Widest tyres + wheels for 9-3 b204 1999 MY ?

3698 Views 13 Replies 6 Participants Last post by 8valvegrowl, Jul 28, 2010

onyx100

Discussion Starter · Jul 28, 2010

I have saab 9-3 B204 Stage 3
Problems with traction in 1st and 2nd , especially when wet.

Current tyres and wheels:

Alloys: Saab made 6 spoke 16 inch / 6.5J
Tyres: kumho ecsta 215/55/16

I know that i can fit 225 on this wheels but...

Is possible to use 235 or 245 or 255 tyres on any other wheels, with no problems at all?????

What widest tyres have You seen in this car ?

Please help

Danny

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1 - 14 of 14 Posts

saabkid37

· #2 · Jul 28, 2010

you can run an 8.5 inch wide wheel if you take the offset to +27 or lower, but you still cant fit more than a 225 tire.

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onyx100

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jul 28, 2010

saabkid37 said:
you can run an 8.5 inch wide wheel if you take the offset to +27 or lower, but you still cant fit more than a 225 tire.

even if i use 15 inch wheel with 235 or 245 tyre aspect ratio 40 45 , i mean generaly diameter of wheel+ tyre will be smaller than original ( 225 /50/16)
but wider .... even then 235 or 245 is not possible?

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8valvegrowl

· #4 · Jul 28, 2010 (Edited)

I run 235/40/17 Toyo RA1's on 17x7.5 et40 wheels. Rolled rear fenders on my track/street stg3 9-3. Works great, zero issues.

Car is lowered on koni springs.

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saabkid37

· #5 · Jul 28, 2010

if my memory serves me, my 225 on an 8.5 wide wheel is now a wider contact patch then a 235 on a 7.5

but my memory may not be right...

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onyx100

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jul 28, 2010

saabkid37 said:
if my memory serves me, my 225 on an 8.5 wide wheel is now a wider contact patch then a 235 on a 7.5

but my memory may not be right...

I didnt think about it , You can be right!
Size of contact path is most important when we talking about slipping

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8valvegrowl

· #7 · Jul 28, 2010

saabkid37 said:
if my memory serves me, my 225 on an 8.5 wide wheel is now a wider contact patch then a 235 on a 7.5

but my memory may not be right...

You are correct, the 235 on a 7.5" rim width is roughly the same contact patch as a 225 on a 7.5" rim width. I got a good deal on the 235/40's so that's why I went with it.

I think with rolled/trimmed fenders you would have little issue running 235/40's on an 8" width with the correct offset (low 30's). That's my next step.

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saabkid37

· #8 · Jul 28, 2010

its possible, i just stuck with 225's since im on an 8.5 and have less than a fingers width between the tire and front suspension.

also depending on the tire, a 235 could wind up with a really soft sidwall on too narrow a wheel.

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Ydegaard

· #9 · Jul 28, 2010

I run 225/45 17 and they rub on the rear wheels. A lot.

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JK

· #10 · Jul 28, 2010

Ydegaard said:
I run 225/45 17 and they rub on the rear wheels. A lot.

Right, probablty because of the offset.

I have different offsets front vs/ rear on my 9-3. One offset will rub badly on the front of the rear wheel arch (or at least it did before I rolled the fender), the other offset does not rub at all. Same size tires all the way around.

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saabkid37

· #11 · Jul 28, 2010

out of curiosity jk did you roll with the proper tool? im kind of afraid to do mine.

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Champ

· #12 · Jul 28, 2010

I think he used a hammer.

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JK

· #13 · Jul 28, 2010

Hah, yes, I used a dense rubber mallet, then repainted the areas where the paint flaked off. On a nicer car I would have waited and done it properly.

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8valvegrowl

· #14 · Jul 28, 2010 (Edited)

I did a combo of proper roller and a mallet. Worked great with a hair dryer.

Offset is key, and I think the RA1 has plenty of sidewall for a 7.5" wheel...Fuzion HRi, no, but any R-compound will work on a narrower rim width.

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