[Guy Humpage]

Simple question, with hopefully a simple y/n answer...

Can alloy wheels from a 9-3 fit onto a 9-5? (Specifically 18")

Also, a 2nd question, what's the best size 18" tyre for a 9-5.

 

[markcanderson]

Alloys are interchangable.. certainly at the 16 and 17 sizes..same stud pattern.. no idea about the 18.

 

[murphwiz]

SAAB only list 18" for the 9-3ss...
nothing at all for 18" on a 'classic' 9-3 or 9-5..
aftermarket jobs only, I'm not sure if the 9-3ss uses same PCD as the 9-5?

 

[Hanm]

The 18 inch 9-3SS wheels will fit on the 9-5, BUT they have a different offset: ET41 (or ET42, I'm not sure) instead of ET49 used on the 9-5.

 

[mark e]

Originally posted by Hanm:
[qb]The 18 inch 9-3SS wheels will fit on the 9-5, BUT they have a different offset: ET41 (or ET42, I'm not sure) instead of ET49 used on the 9-5. [/qb][/b]

Which means they won't be able to be set to the correct track width and will almost certaily rub. You can use a wheel with a larger ET than stock and compnestae for it by using spacers, but not the other way round.

 

[Eric van Spelde]

Except when the 18s on the 9-3SS are half an inch or 1" wider than the 17s on the 9-5. For the c900 (and 9000), the Saab wheels are:

5.5 x 15", ET 40
6.0 x 15", ET 33
6.5 x 16", ET 27

Note that for every half an inch of additional wheel width, the ET value drops by 6-7 to ensure the extra width is evenly distributed on both sides of the hub, preserving the original track width.

 

[mark e]

Well said, Eric, I didn't have my brain in earlier- as evinced by the lousy spelling of compensate! You must indeed decrease your ET by half the increase in wheel width to maintain the correct track

So, it sounds like the 9-3ss wheels will probably fit.

 

[Guy Humpage]

The wheels are off a 'classic' 9-3 rather than the brand new 9-3SS.

Not heard back from the seller so it's all hypothetical for the moment...

 

[saxelsso]

I've used a few different combinations, all on Saab 9-5 Estates. Best fit was by far Fondmetal 9A 18x8" with 225/40-18 tyres. The car was fitted with Eibach springs, approx. 30 mm lower than standard. No problem at all with wear or clearence, even when loaded with people or luggage. Downside is that they no longer make these alloys

Have also used AEZ Bimo 18x8,5" with 225/40-18. They had some of a clearence problem on the front wheels. Especially on uneven roads.

Third setup is BBS Challenge 19x8,5" with 235/35-19. There is for sure a clearence problem on the rear wheels. There's a plastic trim on the rear wheel arches, and they have a hard time

No problems when driving alone or with light luggage/passengers, but not to be used with full load. Car is still running on standard Aero shock absorbers (with Eibach springs). Guess that it will help a little by fitting harder shocks.

Cheers,
Stefan