The 1991 Saab 900 sits at the end of the classic 900 era, a distinctly Swedish design known for its wraparound windshield, hatchback practicality, and turbocharged personality in higher-spec versions. Enthusiasts often value these cars for their combination of driver involvement, everyday usability, and unmistakable Saab character. Tire fitment on the 1991 Saab 900 is split between 185/65R15 radial tires and a lower-profile 195/50R16 radial used on the SPG. Available choices lean toward vintage-styled radial presentation, including wide whitewall and redline treatments in the 15-inch size. The key is matching the correct size to the exact sub-model and wheel diameter before choosing the look that best suits the car.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1991 Saab 900
The 1991 Saab 900 uses two primary tire sizes, and the right one depends on the exact sub-model and wheel diameter. Most versions use a 185/65R15 radial on a 15-inch rim, while the SPG uses a 195/50R16 radial on a 16-inch rim. Before comparing tire styles, confirm which sub-model you have and make sure the car still carries the correct wheel size.
185/65R15 is a metric radial size where 185 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 65 is the aspect ratio, R identifies radial construction, and 15 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 1991 Saab 900, this is the primary fitment for Base, S, S Turbo, and SE Turbo models. Available choices in this size come from BFGoodrich in the Silvertown Radial series, with wide whitewall and redline sidewall treatments. This size is the right place to focus when keeping those 15-inch-wheel cars in their proper fitment range while still choosing a tire style that matches the car's presentation.
195/50R16 is a metric radial size with a 195-millimeter nominal section width, a 50-series profile, radial construction, and a 16-inch rim diameter. For the 1991 Saab 900, this size is tied to the SPG and should not be assumed across the rest of the model line. The available product in this size is a BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial with a wide whitewall treatment, giving the lower-profile SPG fitment a distinctive appearance option. It is the size to evaluate when the car retains its 16-inch wheel setup and you want to preserve the intended rim diameter and tire profile relationship.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1991 Saab 900 because most versions share one tire size, while the SPG uses a different one on a different rim diameter. Identifying the exact sub-model is the first step before comparing tire style, sidewall treatment, or wheel compatibility.
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1991 Saab 900 Base
The 1991 Saab 900 Base uses the 185/65R15 radial fitment shared with most of the model range. Tire selection here is mainly about choosing the right 15-inch radial and deciding whether a wide whitewall or redline presentation better suits the car.
The 1991 Saab 900 S also uses the 185/65R15 radial tire size rather than the 16-inch SPG fitment. That keeps the decision centered on correct 15-inch sizing, wheel compatibility, and the appearance difference between the available sidewall styles.
The 1991 Saab 900 S Turbo uses the same 185/65R15 radial size found on several other 900 sub-models. With size established, the next step is choosing the tire style that fits the car's look and confirming the wheel still matches the original 15-inch setup.
The 1991 Saab 900 SE Turbo remains on the 185/65R15 radial fitment rather than the SPG's 16-inch size. That makes tire choice more straightforward, with attention shifting to sidewall appearance, rim-width compatibility, and the condition of the existing wheel and suspension setup.
The 1991 Saab 900 SPG uses a different fitment from the rest of the line, with a 195/50R16 radial on a 16-inch rim. This makes wheel confirmation especially important, since tire selection depends on retaining the SPG's correct rim diameter and profile rather than defaulting to the more common 15-inch size.
The tire sizes listed on this page assume factory-standard vehicle configuration. The following modifications may affect tire fitment and are not reflected in this guide:
Suspension changes (lowering, lift kits, spring replacements)
Body alterations (fender modifications, custom bodywork)
If your vehicle has been modified from factory specifications, verify tire clearance before purchase.
Best 1991 Saab 900 Tires for Sale
Available 1991 Saab 900 tire choices center on BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial products. The 185/65R15 fitment offers wide whitewall and redline sidewall treatments, while the 195/50R16 SPG size is available as a wide whitewall radial.
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Radial Tires
BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial | 1.75 Inch Whitewall | 185/65R15
Common 1991 Saab 900 tire questions usually come down to exact size by sub-model, 15-inch versus 16-inch wheel fitment, available sidewall styles, and what to inspect before putting a collector-era Saab back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1991 Saab 900?
The 1991 Saab 900 uses two primary tire sizes. Base, S, S Turbo, and SE Turbo models use 185/65R15 radial tires, while the 900 SPG uses 195/50R16 radial tires. Both are modern metric radial sizes, but they are tied to different sub-models and different wheel diameters.
The most important step is matching the tire size to the exact version of the car and confirming the wheel diameter currently on it. A 15-inch 185/65R15 setup should not be assumed for an SPG, and the 16-inch SPG fitment should not be assumed for the rest of the range, especially if wheels have been changed over the years.
What size rim does a 1991 Saab 900 use?
Rim size on a 1991 Saab 900 depends on the sub-model. Most versions use a 15-inch rim with the 185/65R15 tire size, while the 900 SPG uses a 16-inch rim with the 195/50R16 tire size. The tire size and rim diameter need to stay matched.
