Back in 2011, when I first purchased the TTiD, it was a nicely specified car, but as it was new stock at the Saab dealership, rather than an order direct from manufacturer, I wasn't able to add the desirable and far superior Premium natural leather sport interior, 14 years on, and we've retrofitted that option.
After a call out for a full interior, I drove down to Manchester to collect an immaculate set of seats, door cards and ancillary parts required, with the help of my friend and Saab specialist; Jason, we removed the existing manual interior, modified the wiring looms and fitted the fully electric and memory seats. The difference in quality and tactility is worth the effort, and gives the Hirsch TTiD the finishing interior touch it needed.
Although I also have all of the door cards, the existing interior had been fully modified to include the Hirsch leather handles and also the rare carbon leather inserts, so they'll remain.
We also refitted the fully refurbished Hirsch wheels and new Goodyear Eagle tyres, together with a set of 5mm spacers to make the stance more purposeful. The suspension, however, remains a problem, the rear shocks are in poor condition and it seems like the front Hirsch springs have been replaced with standard height ones and have thrown out the handling and balance. A new replacement set of Bilstien shocks and with MapTun or Eibach springs will be fitted together with any mounts and bushes required next.
Now that the mechanical work has all been down, and we've completed the suspension refresh, it'll be going in to rectify the bodywork issues, both front and rear bumpers are poorly painted, and there's some slight corrosion on the rear arches which will need addressing. I've managed to source another Hirsch lower grille that will also replace the existing broken one. Overall though, it's reminded me just how nicely the TTiD performs, it's got impressive torque and the ReAxs 4 wheel steering has always felt wonderfully reassuring and agile. Saab's combined twin turbo technology helps deliver an intelligent driving sensation that feels as fresh today as it did 14 years ago.