Benz, Swedes, And ‘Saki: Members’ Rides

Last week, we introduced you to Zane and his fantastic fleet culminating with the indomitable GR Corolla, one of my all-time favorites. Today, we get to live out my Swedish wagon dreams with Karl and his awesome fleet. Karl is an accountant living in the beautiful Portland Oregon area and more importantly, he’s a card- carrying member of the Autopian community!

Welcome to Members’ Rides! This is where we share the cars and stories of Autopian Members. The potential to be featured here is a perk for Autopian Members of every level, from the ultra-affordable “Cloth” tier all the way up to “Rich Corinthian Leather.” Click that link and join today!

How did you get into cars?

No significant origin story for me. I am a life-long enthusiast of cars, since as young as I can remember. Learned to drive on my parent’s 1978 VW Bus and 1982 VW Rabbit Diesel.

What’s currently in the garage?

• 2003 Saab 9-5 Aero wagon
• 2003 Volvo XC70
• 2004 Volvo V70R
• 2009 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG
• 2020 Kawasaki Z900RS
• 2024 Polestar2 dual-motor

Four Swedes! Have you always been into Swedish cars?

I’ve always been into European cars, probably since my parents always drove Volkswagens. That was the gateway. I started with VWs and Audis (1980s models). It doesn’t hurt that my last name is Swedish, so I kind of felt some Minnesota-style Scandinavian pride. I purchased a POS 1984 Volvo 240 turbo sedan when I still lived in Minnesota in the late 1990s. Rust ate it away, but that was a cool car and so different from a VW.

I replaced the Volvo with a 1987 Saab 900 SPG which also ended up rusting away, but that was easily the top-three favorite cars I’ve even owned. When I relocated to Portland, I immediately purchased a 1991 Saab 9000 Turbo 5-speed, which was not as enjoyable as the SPG, but looked cool to me.  More hatchbacks!

What’s your Saab story?

I bought it in June 2022. At that time, I had a 2004 Saab Aero sedan, but really wanted a wagon instead. I was going to give the sedan to my ex-girlfriend to use, but the sedan started on fire less than a mile after she started following me home from purchasing the wagon. She was so calm, it was amazing.

What’s the best thing about the wagon?

The mid-range RPM torque. The car has just enough power to be interesting while still somewhat good MPG on highway trips. It has some sense of sporty feeling but is very comfy. It has the fantastic 2.3 liter B235R turbocharged four-cylinder with 250hp & 258 lb/ft torque. The chassis handles great, and modern-day tires give it a ton of grip in the corners without having to upgrade the suspension. I wish there was an Alfa Romeo Giulia station wagon instead of a Stelvio SUV! That would be the perfect replacement for this car. I know that is RWD vs FWD, but the 9-5 chassis handles really well.

What did Saab do better on this than Volvo did on the 70s?

Well, compared to the XC-70 series, the handling is much sportier (yet still comfortable) which is to be expected since the Aero is Saab’s sporty model and the XC is Volvo’s crossover model. The Saab’s engine has significantly more power and torque yet gets better MPG than the XC. The Saab is quieter at highway speeds as well. I probably should not say this on Autopian, but the Saab has a timing chain versus the Volvos’ timing belts.

What do the Volvos do better?

Much better traction in wet weather and snow thanks to the AWD. They also have greater ground clearance, individual spark plug coils vs the Saab’s “DI cassette”, and cheaper parts/better parts availability. The Volvos are also generally easier to work on.  Volvos have fantastic paint (much better quality compared to the Saabs).

How good of shape is it in?

It looks the same as when I purchased it @ only 122K miles – the clearcoat on the hood isn’t peeling but is really thin.  After purchasing, I promptly installed new tires, new struts on all four corners, new motor mounts, water pump + belt and tensioner, new radiator, and had a local Saab specialist replace practically all A/C refrigerant seals to get the A/C to hold a charge.  So mechanically, it is really good now.  I overpaid for it due to Covid used car prices, and am not happy with how much more money I’ve invested in it, post-purchase.

Any remaining issues to sort out?

I need to replace the engine subframe mounts with urethane replacements (very common 9-5 issue) and fix some oil leaks from the oil cooler lines but then I’ll finally be done resuscitating the car. Maybe I’ll get around to replacing some rear suspension bushings that are well-known to create negative camber & squat specifically on the Aero wagons.

How hard is it to get parts for a 20+ year old wagon that was rare when new?

