Minilite wheels and tire size availability in U.S.

[Certified Lotus]

I have just acquired a full set of 13x5 minilite wheels for my Elan S1. Now comes the difficulty in finding appropriate tires for them. I have 165/70R13 Yokohama tires on steel wheels on my car. Unfortunately these tires are no longer available in the U.S. The Yokohama's fit very well on my Elan and I would like to acquire similar tires.

Any suggestions of high performance tires that are available? I have heard that the Yoko's are available in Europe. Is this true?

I can get 175/60/13 H rated Aspen Touring tires from NTB, but they are only rated to 80mph. According to NTB the tires are very similar in size to my 165/70/13's.

A friend of mine has 185/60/13 tires on 5 1/2 inches wheels on his S2.

Would welcome any suggestions/input on tires.

[CBUEB1771]

How about Michelin XAS, available in 155, 165 and 185 HR13 from Coker Tire? Expensive but they are almost period-correct.

[mbell]

Currently looking for tires for my +2. Can't comment specifically but found that if you hunt hard enough you can find tires in the size you want but may be a lessor brand. Seeming to get harder to get 13" tires thou.

There's a simple tire size calculator on discount tires website that is very useful for comparing the different size options.

[rcombs]

If you want something cheaper than the Michelins, how about Vredesteins? https://www.cokertire.com/tires/brands/vredestein-tires.html

Rick

[posulliv]

I have a set of the US-sourced Minilites with 155 XAS mounted and they're just sitting here.

Discovered quite dramatically that they interfere with the RH fender lip on my S2 under certain circumstances (with considerable lock under bump, like when pulling out of my driveway).

Running the Vredesteins on stock wheels now.

This could be an issue unique to my car, but thought I'd mention it. Very expensive mistake on my part.

[collins_dan]

I went with Michelin Defenders 175/70/13 on the S4. I think the rolling radius is closest to the original 155s. I have them on steel 5.5 plus 2 wheels, but should fit the 5 minilites. Bought from Tire Rack. Dan

[Certified Lotus]

Dan, I'm a little worried about 175/70 fitting my S1. The 165/70 fit fine on my car (once I changed to new coil overs with smaller rear spring perch).

The 175/70 is larger in every aspect. Has anyone put this size tire on an S1 with Minilite 13x5 wheels?

[cabc26b]

On one of my s1's I have the 5.5x13 minilite replicas from TTR with a set of 175/70 13 sumitomo tires mounted .
these wheels have a lot of offset to inside ,

[gjz30075]

Glen, you might want to demount one of your 165s and mount on a Minilite to make sure it'll all work.

[prezoom]

I have the 175 Sumitomo's on Plus2 wheels on my S2. Adjustable coil overs on rear with no rub problems.

[john1180]

I loved the 22 x 5 Avon racing I had on 13 x 5's on my S1 Not exactly street legal but never questioned during the years I ran them.

[el-saturn]

for road use and a modern tyre: a539 yokohama (175 60 13) -------------- most of the original sizes nowadays are designed for traffic jam cars: where 155 width is made for accelerations of 25sec from 0 to 60 ------------- even the lamest elans take a max. of 10! there are loads of semi slicks, however.................. sandy 4982

[bill308]

TTR recommended Avon Racing, ZZR FIA in 185/70 13 for my new Elan on 6-inch wheels with 26r body work, and 175/70 13 for others. He said the weak sidewalls on Michelin XAS FF tires were unsuitable for my Elan.

Bill

[Certified Lotus]

Bill, great suggestion regarding the Avon tires. I didn't know they existed. Seems dealers are very limited in the U.S. With Roger Kraus in CA probably being the best choice as they have a wealth of knowledge. Now I need to find out if 175/70/13 tires will fit in my stock wheel wells. I'm probably going to purchase one tire, have it mounted on the minilite wheel and try it out on the front and rear of my car before I jump into a full set.

[collins_dan]

All tires and all cars are different, but an adjustable ride height suspension makes a big difference. As I mentioned before, I have 175/70s on the S4 and 6" measured from the bottom of the sill in back of the front tires to ground and same in front of the back tires. The wishbones are horizontal to the front boxed in section of the frame. The fit is tight, but it works. You might try measuring the clearance on your S1 with current tires, shift those over to the S4 and measure clearance to determine the difference between an S1 and and S4. If you post the numbers, I might be able to provide some insight on if they will fit before you place the order. Good Luck. Dan