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This is something that sounds like fun. Everyone loves to see their car in print.

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Want to be featured in our new catalog?

As you may have read, we just completed mailing all of our print catalogs. As we work on a new catalog, I'd love to see photos from customer all over the world fill the pages. Please email us at SONCATALOG@gmail.com with photos of your Saab and Saab Accessories.

If we use some or any of your photos in the catalog, we will email you an appropriately sized State of Nine Gift Certificate. Click here for more details. I can't wait to see these entries!

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Think of it as a Saab Accessories version of Saab O The Week.

Get snapping, people!

All: There were many more comments in the filter for manual approval than normal. I've released all of the valid comments and they should be available. Anything that you've posted recently that hasn't appeared should be visible now.

In keeping with Swade's post below for blogger support, please also consider a purchase from our site sponsors. Supporting them with your business is being a good citizen within the Saab community.

Finally, keep reading!! Thanks for participating in SaabsUnited.

It's been quite a while since I've had the pleasure of presenting a Hirsch Performance Newsletter here at SU. That delay is most likely due to the uncertainty surrounding Saab over the last 12 months or so.

It's great to hear from them again, and the 30% discount on software looks very attractive, indeed.

Please check the Hirsch Performance website to make sure that upgrades are available in your country.

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Saab 9-3 2.0T with 240PS included in the new car line-up

In response to customer demand, the markets Taiwan, Germany and Switzerland have included the perfomance upgrade to 240 hp in their national new car price list. In other countries, individual dealers have made similar offers, and have thereby been able to meet the demand for a higher output 9-3 as the 2.8T V6 was taken out of production.

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New! 30% Discount on software performance upgrades now also for model year 2006 vehicles

From the first of January 2010, a 30% special discount on software performance upgrades is available for used vehicles (MY06 and older). This special offer makes it possible for owners of slightly older Saab models to upgrade their vehicle at a really attractive price. The discount applies to the recommended retail price for all software performance upgrades for both 9-3 und 9-5.

Click here to check all available engine upgrades.

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Run-out products......

252PS performance upgrades - only while stocks last!

The 252PS performance upgrade for Saab 9-3 2.0T (B207R) MY 03- is no longer manufactured, and is therefore only available while stocks last.

Dual exhaust for Saab 9-3 1.9TiD/TTiD - only while stocks last!

The stainless steel dual sports exhaust for the Saab 9-3 1.9TiD/TTiD is no longer manufactured, and is therefore only available while stocks last.

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If it is worth doing - it is worth doing it right!

Is it about time to replace the exhaust, the dampers or the brakes on your Saab? Hirsch Performance offers you a chance to not only replace but also to improve, and that to prices well comparable with the original spare parts.

Worn out shock absorbers for the Saab 9-5? Install the Hirsch Performance sport suspension! Benefit from a more dynamic stance and improved handling and braking performance.

Corroded exhaust? Hirsch Performance offer sport exhaust systems for all engine types. Great looks, a pleasantly sporty sound, reduced exhaust back pressure and improved throttle response.

Sticking calipers, worn discs or pads? Try the Hirsch Performance 345mm brakes!
More braking performance in all driving conditions, easy to modulate and with excellent fading resistance.

Hirsch performance products are available exclusively at your authorized Saab dealership.

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Hirsch Performance are sponsors of Saabs United (though I was posting these newsletters for years before they came on board).

Hirsch Performance are the official, factory-backed tuning house for Saab, but some products are available in selected markets only.

Thanks to the generosity of a friend, I recently found myself with some money to spend at State of Nine, one of our site sponsors. I settled on two accessories for the "new" 1991 900 Turbo Convertible, both aimed at preservation.

First, because all convertible tops will leak at some time or another and because the plastics inside the 900 are still pristine, I chose the water-resistant convertible cover to carry in the car for those times when I'll park it outdoors for several hours at a stretch. I liked the portability of the cover (it comes in a box about 12" x 6" x 6" (30 cm x 15 cm x 15 cm)) and I liked the ease of use according to the State of Nine listing.

