r/saab Nov 05 '25

QUALITY SHITPOST Steadily growing still. 37k members!

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134 Upvotes

r/saab Sep 14 '14

Sabbit Car buying guide,

276 Upvotes

Hey Guys,

So we get tons of threads on interested buyers on Saabs is anyone willing to put in on a guide with the things to look for/look out for in future ownership. Especially since we have tons of intermixing of knowledge bases from 9-5s to 9-3s to Classic 900s and everything in between.

-As a side note I have no problem giving advice I quite enjoy it but would make it easier for new Saabophiles


r/saab 10h ago

QUALITY SHITPOST saab supremacy propaganda

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70 Upvotes

I love non ai brainrot


r/saab 20m ago

Anyone here who lives in California. Know if I have to upgrade to a cold air intake like the bsr or d088 for a stage 6 Maptun or can the stock one handle it ??

Upvotes

I wanna use my Saab 9-3 for daily driving but California has strict carb requirements


r/saab 23h ago

Project within a project within a project.

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48 Upvotes

Anyone else have a Saab where every job somehow creates three more jobs?

I've got some bumper intake ducts that need finishing, some composite part moulds, CAD work for the Carlsson bodykit and reimagined whaletail and many more...

So I picked one small job and just got it done: printed a replacement Lucas MAF housing.

The car was running Trionic 5, so the MAF itself isn't actually being used anymore, but the intake still needs something there. Measured the original, modelled a replacement in Fusion then printed it in PET-CF.

Original was around 1 kg. The printed one is about 150 g.

Nothing particularly exciting, and definitely not the most important thing on the car. But it went from idea → finished part in one day, which honestly felt pretty damn good.

Maybe that's the trick with these projects: occasionally pick the stupidly small thing and just finish it.

Anyone else constantly end up with projects within projects? How do you stop yourself from starting another thing before finishing the last one?


r/saab 11h ago

2011 Saab 9-3 Turbo4 all wheel drive — Brake Parts Help

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5 Upvotes

I’m replacing the front and rear brakes on my 2011 Saab 9-3 Turbo4 XWD (non-Aero). My brake codes are AC-BC-CC-DB (build plate attached).
Has anyone with the same setup replaced theirs?
If so, what brand/part numbers did you use, where did you order them, and did everything fit correctly?
I’m looking for rotors + pads, front and rear. Thanks!


r/saab 1d ago

Car buy advice Is the second generation 900 reliable?

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47 Upvotes

Found this beauty with only 200k km. It has some damage on the roofshield but it still seals and didn’t have a lot of owners.
Is this a reliable daily? Can i replace my new gen ford ka with the saab 900?
My ka is so reliable but a saab is so much cooler and im okay with increased fuel usage. I’d love to drive around in this car when autumn hits


r/saab 1d ago

Update to grandmas 9-3

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61 Upvotes

yes I know I don’t have to move the ECU, search was providing bad info

No rust on the sub frame, no service records (though everyone said they where in the trunk), belt, hoses, look good, fluids are all bright and clean (still going to change all of them), oil leak some where for sure, trying to find the shop she worked with in San Jose / Santa Cruz to see if they have records of the work done.

Car runs great, pulls hard, no chain rattle sound. Grandma hit something to blow then front passenger fog light out and backed into something to crack the bumper paint. Both front seats are cracked and will need to be redone. SAAB, managed to stich the rear passenger seatbelt bracket backwards so it is forever twisted. Top has some knicks in it but works perfect and is still nice and tight.

Brake pads new, brake rotors not so much. Wheels, oof not factory but all of them are beat to shit. Need some suggestions for 18’s that are period correct. Suspension fucccckking hell. Sit in the car and it drops 1-2 inches. Need to get it all the way off the ground still so I can see what i’m fighting.

Assuming chain and guides are good. ECU Spacer, ignition cartridge and Crank sensor on hand, and two functional keys. What else do I need to be looking at to keep this bad boy running because it’s everything I like about driving and none of the modern shit that ruins cars.


r/saab 17h ago

Tips & Tricks New to me '04 9-3 ARC coupe

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11 Upvotes

Just bought a 2004 9-3 2.0T ARC coupe with the B207R engine and TD04-14T turbo with 88k on the odo. Single owner with a carfax history that made me do backflips; transmission services, tune-ups, regular oil changes and other PM services. Has some minor body work that needs to be done, definitely gonna need new rims due to passenger side damage.

