Date: Wed, 17 Mar 1999 17:18:54 -0000 From: "David Tong" <gz30nopsam.pipex.com> Subject: Re: 95 wagon vs. BMW 528i Touring
I just tried out both these cars on test drives. I've owned two Saab 9000 2.3 turbos (manual gearbox) from new and all I wanted was another one. But they don't seem to make the equivalent anymore. The BMW is OK but not nearly so spacious and I found the driving position a bit claustrophobic. The Saab 95 is great to drive, and has lots of room, but what I want is acceleration like my 9000s had. (The BMW doesn't have it either). The only thing about the BMW that I would like to see on the Saab is the automatic wipers that sense the rain-fall. By chance it was raining on the day I tried it, and all I had to do was leave it on 'intermittent' and the sensor speeded up or slowed down the wipers as required by the rainfall. Even spray from other vehicles made it work. Apart from that, the Saab wins all-round in my opinion. Stacks more room inside and a feeling of space instead of being cramped. (And I'm only 5ft 4"). But I can't understand why Saab have given up on 200 bhp. That 40-60 mph time of 5.1 seconds really is useful. In the 9000 brochures they made a great issue of how good it is to have rapid overtaking times - how it effectively shortens whatever vehicle you are overtaking. All true, and I've got used to this over the past ten years. Now it looks as if they've changed their mind and this means I've got to take a backward step. I also tried the automatic versions of both cars. I hoped the BMW Steptronic would be nice, but it's not much better than the automatic in practice. The system still takes ages to change gear, in comparison with a manual change. Also I find it difficult to drive smoothly with any automatic if I'm overtaking much. They seem to make a big song and dance about everything. The test I use is to notice how much the passengers head rattles back and forth. In my view their head should hardly move whne I change gear. But to achieve this with an automatics I have to cut out overtaking and pretend I'm a chauffeur. With a manual I can get there quicker and the passenger still feels I'm a chauffeur. Sorry if I've gone on a bit - but I'm disappointed that Saab have watered down the performance. David Tong Leeds, England. -- [Please delete ".zzz" from my address to get the correct return address] WCP INC wrote in message <19990310170600.29737.00000581nopsam.aol.com>... >I will be in the market soon for a new car. I am considering these two models. > Other than the obvious price discrepencies, what are some of the "arguable" >comparisons between the two cars. I currently drive a '96 900SE four-door >turbo. > >Ben
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