Which would be a better prospect over, say , 6 years of ownership averaging 6K- 8K miles per year. I'm tempted by a used 2001 model of each, but am put off by the high initial purchase costs of the Beemer.
Am also aware that the Saab is also a partially re-engineered Vectra !
Needless to say, I like driving, and apart from the load/family carrying aspects of each, want something which is enjoyable to run !
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\"Am also aware that the Saab is also a partially re-engineered Vectra !\"
Nothing *necessarily* wrong with that. I speak as I find in that I ran two V6 Vectra Estates over a period of six years, as did my brother with two 1.8 Estates, and have nothing but praise for the reliable service (and especially with the GSi I owned) the driving pleasure they gave. The detail engineering is clever in many places, too.
Back to the main plot however. Both cars you list are popular in the company I work for, and although I don\'t like the image that goes with a BMW, I much prefer the build and ambiance of a 5 Series Tourer compared with the relative Airfix kit that is the interior assembly of a SAAB 9-5. Note, not a SAAB 95 as you wrote. They\'re rather older! ;-)
( www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/my_car_saab95.htm )
Colleagues with the 9-5 Aero rave about the get-up-and-go, whereas colleagues with BMW 5 Series Tourings tend to rave more about refinement and handling.
BMW probably has more second hand cachet to retain value when you come to sell, too.
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Despite the Vectra and 9-5 sharing the same platform there is very little comparison-they are two completely different cars. I have a 9-5 saloon, my 4th Saab, and am very happy with it-not quite sure I understand the Airfix kit allusion above. The BMW certainly has a high percived quality but also, IMHO, an unfortunate image which I personally wouldn'y want to be associated with. BMW says "Flash", Saab says "Understated taste"! (I'm sure there may be some who disagree).
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Having driven my father's new 9-5 Aero, I can assure you that only resemblance between this and any Mk I Vectra is that both have four wheels.
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<<< not quite sure I understand the Airfix kit allusion above. >>>
Simply that some switch blanking plates have rough edges to them and lack a nice snug fit in their aperture, and other plastic bits and pieces lack a quality feel. More than one colleague has quickly snapped the part of the dash mounted drinks holder that controls how it rotates on pushing away, for example.
(Humour) I prefer the build quality of the BMW, but the less austere Swedish nature of the SAAB, so chose a V70 as my current car! ;-)
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I will second the opinion (oops thats third the opinion) that there is NO similiarity between the vectra and the 9-5. Having put a lot of miles on both you put that to bed. The SAAB is a zillion miles away from the Vectra in every way.
The SAAB (specially the estate) is a really good car, but you cant compare it to a 5 series touring. Two different cars (and very different money)
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Have you considered the Volvo V70 which gets a good name as an Estate of a similar size, the Mercedes E Class and the Audi A6.
I looked at all of these and went for the V70.
cheers
Durelli - son of a famous Italian tyre maker
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I've owned a 9-5 Aero estate and a 330d estate - not quite the pair you're looking at, but similar.
The neighbours (mainly Mercedes drivers) liked the Saab, and it looked fantastic. I found it a bit slower than I'd expected, and a pain in wet/icy weather - front wheel frive and 230HP don't really mix. About 22mpg. The front seats made my back ache, but the dash was fantastic - everything just where you needed it. And the cupholder is a work of art!
The BMW is a much better drive despite less power. It handles well, and is good at getting the power down. I love the fact that you can select hot or cold air on your face (one of those little things!). I upgraded the seats to sports/electric/heated and they feel better than the Saab (but they did add £2k to the price of the car). Be aware that the pedals on the BMW (both 3 and 5 series) are offset slightly to the right - doesn't bother me. I get 39mpg.
I thought the Saab had the better image, especially in 9-5 aero form, but the BMW has been easier to live with.
If it was my money, and I had a Saab specialist nearby I'd go for the Saab. Otherwise the BMW. And if you're doing high mileage definately consider the BMW 3.0 diesel - It really is the best diesel engine I've ever driven.
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I would definitely test drive them both. I've had a couple of 9-5s (2.3t SE auto is best bet) and the interior layout and seat comfort is definitely a match for the 5 series. I chose between the two for my current car and the Saab is significantly cheaper with a good equipment level. Over 6 years you are going to have a lot of depreciation in either so purchase price matters more. Watch out for start-up smoke on the Saab - could mean a new turbo though I think this is not a problem on the 2001 model year.
The 530d est is a very good car though!
PB.
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