Which Tyres Would you recommend for my S2 Elise?
Discussion
Hi all,
Need some tyre advice for my s2 111s.
Have the standard factory fit Bridgestones on at the minute and the rears are not far off replacing.
I've booked myself in for a Car Limits session with Andy Walsh next week which will finish the rear boots off!
What should I get and were is the best place to buy from? Car is used as a weekend toy and I expect to do around 5 track days per year
Thanks
Mike
Need some tyre advice for my s2 111s.
Have the standard factory fit Bridgestones on at the minute and the rears are not far off replacing.
I've booked myself in for a Car Limits session with Andy Walsh next week which will finish the rear boots off!
What should I get and were is the best place to buy from? Car is used as a weekend toy and I expect to do around 5 track days per year
Thanks
Mike
Are you a member of SELOC? If not, get yourself signed up - there are loads of threads about tyres there and maybe a good few on here if you use the search function, look in TechWiki on SELOC as well.
I've gone with Kumho Ecsta ku31s but I've got slighty wider than standard front wheels on my S2 111s and they're more biased towards road use, IMO they're great in the wet and dry. Few people seem to replace BStones for the same again, Yoko AD07s are popular and may be better for track work.
Tyres do seem to be a personal choice though, what some people swear by others would just swear at!
I've gone with Kumho Ecsta ku31s but I've got slighty wider than standard front wheels on my S2 111s and they're more biased towards road use, IMO they're great in the wet and dry. Few people seem to replace BStones for the same again, Yoko AD07s are popular and may be better for track work.
Tyres do seem to be a personal choice though, what some people swear by others would just swear at!
Edited by CardShark on Tuesday 21st September 11:19
Bridgestones seem to very hard to get hold of these days so you're best off getting Yoko AD07s as they are Lotus specific compounds.
Try your local Lotus dealer or look on www.eliseparts.com
Try your local Lotus dealer or look on www.eliseparts.com
For trackdays, I believe Yoko A048 are mostly commonly used, closely followed by Toyo 888. There are also options available from Hancook, Kuhmo, and probably others. However, these are soft tyres with minimal tread, so they'll last maybe 5000 miles and be rubbish in standing water. I have A048s, and IMHO they're great for trackdays.
Toyo T1R are their high performance / summer road tyres, and they recently introduced the R1R, which seem to be half way between 888 and T1R. I believe other manufacturers do similar types of tyres, but I'm not familiar with them.
Join SELOC if you haven't already, and read the wiki articles and search the forums for relevant info.
Toyo T1R are their high performance / summer road tyres, and they recently introduced the R1R, which seem to be half way between 888 and T1R. I believe other manufacturers do similar types of tyres, but I'm not familiar with them.
Join SELOC if you haven't already, and read the wiki articles and search the forums for relevant info.
The Elise S2 has a big advantage over many performance cars in that it has bespoke tyres designed for it to get round the unusual weight distribution. The front end is lightly loaded so needs a grippier tyre than the rear to balance the car in the dry, but it has to be narrow at the same time to avoid the light front end aquaplaning. The bespoke Lotus tyres are narrow at the front but also a softer compound at the front to produce good results in both situations. The latest bespoke tyre is a Yoko, which I have on my S2 111S and I love them 
The balance is excellent, wet and dry grip good, and the progression at high speed is excellent also. I reached 30k miles on the previous set of tyres, so the cost is spread out over a long time. The bespoke tyres have "LTS" on the sidewall.
The balance is excellent, wet and dry grip good, and the progression at high speed is excellent also. I reached 30k miles on the previous set of tyres, so the cost is spread out over a long time. The bespoke tyres have "LTS" on the sidewall.Hi guys,
I’m new here but hopefully I can help.
On the Elise MK2; Lotus originally released the car with Bridgestone Potenza tyres.
They then changed this in 2006 to the Yokohama Advan Neova AD07 tyres which are a better tyre as RobM77 has said. They have a good grip and give a good balance to the car whilst having a pretty good lifespan.
The Yokohama A048 tyres were standard on the Exige which is why that is a better track tyre but being a softer compound they don’t last as long as the others.
I’m new here but hopefully I can help.
On the Elise MK2; Lotus originally released the car with Bridgestone Potenza tyres.
They then changed this in 2006 to the Yokohama Advan Neova AD07 tyres which are a better tyre as RobM77 has said. They have a good grip and give a good balance to the car whilst having a pretty good lifespan.
The Yokohama A048 tyres were standard on the Exige which is why that is a better track tyre but being a softer compound they don’t last as long as the others.
Edited by Plotloss on Wednesday 22 September 10:38
I am in the same situation at the moment,car passed it's MOT yesterday,but the tyres will require replacing soon!
