Front tires for 89 SE - who is using what?

[stockcar44]

I'm having some difficulty finding tires of the stock 215/50/15 size. So far Dunlop SP5000. Had them before and liked them.
Has anyone used a different size on the stock 15 inch rims and liked them?

Marc
89SE

[lotusse89]

Before I got the V8 wheels, I bought a set of Pirelli P7000's for the stock SE wheels. They were alright, not as good as what I can get for the V8 sizes.

Travis
Vulcan Grey 89SE
www.lotuscolorado.com/vulcangrey/

[lotusespritworld]

We've got a set of fronts for the SE wheels. Dunlop SP9000. They're done a few 1,000 miles, but have loads of tread left on them. They're going to be removed from the wheels soon and put up for sale. Shame to waste them.

Only really of any use if you're in the UK.

kato
Lotus Esprit World

[stockcar44]

Will they roll all the way to California?

[paul c]

Two months back i got a set of four goodyears for my SE. This took calls to dealers, specialists, manufacturers and private individuals.

The rears were a nightmare to get, and the fronts worse.
My fronts were deffo the last that agent had, and i kinda
believed the claim 'this is the last pair,ever', having spent a long time ringing round everywhere!

If you can get ANY decent branded tyre, buy them now


PS, for some inane reason Goodyear still shows them on their pricelist despite not selling them. This means a lot of online companies show them as stock too. same if you ring anywhere,they check the book, quote you a price, and then you get the same follow up phone call...

[B16 RFF]

paul c said:

Two months back i got a set of four goodyears for my SE. This took calls to dealers, specialists, manufacturers and private individuals. The rears were a nightmare to get, and the fronts worse. My fronts were deffo the last that agent had, and i kinda believed the claim 'this is the last pair,ever', having spent a long time ringing round everywhere! If you can get ANY decent branded tyre, buy them now PS, for some inane reason Goodyear still shows them on their pricelist despite not selling them. This means a lot of online companies show them as stock too. same if you ring anywhere,they check the book, quote you a price, and then you get the same follow up phone call...

I think the reason Goodyear still list them is that every now and then they make a batch. I've had this problem for years trying to get tyres for my Excel, which uses this same size all round.
The last pair of Goodyears I had were from the Lotus factory via my local (Lotus) dealer. The price was reasonable too. FWIW, I got a pair of Bridgestones about 14 months ago in Maidstone, no bother at all.

Paul.

[ragingfool]

I have BFGoodrich on my 90SE
got them from www.tirerack.com
just search for size and specify speed rating and type if desired
chris

[lotusespritworld]

When we still had the SE wheels on our SE we had a set of Dunlop SP9000 (see above) which we're pretty good. They've been tested and approved at Lotus, but only on the V8. Lotus only approve goodyears on the SE. Thinking of getting a set of SP9000's for the S4/GT3 wheels we're running at the moment.

Remember you can get 10% of tyres at www.blackcircles.com and 3% of tyres at www.mytyres.co.uk as a member of ClubLEW.

www.lotusespritworld.com/EOtherstuff/ClubLEW.html

kato
Lotus Esprit World

[stockcar44]

After reading many reviews I think I'm ordering the Dunlop SP 5000 with their W rating of 168 MPH (like I'll see that day). Found another Esprit owner with them and he liked them over the Goodyears. I'll post back when I get them on.

[JeffYoung]

An alternative: Toyo Proxes RA-1 (yes, the "R" compound version). They make them in both stock sizes (front and rear) for the SE. Call Appalachian Tire or Phil's Tire Service (google them for the numbers) and they can get them for you.

Advantages: FAR grippier than any of the street tires listed above. Not too bad price wise ($150 or so). Treadwear not as bad as you would think (I've gotten 8k or so out of them). At full tread, not too scary in the rain.

Disadvatanges. Well, 8K isn't great either. Rain use is ok but not as good as say a Falken Azeni.

I do recommend them, especially if you track the car. They are very livable on the street. The grip level difference over a street tire is astounding. You will like.

[kylie]

I am using same as Jeff - RA-1s. They arent desirable in terms of wear, but very handy for track days and they look good too. Keep looking something will come up.

[stockcar44]

My SP5000's come in late this week. They rate better than any other Dunlop. I have used them before and rank them with the Toyo T1S's (their best practical street tire). After that, some Bilstein shocks and we're set. Well, still have the stupid code 41 thing on and off.

[stockcar44]

I put the Dunlop SP5000's on this week and I would recommend them as a good stock replacement. They are better than the SP8000 that were on there. No complaints at all.