What a difference new tyres make!

[900T-R]

The RingShed is wearing stone age Pirelli P4000s on the front, while the rear axle sports one Pirelli P2000 and one Michelin Energy - at least the size is 185/65 all round . Entering a bend at speed is erm, interesting...

[J4CKO]

Apart from brand which makes a difference, age, even when legal does, I had a 150 LPT 9-3 and it would spin up in the wet in third, new tyres curbed it, what got rid of it pretty much alrogether was changing to a 9-3 SS aero, the chassis is much better able to contain the power, has tcs and is boost limited in first, though I do miss the feeling that the engine in the old one was designed by a completely different company to the rest of it, the 9-3 SS aero doesnt seem massively quicker in a straight line than my old LPT, god that thing was quick, Civic Type R's, 330i's, Cooper S, none were much/any quicker.

[900T-R]

J4CKO said:

the feeling that the engine in the old one was designed by a completely different company to the rest of it

Actually, that's a pretty accurate rendering of what really happened... Engine = Saab, platform = Opel...

[Prof Beard]

Aerofoil said:

I think weight has quite a big part to play in the difference between a 9-3 and a 9-3 aero. The 205bhp in the 9-3 aero, is much quicker than the 210 in the 9-3ss aero (in a straight line) Its not all about peak bhp too, but how long it holds the BHP for throughout the rev range etc. My car is pretty quick up to the 120 mark.

My local dealer confirmed this - they said to get performance like my 205bhp 9-3 Aero, I'd have to go for a 2.8 modern Saab

[K321]

i put on new tyres on my abbot saab last year and it transformed the whole car.
on another note i got a 9-3 turbo now with 225bhp and the thing flies, faster than the cls even

[superviggen]

out of interest, which tyres are you guys happy with? ive been running dunlop sp9000's for a while - thay wear really well and seem to have great dry grip, handle fine in really wet weather, but seem to dislike damp conditions where there's not any water to disperse. they give the odd comedy moment of spinning up under anything under 1/3 throttle in the 1st 3 gears in the damp. i used to run sp2000's before but they werent too hot in the rain although they were very predictable. the 9000's are grippier in wet and dry, but not damp?
its a standard motor in mine - hirsch suspension fitted
cheers

[Prof Beard]

superviggen said:

out of interest, which tyres are you guys happy with? ive been running dunlop sp9000's for a while - thay wear really well and seem to have great dry grip, handle fine in really wet weather, but seem to dislike damp conditions where there's not any water to disperse. they give the odd comedy moment of spinning up under anything under 1/3 throttle in the 1st 3 gears in the damp. i used to run sp2000's before but they werent too hot in the rain although they were very predictable. the 9000's are grippier in wet and dry, but not damp?
its a standard motor in mine - hirsch suspension fitted
cheers

I use Michelin Pilot Sports - very pleased with them

[900T-R]

Toyo Trampio R1R semi-racing compound (or really, semi-semi racing as they're not as hardcore as the Proxes R888) jobbies in 205/50 16 - marvellous grip and traction in all circumstances except when it's really cold 'n' wet. Got over 10,000 mile including five track sessions from them so far and they're no more than about half worn right now...

[superviggen]

i got some goodyear eagle f1 gsd3's for it the other week and they seem to be pretty good so far. seem to be much grippier in the damp and have a better ride than the dunlops.