Just agreed to buy a 111S - tyre question

[Mr E]

Hello chaps and lady-chaps.

Firstly, thanks for the various threads that I've read, most useful when Elise hunting.

I've just agreed to buy a very straight 111S from a very nice gentleman in Somerset.









The only fault I could find is the rear tyres are thin. She's running Potenza RE40s front and rear at the moment - I was intending on ordering a pair of rear RE50's unless there is a superior option that I'm unaware of....

[21TonyK]

Sorry, no ideas on tyres. But, that does look rather nice

There will be several routes involving standard and new wheels. T1Rs for road only, R1R for track and road then 888's and A048 s for track and hardcore road. After than a multitude road only options followed by new wheels and A039's if you £2K+ spare.

Again, nice car. Black and red was my first choice after Ti obviously!

[The Bandit]

Yokohama AD07s are the tyre of choice for most but as you're only changing the rears and not doing a full set then stick with the Bridgestones

[Mr E]

The Bandit said:

Yokohama AD07s are the tyre of choice for most but as you're only changing the rears and not doing a full set then stick with the Bridgestones

Was kind of my thinking. New to MidRear layouts, so anything extreme may be detrimental to the paint finish....

[Herman Toothrot]

When you mentioned selling your Celica I think I mentioned a car of this ilk They are great!

[Mr E]

Herman Toothrot said:

When you mentioned selling your Celica I think I mentioned a car of this ilk They are great!

I recall the conversation. It was always the sensible choice, but finding a good one that hadn't been exported proved trickier than I originally suspected.

[Loudman]

Interesting that you have a black undertray, I thought they were only on exiges. I've just painted mine. Nice car by the way.

[tertius]

If you are changing just the rears I would have thought best to stick with the RE040? Same all round then.

I have them on my road wheels and they seem fine.

[Mr E]

Loudman said:

Interesting that you have a black undertray, I thought they were only on exiges. I've just painted mine. Nice car by the way.

Previous owner had it pulled off, prepped and resprayed black.

[Mr E]

tertius said:

If you are changing just the rears I would have thought best to stick with the RE040? Same all round then.

I assumed the RE50's superceded them?

[tertius]

Mr E said:

tertius said:

If you are changing just the rears I would have thought best to stick with the RE040? Same all round then.

I assumed the RE50's superceded them?

That may be true, I don't know, but there seem to be plenty of them around - I need some fronts so was looking today.

[Mr E]

tertius said:

Mr E said:

tertius said:

If you are changing just the rears I would have thought best to stick with the RE040? Same all round then.

I assumed the RE50's superceded them?

That may be true, I don't know, but there seem to be plenty of them around - I need some fronts so was looking today.

It's a fair shout, and the current owner liked the RE40's on the back. Certainly an option.

[dgr]

RE040 or Yokohama AD07 are the tyre Lotus recommend for road orientated Elise. Lotus also spent time with both companies developing a compound specifically for the Elise (LTS fitment).

[Janitor]

Sorry Mr E - I can't offer anything towards the tyre query, but that's a lovely looking car

Congrats

[LRGS2]

I fitted AD07's to the rear whilst keeping RE040 on the front with no obvious problems. The AD07 tyre is far better for grip them RE040. Wear rate was pretty much identical, fronts lasting 23K and rears 16K. Price was about the same.

[S Works]

Meh, if you've got a good deal on the car, why not treat it to a full set of new boots and go AD07. Won't break the bank, and certainly a good investment with Spring 'n Summer coming!

[Ianss2]

A good buy, What a nice looking car!

Re tyres, I went through this a while ago - The RE040 is the only Lotus approved tyre for this model year, however! it's more specific than just 225/45 R17 90V RE040, as this is simply a type of pattern and you'll find the prices vary considerably.
The specific tyre construction number is with code DCK for the rear (and CFE for the front), by the way there are even different codes for the VX220!
I found more than half the tyre dealers I called insisted there was no difference between RE040's, so a call the Bridgestone answered this. The Bridgestone part number is 'IPC 78343' if you quote this there's no arguement.
If you live in the Midlands the best price was from Tyre Sales in Humber Road Coventry (02476 457118) £109 all in! They obviously need to order them but only takes a day. Ask for Gary.
Some people have fitted the later cars Yoko, semi slick road legal, but they last even less time on the road and wet grip is not so good.

Hope this helps, enjoy the Elise!

[Mr E]

Thanks guys, the part number and specific codes are most useful.

I suspect I shall play it safe and go for the Lotus specific RE40 again. I don't know how to drive the bloody thing yet, so I suspect I shall not be approaching the limits of grip for a few miles..

[Stu_00]

The Bandit said:

Yokohama AD07s are the tyre of choice for most but as you're only changing the rears and not doing a full set then stick with the Bridgestones

AD07's are simply stunning - Good in the wet, dry, track and road - and last pretty well, a little softer and more grippy than the harder Bridgestones

Have fun

Edited by Stu_00 on Thursday 25th March 09:23

[Mr E]

Black Circles don't have and RE40's and can't give me a date...

:/