Saab 9000 in duty on Airport Bratislava (BTS)

In november 2012 a DHL cargo plane crashed during landing in Bratislava airport (BTS). Luckily it wasn't a fatal crash, the front wheel broke when the planee was already on the runway. It stayed on the airport several days and some photos appeared in the media.

One of them is showing a yellow Saab 9000 which is still on duty on the airport. Reportedly it has some measurement instruments mounted. No more info is known (to me).

Since not having any contacts on the airport it will be hard to find out more. But some of the czech/slovak readers may know someone there. If yes and willing to find out more, feel free to write me. 

source : Hospodarske noviny via saabinfo (cz) forum.

Heavy products arrived

I waited for some time for two new things, the first is really nice to have, the second is necessary.

Firstly the book Saab 99 and 900, The Complete story. The content seems to be after a short time spent with it a very interested reading. For sure a good gift for a Saab enthusiast. Bought on Amazon.

Secondly my front break discs need to be changed. They have 90.000 km and on one of the recent drives I've got a small stone between the disc and the pad, which carved a circle into the disc and disappeared. The pad is OK, but the disc is gone. Bought at Neobrothers.

It's a real heavy product, which our two cats had to test out. So both tried what a sleep on Saab brake discs tastes like. As everything new at home and as always a small check out for some minutes. Afterwards most of the new artefacts are being ignored. Especially the static ones.

Mandatory technical check after 4 years car age

In Slovakia each car has to go to a mandatory technical check 4 years after first registration and than each 2 years again. Today was the D-day. Although my Saab is in excellent condition, I was a bit afraid, because the guys are known for always finding something and making problems.

The result, amount of issues : ZERO 

Not even these small unimportant issues. Without any kind of "motivation".

Fantastic. It was again confirmed, that this buy was a good buy. Currently it has ~65.000km.

Intermediate service stop after 15.000km

15.000km after a last (intermediate pit stop) my 9-3 cabrio required the next one. I would go to service anyway, because the brakes started to produce strange sound as if metal on metal would shuffle - only below 50kmh and with unreduced break power.

All the usual stuff was done, while 7 litres of Mobil 1 Engine oil 0W40 was the most expensive part of the invoice (18€ / litre). But this type is very recommended everywhere, so I've took it. The breaks were a clear message - both rear break pads had to be changed. According to the service book, this is the first time for the car so at ~60.000km it is OK. Costs 63€ for both pads, which is more or less the same price as at elkparts as well as the engine oil price. The whole service stop was 1 day and I got a Saab 9-3 SportCombi 2.0 turbodiesel for the day. Interesting car, nice Fusion Blue Metallic colour and I liked the 2006 dashboard with many buttons and displays. For the 130kkm it had, for a car which was in so many hands, it was in suprisingly good condition. Diesel is lazy, but anyway I am used now to 275hp and this one had 100hp less.

Everything else works fine at the moment. Hopely it stays so.

The two pics below are from my recent Prague trip. A supersmall but safe hotel garage. I was very afraid because the entrance was very small as well, but everything was fine.