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  1. #1
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    2000 95 wagon

    Replace 17" for 15" wheels on 95 wagon...does size matter??

    Hello. This may seem a stupid question but I'm could use advice.

    I "inherited" a 2000 Saab 95 wagon. It's a turbo but I have yet to find where one deciphers whether it's a 2.0 or 2.3. It came with 17" wheels. The manual claims it takes 225/45R17 but the tires on it are actually 235/45R17. Guess they are wider. I hate these squinky "low profile" tires. I am so sick of the slightest bump messing up the tire walls with no repairs EVER possible. The same tire went flat twice and replaced twice in November. I'm done!

    I am now about to buy 4 used 15" wheels. Found a couple of sets reasonably priced but neither are exactly the size the manual recommends: 205/65R15 for regular tires and 195/65R15 for snow tires.

    One set is the 5 spoke Saab alloy rims with 215/65/15 tires, which is wider but proper diameter as the recommended 205/65R15. The other set is half the price and has 14 hole steel rims with snow tires 195/60R15 which is a different diameter the recommended 195/65R15. (Both sets were on a Saab 93 not the 95)

    My question is whether it's best to match the diameter over the width? The rims are most important! The alloy are prettier and match my original but is steel better due to repairability?

    Thanks for any help.

  2. #2
    Bruno
    Saab Addict swisssaabist's Avatar
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    18 Nov 2016
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    Saab(s)
    9-5 ARC Wagon 2002 2 t auto engine B205E
    you need a tech II session for changing the diameter of wheel on the software or you have some issues with the speedometer and with ABS/TCM efficiency.
    My has 215/65/15 original mounting 2002 wagon or like you said 205/65/15 is also possible.

  3. #3
    Saab Fan
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    2000 95 wagon
    Thanks!!! That means the Saab alloy rims with 215/65/15 tires are the best fit! Alloy rims at 15" shouldn't suffer half the damage they get with the 17".

    Again, thanks so much!

  4. #4
    Saab Owner Digger's Avatar
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    28 Oct 2016
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    Saab(s)
    2006 9-3 2.0t SportCombi
    This is a wagon and it could have bigger brakes than will fit under a 15 inch wheel. Do check the brake size either by measuring or at least reading the brake information alpha coding which should be on the driver side door pillar, but best to use the good old measuring stick.

  5. #5
    Frank
    Administrator nordwulf's Avatar
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    Saab(s)
    previous: 2006 9-3, 2001-06 9-5, 2011 9-4X
    You can find the wheel and tire size specifications for the 9-5 here in these threads:
    http://saabworld.net/showthread.php?t=27618
    http://saabworld.net/showthread.php?t=27617

    215/65-15 tires will be slightly too big for the 9-5 but it probably will work fine it you don't have a lowered sport suspension. Minimum size for the 9-5 Aero and later 2006+ 9-5 is 16". In general, most wheels that fit on the 9-3 will also fit on the 9-5. However, the offset can be slightly different.

    Alloy wheels are nicer and should be just as reliable as steel wheels. I don't like steel wheels at all so would always go for the alloy wheels. Comfort on bad roads will be much better with 15" wheels.



  6. #6
    Saab Addict
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    10 Apr 2017
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    Denham, England
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    Saab(s)
    2011 2.0 9-5 Aero
    Quote Originally Posted by oldlady View Post
    Hello. This may seem a stupid question but I'm could use advice.

    I "inherited" a 2000 Saab 95 wagon. It's a turbo but I have yet to find where one deciphers whether it's a 2.0 or 2.3. It came with 17" wheels. The manual claims it takes 225/45R17 but the tires on it are actually 235/45R17. Guess they are wider. I hate these squinky "low profile" tires. I am so sick of the slightest bump messing up the tire walls with no repairs EVER possible. The same tire went flat twice and replaced twice in November. I'm done!

    I am now about to buy 4 used 15" wheels. Found a couple of sets reasonably priced but neither are exactly the size the manual recommends: 205/65R15 for regular tires and 195/65R15 for snow tires.

    One set is the 5 spoke Saab alloy rims with 215/65/15 tires, which is wider but proper diameter as the recommended 205/65R15. The other set is half the price and has 14 hole steel rims with snow tires 195/60R15 which is a different diameter the recommended 195/65R15. (Both sets were on a Saab 93 not the 95)

    My question is whether it's best to match the diameter over the width? The rims are most important! The alloy are prettier and match my original but is steel better due to repairability?

