Loads of travelling tomorrow

[hueandcry71]

From Liverpool to Leeds then to Telford and then to Middlesborough via Leeds again.

Really,really want to go in the Exige but am worried that its going to persist down all day. Havent driven it in heavy rain yet. Am i worrying unduly or am i being sensible, are the tyres that slick i will be in all sorts of shoite if the rain gets heavy??

[Hollywood Wheels]

I wouldn't bother on those types of road mate, it will just be pointless mileage. Best take it out on roads you know locally when you want to see whats it like in the wet. I avoid motorway driving in the Elise at all costs.

[hueandcry71]

Hollywood Wheels said:

I wouldn't bother on those types of road mate, it will just be pointless mileage. Best take it out on roads you know locally when you want to see whats it like in the wet. I avoid motorway driving in the Elise at all costs.

i hear what you are saying but i am desperate for a good drive. It hasnt been out of the garage this weekend due to one thing and another.
Putting miles on it doesnt really worry me as i do so few anyway, its the safety element of the wet roads in the next few days that im concerned about.

[21TonyK]

Wet motorways and '48s are not the best of ideas. Given the choice I'd leave mine at home and use a different car. Sort of thing you need to try somewhere like an airfield to see just how bad it can be. If you hit standing water at 50+ you really know about it, do that numerous times on a motorway and you really are chancing the odds.

[Hollywood Wheels]

I'm wary of taking mine out in the wet. Don't get me wrong, I love it on wet roads, you REALLY learn the value of subtle inputs and smoothness.

Problem is, 99.9% of the great british public are complete mongs who can't drive. The Elise can be hard to spot as it is, but add in rain and spray and it's even worse.

[hueandcry71]

I shall load the bloody Meriva up then. Getting sick of driving this recently. If i see another Exige on my travels tomorrow i will be gutted.

Thanks for the advice.

[Hollywood Wheels]

I know exactly what you mean! I never see another Lotus when I'm out in it, yet every time I go out in the Omega.......

[hueandcry71]

Hollywood Wheels said:

I know exactly what you mean! I never see another Lotus when I'm out in it, yet every time I go out in the Omega.......

still doesnt stop me flashing and waving like a madman though.

[Thorburn]

I've found my Elise on T1R's sliding on the motorway at 70 in heavy rain, semi-slicks sounds like a recipe for disaster

[21TonyK]

Not used mine in 4 weeks and off on hols so won't be using it until September 8th with Walshy. At least hoping for a dry drive up, M5-M4-M25

[S Works]

Having almost swapped lanes in heavy rain on 888's once, I can heartily recommend that you don't bother unless you're prepared to tiptoe along at 50mph all day if it really dumps down. Save it for a better day

[Gooby]

Just drive it. You will sell it before the milage is a resale issue. It is there to be enjoyed.

[nsm3]

I wouldn't worry too much - my Exige S on 48's handles the M5 in torrential rain c/w standing water no problem, certainly no worse than a 911 (which tried to spit me off in similar conditions, last December).

You just need to be very alert and ready to correct - don't just sit there with your foot planted, driving with one arm on the door, Turdo-diesel rep-mobile style !!

[TonyHetherington]

I've driven the Exige (on R888s) in medium rain and long motorway distances. It's not fun. But in medium rain it's not dangerous either.

However, in heavy rain, I positively st myself knowing how little water clearing capability the tyres have. If it's long and boring mileage, I just don't bother with the exige and take the focus - and leave the exige to the fun stuff (when I can!)

[LivinLaVidaLotus]

Absolutely tipping it down here the other day, Elise on Potenzas was bad enough, back end v. twitchy in the standing water, even at low speeds (30-35ish). I wouldn't have wanted to be on 48s.

[hueandcry71]

just got back after my round the world trip (ok not exactly round the world but it felt like it) and was glad on a few occasions i wasnt in the Exige. If i had of been i probably would have stopped as the weather was that bad at times.

[Redlake27]

I was out in my Europa in torrential weather last week and was amazed by the grip on its Goodyear Eagle F1s (195/45R17 front)

These tyres are now available in 195/45R16 - I wonder if they'd be a good 'everyday' choice for S2 Elise/Exige?