1979-1993 & 94 Conv [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
Some comments below...
"1) MOST important.... do NOT skip ANY services.... and do not cut corners on them. (Don't follow 94up 900 recommendations)"
Not a bad tip.
"2) Change oil EVERY 2,500 to 3,000 miles."
3K+ is fine - 2500 is too frequent. Maybe it's good for the motor, but who has time to be changing that often.
3) Use GENUINE SAAB parts. (Bosch, Sachs, Saab, etc)
Well, what do you mean by "genuine" here? Neither Bosch nor Sachs are "genuine." There are plenty of parts makers whose quality is on par with Saab's original suppliers'.
"4) Do not use used parts on operational items."
That's a blanket statement. Lots of used parts will more than suffice, though, yes, for certain parts, new is the only way to go.
"5) Do not use anything but Original Equipment Manufacturer when installing remanufactured parts."
See #3 response.
"6) I strongly recommend AGAINST attempting repairs yourself. Simple mistakes can be VERY expensive, and the knowledge and tools needed are vast."
No, you are wrong. With a Bentley manual, a couple hundred bucks of Craftsman tools, careful preparation (including searching this board's old posts and asking questions when necessary), hundreds of Saabnet readers are proving you wrong every weekend. Personally, I have saved several *thousand* dollars in repair work over the past two years. The only time I had to get help from a SAAB tech was when I didn't have the right size tap & die for a repair.
"7) Keep in mind that a SAAB is an expensive but worth it semi-exotic.
Think about bringing your Saab to a cheap chain shop"
"Semi-exotic"? I like my SAAB alot, but it hardly qualifies as semi-exotic. "Worth it"? Of course.
"8) Resist doing oil changes yourself or going to quick change places. While it's easy to do and saves you money in the short run, a quality SAAB specialty shop will look for preventative needs saving you money a chain shop or you will miss. Also something to consider, if anyone screws up, wouldn't it be better out of their pocket? Our most expensive repairs come from folks that don't bring their cars regularly to a qualified Saab shop for oil changes...."
Yes, avoid the chains. They use the cheapest filters they can find, overtighten the drain, knock vacuum lines off, drain the gearbox instead, etc. But don't take it to a "quality SAAB specialty shop" - anyone who's ever changed their SAAB's oil can tell you it's piece of cake. Do it yourself.
"9) Never buy the 1st or 2nd year of a model change."
Agreed.
This board exists and thrives on the input of shadetree mechanics around the country and beyond who all share a common interest of keeping their SAABs running @ their peak. Comments such as "I strongly recommend AGAINST attempting repairs yourself" are absolutely contrary to the very nature of Saabnet's bulletin board and, to me anyways, come across as condescending and patronizing. No, we're not ASE certified or "factory-trained", but we're not as stupid as you presume us to be, either.
BTW, there are several professional SAAB techs who post here often (Saabnet regulars know who I'm talking about). Their expertise is particularly valuable to those of us without the experience & knowledge that can only come from people who work on SAABs for a living. Their generosity is especially appreciated. Perhaps your contribution here could also be as positive and supportive.
posted by 63.225.177...
, Wed, 29 May 2002 10:24:42
, Tue, 28 May 2002 22:28:37
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