New tires for a 2002 Saab 9-3 SE

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hrit24@gmail.com - 09 May 2008 17:29 GMT

Hello all,

I am in the market for new tires on my 2002 Saab 9-3 SE because the
Yokohama Avid's have developed a slight ripple on the outer edges
which causes a loud noise as I drive. The service reps at my dealer
said this was caused because they are directional tires and the way
the car is engineered the tires are being pulled and I should try to
buy non direction/channel tred tires.

After some research and calling Tirerack, it seems that most tires are
directional with the V pattern, to increase wet traction. I am
considering a few tires:

Bridgestone Potenza RE 960 AS
Goodyear Eagle ResponsEdge
Goodyear Eagle F1 All Season
Continental Extreme Contact
Michelin Pilot Extalto A/S

I'd appreciate if anyone has these tires if you would let me know your
thoughts (wet traction, cornering stability, treadwear and would you
buy again) Also, if anyone has other tire suggestion, please let me
know.

Thanks,

Ira

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Charles C. - 09 May 2008 20:34 GMT

> Hello all,
>
[quoted text clipped - 23 lines]
>
> Ira

Hi,

If it helps you at all, SAABs in the UK and the rest of Europe at a
guess come with mostly Pirelli, Continentals or Michelin. Certainly so
the current models. It does not mean they are the best tyres for the
car but must be good enough for the manufacturer to fit as original
equipment.

Looking at Tirerack there seem to be many more tyres which are not the V
shape (even so some may be unidirectional).

Regards
Charles

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Adrian - 09 May 2008 20:43 GMT

"Charles C." <c.k.christacopoulos.removeme.@dundee.ac.uk> gurgled happily,
sounding much like they were saying:

>> I am in the market for new tires on my 2002 Saab 9-3 SE because the
>> Yokohama Avid's have developed a slight ripple on the outer edges which
>> causes a loud noise as I drive. The service reps at my dealer said this
>> was caused because they are directional tires and the way the car is
>> engineered the tires are being pulled and I should try to buy non
>> direction/channel tred tires.

<cough> Bollocks. Complete and utter bollocks.
I'd be checking the tracking. Properly.

>> After some research and calling Tirerack, it seems that most tires are
>> directional with the V pattern, to increase wet traction. I am
>> considering a few tires:

>> Michelin Pilot Extalto A/S

> Looking at Tirerack there seem to be many more tyres which are not the V
> shape (even so some may be unidirectional).

Exaltos (at least, this side of the pond) aren't directional, but they
are assymetric.

I've got a set on my c900, and have had 'em on an XM previously. I like
'em, but I will admit to being a thoroughly biased Mich fanboi.

Reply to this Message

Charles C. - 09 May 2008 21:36 GMT

> "Charles C." <c.k.christacopoulos.removeme.@dundee.ac.uk> gurgled happily,
> sounding much like they were saying:
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> <cough> Bollocks. Complete and utter bollocks.
> I'd be checking the tracking. Properly.

<snip>

<cough> <cough> since you replied to my message ;-)

What do you understand by riple? I understand a wave effect but you
understand a worn edge.

If it is a worn edge you are correct.

If it is a wave it is unlikely to be caused by tracking, more likely by
an unbalanced wheel, unbalanced hub + disk (now that is bollocks to find
let alone fix) etc.

I will now have another beer and make waves :-)

Cheers
Charles

PS. There again SAABs don't come with V tread tyres they are fine on the
water.

PPS. to the OP. The more worn the tyres the more noise they make, it
may be the overall wear that has increased the noise.

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Adrian - 09 May 2008 21:45 GMT

"Charles C." <c.k.christacopoulos.removeme.@dundee.ac.uk> gurgled happily,
sounding much like they were saying:

>> "Charles C." <c.k.christacopoulos.removeme.@dundee.ac.uk> gurgled
>> happily, sounding much like they were saying:
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
> What do you understand by riple? I understand a wave effect but you
> understand a worn edge.

It's entirely possible for the tracking being out to wear the outer
edge's tread blocks into almost a "saw-tooth" pattern.

> If it is a wave it is unlikely to be caused by tracking, more likely by
> an unbalanced wheel, unbalanced hub + disk (now that is bollocks to find
> let alone fix) etc.

An unbalanced wheel would show itself in vibration at speed, a warped
disk by vibration under braking.

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still just me - 10 May 2008 04:31 GMT

>Hello all,
>
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>the car is engineered the tires are being pulled and I should try to
>buy non direction/channel tred tires.

I agree with the earlier replies, this is unlikely. I have seen Saabs
wear the outer edges of tires but it's not the general result of
directional tires. Some designs have issues, some cars have problems.
It is true that the blockier, more aggressive designs show edge wear
more oddly than a traditional tire which shows a smoother wear pattern
but if you have odd wear it's a front end issue, or a specific tire
issue, it's not inherent in directional tire design.

If you trust the dealer (and I have my doubts) and are confident that
the front end is in good condition, I would start by having the
alignment done by a competent shop. Next, when you buy your tires,
have them balanced on a Hunter GSP9700. It makes a huge difference.
http://www.gsp9700.com/pub/search/findgsp9700.cfm

<snip>

>Michelin Pilot Extalto A/S

Outstanding tires. I haven't been a Mich fan for many years as they
always had rain traction issues IMHE. But, these have been terrific.
The only possible issue I have is a little flat spotting after parking
overnight but that goes away after a mile or so. They are not the
(very) highest performance tire you can buy. If you are a purist, buy
Summer only tires. But, if you need an all season, this tire is
excellent.

Reply to this Message

hippo - 10 May 2008 08:24 GMT

>On Fri, 9 May 2008 09:29:58 -0700 (PDT), "hrit24@gmail.com"

<hrit24@gmail.com> wrote:

>>Hello all,
>>
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>>the car is engineered the tires are being pulled and I should try to
>>buy non direction/channel tred tires.

>I agree with the earlier replies, this is unlikely. I have seen Saabs
>wear the outer edges of tires but it's not the general result of
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>but if you have odd wear it's a front end issue, or a specific tire
>issue, it's not inherent in directional tire design.

>If you trust the dealer (and I have my doubts) and are confident that
>the front end is in good condition, I would start by having the
>alignment done by a competent shop. Next, when you buy your tires,
>have them balanced on a Hunter GSP9700. It makes a huge difference.
>http://www.gsp9700.com/pub/search/findgsp9700.cfm

><snip>
>>Michelin Pilot Extalto A/S

>Outstanding tires. I haven't been a Mich fan for many years as they
>always had rain traction issues IMHE. But, these have been terrific.
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>Summer only tires. But, if you need an all season, this tire is
>excellent.

Hmm... I've had this happen on 2 C900s. One was fixed by a realignment an
the on the other it seemed to be a mixture of (erm) highly enthusiasti
driving and stuffed dampers. How's the front suspension / what's th
mileage? Cheer

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