I’ll be honest. It is not great. I was a Saab owner in the early 2000s and it was completely different back then. And unlike the Volvos, which are plentiful at the pick-n-pull yards here in Oregon, the Saabs are far and few between. There are definitely some parts I’d like to purchase that are no longer made, but luckily, they are mostly interior/electronics. When I replaced the front struts for example, I was disappointed at the options of shocks too. The Bilsteins I ended up with seem softer than the OEM Sachs parts that are no longer available.

How did the XC70 come into the picture?

I bought it at an auction in September 2018, over six years ago. I was looking for a replacement vehicle for my best friend. She was previously driving a 1992 Volvo 740 Turbo wagon that I picked out for her years prior.

Were you specifically looking for one of these or what made you want this one?

I was trying to choose from a wide variety of vehicles at that particular auction: Toyota Matrix, Ford Escape, Toyota Camry, Toyota Prius, Volvo V50, another XC70. I had flipped a similar XC70 a year earlier, so I felt comfortable choosing it.

Aside from the obvious that it’s a Swedish wagon, how similar do you feel this is to the Saab and the R?

The interior is almost exactly the same as the R. The big differences being the seats, steering wheel, and instrument cluster that has the special blue background. The front seating area seems more spacious than the Saab. Swedish ergonomics are great for all three, and all three have fantastic seats! They all have similarly huge cargo areas, leather, sunroofs, heated seats, auto climate, power everything, turbo engines. They really are very similar in so many aspects. In fact, all three wagons use the Aisin AW55 five-speed transmission that was in tons of other vehicles like Nissan, Chevy, Saturn, etc.

In what big ways is this different than the other wagons?

This one is much tamer than either of the others. It is not particularly enjoyable to drive fast, and the suspension bounces and dives even with new OEM struts.  It is not fast or sporty at all, but I knew that when I bought it.

Is there anything this one does better than the others?

It is by far the most comfortable vehicle, and due to the non-sporty tires, it is by far the most capable driving in the snow.  It is a very confident everyday vehicle.

Anything that it does worse?

Again, it is not very sporty or fun to drive fast. 208hp is not a lot, especially with the Aisin automatic transmission. I wish it had more turbo boost for more power and midrange torque.

I have always wanted one of these, but the reliability seems hit or miss. How has it been for you?

It has not been great, but that is what happens when you buy a 212k mile basket case for $1,300 at an auction: I had full intentions of buying cheap, throwing parts at it, and making it reliable, and it worked. It is now very, very reliable.

Do you think this is a long-term car for you or any idea what would replace it if you needed to?

I think this is going to be my long-term backup vehicle after I jettison the Saab. I’ll likely use the wagon like most people use a spare pickup or SUV. Great for driving in terrible weather, mountain/backwoods trails, Home Depot trips, etc.

How is the V70R?

It is kind of a basket case, unfortunately. Mostly my own fault … I bought it in LA, April 2017, and drove it back to Portland, OR.

What is the best thing about this one?

The rarity and the look. I always wanted one of these.

Anything you don’t like?

The turning circle is spectacularly awful! I’ve had to do two-point turns in a parking garage ramps. It is also difficult to see overhead traffic lights. The seats don’t lower very much compared to the XC70. I am always extremely frustrated that Volvo limited the performance in first and second gears in cars with the five-speed automatic like mine. Per IPD: “2004-05 S60R and V70R models with Geartronic automatic transmissions are torque limited to 250lbs/ft of torque [out of 295] in 1st and 2nd gear. This severely reduces the standing start performance and results in a 0-60 time that is almost two seconds slower than the manual transmission version.”

I have heard these are incredibly expensive to keep on the road, has that been your experience?

I haven’t done a lot, but it needs a lot. The special “4C” Monroe shock absorbers are stupid expensive to replace. Mine are worn, but not dead. They cost $350 for each four corners of the car, just for the parts. I know that if you turn up the wick on the engine, you can easily kill pistons too. The Saab Aero has the same issue, so I’ve avoided tuning of any sort.

Since the car I bought was from LA, the seals on one of the headlights were perished and the V07R/S60R have different headlights than all the other models. Figure at least $500 for a used xenon headlamp assembly, if you can find one. My guess is some other issues like the angle gear were replaced long before I owned the vehicle. Other than that, I really haven’t invested much money into the car except for the PVC replacements, which used the same parts as my XC70.  I should probably explain that I use a laptop with an old copy of Volvo’s Vida/DICE to diagnose my Volvos, which helps me avoid going to the dealers.

