Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Sorry Hal, I wouldn't know; but if I were you I'd stick to the correct size / profile as they have delicate handling characteristics that can be upset by incorrect suspension setup and that includes the tyres. As I said, the PO fitted the wrong ones to mine but as they are "as new" I haven't had the heart to change them (such a waste), plus I am dealing with other things at the moment.

Actually, I am being a bit dumb in posting that question without looking up the tyre catalogues - I see now that the load bearing of 175/80 tyres are way up at 96 whereas the load bearing of the 165/80 is 83, so a much springier sidewall than the larger one...! My bad as they say

In terms of aesthetics, this picture may be useful...

On the front is a period 165/13 Goodyear G800 on a steel rim and on the back is a 14" minilite alloy with a 175/70 Dunlop. I have a both a set of the 14" minilites with the 175/70s and a set of 13" steels, currently with 185/70s on. The 185s make the steering heavy at parking speeds, but they do grip! Next time I will go back to 165s and as standard as possible. I keep the alloys for winter..

Jeremy

Thanks Jeremy

You have pre-empted my next question that would have been coming up a bit later - what looks best 13 or 14! It is much easier to see a car with both on, but the more I look, I still cannot make up my mind!

Much will depend on how far I go into 'meesing mode' - eg, will I ever put larger discs on! I hear that the standard brake set up is pretty good, but this has never stopped me before...

Useful photo - I will study it over time. So far the 14s with a narrower wall does look goo, but it will no doubt take away some of the comfort...

Perhaps there is a case for a 'wheels to rent' service so owners can try different combinations of tyre/wheel size without spending a fortune they end up not liking.. I admit to liking the 'balloon tyre' look of the original, rather than the semi-low profiles of the 14".

Jeremy

Jeremy, do you have stock sized spring diameter and perches, particularly in the rear? Will your 14” rims with 175/70 tires fit without clearance issues on the stock setup? Reason for question is I have stock 165/80/13’s right now, but recently purchased a similar set of 14” Minilites. Have not bought tires yet, and was wondering what would fit.

Thanks

Stu

Here are some tyre options https://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/classi ... /elan.html