I have always fancied the Yoko's A048's but was informed by someone,can't remember who,that these will not fit a standard S2 wheel properly,is this true or was the advice pants?
If I can't fit the A048's then AD07's it is,but I would love to be able to boot my S2 in the A048'S.
The car's a Lotus Elise S2 'Type 25'.
I have always fancied the Yoko's A048's but was informed by someone,can't remember who,that these will not fit a standard S2 wheel properly,is this true or was the advice pants?
If I can't fit the A048's then AD07's it is,but I would love to be able to boot my S2 in the A048'S.
The car's a Lotus Elise S2 'Type 25'.
MadProf said:
I am in the same situation at the moment,car passed it's MOT yesterday,but the tyres will require replacing soon!
I have always fancied the Yoko's A048's but was informed by someone,can't remember who,that these will not fit a standard S2 wheel properly,is this true or was the advice pants?
If I can't fit the A048's then AD07's it is,but I would love to be able to boot my S2 in the A048'S.
The car's a Lotus Elise S2 'Type 25'.
AFAIK AO48 LTS only come in 195 for the front, standard S2 size is 175 and AFAIK 195s are pushing it for the standard front rims.I have always fancied the Yoko's A048's but was informed by someone,can't remember who,that these will not fit a standard S2 wheel properly,is this true or was the advice pants?
If I can't fit the A048's then AD07's it is,but I would love to be able to boot my S2 in the A048'S.
The car's a Lotus Elise S2 'Type 25'.
Just been speaking to eliseparts.com who maintain the Yoko's AO48's Exige/S2's will be ok for my S2 so now I'm really confused.
Standard Bridgestones on car Front:175/55R16 80V
Rear:225/45R17 90W
Want to change to Yoko's AO48's Front:195/50/16
Rear:225/45/17
Any advice would be really appreciated as I'm a real noob when it comes to tyres,basically,can I fit these Yoko's AO48's for a normal everyday ride,not interested in using this car on the track.
Standard Bridgestones on car Front:175/55R16 80V
Rear:225/45R17 90W
Want to change to Yoko's AO48's Front:195/50/16
Rear:225/45/17
Any advice would be really appreciated as I'm a real noob when it comes to tyres,basically,can I fit these Yoko's AO48's for a normal everyday ride,not interested in using this car on the track.
Edited by MadProf on Thursday 23 September 13:25
If it's not going on track than the AO48s are going to be wasted IMHO (not to mention expensive, they come with far less tread than the AD07s or Potenza and are softer) and if it's a daily driver then come winter you're going to want to change away from them - especially if it's like last winter (The driving gods will be a along in a moment to tell me that's b
ks, but oh well), mine didn't venture off the drive for 3 weeks as it was so skitty and that was on the potenzas. AFAIK 195 will fit, but I seem to remember someone who knew a lot more than me saying it was a bit dicey considering the size of the rims - they'd fit, but not well.
ks, but oh well), mine didn't venture off the drive for 3 weeks as it was so skitty and that was on the potenzas. AFAIK 195 will fit, but I seem to remember someone who knew a lot more than me saying it was a bit dicey considering the size of the rims - they'd fit, but not well.ok boys set yer flamers to incinerate... I've been thinking about this for some time.
I too have my carlimits course coming up (tomorrow in fact)....
I too have a set of Potenzas and the rears will definitely need changing after the course.
What I want to know is what exactly is the difference between the set of Avon 225x45x17W's my wife has just had put on her Golf GT Sport and a set of Yoko AD07's ... What difference will I notice apart from a significantly lighter bank balance ?
Is all this talk about special Lotus compounds etc a load of old Marketing spin ? Seems to me to make a good case for people only buying certain tyres but then I am by my own admission no expert..
Sure if I'm hurtling round a track trying to beat a lap time then my tyres need to be top spec.. but I drive 6 miles to work every day (and back)... is there any point in spending my hard earnt savings?
I know people get misty eyed when talking about the Lotus and their tyres and we shouldn't even say budget tyre in the same breath, but the Avon is a mid range tyre, costs about £96.00 each and would save me about £150 all in over the Yoko's...and is these times of austerity I need to drive to work but I need to save my pennies too.
Is it all a con? Or is there some really sensible rationale behind it.... FLAME AWAY !!!! :-)
8.
I too have my carlimits course coming up (tomorrow in fact)....
I too have a set of Potenzas and the rears will definitely need changing after the course.
What I want to know is what exactly is the difference between the set of Avon 225x45x17W's my wife has just had put on her Golf GT Sport and a set of Yoko AD07's ... What difference will I notice apart from a significantly lighter bank balance ?
Is all this talk about special Lotus compounds etc a load of old Marketing spin ? Seems to me to make a good case for people only buying certain tyres but then I am by my own admission no expert..
