M100 S2 Tyre Question?
Discussion
Has anyone experimented with different tyres on their M100 S2 Elan alloys, if so what did you find was the best performer as I know the Elan does not suit all tyres.
I used to have an SE with the original Michelin MXX-2 tyres on the handling was staggering right to the tread wear limiters, so I replaced them with Michelin Pilots as the originals were no longer available. The handling was terrible it appeared the walls on the Pilots were too soft causing vagueness understeer and lots of squeeling, also the tyre compound was too hard for such a light car thus not enough grip. I dont want to make the same mistake again.
Any suggestions?
Regards Mike
I used to have an SE with the original Michelin MXX-2 tyres on the handling was staggering right to the tread wear limiters, so I replaced them with Michelin Pilots as the originals were no longer available. The handling was terrible it appeared the walls on the Pilots were too soft causing vagueness understeer and lots of squeeling, also the tyre compound was too hard for such a light car thus not enough grip. I dont want to make the same mistake again.
Any suggestions?
Regards Mike
I have heard those original MXX's were really good and light being kevlar braced instead of steel. My SE had some Pirelli's on it that were great in the dry but not so good in the wet. My S2 has a recent set of Mitch Pilot Sports, they are OK but if I was buying a new set I would try either the Goodyear F1 GSD 3's (I think that's the right designation but it is from memory) or the cheaper Toyo Proxy's which both had really good reviews in a big Evo tyre test last year. Some other SE Elan owners have tried the older GSD 2 Goodyear's and liked them. Some folks like the Bridgestone SO3's but they will apparently only give you about 7K miles on the front. EB
The tyres I replaced the MXXs were MXXXs not pilots (I don't believe they are the same tyre) and the handling was superb (m100 SE).
The new tyre equivalent is the MXM I believe not the pilot. The pilot tyres exist in all sorts of speed ratings V,W and Z have you checked that yours were on Z rated?
The new tyre equivalent is the MXM I believe not the pilot. The pilot tyres exist in all sorts of speed ratings V,W and Z have you checked that yours were on Z rated?
Laurence - it probably didn't help that you had two different tread patterns on the rear of your SE. I must get round to changing them. 
Not sure I know what to replace them with though. My Corrado runs GoodYear Eagle Venturas which are superb in the wet and quite acceptable in the dry. I may give the F1's a go on the Elan though if that's what people are recommending.
Since buying the spare set of alloys off you as well I'm toying with the idea of putting a set of cup-type tyres (ie. just-about road legal semi-slick jobs) on them for track days, assuming Cosmic will let me take the Elan out on a track day.
Not sure I know what to replace them with though. My Corrado runs GoodYear Eagle Venturas which are superb in the wet and quite acceptable in the dry. I may give the F1's a go on the Elan though if that's what people are recommending.
Since buying the spare set of alloys off you as well I'm toying with the idea of putting a set of cup-type tyres (ie. just-about road legal semi-slick jobs) on them for track days, assuming Cosmic will let me take the Elan out on a track day.
Yes I am Laurence, but, it wasn't me that was changing the steering wheel. My S2 already has the Nardi wheel. However, I think it's finding a suitable boss that's the biggest problem. A few guys in the US (lotuselancentral.com) have managed to find a suitable after market Isuzu (column) compatible boss and have fitted Momo type wheels in place of their air bag jobs. They do have a different non-adjustable steering column on the Federal cars but both the columns are from Isuzu. Jon, my first track day will be Castle Combe in May with Club Lotus - I shall just be testing the water - at least that's the plan PS. I think my plan for the SE was to first wear out those existing tyres at a track day or two - but didn't get that far! Laurence
PS. I think my plan for the SE was to first wear out those existing tyres at a track day or two - but didn't get that far! Laurence 
Yep I had the right speed rating, and I did a lot of research into this subject at the time (1998). It appeared the the side wall strength and the overall light construction and softness of the tyre compound were critical to the MXX-2 tyres. (I incidently have 2 Nearly New MXX-2s in my loft). I was speaking to my brother who owns an Elise 160 Sport he is currently reading up on the development of the Elise and the dev engineers stated thet virtually the only development they could carry from the M100 to thew Elise was the tyre work in particular soft compound + tuff side walls. Anyone recommend a tyre with these characteristics?
Regards Mike
Regards Mike
Did you ring Lotus? When I changed tyres I rang them and they were extremely helpful saying exactly what I needed. I wasn't trying to be funny or anything BTW. I do IT work for a tyre fitter and its amazing how often the wrong tyre is found to be on a car thats come in for a new set. As I say I believe the right tyre you should have had was the MXM not the pilot.
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