[9.8m/s/s]

Hello:

I'm posting this thread to let everyone know my experience with the dreaded self-leveling rear shock replacement on a 2008 9-3 Aero SportCombi XWD.

We bought the car a couple of months ago with 50,000 miles, one-owner and a clean accident history. Its a great car. It is our first "real" Saab, having owned a 9-2X for 6 years.

I started to notice it would pull to the right, only sometimes. So I brought it in to be aligned. The shop noticed one of the rear shocks (passenger side) was leaking fluid. They quoted me a replacement cost of about $220 to do remove and replace the rear shocks.

I dropped off the car to have the rears replaced... The shop called me and said, "KYBs and Sochs do not fit, we called a Saab parts dealer and they want $680 for each rear shock." After researching the forums here, it appeared that this is a common problem with the self leveling shocks on the XWD 9-3's but with limited replacement options.

I hadn't discovered the replacement options yet so I emailed Brian at VTuner, asking him if he had encountered XWD 9-3's with aftermarket rear shocks. He emailed me back within about 18 hours, giving me three options, one being MapTun coilovers. The MapTun coilovers retail for less money (at least as listed on MapTun's website) than the stock replacement self leveling shocks!

I found the thread on this forum where an Owner documented the installation of the MapTun coilovers on his Turbo X sedan, which led to the next challenge; buying the coilovers. State of Nine is the USA distributor of MapTun products and has the XWD coilovers listed on the website for the low low price of $1,995.95 (on sale!)... and its listed on MapTun's site for about $1,200?!

I tried ordering it directly from MapTun but it always declined my CC. I called my CC company and they assured me that it was they're end. The threads here discussed ordering from Neo Brothers (in the UK) but they no longer list the XWD coilovers on their site. I also found one reference to RPM Performance (in France) as an option.

I ordered the coilovers from RPM for about $1,300 with shipping and hoped it would be processed even though the threads here cited a "magic embargo" on non State of Nine supplied MapTun products in the US. RPM replied to all my emails, usually with in 48 hrs and the coilovers arrived at my house today, one day earlier than FedEx projected. The order to delivered time is about 6 business days.

The installation is schedule for Friday (12/28/12) morning this week and I plan on updating this space with ride and handling before and after impressions.

More to come!

 

[Jor3lBR]

Maptun

Dunno what was your problem w/ Maptun direct store. I ordered a Strut Brace for my 9-3 at their website using US CC. Once you chose your country it will automatically switch to US Dollar currency.

Shipping was FedEx Next Day (around $45 was the cheapest), it left Europe Monday and arrived Wednesday in Arizona.

 

[North Toronto Punter]

I think the Maptun coilover option is indeed the best (if not only) option -- Kanundrum suggests the Bilstein B6 [HD as known in North America] would fit too.

A pity that one has to change the whole lot over (springs and shocks because of a leaky shock or two...). I'm hoping Taliaferro will soon have a plug 'n play alternative too.

[I think I may be the only one on this Forum who has the Hirsch springs option w XWD and I'd rather not sacrifice them too -- having gone to the trouble to get-- by virtue of, say, a single leaking shock. And I will not pay $650 for a single shock on Principle!]

 

[9.8m/s/s]

Dunno what was your problem w/ Maptun direct store. I ordered a Strut Brace for my 9-3 at their website using US CC. Once you chose your country it will automatically switch to US Dollar currency.

Shipping was FedEx Next Day (around $45 was the cheapest), it left Europe Monday and arrived Wednesday in Arizona.

Ordering direct from MapTun: It was very frustrating. It kept telling me there was an error in the order (in bold red letters). Glad to hear it works.

 

[9.8m/s/s]

I think the Maptun coilover option is indeed the best (if not only) option -- Kanundrum suggests the Bilstein B6 [HD as known in North America] would fit too.

A pity that one has to change the whole lot over (springs and shocks because of a leaky shock or two...). I'm hoping Taliaferro will soon have a plug 'n play alternative too.

[I think I may be the only one on this Forum who has the Hirsch springs option w XWD and I'd rather not sacrifice them too, having gone to the trouble to get, by virtue of, say, a single leaking shock. And I will not pay $650 for a single shock on Principle!]

There seems to be a market for stock replacement, without going the coilover route. If you want a driver side used stock stand in, in the event yours start to leak and fail, message me.

 

[ChattySaaby]

I ended up ordering my coilovers from RBM in France too. I didn't try to place the order onilne from UK (Neo Bros?) or MapTun site because when I emailed them with questions and to confirm fitment, they referred me to Nines. GS confirmed that they do not have a product at this time. RBM was the only one that answered my questions, did not refer me to Nines, and confirmed that they'd accept my order. They were much cheaper than Nines even with shipping.

 

[9.8m/s/s]

I ended up ordering my coilovers from RBM in France too. I didn't try to place the order onilne from UK (Neo Bros?) or MapTun site because when I emailed them with questions and to confirm fitment, they referred me to Nines. GS confirmed that they do not have a product at this time. RBM was the only one that answered my questions, did not refer me to Nines, and confirmed that they'd accept my order. They were much cheaper than Nines even with shipping.