Sure if I'm hurtling round a track trying to beat a lap time then my tyres need to be top spec.. but I drive 6 miles to work every day (and back)... is there any point in spending my hard earnt savings?
I know people get misty eyed when talking about the Lotus and their tyres and we shouldn't even say budget tyre in the same breath, but the Avon is a mid range tyre, costs about £96.00 each and would save me about £150 all in over the Yoko's...and is these times of austerity I need to drive to work but I need to save my pennies too.
Is it all a con? Or is there some really sensible rationale behind it.... FLAME AWAY !!!! :-)
8.
cre8toruk said:
ok boys set yer flamers to incinerate... I've been thinking about this for some time.
I too have my carlimits course coming up (tomorrow in fact)....
I too have a set of Potenzas and the rears will definitely need changing after the course.
What I want to know is what exactly is the difference between the set of Avon 225x45x17W's my wife has just had put on her Golf GT Sport and a set of Yoko AD07's ... What difference will I notice apart from a significantly lighter bank balance ?
Is all this talk about special Lotus compounds etc a load of old Marketing spin ? Seems to me to make a good case for people only buying certain tyres but then I am by my own admission no expert..
Sure if I'm hurtling round a track trying to beat a lap time then my tyres need to be top spec.. but I drive 6 miles to work every day (and back)... is there any point in spending my hard earnt savings?
I know people get misty eyed when talking about the Lotus and their tyres and we shouldn't even say budget tyre in the same breath, but the Avon is a mid range tyre, costs about £96.00 each and would save me about £150 all in over the Yoko's...and is these times of austerity I need to drive to work but I need to save my pennies too.
Is it all a con? Or is there some really sensible rationale behind it.... FLAME AWAY !!!! :-)
8.
If you're doing carlimits then speak to Walshy about tyres while you're there? I too have my carlimits course coming up (tomorrow in fact)....
I too have a set of Potenzas and the rears will definitely need changing after the course.
What I want to know is what exactly is the difference between the set of Avon 225x45x17W's my wife has just had put on her Golf GT Sport and a set of Yoko AD07's ... What difference will I notice apart from a significantly lighter bank balance ?
Is all this talk about special Lotus compounds etc a load of old Marketing spin ? Seems to me to make a good case for people only buying certain tyres but then I am by my own admission no expert..
Sure if I'm hurtling round a track trying to beat a lap time then my tyres need to be top spec.. but I drive 6 miles to work every day (and back)... is there any point in spending my hard earnt savings?
I know people get misty eyed when talking about the Lotus and their tyres and we shouldn't even say budget tyre in the same breath, but the Avon is a mid range tyre, costs about £96.00 each and would save me about £150 all in over the Yoko's...and is these times of austerity I need to drive to work but I need to save my pennies too.
Is it all a con? Or is there some really sensible rationale behind it.... FLAME AWAY !!!! :-)
8.
The LTS (i.e. Lotus) versions are different - I think I've read comments before about a slight difference in compound (softness) and maybe also in construction, but I couldn't find anything definitive. Even setting aside special LTS versions there's still plenty of choice in terms of price and performance.
I guess tyre choice'll come down to choices about grip in various conditions, wear rate, turn in responsiveness, feel on the limit, comfort (ride harshness), noise levels and of course price.
If you're doing 6 miles a day to work and back I suspect "extreme summer tyres" are probably not for you
. You'll want something that can handle cold and wet a bit better and perhaps be a bit harder wearing? You don't mention which Avons they are but there will be other choices in the same sort of price ballpark as the as the Avons I suspect - e.g. Toyo T1-R as one example. You'll probably find a bit more info/opinions on SELOC about how people have found various different tyres!I think the LTS compound is spin in reality
i.e. toyos 888 are generic and work well
even the a048 in the lotus race series used the non LTS compound and I think they are moving over to avon trackday tyres which again are not lts
My experience of budget tyres is only on a megane. Here recently switched the fronts from Michelin to kwikfits own brand arrowspeed
I'm sure they are probabaly not as good, but in reality I cant tell any difference at all. The car still corners very well both in the dry and wet
LOL, just noticed if you fancy it you can try the arrowspeeds in 225 45 17 for £60 each fitted at home and let us know how you get on
i.e. toyos 888 are generic and work well
even the a048 in the lotus race series used the non LTS compound and I think they are moving over to avon trackday tyres which again are not lts
My experience of budget tyres is only on a megane. Here recently switched the fronts from Michelin to kwikfits own brand arrowspeed
I'm sure they are probabaly not as good, but in reality I cant tell any difference at all. The car still corners very well both in the dry and wet
LOL, just noticed if you fancy it you can try the arrowspeeds in 225 45 17 for £60 each fitted at home and let us know how you get on
Edited by jfrf on Wednesday 20th March 22:11
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