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Autor Tópico: Is there a SAAB mechanic near Vilamoura  (Lida 6473 vezes)

Offline robert_NZ

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Is there a SAAB mechanic near Vilamoura
« em: 22 de Março de 2018, 09:38 »
Dear members,

Hello, my name is Robert. I am from NZ.

I would like to ask if anybody knows of a SAAB mechanic near Vilamoura?

I have a SAAB 9.5 2003 (petrol).

We will be visiting PORTUGAL from April of this year. I would like to do some maintenance work in PORTUGAL. This will be my first time in PORTUGAL. Thank you.

Regards

Robert
  • SAAB 9000 1987
  • SAAB 9.5 2003

Offline Rui Henriques

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Re: Is there a SAAB mechanic near Vilamoura
« Responder #1 em: 22 de Março de 2018, 11:22 »
Hi Robert

Assistance for Saab in the Algarve is sort of lacking. The official representative is currently a Mercedes-Benz dealership that purchased the Saab workshop after it closed when Saab went bankrupt. Their website is   Para visualizar hiperligações por favor faça LogIn . As it is not a Saab workshop it’s not the best assistance you can get, but they have the tools required like Tech II. There is however another garage near Faro which is run by a former Saab chief mechanic which is always full of Saabs.

I live in Loulé which is 10 min away from Vilamoura, if you need any help, just let me know, I’m always happy to help a fellow Saaber.
  • Saab - 9-3 SS Vector - 2004

Offline robert_NZ

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Re: Is there a SAAB mechanic near Vilamoura
« Responder #2 em: 22 de Março de 2018, 12:18 »
Dear Rui Henriques,

Thank you for the reply, I appreciate that.

I have discovered that there are not many SAAB mechanics around in general. Not many in France on the Atlantic coast side. This has meant that I must read up on planned maintenance and known problems for my SAAB and then replace parts before they fail. Maintenance is critical with my car now. I buy my parts from SKANDIX in Germany and then request that the SAAB mechanic fit them. But it also means that I need to know where a SAAB mechanic is before I travel into a new area. So that was the reason for my question.

My SAAB is an absolute pleasure to drive.

Thanks and regards

Robert
  • SAAB 9000 1987
  • SAAB 9.5 2003

Offline Rui Henriques

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Re: Is there a SAAB mechanic near Vilamoura
« Responder #3 em: 22 de Março de 2018, 13:17 »
I’m not sure if there they are able to fit your own parts, since they are an official workshop, and that’s not a very common practice here in PORTUGAL. I usually get the parts for my Saab from the web and have my mechanic fit them, but it’s not a Saab specialist. Maybe if you go towards the Lisbon area, there are more Saab workshops. What kind of maintenance are you looking at doing? I have some contacts at StarSul, maybe I can arrange something out.
  • Saab - 9-3 SS Vector - 2004

Offline joseglv

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Re: Is there a SAAB mechanic near Vilamoura
« Responder #4 em: 22 de Março de 2018, 22:14 »
Rui Henriques...
Great attitude!!
 O0 O0 O0
(   Para visualizar hiperligações por favor faça LogIn)
:SsP:
Ex-Ford Escort 1.3L               Ex-Opel Corsa B 1.4Si
Ex-Renault 19 1.4                 Ex-Saab 9000 B202L ´92
Ex-Suzuki Swift 1.3 GTi         Ex-Fiat Cinquecento
Ex-Fiat Uno 45S                    Ex-Saab 9000 B202R ´93

Offline meteorologist

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Re: Is there a SAAB mechanic near Vilamoura
« Responder #5 em: 23 de Março de 2018, 09:20 »
Hi Robert and Welcome!

Tiago
  • SAAB 9-5 2.0T - 1999
  • ex Renault Grand Modus 1.2 TCE Dynamic S
  • ex Renault Clio Tech Road 1.4 16v
  • Lexus RX 400h 2008, o SUV cá de casa.

