2005 Saab 9-5 Aero wagon - nordwulf

[nordwulf]

I have owned this 9-5 for 3 years now and it has been very reliable. And fun to drive as well. It recently passed 100K miles (160K kilometers so here is an update of all maintenance and repairs in the last 60K miles.

I have done most maintenance and repairs myself except for the drive axle replacements. Without a car lift and having to use car ramps, it is difficult to get underneath the car and do repair work. They were installed by a local garage and it was worth it to have them do it. There was ticking sound from the front wheels while turning and completely new axle assmeblies were not expensive at all. Certainly easier and less labor intensive than actually replacing the CV joints. More info here: http://saabworld.net/showthread.php?t=31044

There was a coolant leak coming from the engine and replacing the water pump fixed that problem. It was a slow leak and was mostly in cold weather. I should have replaced sooner but it wasnlt causing any problems. I am not sure if the water pump was the actual problem or if the old o-rings and seals were the problem. However, the water pump is an inexpensive part so replacing it at 100K miles when you're repalcing the seals and rings is an easy choice. http://saabworld.net/showthread.php?t=27463

At the same time, I also replaced the serpentine belt and changed from the short to the long belt and installed the center pulley. Spark plugs were replaced after 60K miles, as well as the transmission fluid and coolant.

So besides the drive axles and water pump, there aren't any other major issues that needed attention. Even at 100K miles, I still fully trust this car and drive it anywhere. If I had to pay someone to do most of the maintenance and repairs, I probably would have spend $1000+ in the last few years. With the WIS, repair guides and help from the members here, it hasn't been that difficult to work on. Especially considering I don't have a garage to work in.

Oil changes with Castol Syntec A3/B3 have been done each 6000-7000 miles. Good synthetic oil is inexpensive here in the USA and this interval is working out good so far. The engine still runs perfectly, is sludge-free and has more power than I need most of the time.

Earlier this year, I installed spring spaces for the rear to correct the camber issue. I also got new tires and haven't seen any unusual wear so far. Even with luggage or other heavy stuff in the back, it keeps a nice ride height so definitely worth it to installt he spaces. Springs and shocks still look and feel good so I didn't replace those. More info about the camber issue and spring spacers here: http://saabworld.net/showthread.php?t=28469

Below is the complete maintenance log. Not bad for a European luxury/performance car that is 10+ year old with 100K miles.

A guess of current value of the car is $4000? So maintenance/repairs/tires and depreciation is $6,800. That's $188 per month and $0.11 per mile. Those are pretty good numbers for a car I still love driving every day.

Date	Mileage	Details
11/19/2012	41,478	Purchased car (incl sales tax)	$8,087.00
			Maintenance	Repairs	Tires
12/1/2012	43,950	Oil change Castrol Syntec 5W-40 / KN filter	$35.00
		Spark plugs NGK Platinum Plus PFR6H10	$47.96
		Engine air filter	$13.07
		Cabin air filter	$23.99
		Shifter jalousie		$24.27
		Front Emblem		$19.80
		Thermostat		$24.52
		Engine coolant sensor		$16.22
12/20/2012	45,000	Serpentine belt (short)	$25.87
		Waterpump o-rings		$3.00
		Fuel filter	$14.97
03/09/13	49,850	Oil change Castrol Syntec 5W-40 / Mobil filter	$35.00
4/27/2013	51,845	Outside temperature sensor		$25.00
		Engine splash guard		$25.00
5/2/2013	52,255	Pirelli P7 Cinturato tires (incl installation)			$560.00
		ATF change (12 qrts / 3 times)	$86.17
6/14/2013	55,504	Coolant change	$15.00
		Coolant Bypass Valve		$30.00
07/17/13	56,820	Oil change Castrol Syntec 5W-40 / Mobil filter	$35.00
11/27/13	62,840	Oil change Castrol Syntec 5W-40 / FRAM filter	$35.00
04/09/14	68,124	Oil change Castrol Syntec 0W-40 / KN filter	$35.00
		Transmission mount – lower		$45.00
		Engine air filter	$15.00
		Emblem, rear		$26.00
		Valve cover gasket	$13.00
09/05/14	75,172	Oil change Castrol Syntec 0W-40 / KN filter	$30.00
12/20/14	81,300	Brake pads, front – Akebono EUR819	$65.00
		Oil change Castrol Syntec 0W-40 / MANN filter	$30.00
12/23/14		Drive axles – front		$150.00
		Torsion bar links		$37.48
		Labor		$302.64
02/01/15	87,780	Xenon D1S bulbs x 2		$101.00
02/07/15	87,810	Oil Change Castrol Syntec 0W-40 / Bosch filter	$30.00
02/15/15		Battery – AutoCraft Platinum		$130.39
05/07/15	90,594	Dunlop HP Signature tires (incl installation)			$448.96
07/18/15	95,235	Engine air filter – Mann	$14.00
		Cabin air filter – Mann	$18.63
		Oil Change Castrol Syntec 0W-40 / Mann filter	$25.00
07/25/15	100,200	Water pump		$49.00
		Serpentine belt (long) and idler pulley		$38.50
11/06/15	100,700	ATF change (12 qrts / 3 times) Mobil 3309	$66.00
		Coolant change	$12.00
		Spark plugs NGK Platinum Plus PFR6H10	$26.44
		Total parts/repairs	$747.10	$1,047.82	$1,008.96
			Maintenance	Repairs	Tires

[nordwulf]

My engine light came on at around 109K miles and I already had a feeling the codes were going to be P1312 and P1334. And yes, both showed up on the OBD reader. I purchased a new DIC a few years ago when they were offered for a good price and swapping these only takes a few minutes. Spark plugs were replaced recently so didn't change those at this time. This was the original DIC so 11 years and 100K+ miles is not bad at all.