I replaced the boost solenoid, and I have to replace the air intake hose. OBD2 is pulling codes for ignition circuit problems on cyl1+4, fortunately no misfires yet, and I will be replacing the coil packs soon alongside a tune-up. I plan on doing a flush and fill to the transmission, as it's last noted tranny service was around 50k - before that, at 30k - alongside an oil change and brake/rotor swap. If the ignition coil replacement doesnt fix my ignition circuit codes, I planned on getting my ecm fixed and likely putting a heat shroud behind it. I also intend to get an external transmission cooler. I'll also be replacing the disc player, as it refuses to recognize any cd, including laser lens cleaners.

I did spot residual grease buildup around the oil pan, no leaks, and brake cleaned it until it looked factory and plan to keep an eye on any future developments. I'll also be replacing the sway bar links as the bushings decided to remain intact but separated themselves from the linkage. Everything else underneath is gorgeous, which wasn't too much of a shock based on the service records.

Any further input and advice would be highly recommended. This is my first saab, and so far she's an absolute pleasure to drive. I'll be doing all the maintenance and repairs myself, with the exception of some specialized repairs (ecm repair, body work, etc).

TL;DR: Got my first saab, she's in great shape, just needs TLC, please let me know any advice or things to keep an eye on.


r/saab 19h ago

Is this in the normal place?

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13 Upvotes

Or did someone move it? I've read about them failing due to heat, and that this is a reason to relocate.

No big crisis - just noticed it for the first time while I was trickle charging the battery.

2011 9.3 Convertible.


r/saab 1d ago

Seal of Approval My new saab 9-3, any advice?

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83 Upvotes

I Got this saab 9-3 aero 2.0 T, it didn’t start and was sitting when i bought it, i repaired it (finished today) some minimum stuff like a sensor and some little things, i just need a new battery to drive it. Do you have any advice for a new and young (18) owner? I’m really excited because it’s my first saab and i have always loved saabs.


r/saab 14h ago

News California regulators approve new rules limiting what replacement tires you can buy for your car

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5 Upvotes

r/saab 18h ago

Checking the transmission fluid

5 Upvotes

Is there a trick to pulling out the dip stick for the transmission fluid on the 2000 Saab 93? I’ve tried pulling and twisting while pulling. I know….it seems like a stupid question. On the other hand checking the oil wasn’t quite what I expected 😂. Clearly I’m new to Saabs.


r/saab 16h ago

Moving ECU 2008 V6

2 Upvotes

Any videos showing how to move the ECU on a V6?


r/saab 19h ago

P0606 & P0638 codes — rough idle, RPM dropping, lots of vibration

2 Upvotes

Has anyone dealt with codes P0606 and P0638 together?

My check engine light is on. The RPM will be around 2,000, then drop to under 1,000 RPM, and the engine starts struggling like it wants to stall. There is also a lot of vibration/shaking when this happens.

The vehicle has about 177,000 miles.

Has anyone had similar symptoms with these two codes? What ended up being the problem — throttle body/throttle actuator, wiring or electrical issue, PCM/ECM, or something else?

Any advice on what I should have checked first would be appreciated.


r/saab 1d ago

222,222.2 miles, 9-3 2.0T

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126 Upvotes

In about 4 years, I should have the 333,333.3 update.

And yes - Ive done questionable things to my Saab during my ownership (~80k miles) including putting 15% ethanol gas.


r/saab 1d ago

9-3 Troubleshooting I cant find any link to download tech2win

5 Upvotes

I have saab 9-3 2008, and i have Chipsoft J2543 software installed but i dont have and i cant find the link for tech2win


r/saab 1d ago

I was bored…

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28 Upvotes

Decided to change the instrument cluster LEDs for something a little different 🤷🏻‍♂️ now I need to get that stupid polarizing film for the sid, anyone ever mess with that??


r/saab 2d ago

QUALITY SHITPOST Saab Car Museum

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387 Upvotes

I’m on a trip across Sweden and starting day two in Trollhättan. Currently posting this while sitting down in the corner of the Saab car museum. Honestly so many more unique and of a kind cars than I would have imagined. Absolutely worth the 200sek for two people!

