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Date: Mon, 26 Apr 2004 22:15:27 -0400
From: ma_twain <ma_twainnospamo.com>
Subject: Re: Montreal resident thinking of dropping '99 9-3


Dexter J wrote: > Salutations: > > On Mon, 26 Apr 2004 13:45:02 +0100, MeatballTurbo > <carl.robsonnospamcing-czechs.com> wrote: > >> In article <5tNic.179$OU.10482nospam20.bellglobal.com>, >> c.kallianisnospamatico.ca says... >> >>> Hey people, >>> I have a '99 9-3, and thinking of lowering it with the eibach pro-kit >>> and >>> the koni shocks as reccomeneded on few saab sites. I need some >>> insite. I'm >>> concerned about winter driving and the horrible pot holes we have in our >>> beautiful city. I'm also considering new rims to go along with the >>> modification. 16 inch or 17 ? What tires are reccomended? >>> Thanks, >>> Costa >>> >>> >>> >> If the roads are as bad as you say, go with the shocks and springs, but >> stick with 16" wheels and slightly higher profile tyres. >> >> They will give more cushioning than 17" and you won't get as much bump >> steer, or tranlining through the pots. You will lose a little of the >> possible steering accuracy on smooth tarmac, but you will gain more >> smoothness on average across all potential road hazards. > > > Well - after spending almost $100 each to take the bends out a used set > of factory wheels following someone else's adventures on low profile > tires - I was advised that I should consider a taller sidewall profile > than factory on NG/GM SAAB's by at least an inch. > > It was explained at the straightening service that the factory wheels I > picked up (three spoke 5-bolt) where 'almost as soft' as after market > wheels they'd fixed and thusly if you are considering moving to after > market 17" wheels - I have to think you are even more likely to bend > them. I'm an ex-Montrealer myself, I understand the problem - bet the > Ville Marie still looks like it's been shelled. > > Anyway, the NG SAAB line is *very* sensitive to wheel condition and will > quickly beat out it's control arm bushings and steering rack seals if > you are feeling any serious vibration in the wheel. So in operation - > you are stuck repairing the wheels or paying way more to repair the > damage done once your wheels are bent. > > The thinking at the shop was that I could go to a very high profile tire > without loosing any 'real world' handling - if I just spent some time > shopping for a thick/stiff sidewall. This advise is supported by the > fact that the NG steering rack usually needs to be 'braced' to really > exploit stiffer springs and shocks. > > Frankly, while I am now the first to admit that the overall performance > characteristics on the NG SAAB are in fact better than the c900 and in > some ways the 9000 lines, the trade off appears to be that the > suspension was generally lighter built to achieve it. Less agricultural, > less durable = snappier handling at greater speeds. > > <Snip> > If you are concerned about ground clearance for the potholes, I would think about not doing anything to lower to suspension. I have two Saabs, a normal 900S and a SPG. The SPG is s great handler but it scrapes on speed bumps because it is so low. The 900S had more ground clearance and is great in the winter and with the potholes. As for the NG Saabs having a "better overall performance" than the Classics, everyone is entitle to their opinion. Perhaps the "more agricultural" design of Classic makes it a great car in the winter. I will test drive a new 9-3 convertible and get a $50 certificate. I will be able to see how it compares to the SPG in handling. There is a big handling difference between the SPG and the 900S. But that is why I own both - one is simply inspiring on smooth roads and the other is unbeatable in snow and ice.

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