Hirsch - I've ordered the Stage 2!

[the_don]

And I cant wait. Should get it fitted on or around the 15th August. Had another shot in a stage 1 and decided that the stage 2 was worth the money, going by the power and especially the torque curves.

Looking forward to getting out on a run with the vx club to see if i can keep up - i was soundly left behind by them last Sunday...

£2700 well spent I hope...

[john]

Come back and give us a report on the difference that it makes

[welshwizard]

There's one sitting in my local dealer in The Hague with the 252 upgrade, with auto box... resisting temptation to go for test drive....

Exhaust looks a bit silly, prefer the standard one..

Best of luch

[the_don]

Where is the dealership? I work in The Hague a week a month...

[the_don]

Adrian Smith Saab in Aberdeen did the work on friday afternoon.

What an amazing difference, the Stage 2 has really totally transformed the car. It's not so much the top-end power but the extra torque in the 2.5-4.5k rev bracket - it really is very, very strong.

If anyone's considering the Satge 2 but hasn't driven one, you're in the exact situation I was last week. But take my word for it, it's worth every penny!

[saabtastic]

So thats two grand over the cost of a stage 1 - what dyu get for that ?

[kimberd@talk.21.com]

If you do not mind me asking, what has this upgrade added to you insurance premium ?

[welshwizard]

Originally posted by the_don:
[qb]Where is the dealership? I work in The Hague a week a month... [/qb][/b]

Actually in Leidschendam nestling in a load of car dealers..

[welshwizard]

Saab in Den Haag

Ginger cropped chap called Frank, young guy is the IDS rep in the Netherlands. Has been trying to persuade me to buy an upgrade....

Helpful guys..

[the_don]

I paid £2,900 for the chip, intercooler and I think it's just the manifold pipe and back-box. It feels really substantially quicker than the manual stage 1 that I drove (mine is the 5-speed semi-suto).

I'll admit it's a lot of money but I think I got a good deal on the car when I bought it 6 weeks ago (I paid 20k) so i feel i can justify spending the 3k on the upgrade. There's nothing else in the class available 6 months old for 23k that I would rather have.

[the_don]

By the way,

I spoke to my insurance company and it's an extra £89 a year on my policy.

Welsh Wizard, i'm in The Hague Thursday and Friday this week but i don't need a test-drive now!

[TonyC]

it's an extra £89 a year on my policy[/b]

Can I ask who you are insuring the car with ?

I want to get the Hirsch upgrade for my tractor, but I'm having trouble finding someone who will insure it for a reasonable extra premium.

Cheapest so far is Adrian Flux, but it's £200 extra An increase of 50% seems a lot for 25bhp more

Thanks, Tony.

[the_don]

Elephant.

They were absolute b*stards when claiming on my last car (written off) but they were still the cheapest tquote for my 9-3 by far (i'm talking £500 cheaper than the next best quote) so I'm still with them.

At the end of the day, i got a decent price for my claim, it just took a long time and was a lot of hassle.

[TonyC]

OK, cheers for that.

I've just tried Elephant & although the unmodified quote is slightly better, they want £275 extra for the chip

Looks like Hirsch is out

[saabtastic]

Originally posted by the_don:
[qb]I paid £2,900 for the chip, intercooler and I think it's just the manifold pipe and back-box. It feels really substantially quicker than the manual stage 1 that I drove (mine is the 5-speed semi-suto).
[/qb][/b]

Thats interesting - the Hirsch upgrade is supposed to give a much greater improvement (0-60) on the auto - it somehow alters the shifting/permissable torque. That, for me, (also with sentronic) is why I'd prefer the Hirsch over the BSR. Is there a noticable change in the way it shifts - neck jerking/lack of smoothness? Pity my local dealer (Manchester) won't do any demos

Still...its bloody pricey...I might be able to afford a stage 1 - but stage 2?...hell.