1994-2002 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup
I drive a lot - 40 - 50,000 miles a year - about 80% rural,coat range highways so I've been trying to balance the performance mods with running costs.
I've got Eibach springs and Koni dampers - LOVE THEM! Not too harsh a ride and great cornering.
I was running the Saab/BBS 215x45x17 rims - I've used a variety of tires - Michelins, Khumo Ecstas, Dunlop SP9000 and some General Tire tires from Les Schwab. They all wore horribly fast - I was getting 14 - 17,000 miles out of a set with significant inside shoulder wear - especially with the Dunlops and the Khumos. For the price of a new set of tires I got a set of 15 inch Borbet rims and 195x60x15 Khumo Ecstas. Amazingly little loss of handling and at least 2MPG improvement in gas mileage, along with less "friskiness" on ruts and MUCH better wear characteristics - I'm estimating at least 25k from the set.
I've done the 3 inch air intake mods with a K&N filter and a JT3" downpipe - no cat - with the 3" pipe extended almost to the rear axle - with the Saab sport exhaust. Nice sound, not "rude" or rice box like - just a sporty burble with a bit of a snarl on WOT. Also put in the Dawes MBC and WOW!! does this combo make a difference to spool up and overall performance - the car goes like a rocket - almost scary at times!
The performance mods make another huge difference in MPG!! If I accelerate hard - and "play" around town it guzzles gas -- about 22 mpg in town; HOWEVER - out on the highways on cruise it has added yet another 2 MPG.
The bottom line . . . I have a hot little car that handles like a dream - and for normal highway driving (60 mph on state highways and 70 on interstate) I'm getting a pretty consistent 31.9 mpg on the SID - 32.4 mpg ACTUAL.
I just checked it out over 1275 miles starting in Coos Bay on the Oregonn coast over the Coast Range to Portland. From Portland up the Columbia Gorge to La Grand (at 4,000 feert). From La Grande thro the Cascades to Bend (3700 feet)- passes to 5300 feet. From Bend to Independence (172 ft) back to Portland then back across the Coast Range to Lincoln City on the coast - and sout to Coos Bay. Total 1275 miles in 5 days - temperatures mostly between 85 and 100 degrees (except the first and last 100 miles). For the first 500 miles I got 34.5 MPG (on the SID) crossing rwo mountain ranges and climbing 4,000 feet in elevation. Overall I averaged 31.9 (SID) and 32.4 (actual) with and overall average speed of 51 mph. It was the in- town driving in La Grand, Bend, Independence and Portland that brought the averages down. With my driving habits, I estimate that the performance mods and smaller tires are saving me $374 per year in gas and $1100 per year in tires.
Ah! Boys and their toys . . . .
posted by 216.110.194...
, Wed, 23 Jul 2003 12:22:24
No Site Registration is Required to Post - Site Membership is optional (Member Features List), but helps to keep the site online
for all Saabers. If the site helps you, please consider helping the site by becoming a member.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
