which wheel?

[theelanman]

Im in a dilemma.....
my last +2 had a set of lotus alloys and I really liked them.....
my new +2 has the original steel wheels (which Ive since had powder coated)
I have also managed to buy an unused set of OEM alloys too......
the thing is that Ive sort of got used to the steels rather than the alloys.....so Im not sure which wheels to go with so thought Id ask the opinion of the forum to see which people preferred before I make any further moves..
cheers
G

which wheel

[jimj]

Gareth, it`s inevitable, all those with alloys will vote for alloys and those with steel, steel. It`s only natural.
As I don`t have a +2 my opinion is impartial, and, as it`s my opinion, correct. Steel aesthetically but alloys if it`s a late +2.
Jim

[Elanintheforest]

Steels on the nearside and alloys on the offside.

Or

Steels on the front.....

Or

Monday, Wednesday and Friday....steels.

They both look good, but I do agree with Jim....early car steels.

Mark

[vernon.taylor]

Agreed - early steel with trim rings, late alloys.

I have a '71 plus 2 with alloys - and I wouldn't change them for steel.

@+

Vernon

[cal44]

I have both options sitting at my disposal. They both look good so Even Steven in my book.
My pet issue is when the balance weights are placed on the outside of wheels.

mike

[theelanman]

Agreed - early steel with trim rings, late alloys.

I have a '71 plus 2 with alloys - and I wouldn't change them for steel.

@+

Vernon

Vernon
mine is actually a pre chrome ring car....no rimbelishers
erm.....IIRC....I think '71 was too early for the alloys too.....
mmmm........I do prefer the lotus alloys to the generic minilite
the first +2 I had, had wolfrace slot mags......how 70's were they....lol
cheers
G

Elan +2 S 130
From mid 1973 onwards a 5.5j Brand Lotus 10 spoke alloy wheel became a standard fitting, with the spokes picked out in silver against the rest of the wheel being painted black.

[theelanman]

I have both options sitting at my disposal. They both look good so Even Steven in my book.
My pet issue is when the balance weights are placed on the outside of wheels.

mike

Mike
Im thinking that I'll buy some tyres for the Alloys and like you can have both sets ready to go....depending on how Im feeling.....
one thing that did annoy me when I had the steels powder coated is that the guy took the tyres off....cleaned the wheels...powder coated them....refitted the tyres to some very nicely done powder coat....and then hammered some weights on the outer rim.....
I left them for a couple of months before taking the weights off carefully......luckily no damage...but why would you put great ugly weights on some nice finished wheels.......
lol...
cheers
G

[vernon.taylor]

Salut

I think '71 was too early for the alloys too.....
mmmm........I do prefer the lotus alloys to the generic minilite
the first +2 I had, had wolfrace slot mags......how 70's were they....lol

According to RR Lotus brand alloys were listed as an option at the intro of the +2S - but apparently not actually available until the intro of the +2S130 - in Feb 1971 - so my car could have been delivered with them. Useless info

Yeah, the Wolfraces are cool - a guy in France is selling a set - I'm tempted !

@+

Vernon

[john.p.clegg]

...but why would you put great ugly weights on some nice finished wheels.......

to balance them?

John

[Jentwistle3]

Alloys Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Steel Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Leave the car on stands on Sunday.

[john.p.clegg]

It is considered good practice to regularly rotate the wheels ( no,not by driving ) so any permutation of the above on a weekly basis?

John

[el-saturn]

............................just because they (allow /brand?) also look so nice on an elan (my s3) I just bought a set
of allows - it's much like me wifes' attitudes: the car is also getting a new pair (4-tet) of sunday shoes: mine may get the 048 yokos? isn't it nice to have a fashion-oriented baby (........elan)! 36 4982

[cal44]

Let's address the wheel weights. I've learned over two decades ago that weights can be inside on any car. Either the tap on or tape on flats. I opt always for the flats and put a little extra tape over the tops and on to the wheel for a little security.
I can't tell you how many insist the weights go on the outside. It isn't me that came up with this. It is/was teams of Porsche engineers on my early 911's. And now?........find me one high end car with weights on the outside.

And for gawd sakes.........if you have your rims powder coated, do not put those chromey looking rings on the wheel. It'll wipe out your new coatings with deep arse scratches.

G, I like your ride with either set of wheels..........either looks right.

mike

[Harvey]

I had steel wheels on my March '71 +2S when I bought it and had them powder coated black because I thought they looked purposeful and contrasted nicely on my white car. I also had the rim embellishers (beauty rings). Mike is correct that the rings will eat into the powder coating. But after 10 years I wanted a different look so bought a set of alloys from Dave Bean. The alloys are a little bit lighter than the steel wheels. Although I like my alloys, the steel wheels gave the car a nice understated look.

Lee

[el-saturn]

i have an s3 and of course steel wheels BUT also a new (used) set of 4,5 inch Brand rims - i'll use the alloys
with a new set of A048 yokos and use the A539 (much more often) with the steel: it'll be like girls' changing
their clothes (not the the nickers, boys!) 36/4982 greetings from elan land (the alps) sandy - PS you can determine which will be sundays' best!!