Richard had spent three years driving his new Saab 9-5 NG as a company car before it passed to another owner. Years later, he unexpectedly spotted the same car on the road and approached its owner with a simple request: if he ever decided to sell it, Richard wanted the opportunity to buy it back. More than seven years after that encounter, the Saab finally returned to its original owner, who commissioned an extensive mechanical rebuild at Sweden’s Mannes Bilservice.
A Chance Encounter That Led to an Unexpected Reunion
After Richard had driven the Saab for three years, the car found a new home with an owner in Södertälje, Sweden. Its second owner kept it for almost six years and was active in the Swedish Saab club community. Richard’s unexpected encounter with the car occurred while he was out driving. Recognizing his former company car, he approached its owner, explained their shared history, and asked to be contacted if the Saab ever became available for sale.
The conversation eventually led to the outcome Richard had hoped for. More than seven years later, he bought back the very same Saab 9-5 NG he had originally driven from new. With retirement approaching in the coming years, he decided to invest in a comprehensive mechanical overhaul that would prepare the car for continued use.
The project was entrusted to Mannes Bilservice, a specialist workshop in Sölvesborg with considerable experience working on later-generation Saabs. The company has previously undertaken ambitious projects involving the final 9-5, including the reconstruction and extensive equipment upgrades of a rare 2012 Saab 9-5 Turbo6 SportCombi.
From Timing Chains to the Haldex XWD System
The workshop’s account of Richard’s rebuild reveals a substantial amount of mechanical work. The timing chains, turbocharger, exhaust manifold, belts, clutch, and flywheel were replaced, while the front subframe was refurbished. The work also extended to the Haldex all-wheel-drive system and its electronically controlled limited-slip differential (eLSD).
The latter is a particularly interesting aspect of the project. Saab’s original technical presentation of the 9-5 explains how the XWD system distributes torque between the front and rear axles, while the eLSD can also manage torque distribution between the rear wheels. Restoring these components was therefore an important part of the work carried out on Richard’s car.
The suspension and braking systems received similarly extensive attention. Mannes Bilservice refurbished the anti-roll bars and suspension bushings, replaced the brakes, and installed larger front brakes from the Turbo6 version. Wheel bearings were also among the components addressed during the rebuild.
Exterior work included restoring the headlights and fog lights, replacing the turn signals and central rear light, and fitting a new set of wheels. Inside the cabin, the driver’s seat was modified to incorporate a memory function, adding a practical feature to a car Richard already knew well.
The engine also received software developed by Markus Södergren. According to the workshop, the modification improved the engine’s response and running characteristics. No specific performance figures were provided.
Prepared for Another Chapter of Ownership
Mannes Bilservice reports that the completed work has improved the car’s reliability and restored the driving feel of a much newer vehicle. The finished black 9-5 NG retains its familiar exterior design, with the mechanical investment concentrated on the components that will determine how it performs and drives in the years ahead.
The approach differs from some of the more visually dramatic Saab restoration projects, such as the Polar White Saab 9-5 NG Aero rebuilt by SAC Taiwan. Richard’s project combines a comprehensive mechanical overhaul with selected equipment upgrades, while retaining the appearance of the car he originally purchased.
There is also a personal distinction between this project and the increasing interest in exceptionally low-mileage examples of the final 9-5, such as the 29,011-kilometer Saab 9-5 NG XWD offered at auction in Sweden. Richard was not searching for a particular specification or a collector-grade example. He wanted his original car back, and when the opportunity finally arrived, he was prepared to invest in its continued life.
As the team at Mannes Bilservice concluded in its original Facebook post, they hope Richard and his family will enjoy many more years with the car. After three years of initial ownership, a chance encounter on the road, and a seven-year wait, his Saab is finally back where he wanted it.
Source and photographs: Mannes Bilservice, Sweden.
