Will Michelin XAS 155 R13 fit an unmodified S3 SE?

[simonriley11]

Interestingly I did the same mental exercise as Alanr regarding expenditure/versus driving enjoyment. I fully appreciate that we all have our own individual financial priorities but I felt that the car didn't drive as well as I believed it could (based on my experience over some 40 years). On that basis I decided that £160 per annum over 5 or 6 years to (I hoped) have the car handling as it should was worth the risk.
There may well be other tyres out there that are just as good at a cheaper price, I don't know - but what I do know is that these are the best tyres I've had on any of my Elans for a very long time.

[TBG]

Simon - pop down to Somerset and try out mine!

[simonriley11]

Or you could pop up to Cumbria and try out mine!

[TBG]

Yes well! Too many tourists up your way for me. Seriously I have been driving Elans, only two, since the 60s and these Nokians are the best yet by a country mile. Comfortable and in the Alps a hoot............

[fatboyoz]

Hi TBG,
Which Nokian tyres are you referring to? iline? Size?
Cheers,
Colin.



uote="TBG"]Yes well! Too many tourists up your way for me. Seriously I have been driving Elans, only two, since the 60s and these Nokians are the best yet by a country mile. Comfortable and in the Alps a hoot............ [/quote]

[h20hamelan]

And are they available outside of well suited rally/m&s tread in N. America
The Dunlop’s have square shoulder, so more contact patch. SImilar to the Toyo, both m&s
Maxxis is also offering a 13 m&s over here, alas, narrow snow cutting tread.

[draenog]

Or you could go for the XAS look at a somewhat more modest price:

https://www.mytyres.co.uk/cgi-bin/rshop ... p=R-361169


Anyone tried them?

They appear to be made by Nankang. Here's a report of a German test where the result was "not recommended":

https://whattyre.com/news/classic-look-new-technology-auto-bild-tests-tyres-for-yesterdays-heroes/

Mainly due to performance in the wet, otherwise they gave “harmonious driving behaviour and good driving and ride comfort on dry roads.” So probably OK for most Elan drivers

[alanr]

Just throwing ideas/options around...
It appears there are lots of 'cheap' options out there if you want to go down that route but not in an 'H' rated tyre which was the original Lotus recommended spec.
What are the thoughts with fitting a 'T' rated tyre like say Uniroyal Rain Expert which some I know have fitted to their Elans and +2 cars which is a 'T rated tyre (118mph) which in theory should be ok for general road use but then I guess that has potential insurance claim implications in an accident ?...or does it?
Thoughts...?

Alan

[TBG]

fatboyoz - these.

[Quart Meg Miles]

Unfortunately Nokian don't seem to do Ilines in 145/80 and I'm reluctant to put on 155s having had a bad result on another light sports car after going up a size.

Alanr: The Blockley tread pattern looks like an asymmetric Goodyear G800 (which was the type I had the problem with, though that is a coincidence).

[h20hamelan]

I am very adamant about most tyres being built for sub-compact cars. i.e 3000lb+
Whereas, winters. Are soft compound.

[StressCraxx]

I am very adamant about most tyres being built for sub-compact cars. i.e 3000lb+
Whereas, winters. Are soft compound.

Agreed, perhaps some at 2500lbs, but an Elan is a significant outlier to the design basis.

Winter compounds have their benefits and limitations too.

[h20hamelan]

As far as top quality tyres, and square shoulder goes.

I know its been commented on before. Original Lotus was designed for flexible, and open shoulders. Adding to torsion and less stress on metal frame and adjoining components (ie. tyres taking flex and road surfaces).

[TBG]

Quart Meg - I have 165/70/13s on an unmodified S3 with no problems if that helps.

[fatboyoz]

Hi TPG,
Thanks for the picture. I also use 165/70R13 on my S4. Yokohama Blue Earth at the moment. A tyre that I would buy again. Except, like other manufacturers, they have stopped importing this size. Nokian also does not import this size. The choices are disappearing rapidly. One tyre that does look good, and in the size I want is Ohtsu: https://www.falken.com.au/ohtsu-tyres-r ... australia/
Cheers,
Colin.









quote="TBG"]fatboyoz - these.

Nokian.jpg

[/quote]