Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Hello there
My first post. I have a score of questions for you ,but I'll try to be patient and not try your patience. A recent "barn find" - an S-3 with low mileage - has come my way. She's red and in very good condition, having run fairly infrequently. Along with getting proper title and seeing to changing all fluids, I've only driven the car a few miles.
My question for your august body is where to get a proper tire for the car. I'd like to keep the size at 155 R(80) 13- as close to original as possible for spring rate/handling as well as asthetic purposes. I know Doral made by Dunlop; anybody know Vredestein (Coker stocks them)? The car is shod with handsome Pirelli P-4's with no visible wear, but the're 20 years old.

Where are you located US, UK.... the preferences seem to be different depending on your answer to that question. You might try searching the archives. There's been a ton of discussion on this in the past, spelled as tyres or tires and a ton of considerations based on which model you have, how you use the car... This is a particularly good thread in my opinion: elan-f14/tyres-for-elan-t17848-75.html

I have an S4 and I am in the US. I run 185/60-R13s and have just purchased a set of Toyo RA1s.

Dan

Hi there the popular opinion seems to be for Michelin 155x13 XAS FF from Longstone expensive at ?150 a throw but I am told well worth it which I hope is right because I have just ordered 4.

Mike

I would go with the Vredestein.

Thanks for the response Mike and m750rider; I know the Michelin XAS's are great but can't find them here stateside.

Neighbor Dan's Toyo RA1's sound like a big wheel- I was thinking closer to the stock 155 width to fit my current rims;will check on them. Enjoyed the wheel/tire discussion of a year ago.


Tom
Havre de Grace,MD

eclair wrote:Thanks for the response Mike and m750rider; I know the Michelin XAS's are great but can't find them here stateside.

Performance Plus Tire claims to have them but you'd have to call them to find out for sure. I have the Vredesteins (Sprint+ 155's) and I've been happy with them, although I'd be interested in comparing them with the Michelins on my car. There have been some reports of the Vredesteins interfering with the bodywork on S1-S3 and indeed I have a slight rub on one front fender under certain circumstances.

Coker Tire in Chattanooga, TN has the Michellin XAS's in a 155 x 13. Not cheap but a great little tire.

http://www.cokertire.com/

http://store.cokertire.com/catalogsearc ... ?q=165HR13