I am interested in buying a new 9-3 tid se and would like to hear peoples experiences with them. What other cars share the same engine? I assume it is a GM engine. I am also led to believe that from October they will now produce 125 bhp instead of 115.I currently drive a 2.0 9-3 and hope the diesel will be as reliable.

have ordered a new Tid Se from ireland. will cost approx £16.75 with leather (2001 model). Talked to several owners all delighted with their purchase. 2 issues-price cuts how much? 125 bhp engine. saab GB says 125 is new engine and will replace 115 but doesnt know when. checked web and found following:"- die Motorisierung des TiD wird nach Überarbeitung eine Leistung von 125 PS zur Verfügung stellen (Euro-Norm D3). Als Produktionsstart ist die Woche 40 geplant".
Looks like will start at beginning of week 40 (Oct). Irish dealer says will run alongside 115 with a small premium. Who knows?

update from Saab GB: 115 has now ceased production and will be replaced by 125 on all new engines ordered now. 125 only a mild update on 115 engine - not completely new.

As I have said before, I bought my 9.3 SE TiD in April and I have been very pleased with it. I have recently returned from a two-thousand mile continental trip during with my diesel was quite simply one of the quickest cars on the road, not only cruising happily at over 100 mph (in Germany, since you ask), but also getting up to that speed from lorry speed faster than most. And it returned 46 mpg!! All that, and it is a very smooth unit.

Now, if you want more power, Abbot can re-chip to another league altogether. I have not done that myself, as quite frankly it seems quite quick enough to me.

The 2.2 diesel engine comes out of the GM parts bin, being an Isuzu unit with balancer shafts added by SAAB. Despite that unpromising genesis, it is actually a very nice unit.

Dan Tarzey

Hirsch Performance http://www.hirschperformance.com/ do an upgrade for the diesel that, apparently, makes it quite something. Terry Broomfield has driven one, I haven't - I played with Viggens and Aeros that day.

Point to note, MY 2001 9-3 diesels are rated at 125hp compared to 115hp on previous models, but as Dan says - there is already plenty of oomph to play with.

/john