Wheels

[cjcposh]

Ive been looking for new alloys for my 2002 9-5 aero and seen some people are running this car on 16 inch rims as opposed to the 17 inch ones on mine.How would the smaller rim differ in terms of performance,economy,handling etc?

[Stiggolas]

The 16s will be very similar to the 17s as far as performance and economy goes. The rolling diameter will be the same, the difference made up in the taller sidewalls of the 16s. The handling may be slightly 'woolier' on the 16s due to the taller tyres but most people would be hard pushed to tell.
I'd go with whatever you like the look of

[hora]

Will 16" Saab wheels fit over the caliper etc? It looks like it'd be tight?

[Stiggolas]

Very good point re fitting over calipers, the Aero has bigger brakes than my Linear so it may be an issue.

[hora]

Anyone tried/can comment? I'm hoping to fit my 16" winter tyres to Saab alloys/steels for winter.

[BFleming]

There are only a couple of older type 16in alloys that won't fit over the Aero brakes, but most will be fine.

[McVities]

BFleming said:

There are only a couple of older type 16in alloys that won't fit over the Aero brakes, but most will be fine.

pretty much all 16" wheels will ift over the 308mm brakes - the steelies will do so just fine. Keep an eye out as there often sets of tatty 16" alloys going for very little that will run winters just fine.