[sevenman]

Having given my new Aero a thorough test drive, I have found it somewhat lacking in the performance department.

I am sure that in 2nd gear my old 2.3 Turbo which I just sold had noticably more power. The torque steer used to make it a real handful, whereas the Aero seems a bit calm and I am sure slower.

Taking into account limited budget and the ability to only do simple mechanical things, what would people reccomend?

It all runs very smoothly and the car has been well maintained. A lack of boost pressure.... faulty dump valvle?

 

[bambo]

What is your boost peaking at?

 

[JD]

I initially thought My 96 aero was slower than my 90 2 litre Carlsson but I think its just coz the newer ones have longer gears. Probably slower to 30 but quicker to 60?

 

[sevenman]

The boost doesnt seem to enter the red areas as much as it did in my older Saab.

Then again I am not really concentrating that hard on what the boost gauge is doing.

I was testing the acceleration in 2nd gear from 30 - 60, and it seemed rather tranquil :|

I will be out in it again so I will take a closer look at where it is boosting too.

 

[quarryeff]

No doubt we'll soon have the Abbott fans on!

 

[kprm77]

I'm sure that Abbott would help the situation, but possibly there is something wrong. Definately worth looking at before you go spending large amounts of beer money in Essex. ;-)

Have you checked the hoses for any leaks? I'm no Turbo guru, though there are others here who are - Andrew W, are you there??

I've never driven an Aero, but I know what you mean with the Torque Steer - almost fighting with the bl88dy thing at full pelt. On the previous Carlsson v Aero threads someone did mention about the 2 cars delivering the power differently, though the Aero should still be very quick (certainly moreso than a standard 2.3 FPT with the Aero's extra 25 BHP).

You could do with an Aero owning list member in your area giving you a second opinion.

I would think that the Aero should be noticeably quicker than a 2.3 FPT.

Kevin Mc
1991 9000 Carlsson 2.3T (220BHP)

 

[gassy]

My boost never got into the red until I fitted the bleed valve. A later test showed that there was indeed something amiss; replacing the dump valve together with abbotising the bleed valve cured it.

 

[sevenman]

The car still seems quick, but I dont really have the experience to judge it.

The problem with Abbott is they are completely the other side of the country from me, as I am in Worcestershire, not far from Wales and they are on the East coast.

Trent Saab would only be about 90 mins away.

I am not a big fan of my local Saab dealership, as they are all too ready to suggest work.... they told me I should change the turbo on my old Saab.... 8000 miles later it is running with no problems.

 

[Andy Bowles]

Sevenman/.
I'm from Dover, they are my local boys..
Wix and Manningtree is a nice part of the world anyway for a day out !! (Worcester nice too of course, our Boy live in Baughton !!)
Andy

 

[900016Turbo]

Have you checked for any Error codes reported by the ECU? If the ECU has found something then it might have put your car in limp home mode to protect itself.

Your problem might just be something as simple as a new set of plugs being needed. Because of the extra charge in the cylinder head, the ignition has to be in top notch to afford the spark across the gap.

As mentioned check the hoses are in good condition & they are tight at all the joins.

These are the first things to check. Let us know if you're still having problems.

 

[sevenman]

The plugs should be fine as they werent changed too long ago.

The piping for the turbo also seems ok.

It may just be me getting used to the different feel of the car. I may take it to a specialist for a checkover at some time, but finances cant handle it at the moment.

Thanks for the ideas on problems

 

[Anthony B]

Dear all
Just got an Aero last week. 98000 on the clock and to be honest, it goes like a train. It will boost up to the top of the broken red section and then start to falter as the APC kicks in but it does this really smoothly with no violent cut out. it does seem to get a bit caught out in 5th if i boot it as the gauge goes straight up and the APC works but it is seamlessly smooth in all other gears. Hard to judge against 2.3T as my last one was a 2.3 cse, but against all the others I tested it is just as quick and so much faster than the auto box version. Try using a good dose of injector cleaner (cat compatible!) as this worked wonders if ever my cse felt sluggish. Also try shopping around for fuel as my cse seemed very fuel reliant (esso was good but texaco from my local station often made the car feel slow, jet also seemed good and optimax made a noticable difference).HTH
Anthony

 

[adrian]

Anthony, congrats on the Aero. Is it red by any chance. I'm looking for an Aero too so would be interested in knowing your experience of looking for one. Are the prices being asked being obtained? Private sale prices seem so much higher than book value. I just missed a FSH MY93 144k miler asking £3.2k which I thought after a little discussion would be reasonable.

 

[Neil M]

I originally had a J reg CS 2.3 Turbo S (205 BHP), and changed it for an L Reg Aero. The difference was unbelievable! If you can't notice a difference, then there's definately something wrong somewhere.

 

[sevenman]

I will try varying the fuel (its full of Texaco unleaded at the moment), and I have added some injector cleaner... it was run on supermarket fuel before.

It will be a while before I use the tank up as I am not doing too many miles at the moment.

If all stays equal, I shall just have to take it to one of these pub meetings and see how it compares to other turbos.

 

[aeropilot]

Texaco unleaded...? Do you mean ordinary unleaded?
Got to run an Aero on super-unleaded. The APC will allow it but the car was designed to run on 98 RON. This is stated on the sticker on the back of the fuel filler flap and in the handbook. The only 98RON unleaded I know of is Shell Optimax.

 

[sevenman]

That sounds more expensive, but I will give it a go when I next need to fill up.

Not sure if there is a Shell garage near me, otherwise super-unleaded will have to do.

 

[Neil M]

Ran my Aero on normal unleaded and on Super, and couldn't tell the difference.

 

[Anthony B]

Adrian
My aero is my favourite colour, black with a grey leather interior. I went to look at about 5 before i settled on this one. One was a p reg auto with 108,000 on the clock and some history (not saab). It looked immaculate but had bald tyres, and an engine oil leak.It drove very well but the auto box dulled the performance a lot. That was £5600. Went to look at another black one, this time with 177,000 on it. He had done all the engine chains himself recently and fitted a home made back box. it drove very fast(manual this time) but felt sloppy at the front (butterfly bushes) had bugger all MOT and tax and was very shabby inside.He wanted 3995 for an l plate and would not shift on the price. The one I bought has 97,000, full saab history, is immaculate inside and only has a small scratch on the passenger door.plenty of tax and test good quality tyres, and has no unwanted squeaks or rattles.Has a sunroof too which is pretty rare. At idle you can't tell if the engine is running it is so smooth.Plus it is returning about 34 to the gallon even when I give it the odd welly. To be honest, I'm hooked..just get one and you'll see. I'd personally avoid autos though. If I can help let me know or if you live near Nottingham I'll take you for a spin if you want. HTH
Anthony

 

[cdcarlsson]

What did it cost you in the end?
Also, what was it advertised for?
Nick.