The Independence Edition dashboard

It seems that everything needs it's time. This was a Christmas gift to my Saab. It needed some time to come here and again many thanks to all who helped. Then it was Christmas time, afterwards 2.5 weeks vacation, then hardcore work. And then the service guy got a flu. So the whole thing took nearly three months from start to installation.

But it's here and installed. Finally. Together with Hirsch leather door handles. The dashboard hasn't a Hirsch logo on it, because the Independence Edition didn't had it. It is maybe one of the last available, if not the very last one.

My biggest concern was, that it will visually "fight" with the Maptun steering wheel. Luckily, it's not the case, they are playing very well together. I love it.

And besides the visual upgrade, the original dashboard had a quasi alumium edge, which created a bit annoying reflection on the windscreen under the "right" light conditions. This is now gone.

The search another parts for replacement or covering of other aluminium parts in the cockpit continues. The center console and probably the glovebox. If it needs it's time, ok. So let's see ...

Maptun upgrade installed

My Saab reached 100.000 km and the circumstances were good for an upgrade. So after a short e-mailing with Maptun two boxes came and were installed some days ago. Here are the first feelings.

The more visible new part is the Maptun steering wheel. It is thicker and softer than the original one. It fits very well into the hands. My fear, that the rugged structure will be a hurdle in smooth steering was not confirmed at all. It is a nice piece which found its home in the cockpit basically immediately.

Also I had the luck, that the service here had black steering controls which are looking much better in this combination than the chrome ones.

The less visible but very important upgrade was the front strut brace again from Maptun. Since the convertible doesn't has a fixed roof, the chassis got torque steering at fast acceleration in some situations. For example, when you enter a fast road and don't want to slow the cars behind you. Or while overtaking a slower vehicle on a country road. These were places where the car started to "dance". The strut brace eliminated it completely.  The car is much more stable, feels more robust and drives more smooth. As it would be from one piece of metal. Unexpected and a nice surprise.

Hopely it's not the end. Something more is still in plan. Let's see how this works out.

edit : oh yes and if you're in doubts how to hold the steering wheel properly, check this :

 source : gamespot forum

Upgrade !

My Saab recently arrived to the 100.000 km mark on the odometer. Since there were no serious faults, he deserves a reward. So an upgrade from Maptun is coming. Because the software is from  Hirsch and it works great, no chip this time.

But the chassis gets in some situations torque steering. Answers from forums how to improve this are saying two things : harder bushes from Powerflex and a strut brace. I am afraid a bit of the bushes and it wasn't very recommended by the trusted service technician. But the strut brace shouldn't bring any potential damage with itself.

Yes, it could be bought from a garage master in the next service. But I wanted a branded one, so Maptun was the choice. It looks very professional.

Another thing which comed was equally if not more important. A Maptun steering wheel ! It's massive and feels fantastic in the hand, a very comfortable kind of softness. I love it even not mounted yet, this will be a major thing.

Two boxes came via UPS, very professional packaged and another remarkable thing was - they are both very light, together 6 kg. That's nothing.

The communication with Maptun was very professional, quick and everything was gone very smoothly. After a not very good experience with some other seller this was a refreshing thing. Thank you Fredrik.

I can't wait to have it mounted. Soon.