Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

After some research I have narrowed down the options to fit either the Michelin (I use Michelin PS11 on my everyday car and cannot fault them) XAS (?145 x 5 though somewhat pricey especially for the spare or perhaps the lower cost Vredenstein at around ?40 x 5.

This would be for fastish road use and no track days so are they worth the considerable on cost?

Are there any others worthy of consideration?

The Michelin XAS FF are definitely worth the extra, they transform the car. As well as being sticky they have stiff sidewalls which make the car much more stable in the turns.

Why spend all that money on a spare? I would just put a cheapo tyre on the spare, it is only there as an emergency get you home.

The Uniroyal R680 is supposed to be a good choice as well but I have never used them.

Stevie

I would agree whole heartedly for 'stiff walls' with track use, (soft walls will otherwise wilt) but for road use on our shocking almost 3rd world roads might the reverse be true?

I know its stupid but a matching spare is always a pleasure to see....

What circuit are you driving on do not recognise?

Matching the spare---the Michelin XAS FF is my choice for a tire that some day I'm hoping to install 4. They are taller and will keep the highway revs down. But will not fit in the boot. So a cheap spare will do, just to get a flat repaired.
Although I did buy 5 Panasport wheels. So much for logic.
Sarto

Last time I had a flat was about thirty years ago.

I had a nail in the right rear tire for over a year. I keep the portable air tank next to it and was filling it before I went for a drive. At the British Car Day show on the 7th of this month, someone came up to me and said "do you know you have a flat?". I went and took a look and gee it was flat. Glad I keep a spare, I got it (the wheel and tire), the 4 x 4 ramp, lug wrench, and the jack out and changed it with an audiance. I found that I had picked up a second nail and will just replace the 12 year old tire with a NOS 175/50 x 13 P7 Pirelli that I had bought.
So just so you know, Flats happen...

richard sprint wrote:Stevie

I would agree whole heartedly for 'stiff walls' with track use, (soft walls will otherwise wilt) but for road use on our shocking almost 3rd world roads might the reverse be true?

I know its stupid but a matching spare is always a pleasure to see....

What circuit are you driving on do not recognise?

Richard,

the Michelin XAS has stiff sidewalls, but not as stiff as say a Yokohama A038/A048. It is still a road tyre and but it is designed for use in sports cars! The Vredesteins or Uniroyal are not, they are built for Econoboxes. I have the XAS on both of my Elans and the ride is perfectly okay. The Elan is very sensitive to tyre choice. It deserves the best tyre available.

Cheers
Jolly

Hi Guys,
FWIW, I am going the XAS route. I agree with the pack here. Only difference is I am only going to buy 4 as I don't carry the spare wheel which saves weight and space. I carry a repair kit and one of those instant repair in a can thingies. If I am unlucky enough to have a flat I will 'repair' it and get it to my tyre man for a new tyre. The tyres on my car as of now are just junk. They will do for now though. I want to get this summer out of them b4 doing my wheel refurb' and new tyre fit over the coming winter. Car's still running in so I am keeping the speed down. It has not been much over 70 mph as yet. So the tyres various will do for now. There are 3 diff' types. 1 on the spare which I am about to remove and bin.

Mitchies it is then. Heard only good reports, no neg' at all..



Alex B.....

Hi Guys ,

I love the Elan the way it is .... and my new S4DHC has these Michelin Tyres ... and all I can say is, THEY ARE FANTASTIC !

It rides , steers and feels like an Elan should .... but has prodigious grip , without any of the drama ( can`t even make it squeel ) !

The Best Handling Sports Car of All Time , deserves the best tyres ( which are still half the price of my Esprit`s ; ) - Highly Recommended !

Verve .

There you go! Now as a 'club' why don't we do a bulk buy and split the savings??

Alex B....

Alex

I would come in for a bulk buy but can see this being difficult in regards to distance and when others are ready to make a change.

During my enquiries Longstone and Classic tyres were not interested in offering a discount are there other suppliers for these?

Richard

Not sure, but I am going to ask my local (V good) supplier. I will be surprised if he can't get them.

I will keep you all posted.

AB...

I fitted Bridgestone Evo 155/80 x 13's as I had heard they were good but I am not impressed and will be ordering the Michelins.

what of the Bridgestone Potenza RE92... avail $63 165/55 21.4 dia. 6.5" section??? 5.2" tread w is SO LITTLE!!!!!!!!! IS THIS ENOUGH?

foggy,

Reading the TireRack descriptions, the RE92 is a mid performance tire. The 165/65-13 is rated at 964 rev/mile. The 155-13 tire is around 912. This is sorta like driving around in 3rd gear if you go from a relatively standard 155-13 size to the 165/65-13 or changing from a 3.77 to a 3.9 differential ratio..

In addition, the tire weighs 19 lbs, definitely on the high side.

Depending on how much you prize handling, the concensus seems to be, if you can afford them, get the XAS.

Your choice.

David
1968 36/7988