Even crazier is the fact that, the info on the package tracking shows that my coilovers where shipped direct from MapTun.

 

[kanundrum]

Glad to hear its working out with some Maptun coils, its literally night and day difference in handling. You will be so SHOCKED (No pun intended)

;ol;

 

[9.8m/s/s]

Glad to hear its working out with some Maptun coils, its literally night and day difference in handling. You will be so SHOCKED (No pun intended)

;ol;

I'm glad you found this thread and thanks for posting everything you did prior with your Turbo X. It was a help.

I was checking the parts out last night. Beautiful.

 

[ChattySaaby]

Sachs super touring shock 311 751 is shown as fitting aero xwd 2.8L and turbo x. Has anyone checked it out?

 

[North Toronto Punter]

Sachs super touring shock 311 751 is shown as fitting aero xwd 2.8L and turbo x. Has anyone checked it out?

Holy Smokes! And only $93.44 per corner for rear! I just checked out 'justsuspension dot com'.

You win Post of The Month if this turns out true. So now it appears we have reasonably priced alternatives to stock and the 'Sky isn't Falling After All' - LOL:

Bilstein B6 (aka HD in North America); Sachs Super Touring 311 751 (at rear). With Maptun Coilovers as the all-in-one, better than stock handling, option.

My questions: What would be the best to pair the Sachs or B6 rear shocks with at front? And which springs then (stock height; and slightly lower--other than coilovers)?

 

[9.8m/s/s]

Holy Smokes! And only $93.44 per corner for rear! I just checked out 'justsuspension dot com'.

You win Post of The Month if this turns out true. So now it appears we have reasonably priced alternatives to stock and the 'Sky isn't Falling After All' - LOL:

Bilstein B6 (aka HD in North America); Sachs Super Touring 311 751 (at rear). With Maptun Coilovers as the all-in-one, better than stock handling, option.

My questions: What would be the best to pair the Sachs or B6 rear shocks with at front? And which springs then (stock height; and slightly lower--other than coilovers)?

How do the Bilstein B6 and Sachs Super Touring replacements deal with the stock rear springs being much softer due to the self leveling shock design?

I can't confirm that they we here 311 751's but Sachs Super Touring rears we tried on my car and didn't fit.

 

[North Toronto Punter]

"How do the Bilstein B6 and Sachs Super Touring replacements deal with the stock rear springs being much softer due to the self leveling shock design?

I can't confirm that they we here 311 751's but Sachs Super Touring rears we tried on my car and didn't fit."

They are explicit on the Just Suspension site:

Fits Rear Right, 1 required per vehicle. (Super Touring)
Turbo X 4-door Sedan model; 2.8L V6 engine (B284R)
Fits Rear Left, 1 required per vehicle. (Super Touring)
Turbo X 4-door Sedan model; 2.8L V6 engine (B284R)


The 311 750 seems not to be compatible with XWD versions. Do you think it was a 750 tried? 751 looks like longer shaft --might be my old eyes! Guess somebody will be guinea pig (gulp...).

 

[kanundrum]

wow great find would def love to know what fits

 

[9.8m/s/s]

Update #1

I picked up the car, with the MapTun coilovers installed late last Friday. I'm still currently in the settling-in time, so the car is not adjusted or aligned. I have an appointment on this Friday to adjust and workout the kinks. The shop that is doing the install is Conn-Tech Automotive (in Warwick, RI).

Problem: When performing a tight turn or going over road imperfections there are considerable coil clunk and spring noises. Has anyone else experienced this in the break in period?

 

[kanundrum]

guaranteed that is the spring adjustment knob (the one you turn with the wrench provided) not 100% tight, it was with my car

 

[9.8m/s/s]

guaranteed that is the spring adjustment knob (the one you turn with the wrench provided) not 100% tight, it was with my car

Thanks for the heads-up. Forgive my inexperience, can the spring adjustment knob be tightened without first lifting the car? If so i will try this afternoon.

 

[kanundrum]

Thanks for the heads-up. Forgive my inexperience, can the spring adjustment knob be tightened without first lifting the car? If so i will try this afternoon.

You do need to lift the car to get access to it so no, but all you need are those wrenches that were provided in the kit

 

[9.8m/s/s]

You do need to lift the car to get access to it so no, but all you need are those wrenches that were provided in the kit

10-4, I reschedule for Wednesday this week for it to go back to the shop. I will let them know your suggestion. Thank you!

 

[ChattySaaby]

I picked up the car, with the MapTun coilovers installed late last Friday. I'm still currently in the settling-in time, so the car is not adjusted or aligned. I have an appointment on this Friday to adjust and workout the kinks. The shop that is doing the install is Conn-Tech Automotive (in Warwick, RI).

Problem: When performing a tight turn or going over road imperfections there are considerable coil clunk and spring noises. Has anyone else experienced this in the break in period?

Good to hear Conn-Tech is willing to do the job. They were who I was planning to have mine done when the time comes. How many hours of labor was it?