SAAB 9-3 1.8t Linear SE

[cg200]

Has anyone any thoughts on petrol SAAB 9-3 1.8t Linear SE,s - as regards known issues? Im looking at a 58 plate for sale, and trying to gauge if Im letting myself in for trouble. It has sub 60K miles, and has a decent service record.

Help is appreciated.

[sgould]

Should be fine .if it's a well looked after car. Make sure all the electric bits work. Especially the windows, electric mirrors and door locks. Get a cheap code reader and check for any fault codes. A code reader will probably only pick up engine codes, not any other codes for the body and chassis.

[ilovesaab99s]

Same basic engine as your Aero, without the bigger turbo, so I think you are safe.

[munchcorp]

They are a bit low spec. You might find a Turbo Edition (09/59) plate has more kit. My convertible Linear SE doesn't even have heated seats or mirrors!

That era 1.8t can suffer from soft inlet valves. I bought an 09 convertible which had it, but we now have a second which doesn't. You get a misfire when cold, but not once warm. About £800 to fix, but thankfully you don't have dual mass flywheels or particulate filters like the diesels do to worry about. Those are both £1k jobs.

Just check the handbrake feels about right. Failing calipers allow it to come up too high. Low mileage cars can suffer from stuck calipers.

[cg200]

Should be fine .if it's a well looked after car. Make sure all the electric bits work. Especially the windows, electric mirrors and door locks. Get a cheap code reader and check for any fault codes. A code reader will probably only pick up engine codes, not any other codes for the body and chassis.

Thanks mate. I have a little Maxiscan that should do the job for basic codes.

[cg200]

They are a bit low spec. You might find a Turbo Edition (09/59) plate has more kit. My convertible Linear SE doesn't even have heated seats or mirrors!

That era 1.8t can suffer from soft inlet valves. I bought an 09 convertible which had it, but we now have a second which doesn't. You get a misfire when cold, but not once warm. About £800 to fix, but thankfully you don't have dual mass flywheels or particulate filters like the diesels do to worry about. Those are both £1k jobs.

Just check the handbrake feels about right. Failing calipers allow it to come up too high. Low mileage cars can suffer from stuck calipers.

Yeah, Ill probably notice the performance drop as I currently have an 06 93 Aero. Not particularly worried about heated seats or mirrors. Ill do a bit of research on the inlet valves, and check the hand brake status. Sound advice. Thanks.

[sgould]

Don't worry too much about the performance. We had a 1.8t. It was fine. We had it tuned with the Saab Hirsch 195hp tune. The mid-range torque was better than the standard Aero, and the spool-up of the smaller turbo was quicker.

Have a chat with Karl at www.noobtune.co.uk

[cg200]

Don't worry too much about the performance. We had a 1.8t. It was fine. We had it tuned with the Saab Hirsch 195hp tune. The mid-range torque was better than the standard Aero, and the spool-up of the smaller turbo was quicker.

Have a chat with Karl at www.noobtune.co.uk

Will do thanks

[keithyboy]

I have a pair of Linears. One has 140k on the clock, the other 115k. I have far more faith in both than I do in my Mini.

Listen for timing chain rattles on a petrol car. Other than that it's all standard car buying stuff.

I can't speak highly enough of Saabnoob remaps. Karl sorted both of mine. I've had a Hirsch one which was solid enough but Karl's are better.

[ilovesaab99s]

Linear SE was basically an Arc without the wood and leather.... but could still have a lot of goodies off the option list. Often you can find Linears or Vectors with more kit than an Aero.

All I know from my Dad's experience was that the headlamps from the facelift 9-3s (if not Xenon) were not the best...