Any way to SOFTEN RIDE on 2003 9-3 SE Convt?

Your 9-3 convertible probably has 17 inch wheels and low profile tires which
provide little resilience to road irregularities.  You would be better off
with a set of 16 inch wheels and 205/55/16 tires.  These are on my 1998 SAAB
convertible and the ride is quite good.

Tio Barry

Definitely try the 16 inchers before you do anything else.  And if you
never do hard driving, pick one with a soft sidewall.

On 5/5/2006 4:10 AM, Nilsa and Barry Mabel wrote:

I too always assumed it was purely the 17" low-pros that made for a rough
ride in my 9-3ss Aero.  But after riding in my friend's new BMW 330 which
also has 17" low-pros, I discovered that there has to be more to it.  The
BMW's ride is definitely more supple yet still assuring.

Granted, when I switched to the 16" wheels for winter driving, I did notice
ride improvement but still no where near as comfortable as the BMW 3 (as
much as I hate to say that).

- tex

Dr. Richard A. Silberstein wrote:

The most effective and economical means is to change your wheels and
tires.  What do you have on the car now?  I seem to recall the SE comes
with 16" wheels and low profile tires.  Changing to 15" wheels with
meatier sidewall tires along with selecting a "touring" tires model
rather than a sport model will have the desired effect at the least cost
to you.  Of course you will have a decrease in the handling performance
to the same extent that you get a softer ride...

If your old wheels and tires are in decent shape you should be able to
sell them off to someone looking to upgrade their handling and cover the
entire cost of the changeover, possibly even coming out ahead...

--
-Fred W

While I agree the 17 inch wheels contribute to the harsh ride, they also
happen to look great, thus to me (owning the same car, an SE con with the
sports package) they were a mandatory style element. The suspension is
extremely harsh, and it can be softened with Koni adjustables that ought to
be left at the same ride height. The car will wllow a bit more in turn, but
really not that much more.

I think the harsh suspension setting was just taken over from the Viggen,
and I don't think it goes well with the character of the car. For one, the
chassis isn't the most rigid, and one does not want the harsh suspension to
further accentuate it.

Changing the suspension can be accomplished for less than $1k with equipment
just as competent -but more compliant- than the sports suspension. Your
local Saab dealer has the parts, or you can go aftrermarket with someone who
knows what they're doing.

But I would stick with the 17 inchers - they're a beautiful design.

...pablo