Older Saab Servicing Advice

Miss_Sharon

Hi,

I have a 1999 T reg Saab 9-3. Not turbo or convertable. Cloth seats. Manual. Mileage was about 137,000 miles. Great condition. I got it second hand from a friend for 1750 pounds. It was originally an ex-lease car for a sales guy who did a lot of motorway driving, hence the mileage. I'm the 3rd owner. First and only car I've ever owned - going on 2 years. I don't use it often and it does me just fine.

I need to get an annual service. At the last one I got the mechanic to change the gears, battery, rear brake pads + bits & bobs with a full service. It was a Saab specialist near Reading. 4 months ago I moved to central London & am now due for a service.

My question - Given the age and mileage of the vehicle, should I go to a Saab specialist or a normal garage? My partner thinks that the Saab stamp will look better in the service book. I'm not sure. It's a good car but it is what it is. Will getting it serviced by a Saab specialist mechanic add any value when we go to sell it? I've got full service history.

Now living in London, I'm not convinced that I need a car - I just use it to go to the supermarket every fortnight. I've driven about 1,500 miles in the last 12 months. I've been quoted 260 pounds + VAT for a full service (My mechanic advised me to have the plugs changed for the short trips + the cabin filters changed for the polution which I've been told is a full service). On top of all of the other costs and usage, it seems a bit much to me. Any advice?

Thanks in advance.

maclean2

Oyster Card will probably save you loads!

zenmaster

At 100k+ miles on a £1.7k, car I'm not sure that a main dealer stamp counts for a lot.

You might like to have a look here and see if there is an independent SAAB specialist near you.

Otherwise I would have thought any competent garage would be fine.

Miss_Sharon

Thanks. I live within the congestion zone so I use my Oyster card a lot, or walk if possible - what a luxury! (I know I can also do my shopping online.)

I'm working through the Saab Central site at the moment. The quote I got was only about 7 miles from where I live which is a plus. There aren't any problems with the car so I may as well also get quotes from normal garages and compare. I just thought, 'Blimey!'

wazza

Looking at the mileage and year i think Saab service stamp will not add a huge amount to the value. Unless i am mistaken the engine is similar to a vectra.

Due to low usage i would rather sell it. Think of the cost of not using it? the insurance, road tax etc etc

Miss_Sharon

Thanks. My work circumstances are changing and I am waiting to see if I will need a car. Otherwise, we'll get rid of it. Last month paid for the MOT, tax + parking permit, about 350 pounds. (Insurance is also higher, but paid the difference when we moved.) The service fee on top of that is a bit much.

I really thought that as I had a full service+ last year, haven't used it and have no probs, it would be cheaper but I'm sure that was wishful thinking. I'll call the local garages today.

Miss_Sharon

OK, I've made my decision. I'm going to use the non-Saab garage down the street (I found recommended through a local forum) for the service. I used them for the MOT and I'm comfortable with that.

Many thanks to all again for the advice!

zappahey

wazza wrote:

Unless i am mistaken the engine is similar to a vectra.

It has many Vectra components but the engine isn't one of them, unless it's a diesel.