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  1. #11
    Saab Enthusiast
    Join Date
    11 Sep 2011
    Location
    Sofia, Bulgaria
    Posts
    75
    Saab(s)
    9-5
    I own a Saab 9-5 produced in 1998, sedan. Engine 2 liters, 150 horsepower.
    My wheels are 16 inch.
    My summer tires are size 215/55 R16.
    I want to put my winter tires in size 205/60 R16.
    Thus increasing the diameter of 9 mm.
    Several sites for tires, the new size is given admissible.
    I prefer size 205/60 R16 to size 205/55 P16.
    With size 205/55 P16 diameter is reduced by 11 mm.
    Roads in Bulgaria are not the best. They are not kept in good condition winter.
    For this reason I prefer to increase the size of 9 mm.
    My question is as follows:
    Are winter tires in size 215/60 R16 suitable for my car?
    Thanks in advance for any response!
    Sorry for my bad English! Excuse me!

    BOBI from Sofia, Bulgaria

  2. #12
    Shane
    Saab Fan ShaneB4Saab's Avatar
    Join Date
    16 Jan 2012
    Location
    NW Lower Michigan
    Posts
    34
    Saab(s)
    2006 9-3 2.0t, 2006 9-3 Aero
    Poor English? That's very well-spoken English! My dad, the former Saab mechanic, says, "You can do anything you want to a vehicle, if you can afford it." The tire dimensions are chosen for a reason by the engineers. Sometimes they make sense and sometimes they don't. Such as, my '97 Saab 900 has 185hp and its tire size is 205/55 or 60R16. My wife's '01 9-3 has 185hp and has 185/60R15. Why? I have no idea. I do know that because the owner's manual states the tire size, there is a reason. Generally, it's due to transmission drive ratio. My '97 is a manual trans and my wife's '01 is an auto. Different ratio.

    Getting back to your question, are the tires in the size you want suitable? Again, I go back to what my dad states about affordability. Can you afford it? I recommend these links to determine if you can. Tire size calculator
    Tire Size Calculator - Compare Tire Sizes
    They will tell you the possible changes to your vehicle as you change your engineered tire size.
    When a Saab dies, the world becomes a little less quirky.

  3. #13
    Frank
    Administrator nordwulf's Avatar
    Join Date
    30 Jul 2010
    Location
    USA - Netherlands
    Posts
    7,901
    Saab(s)
    previous: 2006 9-3, 2001-06 9-5, 2011 9-4X
    215/55-16 --> diameter: 642.9 mm, radius: 321.4 mm, sidewall 118.3
    215/60-16 --> diameter: 664.4 mm, radius: 332.2 mm, sidewall 129.0

    So the sidewall difference is 10.7 mm which may or may not provide a noticeable difference in comfort. I like to stick with the recommended sizes as well but I think 215/60-16 should still be fine to use.

  4. #14
    Saab Enthusiast
    Join Date
    11 Sep 2011
    Location
    Sofia, Bulgaria
    Posts
    75
    Saab(s)
    9-5
    Quote Originally Posted by Frank Wulfers View Post
    215/55-16 --> diameter: 642.9 mm, radius: 321.4 mm, sidewall 118.3
    215/60-16 --> diameter: 664.4 mm, radius: 332.2 mm, sidewall 129.0

    So the sidewall difference is 10.7 mm which may or may not provide a noticeable difference in comfort. I like to stick with the recommended sizes as well but I think 215/60-16 should still be fine to use.
    Thanks for the replies guys!
    Frank, I want your opinion on tire size 205/60R16, not 215/60R16.
    Compare it with the original size 215/55R16.
    The difference in diameter between the two tires is 10 mm, respectively, in the radius of 5 mm.
    It's a tiny difference. When vehicle speed of 100 km/h with the original tires with new tires 205/60R16 speedometer displays speed of 99 km/h.
    Last winter was my car tires in size 205/55R16. Then I lost 11 mm in diameter, respectively, 5.5 mm in radius. These missing millimeters them felt when driving on bad roads here in the winter. The floor of the car scratched in the ice on the streets.
    Tire Size Comparison

    Specification Sidewall Radius Diameter Circumference Revs/km Difference
    215/55-16 118mm 321mm 643mm 2020mm 495 0.0%
    205/60-16 123mm 326mm 652mm 2050mm 488 1.5%

    I think a 215/60R16 tire size, tire radius will have 10 mm more, in diameterrespectively 20 mm more.
    The car might get ugly high.
    I also know that good winter tires are more narrow than the summer.
    I hope you watched the WRC stage in winter and you have noticed how thin tires of racing cars.
    This is to achieve greater pressure on unit area.
    Cheers!
    Greetings!
    Bobi
    P.S.Bravo of Google translate!

  5. #15
    Jeffrey
    Master SaabTech/Moderator Burnsside42's Avatar
    Join Date
    25 Oct 2010
    Location
    Point Pleasant, PA
    Posts
    1,316
    Saab(s)
    - 86' 9KT - 95' 9K Custom CS - 06' 9-3 Combi - 07' 9-7X Arc - 08' 9-3 Convertible - 08' 9-3 TurboX -
    My personal snow tire size options I use/run;

    195/60/15
    205/55/16

    Summer tire size for the 15" winters are 205/55/16
    Summer tire size for the 16" winters are 235/45/17
    European Motor Services, LLC - Point Pleasant, PA 18950 - www.europeanmotorsvc.com

  6. #16
    Saab Enthusiast
    Join Date
    11 Sep 2011
    Location
    Sofia, Bulgaria
    Posts
    75
    Saab(s)
    9-5
    Hello!
    Yesterday I changed the tires on my car with winter ones.
    Brand Nokian WR D3, size 205/60R16.
    I think I made the right choice. Here:
    https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BzHT...MGc/edit?pli=1
    you can see a test of winter tires.
    With this size of tires, the car looks great. With the front winter tire size 205/55R16 was quite low.
    I know that over the years, there are different variations of size wheels and tires on the Saab 9-5.
    My Saab was originally two sets of alloy wheels, 16 inches. They feel comfortable with my car, the quality of roads in Bulgaria.
    I will not invest in larger Sizes of wheels. I know that a bigger wheel rims, the car would look more sporty and aggressive.
    But I'm sure the low tire here I would have more likely to change. Many holes!
    I wish all flawless trip!
    Cheers!
    Bobi

 

 

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