Date: Mon, 28 Feb 2000 02:18:24 +0100 From: Robert Brown <rjbnopsamnetNOSPAM.se> Subject: Want to improve handling on 9-3
Hi, We have a 1999 9-3 SE 200. Reasonably powerful motor but we think the car handles like a dog. Feels rather uncertain in corners, so we don't really feel comfortable pushing it heavily. Problem could be partially due to servo steering that takes away a bit of the road "feel". The body sways a bit more than I like but I can almost put up with that. The real problem is that it's hard to feel the point at which it would break grip, so it's hard to learn to develop confidence for the car when cornering hard. Some background: normal suspension, no sport handling kit installed so far, Michelin Pilot ZR 205/55(?) x 16 in summer (185/65 x 15 winter but we'll forget that for now). Tyre pressure 2.6 kPa. Have not checked front-end but the car has handled the same since it first turned a wheel, so we'll assume the factory got the toe-in and camber right. Is this lack of feel to do mostly with the insensitivity that servo steering brings to this particular model, or is it time to start changing the springs (have heard talk about progressive rate springs, where first centimetre is soft to take away ride harshness, but where the rest of the travel is hard, to give stability). Or maybe we're talking about a stiffer sway bar in the back, since we're definitely not suffering from oversteer here. Have any of you suspension experts out there (with 9-3's) felt the need to fit either Saab's own sport spring kit, or Abbott Racing or other company's parts to cure similar trouble? Wouldn't mind hearing your views if you have the time. Thanks for listening. Robert Brown Gothenburg (1999 9-3, 1983 900)
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
