Finally fitted the Hirsch rims as I thought summer had arrived...
Opted for Potenza's (235 40 19's), the car definitely feels more planted with the wider tyre and no difference in comfort/uncomfort when going over speed bumps compared to the previous 225 45 18's.
Interestingly, the speedo isn't much out either. I thought it would be 'under reading' according to the many tyre/wheel calculators on the internet, the sat nav reads 90mph and the speedo 92mph.
Next project is Maptun Stage 3 and some coil overs *
*Once I've replaced six coil packs/plugs and a broken front coil spring!
Cheers Deano, sadly the Hirsch grills are no longer available anywhere in the world, and they're not planning on making anymore. Going to go down the custom route, currently experimenting with some honeycombe plastic instead of the metal mesh option. Still hoping to find a used one on ebay etc., but no such luck and I've been searching for months.
Interestingly, I'm pleased I purchased the rear spoiler when I did as they're now also out of stock and suspect the rear diffusers are in limited supply – why there aren't any after market options on spoilers is beyond me... there are so many MY08 9-3's on the road.
It's all a labour of love and a learning curve but getting there slowly. This weeks lesson, should anyone have any TPMS issues requiring fixes or tips, I'm yer man!
Cheers mate, it is a sin and I'm definitely guilty of it. So many stunning cars out there I can't afford in a million years but proud to drive a Saab and proud I've modified the car.
Incidentally, 'Pride' is considered the original and most serious of the seven deadly sins! Oops, guilty of that too, My bad.
Nice mate - same diffuser as on mine - makes the rear end look sublime. Out of interest why dont you go for the facelift front grill instead of hirsch? This is what I put on mine.
Neo Brothers still have the Hirsch dash panel pretty much at half price (£300 instead of £590), the only difference is it doesn't come with the 'motif' as these were destined for the last Griffin model that never quite made it. They still have 'Hirsch' stamped on the back of the panel and are the exact same item.
There are still gear surround/glove box trim kits available from THG for the 'vert (as a side note, these kits fit the saloon perfectly, the only difference is the release button on the glove box trim, it pops out with ease and then re attach your existing button).
Apart from that, that's pretty much it for interior trim apart from the pedal kit (which are sublime if you have a manual).
As for Hirsch springs, they're having a laugh at those prices, which is probably why they're still in stock for pretty much all models.
I'm not a fan of the front hirsch grill tbh, I did mesh mine last year - looked OK but was worried about too much water entering the intake snorkel. I think the bigger SAAB logo on the grill looks ace!
I'm not a fan of the front hirsch grill tbh, I did mesh mine last year - looked OK but was worried about too much water entering the intake snorkel. I think the bigger SAAB logo on the grill looks ace!
Think they're sold out now - there was a guy selling them on ebay I paid £200 for mine (the top 3 parts), I then sold my old grill on here for £100 - jobs a good 'un.
D'oh! Sorry Deano, was being a bit slow – it is indeed my car but definitely not me doing the review. The car was an official Saab press car and also led to believe it spent a few years sat in a showroom doing nothing!
My review would be somewhat different (a slightly biased view perhaps...!).
Something on the lines of, DON'T BUY AN AUDI OR BMW, buy a Saab!
As an ex 'Audi man' and know of a tuned S6 V8, a tuned 9-3 V6 FWD leaves a big Audi V8 for dust on the motorway.
Not only that, the fuel 'inefficiency' of the Audi is bordering on criminal due to the Quattro system and general lardyness (sp?). Add that to a minimum of 6k for a ten year old car that's got around 100k on the clock and probably in need of essential servicing costs, I'm not sure they're such a bargain. The Quattro system is great when it's working but my god, they're seriously expensive to repair.
I would however consider a 535 or 540, slightly more mpg, they feel as quick and are better built – and possibly half the cost to buy!
Finally, the Darth Vader wheel is fitted – wow, it feels awesome, just wish it had some missile buttons!
Project Hirsch is getting there... Intercooler is the next step
In other good news, a '10 reg S4 was shown its rightful place over the weekend on the motorway, several times! He tried and tried but couldn't get near the mighty Saab magic, so much for his lardy 333bhp supercar.
There's nothing more satisfying than burning off a supercar in a Saab.
I've been looking round for pics of 19's fitted as I'm in two mind whether to just go for a refurb on the saab 18's already on my car or go for aftermarket 19's, been thinking maybe bbs LM reps or something similar.
It looks like the clearance is pretty good even with the bigger wheels, do you get any rubbing/scraping on full lock?
Look forward to seeing more mods!
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