Another trick that’s helped that I’ve done on the XC AND the V70R. Both of their Aisin AW55-51 transmissions started shifting really hard, slamming into gears when decelerating to a stop. I installed a brand-new transmission valve body from eBay designed for a Chevy/Saturn/Nissan which are significantly less expensive, and now both cars shift like new!

I am convinced that the majority of P2 chassis Volvos are junked due to transmission problems that do NOT require removal or replacement or the transmission. The valve body can be replaced with the engine/transmission in place. You just have to separate the lower sub-frame from the transmission on one corner to get about two to three inches room to remove and replace.

What does this one do better than the others?

It sounds great, the turbo surge is fun, the traction on wet Pacific NW roads is great, and the seats are amazing! There are not a lot of them left on the road.

How different is the R compared to the XC?

Those special 4C Monroe shocks are very hard-riding, amazingly different compared to the soft XC. The V70R feels different as soon as you open the driver’s door and realize how much lower it is to the ground. Huge difference. The engine performance is obviously different: the V70R is 300hp versus the 208hp of the XC. The V70R has much more turbo lag versus the low-pressure turbo of the XC70, even though they are both 2.5 liter five-cylinder engines.

Is it in pretty good shape or getting a bit rough around the edges?

It has 183k miles on it and it has LA battle scars on the exterior. Lots of dings and scratches. It’s still pretty decent, but it is getting rough around the edges for sure.

Do you think you’ll be holding onto this one for a long time?

No, I’m already in the process of selling it to the Polestar salesperson who sold me my Polestar 2. I have less space after relocating, so this one will not be replaced.

In a fleet of Swedish wagons, the AMG stands out. How does this one fit in?

Well, I learned to drive via my family’s Volkswagens, and prior to my Swedish fix had a Mercedes-Benz habit for many years. I owned a very high mileage (260K or so) 1993 Mercedes-Benz 500E, and it was probably the best car I’ve ever owned. At one point, I owned four different w124s. After the 500E, I had a w219 Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG for many years, but longed for something that was more “tossable.” I was expecting I’d buy a used VW GTI and test drove one, but it just didn’t click with me.

The dealer had a used 2009 C63 AMG on the lot, so I asked if I could take it for a test drive. The test drive sold me on this car, very quickly.  The steering was so much better than my W211 E55 AMG, the ride was just as bad as the GTI I had just driven, but the overall drive was much more communicative. I went home and researched the car more and it passed the test. I bought it and sold the E55.

What’s your favorite thing about this one?

The 6.2 liter M156 engine is just amazing! The sound alone is great, but the power is intoxicating. The linearity of the power up to the redline of this engine is just fantastic. They just don’t make naturally aspirated DOHC V8s like this anymore, in my opinion/experience. Oh, and you can completely turn off the traction and stability control!

Is this pretty refined like a typical Benz or does that massive V8 cancel out a lot of that?

The engine and the transmission are properly refined. The exhaust is perfect! Pronounced during throttle, but never droning or too loud like some people say about the Stellantis V8s. That said, this generation of C-class does not have the best interior and it was a very noticeable step down from my previous E55. Things like the climate control are exemplary, and it still has all the toys like power steering wheel adjustments.

That said, while the suspension is very, very buttoned down, it is harsh at low speeds. My E55 had the cushy Airmatic suspension that would float over pavement, so the C63 was a big change. These are highly underrated vehicles compared to a BMW M3. They have wonderful handling and are so balanced. If anything, after tracking it twice, I wish they could accept wider tires. I had Michelin PS2 summer tires, and it still felt under-tired at the track.

Anything you don’t like about it?

The suspension is pretty darn tough below highway speeds. It also used to kill new rear tires in less than 10K miles. I had an alignment specialist dial out the crazy rear wheel toe-in to get me as close to zero as possible, and it helped a lot. I wish it had a real limited-slip differential, especially since the pavement is wet so often in the Pacific NW.

This one also strikes me as something that could be problematic, has that been the case or is it less troublesome than I am thinking?

The car has been very, very reliable. I replaced a thermostat (the car told me it was going bad, which was convenient) for $135 (parts). New front brake pads for $149 (parts). I had an independent M-B repair specialist replace a fuel pressure sensor for less than $400. I attempted to replace the valve cover gaskets, but holy cow! That wide engine is absolutely shoehorned in there, and my attempt to replace them made them leak worse. It was $1,000 in labor from the independent mechanic. Said mechanic said that even though my engine falls into the range of vehicles that have suspect head bolts, “if it made it this far, the engine will not have those issues.”

How often does this get driven?

