Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

If you have an Series 4 or a Sprint:

What tyre, brand and size, are you using?

Are you using stock steel wheels or switched to a different wheel?

Have you modified the wheel arches/suspension for the wheel/tires?

What do you think of the tire?

At the moment my S4 is on standard 4.5J steel rims with michelin (sp?) 155/80R13 tyres.

I plan to go to +2 5.5J alloy rims and use 175/70R13 tyres as I pal to do a few track days and there appears to be better tyres available in this size. I know I will need to change the rear sprinfs to 2.25 to get the wheels to fit.

S4 on standard size original wheels and 155/13 Michelins. The best I had on the car was a 155/13 Dunlop, but here in Germany the officials objected, because the Dunlop was not rated for speeds up to 125 MPH - so Michelins went on, which are not as good but I have no choice.

Please, don't put wider rubber on a standard Elans (26R track cars a different story).
There is nothing to be gained.

S4 on 155/80X13 Firestones. used to be Dunlop SP but they started to crack on the side wall and when I went to get new ones they said they had gone up in price to ?40 a piece so I got these from the web for ?18 each brand new. they seem ok and are qiute light weight so I think Colin would approve

Regards
Mark

P.S. who is getting ready to lay up their baby for winter?

I am using Panasport 13x5" KO wheels and 175/60-13 Kuhmo's on a 69 S4SE. Had to trim the inner fender lip at the rear, but they work great. I think I need a dry sump now.

Sprint on Pirelli P4 155/80 (fitted by previous owner)
Standard shocks & springs (original fitment I believe).....feeling a bit tired!
Steering is light and precise, the tyres are fine in dry conditions but tend to slip around in wet (normal Elan!) but worse if pressures are not maintained.
Brian.

I run 175/60 -13 Yokohama A-032R "s"compound. More grip than the car can really handle in some circumsances, easy to get up on 2 wheels on the track if not careful in tight left handers, despite it being about 1.5 inch lower than standard and running 50% stiffer springs and 100% stiffer front roll bar. Use 5.5 inch alloy wheels and small dia rear springs. Only real downside of the tyres is they have a tendency to "whine" on a smooth roads due to the big regular tread blocks.

Rohan
Elan S4
Elan +2S 130/5
Esprit S1

My '72 Sprint has Panasports (5") with Bridgestone RE92s, 165/65. Ok for the street but a bit 'greasy' with spirited driving. Not good for Autocross.

Dunlop SP 165/70 SR 13 on original style steel knock on wheels.
Run at 23 pounds front, 26 rear.

Bob

My 69 S4 FHC has Dunlop GT Qualifiers 175/70/13 on original KO steel wheels.
Installed by PO and I like them for traction and handling. Running 20F/24R.
Phil Mitchell

My Sprint runs Dunlop SP10 155/80 R13. They are the closest I could find to original factory fitment and last year four new tyres cost me a total of ?100.
I am happy with the grip as when they loose traction they do it progressively so you get some warning. They can be a bit noisy and squeal when you pull out of a junction or go around a small roundabout
Clive

I have used a few different tyres but most recently the Pirelli P2000 on 4.5J plus 2 style alloy wheels,prior to that it had Kleber GTS(I think) and also NCT3 all were 165 x 70 x13 on the original steel wheels.
In real terms it is extremely difficult to say there is any great difference between them.The area of greatest interest(to me) in a S4/Sprint regarding tyres is wet weather performance and so far I haven't found anything outstanding

Ray