Ethanol-free premium gas was available at a good number of gas stations in the UP of Michigan and I was getting excellent gas milage while cruising at 60mph (as indicated on my Garmin nav unit) for several hours. No other traffic to speak of and no head/tail wind. Usually about 2-3 mpg better than gas with up to 10% ethanol. Not bad for an 11-year old car with 250hp.



Besides the DIC replacement and an oli change, there aren't any other issues to report. Just fill up with gas and drive.

Recent pictures:


2005 Saab 9-5 Aero by Frank Wulfers, on Flickr


Brockway Mountain Drive, Michigan by Frank Wulfers, on Flickr


Quincy Mine by Frank Wulfers, on Flickr

[PDXSaabNut]

Great pictures of an even nicer Saab!

I really appreciate the detail in your posts - especially the cost breakdown for the life of your ownership. I'm currently looking to purchase either a 2002 or 2005 9-5 Aero, so it's nice to be able to see rough cost estimates.

Do you have any updates on this car, are you still enjoying it regularly?

[nordwulf]

It is still my daily driver and just had to replace a few things. The alternator was one of the bigger jobs on the car so far but not really expensive. The Direct Ignition Cassette lasted for 110K miles so no complaints replacing that. It currently has about 122K miles on it.

The remote for central locking isn't working anymore and I still have to look into that some more. Not a really big deal though having to unlock the car with the key. I also still need to fix the sunroof motor but that can obviously wait as well.

It needs new tires again. They have a bit over 30K miles on them and I was hoping they would have lasted longer. But they held up good, it's just that snow traction is getting pretty bad. But nothing really out of the ordinary. I really should get winter tires again, not sure why I don't...!

Maintenance and repair costs since the last update:

12/05/15	102,836	Oil Change Castrol Syntec 0W-40 / Mann filter	$40.00
		Fuel filter	$15.00
05/28/16	109,415	Oil Change Castrol Syntec 0W-40 / Mann filter	$30.00
		Direct Ignition Cassette		$250.00
06/18/16	110,000	Alternator		$188.00
11/06/16	117,440	Oil Change Castrol Syntec 0W-40 / Mann filter	$30.00
			Maintenance	Repairs	Tires
		Total parts/repairs	$862.10	$1,485.82	$1,008.96

Not many recent pictures but still enjoy driving it every day.



Older winter picture from 2013

[nordwulf]

It's 11 years old now and even with 120K miles, it still feels very solid and reliable. No rust besides a bit of surface rust underneath on suspension parts and such.

Some pictures from a road trip out West 3 years ago. This Saab has been to a few a states. Which reminds me... I have to go on another road trip soon!


DSC04738 by Frank Wulfers, on Flickr


DSC04833 by Frank Wulfers, on Flickr


DSC04839 by Frank Wulfers, on Flickr


DSC04925 by Frank Wulfers, on Flickr


Grand Teton National Park by Frank Wulfers, on Flickr


Grand Teton National Park by Frank Wulfers, on Flickr


DSC05065 by Frank Wulfers, on Flickr


Wyoming Welcome Sign by Frank Wulfers, on Flickr

[southsaab]

Congrats on keeping it on the road, and looking good, too. Amazing that rust hasn't taken over, considering the roads must be salted where you live. Love driving my Saab on long road trips; my 9-5 is made for touring. If I could only keep my wife from fussing at me about how fast I drive it...

Sent from my LG-K373 using Tapatalk

[turbojohnny]

very sharp car

[nordwulf]

I recently bought an SUV (Toyota 4Runner) so this Saab is looking for a new owner. I am sad to see it go as it always has been a fun and reliable car.

http://saabworld.org/marketplace/sho...north-america/

[nordwulf]

The new owner picked it up today. Many great road trips and memories with this Saab and sad to see it being driven away by someone else.

Craigslist got the most emails asking for more information and there were at least 5 people that were very serious and wanted to take a look at it and even buying it sight unseen. My asking price was $3,500 and it sold for that. Probably could have gotten more with an eBay auction.

So I am now Saabless after 11 years of owning a quite a good number of 9-3, 9-5 and even a 9-4X. Let's see how long being without a Saab is going to last.

Some parting shots.

[southsaab]

I know you're sorry to see it go, but it will be good to take a sabbatical. I've had a couple myself, always come back to Saab. Just like the cars, and know them more than any other make. Have a lot of sweat equity in them. Hard for me ignore equity.

Sent from my LG-K373 using Tapatalk