26 responses so far ↓

• 1 rayman146 // Nov 14, 2008 at 11:53 pm

  standard on all 2009 9-3s in Aero Trim… at least in GER

• 2 Pollekepap // Nov 15, 2008 at 12:00 am

  Standard on Aero models – except XWD – for the Belgian market

• 3 ubermich // Nov 15, 2008 at 12:11 am

  I’ve seen a set come through here. I don’t like them as much in person while stationary. I like them in motion though. I would like them MUCH more without the straight spoke, but I’m assuming that’s the actual structural component in the wheel.

• 4 eggsngrits // Nov 15, 2008 at 12:24 am

  Too busy for my tastes.

• 5 Wulf (Northern Michigan, USA) // Nov 15, 2008 at 12:26 am

  Very unique wheel, it looks like the fan blades of a windtunnel.

• 6 Wulf (Northern Michigan, USA) // Nov 15, 2008 at 12:32 am

  Here is a better picture of the wheel from Saab.

• 7 Edonis // Nov 15, 2008 at 12:42 am

  I love it! The Alu81 are standard on Aeros in Norway.
  Red 9-3 Aero with Alu81:
  http://images.saab-web.com/main/image/2009/ignite/exterior/93_S/quarter/small/01/01081211.jpg

  I just wish they would change the Alu72-rims that are standard on many markets (incl. the US). They really don’t do the car justice at all!

• 8 Tiago do Vale // Nov 15, 2008 at 12:57 am

  WOWWWW Those are incredible!!! Truly saabish!

  Now… If only I could see one with 3 blades instead of 5… O:)

• 9 Nate 9-3 // Nov 15, 2008 at 1:18 am

  I agree with Edonis. The standard wheels on the 2008 SAAB 2.0 T make the car look old and soft instead of aggressive. I have found that about the only SAAB wheels that I don’t like over the years is when they have too many spokes. All other SAAB wheels are amongst the best on the road.

• 10 peter // Nov 15, 2008 at 1:48 am

  For the U.S. market, this wheel is standard on 2009 2.0Ts ordered “Sport”. Still not 18s though : (

• 11 van god los // Nov 15, 2008 at 1:56 am

  Belgian market : standard on all aero’s

• 12 Turbo // Nov 15, 2008 at 2:33 am

  Standard on all Aeros in Germany, there are pictures at TS http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2008/07/thursday-snippets-biopower-aero-edition.html

• 13 IronJoe // Nov 15, 2008 at 2:41 am

  Cool design but too small for such a large-appearing car. The 9-3 needs 18s or 19s.

  The BASE model Audi A4 comes with 17s, 18s options. “Prestige” trim has a 19″ wheel option. And that’s the A4, not even the S4.

  The base 328i does come with 16s, but most are imported with the sport package (17s). Also it has FOUR 19″ wheel options. And that’s not looking at the M3 of course.

  The base 9-3 still comes with 16s. 17 in sport pkg. 18″ on the XWD cars. Only 19″ wheel option is the Hirsch (n/a in the US).

  Saab: Do try and keep up, yes?

• 14 Mark_Belfast // Nov 15, 2008 at 3:12 am

  Uuugly – no favours to the car here. Much prefer the ALU 75 5spoke split.

  Nate, agree the 10-spokers (ALU 72) look weak and unless you’re as fussy as you want to be, they look rubbish when dirty.

• 15 Bernard // Nov 15, 2008 at 3:20 am

  IronJoe,

  Huge wheels are literally a pain in the a** over anything but the smoothest roads. On top of that, the extra weight ruins the handling, and they double your tire cost.

  The only positives are that they either make you look like a teenager with a clapped-out Civic, or a looser with a blinged-out SUV. Mind you, those may not come across as positives to all Saab drivers.

  I’m o.k. with Saab giving you the option of ruining your car with huge wheels, but I certainly wouldn’t want them to make it a standard feature.

• 16 Wulf (Northern Michigan, USA) // Nov 15, 2008 at 3:52 am

  Bernard has it right. I just got 16″ winter wheels for my 9-5 Aero and am seriously considering switching from 17″ to 16″ for summer wheels. Large wheels are mostly just a fashion statement, unless you push your car to the limit all the time.

• 17 chaaalie // Nov 15, 2008 at 4:20 am

  OFF TOPIC … But interesting …

  A three-year-old Saab with 17 miles on it … ostensibly new being sold as used by a dealer in Delaware (USA).

  Here’s the link.
  

• 18 rpg // Nov 15, 2008 at 4:29 am

  The 2009s are finally upon on the US website. The ‘Build Your Saab’ screens have changed – and not for the better. When you make selections (color, options, etc.), the image of the car does not change to match your selection. No more interior shots. No ability to expand and rotate images. They are not going to win many new buyers with this set-up. Weak. Very weak.

• 19 detroitsaab93 // Nov 15, 2008 at 4:30 am

  Too busy for my taste, but I don’t have a problem with Saab offering 18’s on the 9-3 2.0T and 19’s on the Aero as upgrades. Heck, you can 17’s on a Chevy Cobalt nowadays. I like the 18’s available on 2009 Aero (saabusa finally updated) here in the US:

  http://www.saabusa.com/images/contextlinks/09-18-Wheel.jpg

• 20 zippy // Nov 15, 2008 at 4:57 am

  I am liking that wheel!!

  PS Still a bit miffed about Geneva but I can get over it – eventually!!!

• 21 Charles // Nov 15, 2008 at 6:14 am

  A little too busy. I still prefer the 2004 Aero rims over any rim that Saab has produced since then.

• 22 SaabLance // Nov 15, 2008 at 8:10 am

  Sorry Chaaalie but the car you referred to is more than “ostensibly new”it is new.New in the sense that it has never been retailed and does in fact have,as of now, about 35 miles on it .It was part of the same package that brought us the 45 mile new 2005 9-2X Aero mentioned in a previous post.The used aspect of it has to do with the fact that the warranty coverage began as of october ‘07.Why? I have no idea…..probably had something to do with GM/Franchisee litigation.

• 23 Olaf // Nov 15, 2008 at 8:43 am

  The new 18” Incas are much more saabish and less Windmill-style.
  The 9-3 needs 18” to 19” to stand stable.

  Still my favourite SAAB wheel: the 2004/5 9-5 Vector Tri-Hammer.
  (but they don’t fit on the 9-3 as SAAB said…)

• 24 Joe Lobo // Nov 15, 2008 at 8:48 am

  It has to be 18″ as there is no point in even bother with 17″ especially in this type of desing. They will look quite pedestrian if these are not offered as 18″ !!!

• 25 turbin // Nov 17, 2008 at 11:19 am

  “I just wish they would change the Alu72-rims that are standard on many markets (incl. the US). They really don’t do the car justice at all!”

  I agree Edonis, have hated them from the start, especially as the 08 nose is quite heavy. I have agreed to pay (a little) extra for ALU45s for my new Sportcombi.

• 26 turbin // Nov 19, 2008 at 8:27 am

  Pricing now announced at Elkparts. Pretty keen price, terrifying shipping.