Tyres and oversteer

[Andy T]

I got my elise a few months ago and its got the usual potenzas on the front and these Wanli tyres on the back. they seemed not too bad until it got wet then lots of oversteer without warning a low speeds (eg. following my mates identical S2 in the damp, 25 mph corner, him round no problem, me, oversteer city, and not even intended!). Yesterday i went on a trackday with loads of other elises, My car felt really nice, very fast and well balanced but with a tendancy for oversteer, albeit quite progressive and controllable, great fun for a track day, then I drove my friends elise (s2) wich is almost identical to mine. His felt a lot more planted. Much less oversteer in fact almost complete lack of! Very much a different feel to mine, I reckon a couple of seconds faster per lap due to not having to worry so much about swapping ends, which makes me think that these Wanli Tyres could well be to blame. I reckon the dealer put them on cos theyre cheap!

Does anyone else know anything about these tyres or indeed have any on their car so we compare notes?

Cheers

Andy

[weed]

The rear tyres have a softer sidewall combined with a less grippy tread design and/or compound.
So you have less rear grip than minimum.
You could raise the rear tyre pressures up to stiffen the sidewalls but this may compromise the shape/size of each rear tyre contact patch, but it may lessen the suddeness of the oversteer.
Best bet is same spec of tyre all around.
m

>> Edited by weed on Sunday 3rd July 18:04

[beachbum]

I have heard some horror stories about mixed tyres, so would highly recommend, getting the same all round

Do a search on hear and on SELOC to see what I'm on about.

[bogie]

if you have std wheels then stick to Bridgestones all round - they are the best tyre for the car in those sizes....Id get them off the rear ASAP before they catch you out one day....

[Andy T]

Yeah, I think i'd agreee with that. Bridgestones all round I think. Bit unhappy that the Lotus dealer saw fit to put them on in the first place really.

[DanH]

A lotus dealer sold you a car with dodgey korean tyres on the back? Niiiiiiice!

I think you know the answer is to ditch them. Maybe on an airfield or driver training day with a lot of oversteer fun!

[Andy T]

Yeah, I went to Elvington last saturday and tried my best to lose as much rubber off them as possible. Unfortunately due to the fact that they seem to be made from some sort of bakelite/teflon compound I was a tad unsuccessful. Although, I had lots of sideways fun trying!