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, Fri, 11 Nov 2005 14:07:19
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The 700 pound comment was simply to point out that the car should be capable of carrying up the stated gross vehicle weight. I have an 03 CPO Aero wagon. The problem showed up at about 35K. I have 46K now. Normally the car is used unloaded with the usual occasional trip, shopping, family dinner, etc. I had a blowout after about 3 weeks of traveling with the car loaded. When I came home I weighed everything and accounted for the people at was well under the GVWR. My door jam states GVWR=4660lb. assuming the car is the heaviest configuration of the 9-5 at 3790 lbs (couldn’t find the actual weight in the dark), that leaves 870lbs for the load. The owners manual is not that clear, but states “Permissible load (in addition to driver) = GVW minus curb weight.” The 870lb could be in addition to the driver or inclusive of the driver. Either way I never exceeded this on my trip. I suspect the shocks just can’t handle extended periods of loading as was the case during my trip. There could also be issues with moment balance and dynamic loading where the functioning suspension is overwhelmed by a fully loaded vehicle. The manual does not state anything in regard to continuous loading. Why would I buy a wagon? Extra drag? No. One buys a wagon to use on a trip and have space for people and luggage.
The suspension is way off unloaded and even worse loaded. The wagon can’t handle the stated 4660lb. It is almost a misrepresentation. It is not as if a spring cracked. They simply fatigued. If the blowout happened at 35K the suspension must have begun going well before that. This is simply no acceptable. Sudden tire failure can be very dangerous, e.g., firestone/explorer fiasco. Try explaining spring and tire failure to Saab customer service. I have tried. They only want to talk to the service manager who has been with the Saab dealer since January and who I doubt is any more technically qualified than anyone else or even than the customer service person. He is experienced having 25 years with BMW, but I have dealt with my Saab longer than he has worked with Saabs and read the BB frequently. I have done plenty of homework on this. I am also an engineer. There is something fishy with the 9-5s rear suspension, whether Saab will admit it or not. Maybe I should keep my shocks and have them load tested.
posted by 69.113.12...
, Fri, 11 Nov 2005 14:07:19
, Fri, 11 Nov 2005 20:36:41, Sat, 12 Nov 2005 11:59:45, Sat, 12 Nov 2005 20:04:02, Mon, 14 Nov 2005 04:51:12, Sun, 13 Nov 2005 08:23:24
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