I mean, I've been trying to get an answer as to what the offsets are on -factory- 3 spoke Saab rims... ...and not even Saab parts people can tell me...!?!!

You see, to me, it makes sense to know these little things in order to figure out what combination of rim offset and sizes would fit perfectly on a car without chewing out the sidewall or scraping on the inner wells.

I hope I've hit a sour spot with you guys, because that's how I'm feeling right now myself.

…or, does it just come down to the fact that there aren't that many people offering 'performance' products for Saabs… …at least not so many as VW and Hondas, and that's why Saab people don't know…or care…

Most frustrated.

Bryan

From your posting I am not sure whether you are lambasting Saab Owners or Saab Parts Depts. I think it is both?

It is fair to say that the levels of competence in any field are going to vary. This is true in respect of Saab parts people as much as it is of anything else.

In respect of this bulletin board, this is provided *ONLY* to offer the opportunity of question and reply. Since the contributors are people like you and I, there is *NO GUARANTEE* that you will get the response you are looking for, necessarily, from this BB - but at least it is another opportunity for you to try.

To answer your question, I would suggest that you speak to Reading Saab http://www.readingsaab.com/ as I have had dealings with them and they are very competent - moreso than some other Saab dealers that there is no requirement to mention here.

I can also recommend Turners Hill Garage http://www.saab.uk.com/

In my experience, Saab owners are not useless, and they are invariably quite understanding people.

HTH /john

Bryan,

This forum is for Saab owners to share information. I 'm sure it doesn't purport to host a field of experts who know the answers to absolutely everything.

For my part I don't know the offset for the wheels nor do I care because I'm quite happy with the OEM alloys which are fitted. If you need to know the offset why don't you measure it myself?

I mean yourself.

Wheel offset? Who cares? - guess I'm just useless. If I were ever to go for aftermarket wheels (if someone ever managed to produce one that looked better than the ones that Saab supply)I would probably ask the wheel supplier, who would presumably have suitable information on what wheels he sells fit what cars. He'd be pretty useless if he didn't...

Oh, I meant to say earlier that there are performance suppliers specifically for Saab.

There is Abbott Racing - perhaps the most well known and they do stuff certainly for the classic 900 onwards http://www.abbottracing.com/

There is Trent Saab who do stuff for 99 and 900 onwards http://www.trentsaab.co.uk/

There is also Hirsch Performance - I only have experience of these products and they are excellent. http://www.hirschperformance.com/

Regards
/john

Oh, and Hirsch Performance only do mods for 9000, GM900, 9-3 and 9-5

/john

Bryan,

I think your problem might be that most Saab owners, at least the ones that I know, are perfectly happy with the alloys that come with their car. Of, if they're not, they fit OEM wheels of a different size or style. Contemporary Saab wheels come in all sorts of sizes from 5 to 7" wide, and diameters from 15" to 17".

If you don't like what's on offer, it's already been mentioned that there are a number of aftermarket suppliers who will sort you out. Euro Car Parts have a number of alloys in their catalogue aimed at Saabs (and other Swedish cars). Remember to check the bolt pattern and PCD as well as the offset, though.

Getting back to the original point I think that, unlike the "custom" brigade with their Hondas and whatever, Saab owners tend to appreciate their cars the way Saab made them. And in any case, most of the b*stardised Hondas you see these days have the offset so horribly wrong that the wheels stick out about three feet from the car. (I'm exaggerating).

Cheers

James

i have been looking for some alloys for my 9000 and was told by halfords i would need a 5mm spacer for the backs if i wanted 16" x 6.5" and that i would be better off getting standard 17's as the tyres are cheaper.....no idea if he was just trying to sell me more or being quite genuine. dont know if that helps better than no response i suppose.

Hey, sorry guys. I was trying to get ya all worked up.

I was kinda hoping I'd get a responce similar to: "...oh yeah! well the wheel offset is yadda, yadda, yadda!!!".

...but alas, my plan failed.

No harm done, right?

I love Saabs, and they will always have a special place in my heart, along with Saab owners.

Take care.