It is easily installed, that's for sure. On the other hand, my installation doesn't look quite as tidy is the picture on the State of Nine website:

I'll continue to work with the cover and the drawstring to optimize the fit.

Overall, I give the cover a 9 out of 10 for meeting overall expectations, but just 7 of 10 for fit for my 900. Worth the US$95.95.

See more photos after the jump.

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I also picked up a couple of Emblem Armor discs to protect the nearly new Saab-Scania logo badges on my 900.

Like most of you, I've certainly felt the frustration of the relatively fragile badge enamel that plagues virtually all Saabs (see evidence after the jump). My most recent brand-new Saab hood (bonnet) badge barely made it a year before the 80% of the color flaked off in one big piece as I drove one hot day. I saw it happen and, naturally, cussed like a sailor because I'd debated whether the replacement was worth the US$70 (with tax).

Naturally, I am in no mood for a repeat of that fiasco with my new 1991 Saab 900 Turbo Convertible.

For a reasonable US $9.95 each, State of Nine emblem armor seems to be a great idea. Installation was a snap. I decided to trim the "armor" prior to installation because it wasn't exactly circular and it appeared that the wider part wouldn't adhere unless it cleared the silver lip around the edge of the badge. (See photos after the jump.)

The "armor" is heavy-gauge self-adhesive clear plastic film that looks and feels that it will provide a great deal of protection for the badges. My questions are how the surface of the armor will endure, and if it should need replacement how easy it will be to replace the armor once it has cured in place for several months or a few years. Personally, I don't think that I'll be a good test of longevity since I drive the 900 fewer than 4,000 miles (6400 km) per year.

I give the Saab Emblem Armor a 10 of 10 for value, ease of installation and apparent quality. Naturally, I will not know how it will perform until a few more miles pass.

I got my new exhaust system through the week and a few people asked for some video, hence the new video below.

The exhaust system, from SU Sponsors and Saab's official tuning house, Hirsch Performance, is a 3-inch stainless steel cat-back system (meaning it goes from the catalytic converter back, it's not a full system).

The video might not be what you expect. This is no monstrously loud system, but it's very, very good. The exhaust system's job is to get exhaust gases out of the combustion chamber as efficiently as possible, not be as loud as an AC/DC concert.

This one produces a slightly deeper note than the stock system but it's not really any louder. What the system does very effectively is get the gases out quickly and subtly increase the power and responsiveness of the engine.

Yes, I'm one very happy camper :-)

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The exhaust installation has increased the power a little and over all, the car is very quick now. One thing both I and my mechanic have noticed, however, is that under load, the clutch is slipping a little.

As you can see from my driveway, the clutch gets a fair workout every time the car is driven and given that it's fairly old, the fact that it's slipping a little should be no surprise.

I guess a heavier duty clutch will be the next thing on my shopping list.....

The Chronology......

First, a mate of mine named John upgraded his 2006 Saab 9-3 Aero V6 using the new Maptuner plug-in software upgrade device from Maptun.

Next, he reported some observed fuel economy figures from a 500km trip he did in the car a short time afterwards.

Computer fuel consumption showed 7.4Ltrs/100km on arrival at Devonport (31.8mpg US and 38.2 mpg UK). Car was not moved until return journey, computer settings were not altered. On arrival in Hobart at 8pm on Saturday 23rd fuel consumption read 7.5 litres/100km (that's 31.4mpg US and 37.7mpg UK).

The Question......

Some of you quite rightly asked at the time how that compares to his normal consumption. I did fire off an email to John about that, but he was unable to answer as he was in Western Australia on holidays.

Now returned, he's sent me the following reply....

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Fuel Consumption

Fuel consumption is about the same, maybe slightly better on highway driving and possibly slightly worse in town. Best consumption ever recorded on a similar trip (at similar cruising speed) was 7.1 litres/100klm but that was on the Launceston to Hobart leg with a good tail wind and no traffic interruptions. Previous trips to Devonport varied between 7.5 to 8.0 Litres/100klm.

