Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Hi

I want to put a new set of tyres to my plus 2. I want to put the best tyre possible. I have 3 alternatives

Michelin XAS FF 165H13
Avon CR6ZZ 185 70 H13
Pirelli CN36 185 70 H13.

Has someone experiences with this tyres? Is Avon the best option?

Regards
Diego

Imho the Michelin XAS FF will be the best with Michelin Tubes.
This is only my personal choice, you will find it difficult for 2 people to agree

Alan

Dieschelan wrote:Hi

I want to put a new set of tyres to my plus 2. I want to put the best tyre possible. I have 3 alternatives

Michelin XAS FF 165H13
Avon CR6ZZ 185 70 H13
Pirelli CN36 185 70 H13.

Has someone experiences with this tyres? Is Avon the best option?

Regards
Diego

Michelin XAS FF 165H13 - I think this tyre is perfect. https://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/catalo ... ory/2618/v
Avon CR6ZZ 185 70 H13 - the CR6ZZ is a great tyre https://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/catalo ... gory/9021/ However, it is a racing tyre, with a compound more suited to the track. and quite heavy. It is also an oversized tyre, so it will not handle as well as a correct 165R13, If you fit wider wheels, it will not be as bad, but they will handle better on 165R13.
Pirelli CN36 185 70 H13. this is also a great tyre https://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/catalo ... gory/2618/ If you really want to fit a 185/70R13 then this is the best road tyre for an Elan Plus 2. there is no doubt in my mind. but i wouldn't be surprised if there are people with different views. But i would like to point out that people will not have tried this tyre, because it is new, and the people that have tried it all love them. I have not had a bad report about any of the current Cinturato CN36 tyres yet, in fact quite the opposite.

However, all things considered, Lotus will have done loads of testing and they fitted 165R13 not a 185/70R13. and on top of that the XAS is definitely an ace tyre. Again i don't think i have ever had a disappointing customer with XAS, but i have had loads of people making the effort to come back and tell me how brilliant they are on the various cars we have fitted them to.

On my +2s have used both the Michelin XAS and Pirelli CN36 in 165-13 size when they were both in current production in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Both were very good, not much to choose between them. I do recall the CN36 being slightly better in the wet. Of course that is ancient history and I am sure that the current production of both benefit from modern compounds. To me the mystery is why Lotus put 5.5 inch wide rims on the +2. These really are too wide for 165-section tires. The confounding issue is that tires wider than 165 section can be a problem on the rear without suspension modifications, at least to the lower spring perches. I have very unimpressive 165-13 Dunlops now and I can see a very light line on the inside wall of one tire where it grazes the lower spring perch. Both my wheels and rear suspension are completely standard Lotus issue.

Or if you happen to be going to South of France this summer pick up a set of XAS on way back at APR in Gerzat just north of Clermont Ferrand for ?183@

You may be interested to learn that Blockley Tyres have literally just received their first batch of 165HR13 tubeless radial tyres, designed specifically for classic performance cars and currently a snip at ?69+VAT.

I?ve ordered a set and hope to have them fitted to my +2 next weekend.

The story behind Blockley Tyres is quite interesting and worth reading, although their website is shockingly dated. The owner (with whom I have no affiliation besides being a new customer) assures me this will be sorted soon.