    Thanks for any help.
    Interesting! I drove there different 9-5s over a period of 12 years and 160,000 miles with 17" wheels and never once had a problem with damaged wheels and only one incident of tyre sidewall damage, caused by hitting a pot hole at 60. The wheel size is determined by the size of the brake discs (rotors) and you are likely to find that 15" wheels will not fit over the brakes and, depending on the brakes, 16" may be too small as well.

    I would be intrigued to know what tyre pressures you are using because a 45% profile shouldn't be giving you the problems you are reporting, I ran at 35psi.

    The fact that you have 235/45 tyres simply suggests that a previous owner fitted the 2006 standard width, 225 was normal until the 2006 model year. The 235s are slightly larger diameter than 225s.

    Your car will be calibrated for the 225s in all probability but if you fit a smaller wheel you can determine the required width and profile to match the diameter by using any of a number of web sites. As stated elsewhere the wheel/tyre size can be changed using Tech 11.

  7. #7
    Saab Fan
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    2000 95 wagon
    Thanks nordwulf....I found the sizes listed on my manual....finally. And a Saab spec site listed 15" for wagon, too. The only difference was the width 205 vs 215. But the 17" are wider so I figured it was worth a try. George wouldn't put em on if they didn't fit.

    They fit fine over brakes. The tires are great. Heavenly 15" rims with wonderful inches of air between me and the road. Much better then the 17" squinky tires that came on the car. The Saab 5 spoke black rims are not quite as stylish as the fancy 17" Saab rims. But a dreamy ride now!

    I drove close to 500 miles today to buy em in PA this am, then off to Long Island to get em checked and mounted this afternoon! Drove the last 200+ miles home on the 15" wheels!

    The pothole infested roads of the northeast is just not the place to have low profile tires.

    I'll be cleaning the 17"ers up and will post them someplace for sale! Hope someone out there wants good 17" Saab wheels with 3 good tires and 1 new one!

    Again thanks to all for the help! The deed is done and I just wish I had done this sooner!
    Last edited by oldlady; 28 November 2017 at 08:48. Reason: to add nordwulf

  8. #8
    Saab Fan
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    2000 95 wagon
    LOL GeoffR!!! Have you ever driven in NYC and vicinity or just about any north eastern funky maintained hi ways and roads??! It's easy to ruin tires. The roads here eat tires. Google a street side of the Cross Bronx Expressway and count the low profile tires strewn along the road!

    This car was given to me by a family member a few months ago. I'm still acquainting myself to the fool thing.

    The care, parts and tires were all done by her mechanic. He sold her this car and many cars over the years. I have no doubt he made all the decisions on anything and everything. She wouldn't even add air, she'd bring it to him. She just left it all to him. He sold and repaired Saabs for years and probably grabbed whatever was close to hand. I don't know. Personally, I don't communicate well with the man and don't go to him. In fact, her husband won't go to him! But she trusts the guy and won't be talked out of it!

    It's nice you like the 17" wheels and have good luck with them but I hate them. Bottom line, the 17" are sitting in the back of my car right now and the 15" are cruising on the road! And I am still smiling!
    Last edited by oldlady; 28 November 2017 at 08:49. Reason: to add GeoffR

  9. #9
    Saab Addict
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    10 Apr 2017
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    2011 2.0 9-5 Aero
    Quote Originally Posted by oldlady View Post
    LOL GeoffR!!! Have you ever driven in NYC and vicinity or just about any north eastern funky maintained hi ways and roads??!
    I sure have, my wife's sister lives on Long Island. It may just be that i am used to dodging pot holes, as they say "you drive on the right of the road, we drive on what's left of the road".

    I am currently driving a NG 9-5 on 245/40R 19 tyres.

  10. #10
    Saab Fan
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    2000 95 wagon
    GeoffR, you are braver then me!

    19"!! Is that an inch of air between the road and rims?? Yikes! We did a driving tour of Scotland in 2015 and I can’t fathom 19” squinky tires on those narrow rocky byways in the hills!



    I guess you like rims and I like air!! I'm built for comfort where as you are cruising in style with big shiny rims, looking sharp!! But for the first time, I drove this Saab in comfort and ease! I may have started to actually love this car a little!

    And if I start having big problems with the glorious 15" pillows of air, I will gladly admonish myself!

 

 

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