Saab 9-3 Aero – beauty and rust.

The Saab 20-9 Aero has turned 3 this year. He has 12 exciting months behind him. Once he was even on the wrecker on road. Other things faded into the background over the excitement. The disciplines of rust and beauty, for example. We'll do that today.

In the meantime, I'm quite well known at Saab Service Frankfurt. I like old cars, so far everything is fine, but please make them look good too. Of course there is always something to do with a vehicle that is around 20 years old, but I just don't have the time.

Rust and a matter of beauty

In Brakes The 9-3 Aero are new and have been upgraded to the standard of the larger 9-5. An action that is highly recommended. Because now the Saab is decelerating without the fear sweat on the forehead. New brakes, slightly rusty calipers and surrounding hardware. Is not at all, immediately catches the eye.

Saab Frankfurt sees it the same way and takes care of the matter. Painted discreetly in grey, they now match the rest of the vehicle. At the same time, the antenna on the roof will be renewed. The shark fin is getting old. UV radiation and small rodents, coupled with environmental influences, have perforated them. Down with it and new! The Saab looks so much neater.

The matter of rust is more serious than the question of beauty. Cars from the 90s like to rust, almost all manufacturers manufacture with overlapping body panels, which by nature offer attack surfaces. The whole thing is not tragic if you keep an eye on it. There is a need for action on the subfloor, planned for autumn this year.

Rust and body sealant?

A ticking time bomb in all vehicles is the body sealant used. It contracts over the years and no longer does what it is supposed to. Instead of sealing, it allows penetrating moisture to run free. The result is rust in surprising places. Every car has this problem to a greater or lesser extent, but it only comes into play when the vehicle has long since exceeded its warranty period plus planned service life. After about 2 decades.

The Aero is now 20 years old

Error message: exchange pears, please in pairs. Not a problem with old cars.

Beauty: The brake calipers are painted in a subtle gray

A new shark fin. Was necessary.

Quick response: rust treatment in the early stages saves money

The use of body sealant varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. Roughly speaking, the amount of mass used has something to do with the precision in body construction. The more precise, the less sealant is used. So far, a brand in the south of the republic pays homage to very precise, complex body construction. Another one, located somewhat south-west, deals with the stuff rather wastefully. Both play in the same market segment.

Saab body construction was the benchmark in the GM Group, and there are no particularly noticeable problems. Nevertheless, a look helps, for example under the bonnet. Mass has receded on the strut mount on the driver's side and cleared the way for moisture. In Frankfurt quick action is seen as fashionable before it becomes a problem. The 9-3 stays in Fechenheim for a few days, the areas in question are sanded down and re-sealed. This is calm for the next 2 decades. But only at this point.

With the Saab 9-3 Aero, everything is actually in the green. The opportunity to take care of the freestyle again. What has bothered me for the almost 8 years that the Aero has been with me is the wood on the dashboard. According to an acquaintance, wall unit design is not possible. And he's right. Time for an interior redesign in the next post.