[Mr. Moonlight]

Two questions: (1) I just found out how much the 60K mile service will be at my dealer($750!!!) and am wondering if anyone has any ideas for safely eliminating any steps that may not really be needed and would not jeopardize my warranty. I bought the car at the end of a 3-year lease and paid for the "certified pre-owned" warranty to take me to 100K miles (I have moved and now drive 800 miles per week). I'm looking to put a lot more miles on this great car. (2) Has anyone had XM radio installed? Saabcatalogue.com lists it at $279, but I haven't asked the dealer about installation cost.

Thanks!

 

[Mattlach]

Are you certain they arent trying to rip you off?

Try getting a 60k service quote from another dealer and see what they say.

When I got my 60k service done, I got my quotes both from a indie saab mechanic and from my dealer. and they were both pretty close in price.

I don't know if you can go to an indie tech since you are still under warranty, but I took it to the indie mechanic as he was marginally cheaper at roughly $450...

Up here in Rhode Island I have found a really good inde tech that works exclusively on SAABs. I'm sure there must be similar places in NY...

Check out my thread on the topic for a little bit more information.

--Matt

 

[omegajb]

There is a lot that they do at 60K but most is a DIY, if I'm not mistaken it's plugs, replace oil and trans fluid, flush radiator and check all the others. All filters need to be replaced and the cabin one takes a little time but you can find directions.
If you figure Saab charges about 100 per hour and it's about 4 hours a lot of that is labor.
You might find an indy to do it for about 500.

I did my 99 V6 everything but the timing belt (Saab paid for that at 60k) which you don't need since it's a 4 cyl and paid about 100 for the parts.

The XM was tough, I had a Kenwood FM modulator that was a pain to install in the 9-5, I put it in the hole where the ashtray usually goes but it was a tight fit.

 

[SBChamps96]

I ended up having Best Buy install the XM unit in the arm rest between the front seats!!! I love it there. No one knows I have it!!!

 

[Mr. Moonlight]

Thanks

Thanks all. I appreciate the help. FYI here's the URL to the XM radio unit that appears to be Saab-customized to replace the stock radio:

http://www.saabcatalog.com/retail/xm.asp

I'm going to get some quotes from several dealers.

 

[StX221]

You can get that same unit ALOT cheaper by going to a best buy, circuit city etc. http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=6060059&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat45000050001&id=1064000636588
It happens to be a normal XM reciever that just happens to fit right below the heated seat switches, over the ashtray. Its called the XM commander. Sirius also has a unit out thats the same size(might even be manufactured by the same company too).
Ive been looking into satellite radio if you couldnt tell:cheesy:


Nick

 

[Mr. Moonlight]

Thanks, Nick. I'm thinking the Terk Commander will be great right where you suggest. Have you installed one/had it installed? Is FM modulation the only choice or can it be connected directly via an AUX converter that would use the CD changer output?

 

[StX221]

Well, I unfortunately havent gotten around to satelite radio. (bought new golf clubs instead).

There is no aux. input via the cd changer connection because for a cd changer to function, it has to be married to the car. (so you cant just put any random saab cd changer in and have it work, making stealing the cd changer from one of our cars basically useless. head unit also.) On the 9-3 boards, someone has found a way to hack the head unit to use the telephone inputs on the circuit board as aux. inputs. I have had my head unit opened up twice now, looking for some way to do something similar. I think i might have found it by way of the left and right leads coming off the tape deck (who uses it anyways). so when i get around to having time to open the stereo back up and soldering some cable to it to test it out, i will let you all know whats up with it. if i screw up my tape deck and it doesnt work anymore, at least i know that i never use it anyway.

if my guess on the tape left and right outputs doesnt work, then for now its just FM modulation to get the sound to your head unit, but I WILL figure out how to run some kind of aux. input into the stock head unit...eventually

Nick

also, if youve got a cd changer and its hooked up and works, you can hack the cable that goes from the changer to the head unit and solder some leads into it fo the left and right inputs. if this is your case, send me a pm and ill hook you up with the info on it.

 

[Copey]

I have no clue about the 60K service.

But the XM is a different story. I have the Roady 2 installed in my 9-5. I installed a extra cigarette lighter port under the dash (few dollars from Radio Shack), used the cassette adapter (may as well use it if I have it) and stuck the antenna right behind the shark fin on the roof. Ran the antenna wire under the window seal, then into the trunk, under the carpet all the way to the center console. I took the cassete wire and tucked in just behind the plastic that surrounds the radio, then ran the wire along the bottom of the stereo and tucked it in. Overall the install is pretty clean, the only wire you see is about 1 inch where the wire comes off the cassete adapter then it is hidden under the radio. I have some pics posted here. In the link the picture of the wires has been cleaned up with some wire loom and all the wires are completly tucked under the plastic.



http://www.xmfan.com/viewtopic.php?p=202974&highlight=#202974

 

[omegajb]

The Roady 2 is a great unit for the price and it's selling for 49.00 at most local shops, the one problem with the 9-5 is there isn't a lot of empty real estate on the dash so mounting it is tough without blocking sometihing else.

In my 9-5 I had a Kenwood XM/CD control unit, I don't know the model number and am not sure if they still make it but it fit right in the cuby hole and looked great.
If I can find the part number I'll repost.