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This is the car as it was when I bought it... a 1999 Saab 9-3 SE LPT (154bhp)
with 87k on the clock
The car is generally
in very good condition and has a full service history.
Please
note the instrument cluster on the LPT version does not have a turbo boost
guage.
My only worries at the time being excessive dirt in the engine bay and a lack of 'toys' inside...
...this prompted
me to visit the
Manchester Saab Dealer and had Cruise Control, 6CD Changer
and Front Fog Lights fitted 
My only niggle being the CD Changer does not have an enclosure to protect
it from
knocks from items in the boot 
The other annoyance is the SID unit with its I'll light up when I feel
like it display.
I did ask the dealer the cost of a replacement unit but had to walk away to
stop myself laughing in his face
The engine bay
looked like the car had been taken cross-country on a rally
so I decided to
clean the engine bay myself. After reading the threads on the SaabCentral
Forums I started
by covering up all the electrical components with cling film
to protect them from moisture.
I bought a product called CD-2, which consisted of 1 can of 'Engine Cleaner'
and 1 can of 'Engine Detailer'
As instructed,
I applied the cleaner to a warm engine, left for 20 mins to soak in, then
rinsed with a pressure hose.
I then ran the engine at idle for 10 minutes to ensure thorough drying and
towel-dried where water had collected.
A quick spray over with Engine Detailer completed the job
The stock wheels just looked too small for the car, so I opted for some MilleMiglia
EV-S 17"
To
help me choose wheels that would look right on my car, I went to this
website.
The larger wheels with lower profile tyres did make the ride slightly firmer
but by no means a boneshaker!
As you can see from the right hand photo above, the car looked like it was
riding too high, so after some
research,
decided to invest in a set of Eibach lowered springs and shock absorbers.
This job was beyond my expertise
so I went to West Midlands Saab Specialists in Birmingham to get the job done...
They also changed
the clutch, in preparation for a Speedparts Stage 1 ECU upgrade, and Paul
gave me
a package price for doing the clutch and lowering as one job
I was also given a free courtesy car
for which I only had to arrange insurance and replace fuel used.
I travelled the
83 miles from my home, not quite knowing what to expect but was greeted by
Paul and his team
who explained what work was going to take place while I had a cup of tea.
The job was expected to take 2 days
but I got a call after only one to inform me that my car was ready.
Upon my return
I was pleasantly surprised to see my car had been washed and waxed
,
and they performed
a handbrake adjustment, FREE OF CHARGE.. thanks!
First impressions...
MUCH MUCH improved handling,
barely any body roll, more sure-footed on corners,
YES the ride is harder but still acceptable. My biggest fears were how the
car would cope with South Manchester's
many speedbumps, but although the car has been lowered approx 35mm, there
is still acres of clearance.
My first experience
at WMSS was a positive one and I will be using them again
When my car reaches
90k Miles, its booked in at WMSS for servicing and ECU Upgrade
Watch this space
...
