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, Mon, 3 Jun 2002 22:36:21
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I purchased my '98 CSET auto in Aug. last year with 42K. Driving it home, it immediately experienced tranny problems, mainly banging into 2nd during a normal shift. It went back to the dealer, and they replaced the tranny under factory warranty. In Jan. of this year, it went back to another dealer (one closer to me than the one I bought the car from) because the seal where the shift linkage goes into the tranny case was leaking. They replaced the seal, and it only lasted 2 weeks until it popped out again. This went on 3 more times.
The dealer contacted Saab USA to figure out what was causing the seal to pop. This was unheard of by all. They told the manager to glue it in this time, and if it didn't hold, to replace the tranny since it might mean that the hole in the case was made slightly larger than the seal.
Well, it happened again, so as I speak, my car is having it's 3rd a/t put in (got an '02 9-5 Arc SportWagon as a loaner--sweet car). Before it went in this time, I asked if they could give me a manual tranny instead, and I would pay for the extra parts (but not for the tranny or install). He asked why I was looking to do this and I told him because I am going to install a JT 3" complete exhaust, as well as an ECU re-mapping, bumping the hp to 260 and was told that the a/t was considered the "Achille's Heel" of the 9K by many people. He contacted the tech unit of Saab where they test power upgrades to all models of Saab's to inquire on this thought, and was told this by the techies:
"Without a doubt, the a/t can handle the extra hp, even more. The ZF unit is not as fragile as people think it is. It is actually considered a reliable workhorse in Europe."
He then went on to tell me that in all of 20 years working for Saab, he has never heard of the ZF (late-model version) ever failing because of weakness. In fact, he had never had to replace one, yet he had replaced several m/t's (I forgot the reason why), and mine having the problem it had dumbfounded him.
He also stated that the reason the 'M' (AERO) engine does not come in a/t form is PROBABLY due to the fact that Saab needed to avoid the "gas-guzzler" tax since mating the higher-performing engine to an a/t sucked more gas. This was done at one time for Jaguar, which was why they didn't install the higher-performing engine with an a/t to be shipped to the US. He said he NEVER heard that the reason Saab didn't use the a/t with the 'M' engine was because of a "weak auto tranny".
So, although this goes against what most people believe on this BB (as I was also led to believe), the info I just suppled came from a Saab Dealer service manager who spoke with Saab USA, as well as Saab Performance.
Food for thought...
Joe
posted by 12.111.48...
, Mon, 3 Jun 2002 22:36:21
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