Date: Sat, 28 Apr 2007 09:02:30 GMT From: Paul Halliday <pjghnospamyonder.co.uk> Subject: Re: Classic 900 - aluminum or steel/best tires for sport driving
in article 1177717409.114121.130300nospam2000hsh.googlegroups.com, robanzellottinospamlemail.com at robanzellottinospamlemail.com wrote on 28/04/2007 00:43: > I just bought a late '91 900i(s) with 220,000km. It is in great > condition, but only has winter tires on steel rims. > > Background: I am in Germany. Aluminum rims are considered a luxury, > and fetch a premium price even used. Also, my driving habits are > divided between very high speeds on the Autobahn, and very tight turns > in the Hartz mountains (but that involves some dirt, so I can't go too > low). > > I've got an extra set of steel rims from my last car. The question is: > How much do aluminum rims affect the performance of this car? I've > driven Saab 900s with both types, but not in a way to objectively > compare. > > I'm looking at either buying new mid-level summer tires and sticking > them on the steel rims, or shopping used, where for similar money I > could get aluminum rims already mounted with slightly used P6's and > the like. Whatever I do, it is only for summer, so I want to go on the > wide side, like 205/60. I have noticed a huge performance difference > from aluminum wheels on other cars, like VW's, but my last (poor > persecuted...blast the bloody aß$holes at the inspection...) Saab ('92 > 390kKm) did really well on humble steel. Everything from Stuttgart to > Munich at 180km/h to muddy cow paths in Latvia. There never was or > will be be another car like this. > Opinions? I would go for alloy wheels, rather than steel, but can't cite any "scientific" reason for that - perhaps weight? The correct ratio would be 205/55 for 15" (standard C900 wheels). On normal 5.5" wide they would be a bit too "fat". On 6" wheels off a 9000 they would suit a little better but the track would not be any wider - in fact it would be 2mm narrow, but who's counting :) There is a wheel you can get, which is an official SAAB wheel and 7" wide - the offset gives you an extra 3" width in the track and is perfect for 205/55 tyres. IMO, this is a better solution for the C900 than 16" with low profile tyres. The wheel in question is: <http://www.pjgh.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/saab/specials/SAAB%20C900%20Wheel%20St yles/Five-Spoke%20(15x7).jpg> <http://www.pjgh.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/saab/specials/SAAB%20C900%20Wheel%20St yles/Five-Spoke%20Dark-Inset%20(15x7).jpg> I have seen a few of these wheels come up on eBay in Europe - Belgium and France, particularly, but also Estonia. I was looking for a set myself recently. Paul 1989 900 Turbo S http://saab.go.dyndns.org/
