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I say it depends... Posted by B Millar [Email] (#1109) [Profile/Gallery] (more from B Millar) on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:37:37 In Reply to: Cost of saab 9-5 repairs versus VWs, Matt, Tue, 10 Nov 2009 06:28:11 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
If you look at a VW/Audi shop compared to a Saab shop the hourly rate is going to be pretty darn similar. They're about $95 around where I live (ravenous).
If you're asking about repairs/reliability between the two... it depends on which years you're talking about. I would say that before 2004 Saab's mechanical issues/reliability/need-for-repairs was on par with VW. I think Saab took a major step up in 2004, both on the 9-5 and 9-3, but I don't think VW has really improved that much.
My mom got an '06 Jetta 2.0T DSG in August (33k miles) and it was back at the dealership having repairs done on THREE separate occasions in the first five weeks of owning it. It's been better more recently... knock on wood. My 2004 9-5 has been in the shop once in the past year for an ATF flush. I think VW's are more difficult to work on too, and their engines are far more complex than Saabs. For example on the older V6 Audi's and Passat the whole front end has to come off to replace the timing belt. My uncle sold his A6 2.7t with about 100k miles on it because his mechanic was warning that the turbos usually fail not too long after 100k... and it's about $6,000 (!!!) to replace them, engine OUT of car!! Holy mother! He also learned shortly after he sold it that the timing belt broke for the new owner (which he HAD replaced at 100k miles).
Maybe it's just because I'm more familiar with my Saab, but I look under the hood and everything looks so simple. I stick my nose in the Jetta engine bay and... what the heck does that do!?
That same uncle replaced his old 2.7t with a newer 2004 2.7t with 18k miles on it. He paid $$$ for an extended warranty and figures it has paid itself off about three times so far. My aunt (his wife) has an A4 3.2 and the rear main seal is already leaking on it (!?). Audi's and VW's are really amazing cars to drive. Performance and comfort-wise. But reliability scares me away. The only reason we considered the Jetta for my mom was it came with a hefty CPO warranty. After that expires I don't think it will last long in the family. Hopefully she will have caught the full-blown European car bug by then though and will get another.
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