Wheel diameter,16 inch vs 17 inch, will give you several tradeoffs for each type. The 16 inch wheels will provide you with a somewhat softer ride quality,as well as alittle more pothole protection if the road surfaces in the places you drive are in tough shape. The tradeoff is that since you will have a slightly taller sidewall to your tire, the rapid transient response in the steering feel that is superior with the 17 inch wheels will be diminished with the 16 inch versions. The good news though is that you can select the tire tread design and compound that meets your other goals in tire choice, and usually get a version in wither the 16 or 17 inch size for the wheels you choose. If things like tread life, noise level or cost are more important to you than absolute ultimate cornering power and traction, then choosing a tire that meets thse criteria best, and getting it onthe 17 inch wheels for quicker steering response is entirely possible. Same goes for the 16 inch versions. If you want a tire that is the best at dry weather traction,don't care that much about noise, or how long they last, then do so and choose 16 inch sizes to give yourself the softer ride and pothole protection you might need. The bottom line is that there are a lot of variables here, but you are not locked in to having to accept 17 inch wheel and tire sizes just because the car comes that way. Many Aero owners in snowy areas, like myself,change from 17 inch performance tires to 16 inch winter treads for 4-5 months per year to make the car drivable in snow. The Saab supplied winter wheel and tire package, which is 16 inch sized,makes the 9-5 one of the very best winter vehicles on the road, and I mean over and above what most all and four wheel drive vehicles are capable of.After driving my Aero for the past year,I tend to think that the best overall combination might be 16 inch wheels with a good all season radial for quiet long tread life in three seasons, and then the winter package for snowy months. It's your choice.

posted by 24.128.54...

• 16" wheels on an aero?, prlf, Tue, 13 May 2003 16:53:49
  • We just got back from JHU (baltimore-NYC), TimBrown, Thu, 15 May 2003 18:44:06
  • Re: 16" wheels on an aero?, Dean, Wed, 14 May 2003 05:55:19
  • No need to worry..., bRAD, Wed, 14 May 2003 05:44:56
  • Re: 16" wheels on an aero?, AeroJT, Tue, 13 May 2003 20:40:48
  • Re: 16" wheels on an aero?, chosinfew, Tue, 13 May 2003 19:30:29
  • Re: 16" wheels on an aero?, AeroLady, Tue, 13 May 2003 18:00:21
  • Re: 16" wheels on an aero?, Lou, Tue, 13 May 2003 17:54:20
    • Sorry - Clarification best I can, prlf, Tue, 13 May 2003 18:11:26
      • Re: Sorry - Clarification best I can, Lou, Wed, 14 May 2003 05:46:40 <-- Viewing This Message

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