S2 - Tyre alternatives

[pointysquirty]

My S2 Elise needs a set of new rear tyres. Has anyone tried anything other than the OE Bridgestones? If so, how did they compare on price, handling, etc.?

Thanks

Justin
--
www.pointandsquirt.co.uk/

[hungryjim]

Perelly P-Zeros
Grippier than superglue

[adeewuff]

My own preference would be to stick with the Bridgestones, the Pirelli P0s are fine in the dry but in the wet they are lethal.

Also the P0s were designed for larger, heavier cars (Lamborghini, Ferrari, Porsche) so the Elises light weight isn't enough to force the water away from the contact patch. The Bridgestones also allegedly have a bigger contact patch than the wider sized P0s.

[135sport]

have never tried the bridgestones, but recently changed to the new Yoko Advan-thingies for my S1.

excellant, would not go the P-zero route again.

different characteristics, great in the wet but squeal in the dry!

[adrianr]

I've heard the designed for heavier cars thing too, but not for this reason; instead it was related to having to much sidewall stiffness but Lotus [used to anyway] maintain the Elise was designed for the P-Zero and that anything else would ruin steering feel.

I don't think I buy the contact patch size argument; pressure is force over area so smaller contact patch would mean better water dispersal, but I think pattern and compound come more into this more than just straight size. That said I've only used P-zeros to date and I don't think they are "lethal", in fact I find it handles quite nicely in consistently wet conditions, although standing water, alternate wet/dry patches and bits of the road that have been polished smooth require caution as ever.

I do have some of the new Neovas in the garage, and they seem to have very pliable sidewalls in comparison to the P-Zeros so we shall see.

AdrianR
P.S Back to the original point, I'd stick to the tyres it was designed for until someone has done some proper back to back testing.

[135sport]

I thought the Yoko Advan was designed as a replacement for P-zero for the S1.

I know this thread is regards S2.......

Surely someone at Lotus can advise on an alternative tyre.