What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks

Diesed off

I have owned a SAAB 9-5 Estate1.9 JTDM Manual for some 18 months. The car was first registered in March 2006 and has covered 52,500 miles. The kerb weight without driver is 1,620 kg and I intend to use it to tow a caravan of 1,360 kg max permitted weight. I am aware of the potential reliability shortcomings of this engine as per your car-by-car breakdown. I run the car on 5-30W fully synthetic oil changed every 7,500 miles. I have had the cambelt and waterpump and pulleys changed. Is there any driving/maintenance regime that you can recommend that will minimise the risk of potential failures that you outline? I understand that this engine is used in many alternative installations. Presumably these engines can run reliably to 150k plus? Alternatively can you recommend a reliable suitable alternative vehicle for the task?

Asked on 19 June 2010 by PL, Hyde, Cheshire

Answered by Honest John
You are doing all you reasonably can with your maintenance regime. The engine has been similarly problematic in the SAAB 9-5, Vauxhall Vectra, Vauxhall Zafira, Vauxhall Astra and Alfa 159. If you like Swedish cars and want to tug a caravan, I experienced the most impressive low rpm torque of the lot in a Volvo V50 2.4D5 185 manual. That pulled (solo) from 800rpm. The only modern diesel I have experienced this in.
Dear Honest John,

Please help me choose my next car. I would like it to have:
    Select a few terms below
Similar questions
I'm looking at buying a Ford Fiesta, between 2016 - 2019 plate. Are there still issues with the EcoBoost engines?
I'm looking at a second hand 2018/9 Fiesta 1.0 EcoBoost and mentioned it to my servicing garage. Both mechanics took a sharp intake of breath and warned me off. I know there was an issue with hoses in...
Should I be concerned about a high mileage petrol EcoTSI engine? The car I'm looking at appears to be ex fleet, as it covered 90,000 miles in it's first three years, and then a further 20,000 in the next...
Related models
Decent mix of performance and economy. Superb long-distance comfort aided by good ride and fantastic seats. An exceptionally safe car.