Tires for a 69 Elan S4

[tvacc]

Hi all,

Been a while since I bought tires for a stock Elan. I seem to remember I was
putting 165/70 13 on my cars. But then I also seem to remember that I had to
bash in the rear spring perches to do so. Something I dont want to do on this
car. But in truth (must be that I am turning 60 this year) I just dont recall.

What are you guys using for tires. Both brand and size. I would like to get them
today, so if anyone has a quick response, please do so.

Thanks

Tony V
http://www.lotusowners.com

[tvacc]

No 155/80 13 in Buffalo NY....Can we do use 165/70 13? Will they fitl with out hitting the rear spring perches?...

[garyeanderson]

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSearc ... iameter=13

Limited choice with stock S4 Elan 155/80 x 13

165/70 x 13 is not any better
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSearc ... iameter=13

I haven't bought tires in a long time maybe someone has a better answer.

mail oder is the best way to shop for tires in my opinion

http://www.google.com/products?q=155/80+13&hl=en

Find what looks good and give them a call to order...

Gary

[tvacc]

I do have a guy in Buffalo that has the 165/70 13 tires in stock. I would go that route is someone could tell me if they will hit the spring perches. No reply yet on that question.

thanks for response.

[elanner]

I have "Toyo Spectrum Touring Radial" 175 x 70 R13. I've no idea how old they are or where they came from. As far as I know all my suspension components are absolutely standard (for a 1969 S4) and there's no fouling at all, except for the spare, which is a bear to squeeze in next to the fuel tank (currently it's flat, and still hard to get in!).

Presumably any 165 x 70 would be fine, but tire measurements seem to be a movable feast.

Nick

[Gray]

Hi

I have used 165/70s in the past on Sprints and S4s without problems, but it does depend upon the individual car and tyres, the same profiles can have slightly different widths dependent upon manufacturer.

Wider wheels/tyres can rub on the anti roll bar at the front as well at full lock, probably not an issue with 165/70s. Check brake hoses don't rub, not normally a problem on an Elan, unlike some other cars of the era.

Regards Gray

[Gray]

Nick

175 width is generally considered too wide for 4.5inch rims

Regards Gray

[garyeanderson]

These fit on almost all elans, do a search and read the reviews here. I can't recomend much else. tire hight is the normal issue with an elan but I don't do stock so I can't recomend anything. these have been used by many folks here in the U.S.

Bridgestone Potenza RE92 Size: 165/65R13 $296.00
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSearc ... iameter=13

[elanner]

Gray,

Yup - I know 175s are supposed to be too wide. But they were on the car when I purchased it so I guess I'll keep them for now. The previous owner was a conservative "keep things standard" sort of guy, and not the type to push the boundaries, so I don't know how they came to be there. And they don't look wrong either. It's strange.

Nick

[tvacc]

What I ended up doing here with the tires is that I found 165/70 13 available in Buffalo and was about to order them. But I went back to the car and found that the inside of the tire was hitting the lower spring perch. Not a lot but there was a mark on the tire. A light rubbing mark. That sort of jives with the memory that i had to bash in the side of the spring perch (back in 1972) when I first put 165/70 s on my first Elan way back when.

So the TireRack had as set of 155/80/13 Kumho Solus KR21 for $48 per tire. I ordered those....Dont know how they will be, but our choices are really limited these days.

[Jeff@Jae]

Has anyone tried Vredestein for an appropriate tire for S4 Elans ? I have the correct size "Vredtreads" on my S2 Elan.

[pamitchell]

I'm running 155-13 78T Sprint+ on my S4. Very happy.

[PanoGuy]

Tony,
I have the Kuhmo Solis on my 71 Sprint and am quite happy with them so far. That said I have not put a lot of miles on them and the car has other running and bump-steer issues to sort, so the jury is not completely decided. I had Dunlop SP-4 on the car before and I didn't see a huge difference but I had been driving the red car I sold back to you so my memory is vague.
Doug C

[bast0n]

Tony V

I am using Yokohama A Drive - also known as A1s - 165-70-13. SOOOO sticky and a really comfortable ride. I used to use Bridgestones of some sort or other but they stopped making the ones that I liked.

The switch to Yokohamas was quite dramatic. I don't know if you can get them in the USA but if you can - do

[661]

Tony V

I am using Yokohama A Drive - also known as A1s - 165-70-13. SOOOO sticky and a really comfortable ride. I used to use Bridgestones of some sort or other but they stopped making the ones that I liked.

The switch to Yokohamas was quite dramatic. I don't know if you can get them in the USA but if you can - do

As above, I think it was the 'Potenza' ( from memory) Bridgestone. I too am happy with the 165 A -drive