It was my daily for about two years, but it felt dumb using such a great car while sitting in stop and go traffic, so I purchased the Saab as my ‘beater’ so I didn’t put as many miles on the C63. I just hit 101K miles. I’ve only put on 22K since purchased in 2019, but still drive it regularly to keep it happy and fresh.

What made you pick up the Z900RS?

It was this or a Triumph, and the price on the Kawi was just too good to pass up. It had been sitting at the dealer for a year, so they cut the price by over $1K (this was right at the start of Covid). I didn’t even bother to test ride it. I read many reviews on it and felt it was exactly what I was looking for.

Have you had bikes in the past or is this unusual to have in the garage?

My previous 2009 Triumph Street Triple R had been stolen the previous summer, so I felt like I finally needed a replacement. I only had that for about three years. Prior to that, I have not had a motorcycle since way back in 1992. I bought a basket-case Suzuki GS850 after the salesperson told me it was what won the first Cannonball run, hah! I only had it for a year or so before it died.

What do you love about it?

The intake howl sounds awesome! The exhaust is louder than the non-Café Z900s and sounds fantastic. It’s not too big or heavy, not too small or uncomfortable. I love the retro styling, but I know not everyone does. Kawasaki makes some great engines. I love the helmet lock – so frickin’ convenient! All motorcycles should have one as standard equipment.

What’s its biggest flaw?

Not a flaw necessarily, but I wish it had a quickshifter. Overall though, it is a really good bike. No complaints.

What’s your favorite kind of riding to do with this?

I absolutely love twisty roads with decent pavement, usually following alongside a river.  Long highway slogs are not this bike’s best environment, but it is still capable.

Last but not least, what led to the addition of the Polestar?

The promotional deal! On top of the promotion, the Costco promotion changed the downpayment from $3K to $1K. I knew I didn’t want to drive the C63 for commuting, so it thought what the hell, it is only a 27-month lease. Of course, I ended up with a much more expensive model than the $300 lease, but oh well.

Are there any familiar characteristics of this from the Volvos?

Absolutely. The vehicle architecture is based off of a gas-powered Volvo XC40. Similar to the Fiat 500e I owned previously, it was not designed from scratch as an EV platform. The steering wheel and the majority of the switchgear are identical to the Volvo parts. Unfortunately, the seats are not as comfy as a Volvo – not even close.

What is your favorite thing about it?

I have not had a brand-new vehicle since my 2013 Scion FR-S so just having a brand-new vehicle is a rush. Also, this brand-new vehicle is so luxurious compared to a 2004 Saab. The technology alone, for example.  My Saab doesn’t even have Bluetooth.  My number-one favorite thing is being able to use my cell phone app to preheat the car via climate control, front/rear defrosters, heated seats and heated steering wheel prior to “starting” the car when it is cold outside. My Dad’s 1978 VW Bus, that I learned to drive in, kind of had that feature:  he spec’d the auxiliary ‘gas’ heater. You could preheat the Bus without starting the engine in the harsh Minnesota winters by twisting the green heater/timer dial on the dashboard.

What’s the biggest flaw on it?

The interior space is cramped compared to the overall size of the vehicle. Rear seat legroom is NOT good. My clients were not impressed.

Have you had any issues with it?

I’ve had to hard reset the infotainment twice. It is more like restarting a computer versus a car. I wish I could diagnose it like pulling fault codes on a regular vehicle, but it doesn’t work like that.

What made you pick this over a Tesla or Hyundai or anything else on the market?

I never like popular vehicles. I always want something different than what the majority gets. I’m not a huge fan of Hyundai or Kias, but I absolutely wanted a hatchback, so Tesla 3 was not considered. I’m not a fan of Tesla Ys, so that was out. The R-Line Hyundai would interest me, if I could afford it. I’m not proud that my Polestar was made in China but I weighed it with the fact that Volvo is exporting US-made vehicles to China.

With this and the Benz both being powerful sedan like vehicles, is there any similarity to them?

The Benz is definitely challenged traction-wise and the Polestar’s instant torque and all-wheel drive provide immediate launches. It excels at highways speeds, where the Polestar is more impressive below 65MPH or so. The Benz is not a light vehicle at around 3700lbs, but yet compared to the EV it feels very lightweight. They are really complete opposites even though they have fairly similar 0-60 times.  Statistically, the C63 is still faster in this metric as well as the ¼ mile. Well, as long as traction is not an issue.

Do you have a dedicated daily among these or just whichever sounds fun that day?

The Polestar is the daily. My new commute to work is so minimal that the engine of the gas cars wouldn’t even have an opportunity to warm up prior to getting to work now.

Thanks for sharing Karl!

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