Esprit Tyres - which modern rubber? (Sport 350 Oz Mags)

Esprit Tyres - which modern rubber? (Sport 350 Oz Mags)

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Mr JP

Original Poster:

97 posts

226 months

Wednesday 1st May 2019
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Help please!

I'm replacing the aged tyres on my 1998 V8 GT which is fitted with the OZ racing mag wheels from the Sport 350.

Back in 1999 the Sport 350 wheels came with Pirelli P-Zeros but tyre technology has moved on a lot in 20 years so what are the best tyres to use today?

Size is: Front 235/40 ZR 17" Rear 295/35 ZR 18"

Thanks all!!

Pic of the car here...

anonymous-user

62 months

Wednesday 1st May 2019
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I have no clue about tyres but that looks beautiful!

Cold

15,587 posts

98 months

Thursday 2nd May 2019
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O/T, does your car have a red leather interior?

Le TVR

3,097 posts

259 months

Friday 3rd May 2019
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Same wheels as mine, PS3 front and PS2 rears.

Mr JP

Original Poster:

97 posts

226 months

Friday 3rd May 2019
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swiveleyedgit said:
I have no clue about tyres but that looks beautiful!
Thank you! smile

Mr JP

Original Poster:

97 posts

226 months

Friday 3rd May 2019
quotequote all
fesuvious said:
First dibs when you sell her to me please.

To answer however. It depends on if the question is best tyres, or best tyres for this specific Esprit.

Personally I'd be looking for a tyre from one of the major quality manufacturers that is not designed for maximum dry grip. Simply because that grip and generation of G today will be vastly better than twenty years ago.

That way forces generated will be closer to what Lotus achieved. Grip generates force all the way through your car.

Or, you ignore me and buy the best tyre.

ETA is reality it's unlikely to matter unless she is going on track. You won't spend hours at the limit of of grip on the road.

Therefore, just buy a bloody good quality set of boots that you are happy with

Edited by fesuvious on Wednesday 1st May 20:01
That's my thinking too, I don't use it on track so no need for the best grip that 2019 can offer.

Looking on line there is not actually much choice.....

Front: 235/40 ZR17
- Continental ContiSportContact 5
- Pirelli P Zero Asimmetrico

Rear: 285/35 ZR18 (10mm undersize on the 350 Sport wheels)
- Continental ContiSportContact 3
- Michelin Pilot Super Sport
- Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2
- Pirelli P Zero Asimmetrico

Rear: 295/35 ZR18
- Michelin Pilot Sport PS2
- Michelin Pilot Super Sport
- Pirelli P Zero Rosso Asimmetrico

The Continental ContiSportContact are around 550GBP for a set (delivery only) against the 950GBP for a set of the Pirelli P Zeros. I guess that both will do the job very well so the Germans may take it!

Mr JP

Original Poster:

97 posts

226 months

Friday 3rd May 2019
quotequote all
Le TVR said:
Same wheels as mine, PS3 front and PS2 rears.
Michelin PS3 fronts? I can't find them in 235/40/17, maybe they are recently out of production?

Le TVR

3,097 posts

259 months

Sunday 5th May 2019
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Mr JP said:
Michelin PS3 fronts? I can't find them in 235/40/17, maybe they are recently out of production?
They've been on there a long time, date code on the tyres is 2010 so that could be possible?

Mr JP

Original Poster:

97 posts

226 months

Monday 6th May 2019
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Cold said:
O/T, does your car have a red leather interior?
No, it is gold on the inside too....


Loose_Cannon

1,593 posts

261 months

Saturday 11th May 2019
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Fantastic car. Please please never fit a V8 spoiler!