Tires in USA: Options and Recommendations PLEASE

[Carlos A]

Dear firends and Elan gurus:

I know this has been asked before many, many, many times but unfortunately the information appears so messy and confusing (for a technically challenged enthusiast like me), that after reading those posts I do not have an idea of a clear recommendation for a safe and good available tire for the Plus 2 IN THE USA (no race, normal-spirited driving). Could you guys please help me with this?

I have Yokohamas 175/70/R13 before (the driving experience has been ok but the rear tires only lasted for 20 K miles with even wear)


Thank you for your informed help.

Best

Carlos

[Carlos A]

While I wait for some of you guy's advise, let me post two links

1) Vredestein 165R13 VREDESTEIN SPRINT+ (it looks like this tire corresponds to original specs--more or less)

http://store.cokertire.com/tire-brands/ ... print.html

2) A Michelin tire that Cotsco is recommending: Michelin - X Radial P175/70R1382T

tires2.costco.com/SearchBySizeSearchResults.aspx?SearchID=5d5b96cc-abef-4f39-ba9a-8e48b80d7462 (please copy and paste)

What do you guys think?

Carlos

[summerinmaine]

I tried your CostCo link, and it told me to bugger off.

No such tires to "meet your criteria" (and it wouldn't even let me select the criteria).

[bcmc33]

Carlos,

As you mentioned Vredestien - this is the one I have on my Sprint and I'm quite impressed at 50 UK Pounds a corner.
http://www.tyretest.com/pkw_sommerreife ... index.html

If you can find a set in the US - it gets my recommendation.

[Carlos A]

Yes. I do not know what happen with the link

Let me repeat it so you can cut it and past it in the browser:

tires2.costco.com/SearchBySizeSearchResults.aspx?SearchID=5d5b96cc-abef-4f39-ba9a-8e48b80d7462

Carlos

[65 Lotus]

I like the Sprint+ well enough, but am probably not an accomplished enough driver to really know the difference. They grab nice and are predictable. No issues after a season of driving.

I bought my Vredesteins here last spring. They're a real store with a knowledgable, helpful staff just south of me in Dayton, Ohio. Looks like they have a free shipping deal at the moment as well.

http://www.tiresunlimited.com/ALL%20TIR ... sprint.htm

[Fred Talmadge]

Here is a of tires that have been mentioned on this list over the years. I pretty much limited the choices that would fit my S2 so they maybe a bit small for you. My personal experience with Michelen X on a TR6 and VW Beetle is that they are hard as a rock and provide little grip.

Avon 165/70x13 effects rpms/speedometer
Bridgestone Potenza RE92 P165/65R13 (require modification to spring perch)
Dunlop R D83J street legal (UK) race tire
Dunlop SP10 good (when warm)
Dunlop SP4N just an economy tire
Firestone ?? fair (like goodyear)
Goodyear GP S good (esp. in wet), bad (too hard)
Kleber 145R13 average (unpredictable break)
Kumho (771, I think)
Kumho Touring A/S 795
Kumho Power Star 758 size 155/80R13
Michelan XASFF 155-13 (maybe hard to find in USA) try vintage dealers $130ea
FF means Formula French probably worth finding (see below)
Michelin MXTE 155/80x13
Michelin MXV 155/70
Michelins ?? bad (too hard)
Pirelli P2500 good (predictable)
Toyo 800 155/80 13" on original wheels.
Uniroyal R680 155/80 13s on my S4. (13 inch Minilites) (Rallye 680)
Uniroyal Tiger Paw AWP
Vredestein Sprint+ V 145R13 S rated
Yokohama 032Rs
Yokohama A001R's on my S4.
Yokohama Y379 165/70R13

[stugilmour]

Hi Carlos. Hope all is going well.

Like Jim, I could not get the Costco link to work directly and did not see prior to 1989 in their look-up tool. As they are only offering something in a 175/70/13, I would look around for the Sumitomo's.