Offline robert_NZ

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Re: Is there a SAAB mechanic near Vilamoura
« Responder #6 em: 27 de Março de 2018, 14:38 »
Dear Rui Henriques,

Sorry for the late reply.

About the SAAB parts that I buy. Yes I know, the practice of buying parts and asking the SAAB mechanic to install them is not an accepted practice. I do this only with a garage in northern France and only because we have a special relationship, otherwise no way!. I understand that we must support the garages and they need to make a living. I have also discovered from experience that it is better to get ALL work done at a SAAB garage because they have the experience.

For me, I do planned maintenance (ie I replace parts before they fail) and I do not expect any problems at the moment.

Each year I call into a SAAB mechanic and get him to do an oil change and at the same time 'check for problems'. I change oil & filter each year, I know that it is not necessary but oil is cheap and I am in contact and speaking to a mechanic. This sounds really strange...but I ask the mechanic to check; plastic and rubber parts, electric switches around the engine. Things like that, ie things that perish and fail.

I do my research through SAAB forums and I am aware of the general issues that come with age and mileage so I am ready for that type of conversation with the mechanic after he has done his check. The mechanics generally come up with nothing so I just end up replacing parts based on actual experiences from the SAAB forums.

At this stage I just need an oil change and a check over.

How do you approach maintaining your SAAB?

Thank you.

Regards

Robert

 

  • SAAB 9000 1987
  • SAAB 9.5 2003

Offline Rui Henriques

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Re: Is there a SAAB mechanic near Vilamoura
« Responder #7 em: 28 de Março de 2018, 02:20 »
Hey Robert

I usually do the same sort of maintenance on my 9-3. Each year it gets and oil and filter change and every 2 years, all the other filters are replaced. However, I usually go to a normal for this procedure. If what you are looking at doing is just an oil change and a check over, it's easily done at any Saab garage, so it would be fine to visit StarSul, the oficial representatives in the Algarve.

For how long are you planning on staying here in PORTUGAL?

Regards

Rui Henriques
  • Saab - 9-3 SS Vector - 2004

Offline robert_NZ

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Re: Is there a SAAB mechanic near Vilamoura
« Responder #8 em: 28 de Março de 2018, 17:44 »
Dear Rui Henriques,

I'm back repairing my SAAB again!!!

I was driving down the road this afternoon and I heard a vibration near the serpentine belt. Its a serious noise.

We think the problem is a failed pulley or a problem with the alternator. The noise still continues when the car stationary. I will ask a local mechanic to check these parts and we just replace the parts as required.

We were planing to arrive in Villamoura next week and stay for about 6 weeks. We are still coming.

Regards

Robert
  • SAAB 9000 1987
  • SAAB 9.5 2003

Offline Rui Henriques

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Re: Is there a SAAB mechanic near Vilamoura
« Responder #9 em: 28 de Março de 2018, 21:06 »
Sad to hear about that... So I guess the Saab will not be coming with you on your holidays then?

Regards

Rui Henriques
  • Saab - 9-3 SS Vector - 2004

Offline robert_NZ

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Re: Is there a SAAB mechanic near Vilamoura
« Responder #10 em: 29 de Março de 2018, 07:26 »
Dear Rui Henriques

Hi, I am going organise a local general mechanic to make the repair and then I will drive from Bordeaux to Villamoura. There is a lot of information on YOU TUBE (and other sites) about problems with: pulleys, belts and alternators. Its been a huge help to me. 

Regards

Robert
  • SAAB 9000 1987
  • SAAB 9.5 2003

Offline Rui Henriques

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Re: Is there a SAAB mechanic near Vilamoura
« Responder #11 em: 29 de Março de 2018, 12:40 »
Okay then. Trying to understand and researching the problems of our cars is a huge thing in maintaining our cars roadworthy and Saabs even more since they are quite the rarity on the roads nowadays. Let me know if you need any further help once you’re here in Vilamoura.

Regards

Rui Henriques
  • Saab - 9-3 SS Vector - 2004