1 year on...slow car?

[twisted-pixel]

it's almost a year to the day that I got my TiD (150) vector sport auto as a replacemment for my 325 sport BMW.

if I could go back to the BMW I would do so in an instant....but to be fair, had I been stuck with a vauxhall previously I would probably be grateful for the saab.

I've not had any major faults with the saab apart from having to have the satnav system replaced within the first month.

The wheel nuts are corroding but I've not complained or anything, and so far the door handles are still black. The number of creaks and rattles have gradually increased throughout the year but I've learned to live with them.

This is my first diesel and I've learned the characteristics of how to drive a diesel.

ok, the slow bit....this is not about the speed of the car itself. There is plenty of power and once I'd learned how to get the power down everything was just fine....no...the slow comment is about the cars systems.

I have the auto box which has the tiptronic/steptronic call it what you will type option (not with the paddles though) and I am amazed at just how slow the change is!!...lets just say I'm coasting along in 4th and I want to prepare to overtake, I knock the lever over, and drop it twice to get into 2nd....it can take 3-4 seconds (yes seconds) before it drops into 2nd gear!! the BM was almost instant.

and then there's the traction control, rather than reduce the power until the wheels get traction (as in other cars I've driven but lets stick with the comparison of the BM) it seems to cut the power completely and then can take a couple of seconds for it to come back.

I don't drive like a madman but I live in MK (yes that place with all the roundabouts) and if you drive on the inside lane of the r/a with a little pace you will drive over a drain cover, the traction light comes on and the whole cars dies for a second or two. This to me makes it more dangerous!!

has anyone else noticed these two quirks?

[craig1912]

I have the same car (although a manual so can't comment on the auto box) but can't say I have noticed any problem with the traction control. I've noticed it working and the light comes on but it certainly doesn't die. My other half has a BMW 3 series and I would say the feeling is similiar.

[troll]

I'd get SAAB to check that out, it doesn't sound right by any means, and while they're at it they'll replace the wheel bolts under warranty (they did for me with an apology).

The creaks and rattles can be sorted too, there are many threads on this site about this subject.

Just to fight SAAB's corner for a moment, I had a 3 series BMW previously and wild horses wouldn't drag me back, for more reasons than there were for me not to go SAAB.

[sgould]

Definitely sounds wrong. My wife has a petrol auto. I was driving it last night and I use the manual change as the "sport" option for quick getaways and overtakes. Change is almost instant.

[Neffa]

Hi,

I have the 150hp Diesel Vector Sport auto too. I have to say that I've been pretty disappointed too with it.

The engine is very noisy - we also have a Touran with the 2.0TDi engine and the DSG box and the VW is faster, quieter and smoother!

My 9-3 gearbox has very sluggish shifts (worse when cold, but never great) too - the worst is between 2nd and 3rd when it can take 3-4 seconds to engage properly. On top of that, on 5-6 occasions, blue acrid smoke has come out from the engine compartment/front wheels. The dealer replaced the turbocharger but the problem has come back. Today (thank God) the engine fault light appeared on the dash so hopefully they can work out what the problem is. Until now, they've just been baffled.

My belief is that the auto box is a poor match for the engine - it is the least smooth auto I've ever owned (I've had 5 auto Saabs, all petrol, plus a Golf, A6 and old Merc SL).

To any prospective Saab Diesel auto owners - I could not honestly recommend this combination - I would go for a petrol or if you want a Diesel auto get an A4 or 3-series.

I'll post an update after the dealer takes another look at it.

[BigBuBBles]

When I bought my car in June I was told they didn't do an automatic diesel, was I being told porkies ?

[twisted-pixel]

er...yup