I went with 175/70/R13 Sumitomo HTR 200's. You can see the spec's on Tire Rack. Only have about 1000 miles on them, but they seem fine. Went with them as they were the only one's I could find locally that are billed as a High Performance Summer (see other options on Tire Rack). Thinking of the correct size next time I need tires though.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSearc ... 3&x=19&y=9

For 165/13's (165/80/13) the Coker option is the only one I found so far on our side of the pond. Have not tried to source the Sprint+ locally, but sounds like it might be possible.

Good luck with your search. Liked your car link as well.

http://www.autoweek.com/article/2010052 ... /100529956

[Carlos A]

Thank you Brian, Scott and Fred for your recommendations. I am probably going to buy Vredestien tires since 1) they are write close to original specs; 2) their price is OK; 3) you guys seem happy with them, and 4) Coker tire has a store here in Nashville.

Stu: how is your restoration going? When are you going to post pictures?

Again thanks to all.

Best Carlos

[Robbie693]

Anyone tried these?:

http://www.tyre-shopper.co.uk/article.asp?id=160&amp%3Btitle=Avon-CR322

[Gordon Sauer]

I went with Vredestein on my +2 that has the alloy "Lotus Brand" wheels--if you have those a word of caution--for some reason they're a bear to mount--I went to four different tire mounters, national and local, and ended up buying 8 tires to get four (nobody stood behind their work saying it was the tires)--everyone broke the bead trying to get them on the wheel--still, even now, one of them will leak if it gets below about 35 pounds and the bead looks a bit distorted there. Bought them from Universal. Don't know if they sit for a while or the wheel is an issue. One guy tried to round the back edge of the wheel a bit thinking it might be cutting them, The last guy I went to made sure they were warm and mounted them by hand starting from the backside. Gordon Sauer

[stugilmour]

I went with Vredestein on my +2 that has the alloy "Lotus Brand" wheels--if you have those a word of caution--for some reason they're a bear to mount--I went to four different tire mounters, national and local, and ended up buying 8 tires to get four (nobody stood behind their work saying it was the tires)--everyone broke the bead trying to get them on the wheel--still, even now, one of them will leak if it gets below about 35 pounds and the bead looks a bit distorted there. Bought them from Universal. Don't know if they sit for a while or the wheel is an issue. One guy tried to round the back edge of the wheel a bit thinking it might be cutting them, The last guy I went to made sure they were warm and mounted them by hand starting from the backside. Gordon Sauer

Intersting point Gordon. Were those the Vredestein 165R13 VREDESTEIN SPRINT+ (165/80/13) that Carlos has found, or different model / size Vredestein?

thx

[Carlos A]

Dear Gordon (and Stu): This is a problem with the alloy wheels (If I understand you correctly). Right? I have Lotus steel wheels (powder-coated). I hope this is not an issue with the Vredestein.

Best

Carlos

[Gordon Sauer]

Car originally had steel wheels, never had any problems mounting, then bought alloy wheels for it and difficulties started; using Vredestein Sprint T80 165/13; it's just at 2 for 1, if I'd known, I might have picked a more expensive tire! Gordon Sauer

[Carlos A]

Car originally had steel wheels, never had any problems mounting, then bought alloy wheels for it and difficulties started; using Vredestein Sprint T80 165/13; it's just at 2 for 1, if I'd known, I might have picked a more expensive tire! Gordon Sauer

Thanks for the information Gordon. Hopefully the problem is not the tire but the rims (I always wanted to buy those alloys but decided to powder coat my steel wheels ). I am going to buy the Vredesteins and hope for the best. They seem expensive enough for me ($80 per tire plus tax) The Michelins are $230 a piece plus tax. According to the technical guy at Coker the Michelins only make a difference beyond 112 MPH but if I drive that fast in a 60s plastic car then he said --and allow me to quote the guy--my problem "would not be what tire to buy but what kind of life insurance policy should I get". Telling you the truth I drive like a very cautions senior citizen and never over the speed limit.

I will let you guys know.

Thanks all for your recommendations and all the info.

Stu.... what's up with the pics of your restoration.

Best

Carlos A