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Some of you may remember my post of several weeks ago when I wrote about an experience with a Saab dealer in San Diego. In summary, my 02 auto 9-5 sedan began making a blowing or whooshing noise from the right engine compartment whenever I accelerated. I was told at that time, that the noise is normal, and that new Saabs make the exact same sound. I complained on the board and Mike Lynch offered to help and I just took my car in today. So now for the update (if anyone is interested):
Took the service rep for a test ride. I pointed out the noise. His reaction was that the noise was “rather annoying”. He sounded very confident that he understood my complaint and would get the techs on it. I got a very nice wagon loaner, which, by the way, did not make the same noise as my car. Several hours later, I get a call from Mike, saying, essentially, “we don’t hear anything unusual. The noise is not very loud and not noticeable with the window open or above conversation level. New Saab’s make the same noise. Everything is okay.” When I get there, I insist that my 9-3 does not make the noise, the 9-5 is only 1 year old with 8K miles, and the noise only started recently. We test drive the car together and sure enough, I hear the noise whenever I accelerate. Mike is not impressed with the noise and does not feel it is unusual (“its not louder than the sound of me rapping my fingers on the dashboard”, “it’s the pipes and plumbing of the turbo”). He thinks I’m overly sensitive to a normal car noise. So we test drive a new 02 9-5 and sure enough, no noise. Plenty of road noise, but no blowing, whooshing noise. But wait, Mike says he hears it. “Just like your car.” Odd. “One of us must be crazy”, he says. He explains he has no incentive to deny service on a warrantied car. Makes sense, I guess.
So now I don’t know what to think. I will take the car to another dealer to see what they say. I’m confused as to whether this is really an abnormally loud noise, or normal for these cars. Am I crazy to expect a >$30K car make not to make “annoying” blowing noises that are not louder than driving with the window down, or the ventilation system high? Does anyone out there have this kind of noise in your car? The noise is very reliable; it always occurs on acceleration, is louder when climbing hills, and disappears when you let off the gas. I can hear it clearly above the rest of the background engine/road noise.
If this is normal for a Saab 9-5 (my 9-3 does not make the noise), I certainly won’t ever lease or buy one again.
Hey Mike, if you are reading this, feel free to add your 0.02 cents. I give you credit. You and your staff were very courteous and patient, and I do think you tried to help. However, if you think the noise my car makes is no different than any other 9-5, then I think you’re the one who is crazy.
posted by 209.178.171...
, Fri, 8 Aug 2003 10:25:41
, Thu, 7 Aug 2003 18:56:21
, Wed, 6 Aug 2003 19:02:46
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