Optional Extras

April 8, 2025 Eleven

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.

236,000 Mile Interior

March 19, 2024 Eleven

Despite not being the most urgent job on the long to-do list for the Nocturne Blue Aero, I couldn’t resist spending a few hours giving the interior a bit of a clean and a few treats.

First off, replace the terrible blue / white LED interior bulbs for the factory standard, warm white ones, then replace the broken gear gaiter for a genuine leather Saab one, finally replace the missing lighters for completeness and then on to the cleaning.

The Hirsch steering wheel had such a build up of dirt, that parts of the perforated leather sections were actually hidden, I wrapped it in damp clothes for a few hours, and then used a leather cleaner and a soft brush to scrub off the grime, finally, I gave it two applications of leather feed.

Because it had been smoked in, it had a stale smell and a build up of surface dirt, I’ve used an Autoglym interior foam cleaner, an old nail brush and a bunch of micro cloths to get the worst off, and then applied the different surfaces with suitable Autoglym treatments, including moisturising the leather. The roof lining needs a good clean still, and I need to source a new set of A pillar covers, as they have cigarette burns in them.

I removed the worn out rubber mats and have ordered new dark grey carpet replacements, sadly not genuine Saab ones as I can’t find them any more, but decent quality ones that should fit nicely and are made to order.

My overriding thought, is just how well these Saab interiors clean up, I’ve owned and cleaned many marques, and Saabs are genuinely some of ones that stand the test of time. This Aero has covered 236,000 miles, has visibly been roughly treated, not cleaned often enough and yet, with some hard work, comes up beautifully.

I have a spare driver’s seat I’ll use to replace the current one, as it has a serious squeak, but decides that, the interior still feels solid, rattle free and beautifully put together, it has once again been returned to the state it deserves.

Interior Design

March 7, 2022 Eleven

No Saab project is complete without a bit of interior design, it’s the place we spend most of time, the place that gives us the sense of being in a car that is a bit special, a bit individual. Over the years, I’ve always looked out for the rarer parts that help with this feeling, the Carbon dashboards, Hirsch handles and pedals, or even just a new genuine Saab leather gear knob, but nothing makes quite so much difference as a new steering wheel.

This must now be my sixth or seventh wheel from TunStyle, and I’m always reassured by the quality of craftsmanship; perfect form, just the right level of chunkiness and absolutely superb Nappa leather, part perforated and beautifully stitched. Luckily the airbag and buttons in this 9-5 are in great condition, so with a little clean, it looks like a new interior again.

TunStyle tunstyle.eu | Instagram

Interior Therapy

January 17, 2022 Eleven

Despite owning the 9-5 Hirsch for over 6 months now, I hadn’t had an opportunity to spend time detailing the dashboard. Over the years, the buttons tend to get coated with grime and become sticky, so it’s an exceptionally rewarding job to tackle.

I tend to use warm soap and water with either a toothbrush or paintbrush to work in some moisture first and then move on to a Hi-Foam Interior Shampoo from Autoglym for a second stage clean. I’ll them remove any residue with a microfibre cloth and hoover over the entire facia to really pull out any remaining dust and dirt.

I’ve got a real hate for any kind of oil or shine on the surfaces, so tend to stay away from most treatments; Autoglym Vinyl and rubber care being the exception. This feeds the plastics and bring the colours out again but still remains matt after finishing.

It’s a stage I love doing, especially on Saabs, the older dashboards were beautifully designed and built and respond well to care. The buttons are once again free from grime with clear letting and symbols and with the new Saab carbon facia, is both timeless and functional, all that remains is a new Nappa leather steering wheel.

She's a Keeper

December 15, 2021 Eleven

A couple of weeks ago I got an excited message from a very good Saab friend over in Maastricht, Netherlands; his girlfriend had treated him to a brand new, genuine Saab, two tone leather interior for his beloved Saab convertible.

The retrimming was carried out by Velteck Saab and they’ve done an absolutely exceptional job. The entire interior was removed, stripped down, refurbished and cleaned were necessary and the new covers fitted. Originally just a single colour, the addition of the two tome leather really gives the Saab a lift and now looks like a new car.

“It was a present from my girlfriend, very special! I’m so happy with it, It feels like a new car, so fresh”.

Not only did Ward leave with a beautiful new interior, he also purchased yet another Saab that Valteck had for sale “they had a beautiful 9-3 Aero Estate 2.8T V6 Hirsch for sale, imported from Switzerland. Always serviced at Saab Hirsch Ruckstuhl. Very nice condition. Very nice car. So I bought it”

A man after my own heart, well done Ward for keeping up the great work, I’d say both your girlfriend and the Saab convertible are keepers.

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Black and Blue

August 3, 2020 Eleven

It might sound strange, but one of my favourite parts of any new Saab rescue is the interior refresh, I look forward to it, I plan what I need to do and how to approach it, I even like stocking up on the products iv’e trusted for years.

After a good few months of the Viggen being made mechanically right again, the interior has languished in 5 years of dust, dirt and tiredness, the leather looked sad and neglected, cast off parts all over the back seat and numerous fittings missing, lost over its 20 year journey.

I like to remove all of the seats, that way, I can treat each one to a full clean and 24 hour feed with Gliptone, bringing the leather to life again, the distinctive Viggen blue leather has come up a treat, it looks bright and firm again, and although the drivers seat has some cracking, the moisuriser has given it a new lease of life and left it with a lovely patina to help tell the car’s story.

I used a foam cleaner by Autoglym for the carpets and plastics and finished it off with a light rub of Autoglym Trim Gel which brings out the grain and colour perfectly.

The new CD head unit replaces the old cassette unit and a subtle AUX input has been fitted, the gorgeous new Nappa leather steering wheel by Tun Style and a genuine Saab replacement leather gear knob.

Tomorrow, the Viggen will be pampered even more by Harry the detailer, the body gets a full clay bar treatment and polish and the roof gets cleaned and sealed again ready for its first outdoor Winter in 5 years.