I have not covered enough distance in suburban driving yet to really say what the difference is there, although the computer readings suggest it may be a little higher, which you might expect (perhaps to be fair I should factor in a very hilly home suburb).

The 7.4 litres/100klm figure I quoted for the northern trip (with ECU upgrade) had quite a few interruptions of slower traffic hence the slightly lower consumption perhaps.

I think the extra performance lends the car to being driven with a bit more gusto. Given normal driving I think consumption is going to be about the same. I'm very happy so far and even if there was a small increase it would be worth it!

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You are now even more up to date :-)

I can personally vouch for the poor suburban figures we get here in Hobart. This is a very hilly city and John live up an even steeper and longer hill than what I do!

I thought I'd give this one more run before the weekend....

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Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a special Saabs United discount in the house!!

The folks at Maptun were so pleased with the little Maptuner video I made the other day and the subsequent discussion around it that they've offered us a special discount.

For this week only, Saabs United readers can claim a 20% discount on any Maptun software upgrade.

What it covers:

• All Maptun software upgrades, whether it be diesel, Trionic 5, Trionic 7 or higher.
• Maptuners will be included where appropriate (diesel and T5 cars do an ECU exchange, all others get a Maptuner)
• Only available for orders placed directly at the Maptun website. Not applicable for agents.

What it doesn't cover:

• Shipping
• Parts (you get the software at a discount, but if you also want an exhaust, air cleaner, etc, then those are at normal price)

How you get the discount:

When you place an order, there is a 'message' area as part of the order form. Simply write Saabs United in the 'message' area and they'll apply your discount when they process your order.

Who is elegible?

• Anyone who orders a software upgrade before midnight GMT on Sunday 7th February, 2010.
• Anyone who's ordered one earlier in the week (since I published the video) can contact Maptun and ask for the Saabs United discount on their software too.

A 20% discount is a generous offering and I'd like to thank Maptun for extending this offer to Saabs United readers.

Here's the video again for those who missed it.

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And now, a word from our sponsors......

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As you are all painfully aware, the task to Save Saab was a monumental challenge. The original deal to sell Saab to The Koenigsegg Group fell apart at the last moment and an original deal to sell to Spyker also collapsed. It was the relentless pursuit of Victor Muller, CEO of Spyker, to save the brand from extinction.

We would be remiss if we did not take a moment to thank all of you for your support in this cause. It was your time, telephone calls, letters and countless e-mails to our U.S. Senators, State Senators, Congressman, State Representatives and the board members of General Motors that captured the attention of the world. Your passion in our storied franchise was instrumental in saving Saab. Congratulations on a job well done!

In celebration of this breaking news and as a warm Thank You for your support, please find below extraordinary specials on critical maintenance items.

Thank you for your continued loyalty to the Saab Brand and particularly to Saab USA Parts. We are all excited and enthusiastic about the future of Saab as we now rebuild our cherished brand.

Safe Driving,
Saab USA Parts

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Swade here again.....

Saab USA Parts have a big range of discounts available to celebrate this special occasion, offering up to 35% off a range of high-demand items from their catalogue.

• 35% off Saab 9-3 and Saab 9-5 oil filter kits.
• 35% off Saab Air Filters
• 35% off Saab Fuel Filter Kits
• 35% off OE Pollen Filter Kits
• 35% off Saab Serpentine Belts
• 35% off Saab Wiper Blades
• Saab Vanity Plates for $15.95
• 35% off NGK Spark Plugs
• Wheel bolt caps for $9.95
• Smart Slot Ice Scraper for $19.95
• Saab Ignition Cassette - Black for $224

Just caught wind of this -- our own Andy Rupert, prime mover of Swedish metal in Northeastern Ohio, has been published in Automotive Traveler, a magazine dedicated to, you guessed it, travel by car.

Andy's writing is always very good, and I recommend a read of his story of "the" trip to Detroit. He's right about at least one thing:

There's something strange about it: Once you've owned a Saab, it's in your blood forever.

Great work, Andy! (And somebody buy a car from him, will you?)