1979-1993 & 94 Conv [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
Oh I'm still up getting my SAABS GONE WILD website ready for the 24hoursoflemons so why not stick my neck out, again... lol
The speed ratings on the tires are an outgrowth of a European spec, at one point in time the tires had to have a speed rating commensurate with the maximum speed that the speedometer in said car shows. You can look up the recommended tires for a C900T 5 speed, and then the same engined older 9000T 5 speed and compare. They are different, and so are the speedos. This is most likely a great thing in places where the speedo says 125 mph (or more) and you can actually find a place that you can legally do said speed for an extended amount of time. That is, BTW, what the speed rating is, a speed over time. A spec saying your tire will not disintegrate if you do 125mph for 2 hours... Nothing more, and nothing less. It's not the wear index, the heat rating, the load rating, how well it will corner, how well it drives in the wet or dry or cold or heat, or anything else. Some of those items may come along (or not!) with the tire that has a V, W, Z or other rating but it's because they built it that way, not the other way around. Do a site search for the previous thread on this topic, really some good input from a bunch of people. I did a ton of google searching and reading, as did others, and I believe that the net net was: 1) H rated tires are perfectly fine, and may save you money too 2) depending upon the geometry of the tires you desire you may be forced into V (or higher) rated tires simply because they aren't made in the other ratings. Like if you want 245 45 17's or something far afield from the C900 and 9000 190/195/205 60/65 15/16 combinations. those numbers cover the stock and optional tires for the C900 and 9000. I think you can find 185 listed on early 900's and some have used the 225 (but do they rub at lock to lock turns?) on 9000's but if you stay with the stock tires then..
I've never had a Buick, but growing up my Dad had a 1956 Buick Special, the one with four holes on the sides, and I think it had a 400CI engine in it. I never got to drive it so can't comment on the handling but it sure went fast. Seat Belts? Those were later...
I would offer the following personal observations. I am sure that you could purchase tires that were inferior in many respects in *any* rating, and from any brand known or unknown to the common Saaber. What I have noted in the past is this: when I replace tires they are usually getting very short on tread, short tread doesn't flex much and steering inputs seem more direct, something technical about the steering input angle vs the actual steering, meaning it seems to go where I point the car. However, upon getting new tires of the "same brand and size" immediately upon leaving the tire shop the car feels odd, floaty, slow to turn with the wheel. Oh and they *DO* squeal on the slow lock turns in the parking garages or gas stations causing all kinds of looks... (hey! slow down you moron!) Mind you the same tires, 90 minutes later old worn to now new full tread feel weird! I know that when I take RED (1987 C900T 5speed) in to replace the Dunlop A2's 195/60/15 H rated that my car will go from feeling like I can (oh and I do!) throw it around the corners going home at 3AM with the fogs on and feeling like it's a slot car... to one that I have ease up and adjust to...
I won't presume how many sets of tires and what brands and sizes you have used but the oldsaab has done many and a few of them are: 5 sets of Michelin MXV4's on the 1992 9000CDT (268K miles since I bought it new), a couple of sets of Dunlops on the C900T vert, currently running P6's on the 94 9000 Aero (just drove it home tonight and it feels weird, they are new! the Falkens were worn to near slicks so I put the wheel/tire set from A2 onto A1 - see my members pics to understand). I've put Kumho's on the 1987 900S just before I sold it (368,000 miles!), to replace the Kumho's that were on it and worn. I've done other brands when money was tight or the car was to be sold and didn't want to double it's value based upon the new tires! LOL.
I have H and V and Z and I'm sure something else too on my cars right now. I would submit to you that if you find a quality brand tire with similar wear index (comparing a 160 wear index to a 400 isn't cricket!) and the same size, and one that your wheels are designed to support (width! too wide of a tire on a narrow rim won't hunt either) that after a couple of weeks driving you will be happy. This is in line with the tech articles.
Basically, I think that unless you've purchased a really poor tire (it can happen), or have the air pressure all wrong, or have a suspension issue (found an upper A arm bushing on a C900 that was... ok I really *didn't* find it and *that* was a problem!)... That you may need a few more miles on your "adapatation run" and you may find all is good in SaabLandia.
And if you can find somewhere that you can drive at 120 MPH for hours on end (not a race track please)... you had better have the W or Z rated tires... Oh, and could you call me? I'd like to have my eyes blured again!
, Sun, 17 Jun 2007 23:46:07
, Sun, 17 Jun 2007 22:12:45
, Sun, 17 Jun 2007 20:50:50, Mon, 18 Jun 2007 12:28:40
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.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