Checking the actual wheel on the car is worthwhile before ordering tires, especially on an older Saab that may have seen wheel swaps. Diameter is the first checkpoint, but wheel width also matters because the available 185/65R15 products are intended for a 5.00 to 6.50 inch rim-width range.
Do all 1991 Saab 900 sub-models use the same tire size?
No, the 1991 Saab 900 does not use one universal tire size across every sub-model. Base, S, S Turbo, and SE Turbo models share 185/65R15 radial tires, while the SPG uses 195/50R16 radial tires. That makes the SPG the exception within the model line.
This difference matters because the two sizes are built for different rim diameters and give the car a different overall tire-and-wheel presentation. Identifying the exact sub-model first helps narrow the fitment correctly, and then the next step is checking whether the car still carries its intended wheel setup or has been modified.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 185/65R15 tire for a 1991 Saab 900?
Start with the correct fitment and wheel size. On a 1991 Saab 900, 185/65R15 is used on the Base, S, S Turbo, and SE Turbo, and the available products in this size are BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial tires with either a wide whitewall or redline sidewall treatment.
Once size is confirmed, compare the appearance you want and make sure the wheel matches the tire's intended rim-width range of 5.00 to 6.50 inches. It also helps to consider whether the car is being kept close to a period-style look or whether the goal is simply a clean radial fitment that suits regular collector-car road use.
What sidewall styles are available for 1991 Saab 900 tires?
Sidewall style depends on the tire size. In 185/65R15, the 1991 Saab 900 has BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial choices with either a wide whitewall or a redline sidewall. In the SPG's 195/50R16 size, the available option uses a wide whitewall sidewall style.
That means appearance can play a major role once the fitment is correct. A redline gives the 15-inch cars a sportier vintage-inspired look, while a whitewall creates a more pronounced styling statement. The key is choosing the sidewall treatment only after confirming the correct size and rim diameter for the exact sub-model.
What brands offer tires for the 1991 Saab 900?
The available tire options for the 1991 Saab 900 are from BFGoodrich. Both the 185/65R15 fitment used on most sub-models and the 195/50R16 fitment used on the SPG are offered in the Silvertown Radial series, with sidewall treatment varying by size.
Since the brand choice is narrow here, the more useful comparison is between size-specific appearance options and wheel compatibility. On the 15-inch cars, the decision is largely wide whitewall versus redline, while the 16-inch SPG fitment centers more on preserving the proper size and profile on the correct wheel.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1991 Saab 900?
A period-style choice starts with the correct size for the exact sub-model. Most 1991 Saab 900 versions use 185/65R15, while the SPG uses 195/50R16, and the available products are BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial tires. That makes size accuracy the first restoration-oriented decision before appearance is considered.
After size is settled, sidewall style becomes the main visual choice. A redline or wide whitewall creates a very different presentation, especially on the 15-inch cars. For owners pursuing strict originality, period photos, marque-club references, and vehicle-specific historical documentation are the right way to verify what appearance best suits a particular Saab.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1991 Saab 900?
On the 1991 Saab 900, the primary fitments are radial tires, so the construction itself already aligns with the car's era. The visual difference comes less from bias-ply versus radial and more from the tire's size, profile, and sidewall treatment, especially the wide whitewall and redline choices available in 185/65R15.
A restored Saab can look notably different depending on whether the tire presents a cleaner contemporary radial appearance or a more stylized period-inspired sidewall. Keeping the proper 15-inch or 16-inch rim diameter for the exact sub-model matters just as much, since wheel-and-tire proportion strongly shapes the finished stance and overall presentation.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1991 Saab 900?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1991 Saab 900 even when the tire size itself is correct. Aftermarket wheels, changes in wheel width, suspension alterations, or body modifications can all influence how a 185/65R15 or 195/50R16 tire sits in the wheel opening and clears nearby components.
A modified car should be checked for actual wheel diameter, wheel width, and clearance at full steering lock and normal ride height before settling on a tire. This matters most when distinguishing the common 15-inch fitment from the SPG's 16-inch setup, since older cars are often changed from their original wheel arrangements.
What should I inspect before driving a 1991 Saab 900 on new tires?
Before driving a 1991 Saab 900 on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage or corrosion, confirm the wheel diameter matches the intended tire size, and make sure the tires are inflated properly. It is also smart to check for suspension wear, alignment issues, and any signs that the previous tires were rubbing or wearing unevenly.
An older Saab can hide age-related issues that new tires will not fix on their own. Looking over shocks, bushings, steering components, and brake condition helps the car make proper use of the new tires. A short initial drive followed by a second inspection for clearance, air retention, and unusual wear patterns is a sensible final check.
How often should tires on a 1991 Saab 900 be inspected?
Tires on a 1991 Saab 900 should be inspected regularly, especially if the car sees seasonal or collector-type use rather than steady daily mileage. Pressure, tread condition, sidewall cracking, bulges, cuts, and signs of slow air loss all deserve attention, whether the car is on the common 185/65R15 size or the SPG's 195/50R16 setup.
Cars that spend long periods parked benefit from more frequent visual checks because age and storage conditions can affect the tires even when miles are low. Looking at the tires before every longer drive is a good habit, and occasional checks during storage help catch flat spotting, weathering, or pressure loss before road use resumes.
