OEM vs Aftermarket: The original Saab 9-3 suppliers and today’s replacement options

Saab’s big investment

When Saab launched production of the new 9-3 sedan in August 2002, the expectations were bold. Annual volumes were forecast at 70,000 units, backed by an investment of SEK 4.5 billion (€490 million) into the Trollhättan assembly plant. It was the company’s single largest production investment ever, with new stamping lines, an expanded body shop, and assembly flexibility to run multiple models on the same line.

Process improvements lifted productivity by as much as 30%, and Saab aimed to raise global sales from 126,000 cars in 2001 to 200,000 annually.

Behind this effort stood a network of renowned OEM suppliers — Bosch, Valeo, ZF Sachs, Hella, Autoliv, Lear, Magneti Marelli — all delivering the components that defined Saab’s balance of safety, performance, and durability.

The OEM backbone

The Saab 9-3 shared much of its DNA with the Opel Vectra C and Fiat Croma, which means that many Saab parts were not unique but rather part of a global GM  supplychain.

• Bosch: sensors, instrument cluster, engine electronics
• Hella: headlights, lighting modules
• ZF Sachs: shock absorbers, suspension elements
• Autoliv: airbags and restraint systems
• Valeo: engine cooling modules
• Delphi: Bluetooth and electrical modules
• Magneti Marelli: exhaust systems
• Lear / Faurecia: seat structures

This OEM chain provided Saab with consistency and reliability, but it also created a situation where parts could be cross-referenced with Opel and Fiat models — giving today’s owners a wide pool of replacement options.

Cross-compatibility with Opel and Fiat

One of the best examples is the lower control arm:

• Saab part no.: 12796013
• Opel part no.: 0352052
• Fiat part no.: 51748652

This same part was installed in Saab 9-3, Opel Vectra C, and Fiat Croma. Today, more than 30 manufacturers produce it, from Lemförder to Teknorot, offering owners a huge range of choices in quality and price.

Today’s aftermarket landscape

For the same control arm, owners can choose:

• Lemförder 30612 01 — closest to factory OEM
• TRW JTC1000 — premium suspension supplier
• Febi Bilstein 23002 — reliable German brand
• Delphi TC2076 — former Saab OE supplier
• Monroe L24537 — known for suspension products
• Moog OP-TC-1956P — strong US aftermarket presence
• FAG 821 0294 10 — premium bearings and suspension
• Teknorot — Turkish brand rapidly gaining credibility (Saab catalog)

Sensors and electronics: not Saab-exclusive

Saab owners are often surprised that many “Saab parts” were also fitted to other brands:

• MAP sensor (TTiD engines) — also used in Fiat 500L, Suzuki SX4, and even Fendt tractors.
• EGR valve (1.9 TiD/TTiD) — common GM/Fiat diesel part, used across Opel, Alfa Romeo, and Fiat ranges.

This universality means sourcing parts is rarely a problem, but the challenge is knowing whether to go for OEM suppliers or aftermarket alternatives.

OEM vs Aftermarket: how to decide

• OEM / OE Supplier (Bosch, Lemförder, Sachs, Hella, Autoliv)

  These are the best choice for critical systems like suspension, brakes, airbags, and lighting.

• Mid-tier aftermarket (Febi, Monroe, Moog, Delphi)

  Ideal for daily drivers; solid performance at lower prices.

• Budget brands

  Short lifespan and inconsistent quality — use only as temporary fixes.

The golden rule: if it affects safety, stick to OEM suppliers. For less critical parts (trim, minor sensors, cabin items), aftermarket can be a smart, economical choice.

Extended OEM vs aftermarket parts table

For a detailed look at all the original Saab 9-3 suppliers, click on the image to open the full-size version on Flickr (click on image):

Component	Saab OE no.	Opel/Fiat ref.	OEM Supplier	Common aftermarket alternatives
Lower control arm	12796013	0352052 / 51748652	Lemförder	TRW, Febi, Delphi, Monroe, Moog, FAG, Teknorot
Front shock absorbers	—	—	ZF Sachs	Monroe, KYB, Bilstein, Koni
Rear shock absorbers	—	—	ZF Sachs	Monroe, KYB, Bilstein, TRW
MAP sensor (TTiD)	—	—	Bosch	Pierburg, Meat&Doria, ERA
EGR valve (1.9 TiD/TTiD)	—	—	Pierburg	Valeo, Wahler, Topran
Brake calipers (front/rear)	—	—	Continental Teves	TRW, ATE, Bosch
Brake discs & pads	—	—	ATE / Brembo	Zimmermann, TRW, EBC
Clutch master/slave cylinder	—	—	FTE	Sachs, Luk, Valeo
Fuel pump module	—	—	Bosch / Delphi	Pierburg, VDO
Alternator	—	—	Delco Remy	Bosch, Valeo
Starter motor	—	—	Delco Remy	Bosch, Mahle
Exhaust muffler	—	—	Magneti Marelli	Bosal, Walker
Rear axle bushings	—	—	Lemförder	Febi, Meyle, Teknorot
Wheel bearings	—	—	SKF / FAG	Timken, Febi, NTN
Headlights (Xenon/Halogen)	—	—	Hella	Magneti Marelli, Depo, TYC
High-mounted stop lamp	—	—	Sema	ULO, aftermarket LED solutions

Not a Parts Orphan: Why Saab 9-3 Owners Can Still Source What They Need

The Saab 9‑3 is not a parts orphan. Thanks to its GM Epsilon platform and shared development with Opel and Fiat, the vast majority of its components remain widely available.

Key to this accessibility:

• Knowing who the original suppliers were — Bosch, Sachs, Hella, Lemförder, Autoliv, Delphi, Magneti Marelli, Valeo, and others.
• Recognizing which aftermarket brands deliver true OE-level quality.

With this insight, Saab 9‑3 owners can confidently keep their cars on the road by choosing wisely—balancing OEM-level reliability with cost-effective aftermarket alternatives.

At a Glance: Total Production of Saab 9-3

Understanding how many Saab 9‑3 units were built underscores the relevance of parts availability today:

• First-generation (1998–2003): approximately 326,370 units were produced globally 
• Second-generation (2003–2014): total production is estimated between 577,000 and 608,878 units 

Collectively, nearly a million Saab 9-3 cars rolled off the production lines – highlighting why parts remain in circulation and why both OEM and aftermarket supply channels are still robust.