change to original 165/80 Firestone Fuelsavers ?

[thor]

I have 185/70R13 (mix front/back) at the moment on my +2S130 alloys, feel them to be a bit big and am seriously considering taking them off to experience the original feel of the car with 165/80s as Colin intended.

Good or bad idea?

[elans3]

VERY good idea Thor. I've experienced both, and would never go back to anything bigger than 155 x 13". Ive had mine on 145 x 13" at one point, and that's even better in my view. On 155 x 13" now as the 145's are more difficult to get hold of. (This is all on the standard knock-on wheels of course ).
You won't regret it

[thor]

Good. I've made up my mind that I'll try out the delicate predictable handling of the originals, with less ultimate grip, as the speed limits here in Norway are ridiculously low anyway... It still handles better than originally anyway, due to the adjustable Spaxes.

[steveww]

Get the best of both worlds. The Michelin XAS FF is available 165 x 80 x 13. A modern tyre to the old dimentions but with stiff sidewalls and sticky compound. Plenty of grip but maintaines the neutral handling and balance.

[thor]

AHA, nice tip, I'll check it out..

[Hamish Coutts]

In case anyone is interested Michelin XAS FFs are available from

http://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/product ... radial.php

Hamish.

[stuartgb100]

I've splashed out and ordered 5 x 13 Minilites and Michelin XAS tyres.

Tyres arrived first, and are clearly marked that a tube is needed.

I waited until the rims arrived (today) and then asked Minilite. They say no tube is required. However, the tyre fitters tonight say that they feel tubes are necessary. The shape of the rim does not suit a 'classic' tyre design like the XAS.

I will 'phone Michelin (good luck !) but any thoughts from you guys?

Regards,
Stuart.

[steveww]

I have minilites and XAS fitted to my S4 with out tubes. I have not noticed any loss of pressure and I have been doing some POR (Press On Regardless) driving

I am on track with Club Lotus this weekend so that will be the acid test

[Si_130/5]

Thanks for starting this thread.
I too am facing the same situation. My car (not the one in the avatar) has Dunlop SP Elite 165 SR13s and it went better than any Plus Two I can remember. Sadly these tyres are no longer made and it?s time to change.
Vintage Tyres have bought the moulds and say they?ll be putting the original Dunlops back into production next spring and the price will be ?94 plus vat each (as much as Mr Matty?s Plus 2 alloy wheels).

http://www.vintagetyres.com/vts/contact ... &DBM=&PGE=


Can anyone suggest a tyre other than the Michelin or Dunlop which preserves the handling characteristics of our cars?

Thanks,

Si

[lotusdelta]

vredestein makes a 155 and 165x13

i am currently using these on a triumph spitfire and am considering them for my lotus elan.

i purchased these from universal tire, a vintage tire dealer in hershey pa. usa

so far so good with these tires and the price was right at $79.00

[thor]

I have Michelin Energy tyres on my Golf now, and they are very very good. Apparently they also make them in 165/80R13, but there's no way I'm putting Frog tyres on the Lotus, and not Japanese or German. YES I know I'm VERY silly and not rational, and Firestone is actually owned by Bridgestone, ironically...

[thor]

The only Dunlop I can find is the SP10 in 165/80R13.... Any good?

[Si_130/5]

Thanks Thor,

I spoke to some Lotus specialists and tyre manufacturers this afternoon and the SP10 is on my shortlist together with the Uniroyal Rally. See the other tyre thread that's currently running;

http://lotuselan.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=12920

Could anyone tell me whether we have enough room between wheel and calliper on the +2 to fit the stick-on weights to the inner rim as I'll not be able to check mine 'til the weekend?

Thanks,

Si

[thor]

I have a simple answer: www.tyretest.com

The SP10 gets an average of 2.3 where 1 is best and 6 worst. Grip in the dry is 1.6, where most of us use it, so it looks like a winner.

A better score than the Firestones

[Robbie693]

Yes, I've been looking at tyre test sites too. I don't know how relevant they are because I assume tyres perform differently on different cars, but, it's better than nothing.

Comparisons with the following show the Dunlops and Goodyears to be pretty close:

http://www2.sicherbestellen.de/tests/10/Dunlop_SP103e_Reifentestcom.html

http://www2.sicherbestellen.de/tests/10/Goodyear_GT2_Reifentestcom.html

http://www2.sicherbestellen.de/tests/10/Firestone_F590FuelSaver_Reifentestcom.html