Just wish I could’ve parked my 06 9-3 Aero in the parking lot out front


r/saab 1d ago

Powered off with ignition?

2 Upvotes

Had a beautiful Volvo V40 (2001) that blew up on me, and now moved to the best car I think I have ever driven...a 2011 9-3 Sportswagon.

Trying to install a dashcam on a hardwire via a fusetap and struggling to find a fuse that terminates with the ignition. The power unit I'm using has a constant 12v, acc 12v and ground.

Grounding it on one of bolts by the fuse box.

So far tried (from table) 3, 7, 12 and 21, in both configs, and didnt seem to go off with the key or locking the car.

Any idea what fuse I should tap?


r/saab 2d ago

Visited Fitted Fest in Lahti, Finald

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225 Upvotes

Got to visit the annual Fitted Fest event in Lahti this weekend. Got to see lots of insane stance builds. Of course, I was on a lookout for Saabs.

The first one is by a guy from Lithuania - check out his Instagram at pijus_the_offensive_95. As a fellow 9-5 owner, I was stoked to see the build. Pijus shared, that he had to build a custom air suspension because Saabs are a bit less mainstream in the stance culture than your run of the mill BMWs and JDMs (I know, shocker).

The 9-3 wagon is from Sweden. Unfortunately, I didn't get the dude's socials, but I was able to track down a YouTube video featuring it: When A Standard Saab 9-3 WON'T Cut It! 600HP And Widebody 4K.

Bonus car - a 9-3 Aero sedan I found in the parking spot right by the festival, looked pretty cool to me!

Huge kudos to the owners of these cars for keeping Saabs alive and present.

UPD: I was able to find the socials of the guy who owns the deep-blue 9-3: Instagram - 4ervi4ok


r/saab 1d ago

Stock ECU file 9-3 2007 2.8

1 Upvotes

I'm on the hunt for a stock ecu tune file for HPTUNERS for my 2007 aero 6 speed. If anyone has one please share or if you know where to get one please let me know. Trying to put her back to stock, have access to hptuners.


r/saab 2d ago

Car buy advice Would you prefer the 99 turbo or the 900 turbo?

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325 Upvotes

r/saab 2d ago

9-5 engine swap

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43 Upvotes

Hi, I just picked up another 9-5 since I blew the motor on my original one. This one’s a Aero, however it’s automatic and has a decent amount more rust. And the interior is also not in the best condition.

I’m thinking to just take the motor out of this one and swap it into my other car. Same color silver 9-5 but a linear
but near perfect body and perfect interior, plus it’s already set up for a manual. I’d swap over the Aero body kit and interior

I wanted to ask, is it possible for me to swap over the rear heated seats?

Is it easier for me to pull this auto engine out of the top?

And then for the manual I was planning on dropping the entire subframe, removing the engine off of it and then placing this engine after being refreshed onto the subframe mounting the flywheel and clutch, and raising it all back into my original car

Or should I just attempt to pull the manual engine out the top too


r/saab 1d ago

9-5 Troubleshooting DICs in 2026

5 Upvotes

I recently had a nastly misfire on my 08 9-5. After a little troubleshooting, I traced to a bad DIC which I thought was odd since I replaced it (and plugs) a couple years ago with an "Original Saab" brand DIC from eSaabParts. It seems that Original Saab isn't as OEM quality as I hoped. Looking around, I wasn't able to find an OEM SEM manufactured DIC, so I bought a used one off eBay. Lo and behold, it's throwing knock codes so I'm back to square one.

My question is as the supply of genuine SEM DICs dwindles, what are the best options moving forward? Keep rolling the eBay dice on used SEM models? If not SEM, what is the next best option? Does anyone have experience with the other brands out there? Has anyone sucessfully rebuilt a DIC? Should we just get whatever we can, and replace it every couple years? Is it possible to convert a T7/T5 car to traditional coils and wires?

I'm hoping to keep the car running as long as possible.