have a shop do it.
It adds up, I have never had to go with this with another Saab or any other make we have owned, we have Volvos and Audis that did not go through this. I have a 17 year old Ford pickup, other than shocks I put on, never had to mess with bushings or motor mounts.
So this car has been disappointing in this regard. I still like the car, has great seats and decent to drive with good mileage, good motor. But I don't love it. Some of the guys here just don't want to hear this though. If it were not for the fine folks on this forum and a great local indie, I would have stopped owning Saabs 20 years ago.
Good luck with your decision, if you are deed set on a larger wagon, the Saab may still be a decent choice, prepare to get your fingers dirty though, or spend a lot of money keeping her going. This is no Honda or Toyota in the trouble free department. MB and BMWs cost even more to keep up and are tough DIY. Long term Audis get very expensive too. We have been very pleased with our 2010 Volvo S80 though...too early to tell how it will hold up, but others have held up well.
posted by 24.42.180...
, Wed, 18 Sep 2013 19:51:09, Tue, 24 Sep 2013 17:01:16
, Fri, 20 Sep 2013 08:59:23, Thu, 19 Sep 2013 08:50:06, Wed, 18 Sep 2013 20:40:37, Thu, 19 Sep 2013 08:12:18
, Thu, 19 Sep 2013 15:21:13, Fri, 20 Sep 2013 07:37:47
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