Wheel Dilemma!

[cre8toruk]

Right chaps I need some advice...

I'm looking to change my wheels for some black alloys... I've put a cheeky bid on some second hand genuine lotus one's on ebay but I'm not hopeful..

There are these http://www.hangar111.com/shop/335-elise-exige-part... which all seem fine except it says:

" Compatible with the following Tyre Sizes

16 and 17 Inch Wheels:

- 195/50 R16 front

- 225/45 R17 rear"

So does this mean I can't use my AD07's and would have to source different size tyres ?

TBH I'm not 100% sure I know what all the no's mean but I think my winter Pirellis are this size already (fronts definitely), does this mean I can fit a 175x55R16 to this alloy, the rears on the other hand seem to be the same size as the standard wheel..

Worth buying new one's or trying to source some second hand ?

Aggggh... never as simple as you might think....

8.

[cre8toruk]

well I suppose that is the 64 million dollar question... if I get the wider alloys e.g.
http://www.hangar111.com/shop/335-elise-exige-part...

I can fit 195's but what 195's should I get ? AD08r's ? I've only ever bought AD07's so I really don't know what I'm talking about.... can I get AD08r's all round ? Or are there alternatives.

The only issue I have with getting my wheels refurb'd is that I would be without the car for 3 - 4 days (that's what they've quoted me anyway)...

8.

[cre8toruk]

Mick_Coupe: Sounds impressive though Farnborough / Guildford not open at the moment.. I'll have a look for their next nearest...

As for running AD08's all round... alloy says it will run 195's not 205's, so do I want to be forcing an extra 10mm on the alloy ? Also wouldn't running 30mm wider than standard have a handling affect?

8.

[cre8toruk]

Wow lovely pictures... and they really fit and don't foul the wheel arch even on full lock ?

really nice to see those wheels actually on a car,
thanks guys.

8.

[cre8toruk]

Just a though / question really... do I have to buy these team dynamics alloys or would any set of 16" / 17" one's do ? e.g. anything from here ?
http://www.wheelbasealloys.com/alloy-wheels/lotus/... ??

8.

[cre8toruk]

yeah ... agreed the Team Dynamics ones are the one's that all the other Lotus parts sites seem to sell... I'm just not 100% convinced on the whole bigger tyre side of things. Part of me wants to keep the car as near original as I can.... Perhaps I can afford to buy one new black alloy from Lotus at a time :-) Problem I have is that the winter tyres should really come off the car soon so the tyres I buy would need to go on the rims a. that I've got or b. that I buy .... oooh decisions decisions.

8.

[cre8toruk]

Right then nearly there, nearly go the money together....
I was thinking of buying a set of these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Team-Dynamics-Pro-Race-1...

But... I count 5 holes ! Wondering if I should buy from these guys or from someone else ?

Any suggestions ?

8.

[cre8toruk]

ok panic (for me) over... I've taken the plunge and bought a set of team dynamics off rimstock for <£500 including delivery which I thought was pretty good.

Now then just to confirm I can fit AD08r's to these 205/45/R16's to the front and 225/50/R17's to the rear and they should fit no problem ?

8.

[cre8toruk]

BTW... since the rears are standard size is their any reason why I couldn't / shouldn't fit standard AD07's to the rear and AD08's to the front ?

8.

[cre8toruk]

"For the former - what width and offset are the front wheels you've bought?"

well that is a question... I've bought these... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/111031783391?_trksid=p20...

Full set of 4 to fit a Lotus Elise S2 - 2 front wheels (7.0 x 16) and 2 back wheels (7.0 x 17) if that helps....??

according to their website...
Size Offset PCD Min PCD Max PCD Weight
16x7.0 e15-34mm 4 & 5 stud 98mm 120mm 7.4kgs
17x7.0 e15-50mm 4 & 5 stud 98mm 120mm 7.8kgs