Lotus exige, S2 sc...which tyres?

[Cerberaherts]

So I've just bought one, 2008 with low miles. It's going to be used most days, so I'm thinking the Advans may not be the best tyre choice in the wet? Any recommendations?

Thanks!

[Viperzs]

Uniroyal Rain Sport. I bought them for mine to use on wet track days. I ended up doing the whole North Coast 500 on them and they grip very well, perfect in the wet and are more comfortable than the R888 I had on before.

[RobM77]

Forgive me if this isn't the case with later S2s, but the earlier cars (like my 2004 that I owned for 8 years) had a bespoke tyre made for them that was a softer compound at the front and a harder compund at the rear to suit the Elise's weight distribution and the suspension geo was set up around it, so I always went for that.

[james_gt3rs]

RobM77 said:

Forgive me if this isn't the case with later S2s, but the earlier cars (like my 2004 that I owned for 8 years) had a bespoke tyre made for them that was a softer compound at the front and a harder compund at the rear to suit the Elise's weight distribution and the suspension geo was set up around it, so I always went for that.

Exige has wider front wheels so these don't fit...

[RobM77]

james_gt3rs said:

RobM77 said:

Forgive me if this isn't the case with later S2s, but the earlier cars (like my 2004 that I owned for 8 years) had a bespoke tyre made for them that was a softer compound at the front and a harder compund at the rear to suit the Elise's weight distribution and the suspension geo was set up around it, so I always went for that.

Exige has wider front wheels so these don't fit...

My mistake - I saw 'sc' in the title and assumed it was an Elise without reading it properly

[james_gt3rs]

To answer the OP, I have Exige size wheels on my VX220 and currently have Hankook tyres (Ventus prime 2 I think). They seem about comparable to the Bridgestones that come standard on the car, so are fine in the wet. Gonna try a more track oriented tyre next like the Yokohama AD08, which apparently is fine in the wet and on track, unlike the A048s.

[Cerberaherts]

Thanks very much chaps! I think I'll try those alternative yoko's. The car is absolutely awesome, at least as much fun as my Cerbera is. I'll take a snap of it and post it.........

[kambites]

The AD08R is a very impressive tyre for this sort of car (as are the AD07 and AD08 which preceded it). They're never going to compete with RainSports on standing water but for a cut slick they're very impressive wet-weather tyres. I've used my AD07s all year 'round for the last 9 years and the only real issue I've had is in snow (which they really don't like). They're a brilliant compromise between a conventional sporty road tyre and a proper track tyre.

[Viperzs]

I seriously wouldn't want the Yokohama on my car in the rain! I think the best thing to have is one set of wheels with the best semi slick and a second set with Uniroyal on.

I've experienced just how poor semi slicks (R888) are in standing water on the road and I'd much rather not do it again

[BlackCup]

kambites said:

The AD08R is a very impressive tyre for this sort of car (as are the AD07 and AD08 which preceded it). They're never going to compete with RainSports on standing water but for a cut slick they're very impressive wet-weather tyres. I've used my AD07s all year 'round for the last 9 years and the only real issue I've had is in snow (which they really don't like). They're a brilliant compromise between a conventional sporty road tyre and a proper track tyre.

I went from R888's to AD08R's in my '09 Exige SC as I wanted a more all weather tyre and it's absolutely the best decision I made, so much more confidence if you use your car all year round in all weathers! You give up some grip for versatility. Love them!

Matt

[Baldylocks1]

Ive just brought my first Exige 2008 S240... Pick it up in 2 week's.
It comes with Yokohama AO48 LTS tyres but looking at alternative tyres as the wear level is quite low.
Is there any significant differences in tyre performance with Yokos, Dunlops or Hankook if just used in the Road on an Exige? If you consider use all year round.

[Cerberaherts]

I went with Avon ZZr's. Loving them so far. Amazing grip in the dry, no issues in wet as yet, car is used everyday....

[otolith]

I have the wider Exige wheels on my Elise, which I use all year round. I have AD08R tyres on, and they're great.

[Rick101]

ZZS available soon too.

[lj04]

Eliseparts have AD07s at half price

[otolith]

AD07 too narrow for Exige fronts, and I would say the AD08R is a better tyre.

[Mister K]

What he said above.
I've used these on the Exige for the last few years, yokohama ad08

[V5Ade]

I had LTS A048s on my old S2 240 Exige. Great tyre in the dry and damp (when warm), rubbish in cold and damp, nasty in full wet. I moved to Avon ZZR, just as fast in the dry, but a more progressive break-away. I still don't like them in wet conditions.

[james_gt3rs]

Got the AD08Rs on my car now. In the wet I've noticed no difference with a normal road tyre. In the dry it has more grip. Only downside is that at 205 width it tramlines more than 195 tyres, and also shifts the balance more towards oversteer (which can be good or bad depending on your point of view). Overall I'm happy, but if it was a road only car I think the benefits wouldn't outweigh the tramlining.

[kambites]

Try reducing your front camber a bit. With the extra front tyre width you probably don't need to be running quite as much and it'll help with the tram-lining.