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Last month I traded in my 2007 9-5 Aero 60th SC for a 2018 BMW 330i xDrive SW.
20 years ago this month I bought my first SAAB, a 2002 9-5 Aero SW. I replaced it with (subsequent) two other 9-5 wagons, and got both kids 9-5's when they started driving (daughter had a second one, after totaling the first). My then-now-ex-wife also had a 9-3 Aero.
About 2.5 yrs ago, with the 9-5 getting up in years and mileage, I added a 2018 BMW X3 M40i. An awesome engine, most options so loved the technology, but I wasn't sure that a SUV could replace a Sport Wagon/Combi, and I just couldn't become a SUV guy. After less than 6 months I traded it for a 2018 Audi A5 Sportback. It has most options, and handles/performs incredibly. It seemed like a good stablemate for the SAAB. The 9-5 was the go-to for rainy days or snow (still had the summer/winter tire changeovers). As much as I liked the Audi (and there is a LOT to like about it), I still enjoyed driving the 9-5, and probably put 2-3 times the miles on it as the Audi.
Finally, reluctantly, at 177k miles, and 15 yrs old, time to let the SAAB go. I knew that a SUV wouldn't work, so that doesn't leave much. It pretty much came down to an E-class wagon, A4 Allroad, Volvo V60-V90 even XC-70, and BMW 3-series. I knew that all but the V-90 and XC-70 would have smaller cargo capacity, but as much as I like the new Volvo's, their reliability is a concern, and I just can't get over the fact that they don't have a temperature display. Yeah, that's perhaps minor for most people, but... The M-B is certainly impressive, but they also have an "impressive" cost, and a poorer MPG than the Audi or BMW (although perhaps not really worse than the 9-5). I really like a lot about my A-5, but its Sport Seats have nowhere near the comfort of a SAAB (well, duh, who does), and I don't think that Audi's standard seats are any better. [It's possible that when you get into A6 and above, optional massaging seats you're approaching SAAB/Volvo level of seat comfort.]
Not too many 3-series wagons around, I drove 200 miles to test drive this 2018. (Actually, I drove that to test drive a 2019 that they had, but it didn't have blind spot monitoring. BMW unfortunately doesn't take safety as seriously as their competitors.) I left the SAAB there.
I am surprised how much I like driving the 330i. It has their sport seats. Not SAAB comfort, but much more so than the Audi. It doesn't have a sport suspension. It doesn't perhaps handle as well as the A5 (with its sport suspension and 18" wheels), but it's close, certainly better than the 9-5, and it sits higher than my 9-5 Aero's. Not the cargo capacity of the 9-5, but the backseat legroom seems better than the A5, and close to the 9-5. I would prefer more cargo room, when I might need it, but this should be fine most of time.
I think that my subscription is still good for awhile, perhaps I'll continue to drop in. I do have some SAAB parts to sell, I might try here first.
Thanks everyone for all of the help that I've received here the past 20 years, and a BIG thanks to Scott for creating this community.
->Posting last edited on Sat, 14 May 2022 15:55:18.
4
, Sun, 15 May 2022 07:44:40
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