Date: Tue, 01 May 2001 21:16:04 -0400 From: Four Weis <mweinopsamcom> Subject: Re: SAAB 9-3 versus BMW 3 series
Johannes H Andersen wrote: > > And the 9-3 isn't nose heavy..? Funny, I'm sure I saw an engine and > > gearbox lurking somewhere under it's bonnet ;) > > > > Yes, there should be one, but on the classic it is longitudinally mounted > ahead of an imagined front axle. This must shift the front/rear weight > distribution forward, that was what I meant by nose heavy. The engine in the classic is mounted "backwards" with the pulleys against the firewall and the clutch right behind the radiator. This makes it easy, well easy for some, to change the clutch and interesting to change the belts. Most other fwd cars mount the engine transverse. Many Saab mechanics will say that the Classic with its engine mounted longitudinally was better in the snow than the 9000 with its transverse engine. My experience with the classic in the snow and ice for 16 years has been great. It was perfectly controllable and I often was able to go up hills past SUVs that were just spinning all four wheels. I could stop on the hill and ask if they needed help, then start right up the hill from a dead stop. I hope the 9-3 is capable of this, but I will have to wait for a test drive in the winter to confirm this. > > > I don't know if this affects the car, it seems to have large overhangs at > both front and rear, making it a surprisingly long car, longer than the > 9000, but also narrower. > > Johannes
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
