Recommended S2 front tyres
Discussion
Hi guys,
I know you've all been through this before (yes, I've searched the forums), but I am hoping someone could offer me a little advice given a quandry I find myself in regarding the replacement of the front tyres on my S2 118bhp Elise.
One of my rear tyres mysterously burst at the weekend stranding me in the middle of nowhere on a Sunday afternoon. As luck would have it, I found a tyre centre within a few hundred yards and so hobbled along and asked them to replace the complete set (the unburst ones were getting a bit cheeky anyway).
I wanted a replacement set of Bridgstones, but the only option the centre had was for BF Goodrich 225x45xR17. Given the circumstances (Sunday afternoon, miles from home), I went for them on the grounds that they would order the fronts and I could return to have them replaced also.
Now I find out that 175x55xR16s aren't available from BF Goodrich.
So what do I do? Go for 185s (or similar) on the front and have BF Goodrich all round, or replace the Bridgstones on the front with an identical pair and suffer the mismatched tread pattern?
(Of course, it goes without saying that I'm expecting the cynics to suggest that I replace the whole lot because there's something wrong with BF Goodrich!!!)
PS. I'm don't demand extreme limits from my car. On average it does 10-15 miles per day and most of those miles are in town.
Cheers,
Ty
I know you've all been through this before (yes, I've searched the forums), but I am hoping someone could offer me a little advice given a quandry I find myself in regarding the replacement of the front tyres on my S2 118bhp Elise.
One of my rear tyres mysterously burst at the weekend stranding me in the middle of nowhere on a Sunday afternoon. As luck would have it, I found a tyre centre within a few hundred yards and so hobbled along and asked them to replace the complete set (the unburst ones were getting a bit cheeky anyway).
I wanted a replacement set of Bridgstones, but the only option the centre had was for BF Goodrich 225x45xR17. Given the circumstances (Sunday afternoon, miles from home), I went for them on the grounds that they would order the fronts and I could return to have them replaced also.
Now I find out that 175x55xR16s aren't available from BF Goodrich.
So what do I do? Go for 185s (or similar) on the front and have BF Goodrich all round, or replace the Bridgstones on the front with an identical pair and suffer the mismatched tread pattern?
(Of course, it goes without saying that I'm expecting the cynics to suggest that I replace the whole lot because there's something wrong with BF Goodrich!!!)
PS. I'm don't demand extreme limits from my car. On average it does 10-15 miles per day and most of those miles are in town.
Cheers,
Ty
BF-goodridge don't do a 185/50R16 as far as I know?
Your options, apart from the OEM bridgestones, are:
185/50R16 front, 225/45R17 rear. These sizes are available from Dunlop (SP9000), Toyo (T1R) and Michelin (Primacy)
The other alternative is to go to 195/50R16 fronts. These can be mounted on the standard front wheels. Looks a bit funny as the front wheels are so narrow, but it's still OK.
If you're on standard suspension then it may become a little un-settled around fast corners as the standard springs and dampers can't really cope with the added front grip.
Still, for purely road use it's pretty OK.
In this size there's more choice and perhaps a matching front set for your BFgoodridge tyres.
Just curious.. What type BFgoodridge did they put on your car?
The G-force Profiler is a very good tyre for the elise.
But... There is also the lower-priced 'Profiler-G' (the person in marketing who thought up this construction should be shot right now..), which frankly sucks rocks through a straw whe used on the Elise..
Bye, Arno.
Your options, apart from the OEM bridgestones, are:
185/50R16 front, 225/45R17 rear. These sizes are available from Dunlop (SP9000), Toyo (T1R) and Michelin (Primacy)
The other alternative is to go to 195/50R16 fronts. These can be mounted on the standard front wheels. Looks a bit funny as the front wheels are so narrow, but it's still OK.
If you're on standard suspension then it may become a little un-settled around fast corners as the standard springs and dampers can't really cope with the added front grip.
Still, for purely road use it's pretty OK.
In this size there's more choice and perhaps a matching front set for your BFgoodridge tyres.
Just curious.. What type BFgoodridge did they put on your car?
The G-force Profiler is a very good tyre for the elise.
But... There is also the lower-priced 'Profiler-G' (the person in marketing who thought up this construction should be shot right now..), which frankly sucks rocks through a straw whe used on the Elise..
Bye, Arno.
Arno said:
BF-goodridge don't do a 185/50R16 as far as I know?
Bugger it, you're right - they don't do a 195/50R16 either. The closest one they do appears to be a 195/45R16 - I just hope this isn't too low in profile to make the front look like it has just nosedived!
Arno said:
Just curious.. What type BFgoodridge did they put on your car?
They fitted the G-force Profiler. Nice looking tyre, but massively different in looks to the Bridgestones - hence why I would like to match things up.
I'll give the 195s a go - many thanks for the advice.
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