What tyres for a 89se?

[dictys]

I having difficulty in finding tyres, do goodyear still make suitable tyres for the SE? if not which make / sizes to people recommend?

Front 215/50 x 15
Rear 245/50 x 16

Rgds
Dictys

[janszott]

I just had a set of Dunlop Sport 9000's installead and I am happy with them. That was the only tire that I could find that had both the 215 and the 245 sizes.

Jan
91SE
Canada

[lotusguy]

Hi,

The entire line of Dunlop tires (tyres) are excellent and well suited for the Esprit. The Sport 9000 is the top of the line. The Sport 8000 is virtually the same tire minus the more agressive tread pattern of the 9000, but actually outperforms it. Happy Motoring! Jim'85TE

[kylie]

dictys said:

I having difficulty in finding tyres, do goodyear still make suitable tyres for the SE? if not which make / sizes to people recommend? Front 215/50 x 15 Rear 245/50 x 16 Rgds Dictys

Hi Dictys, nah your not going to have much luck sorry sourcing the perfect match, only as suggested the Dunlops SP are left. I am not wanting to go down this route myself of getting Dunlops so have opted for a slightly wider stickier tyre in the Toyo range. They get fitted in a few weeks so will report back.
Cheers and good luck.
Kylie

[cnh1990]

I have 9000's on the front and will be getting them for the rears.

[dictys]

I note Jim's comments on the "Wheel Wobble" thread concerning tyre profiles, all the tyres people mention are 45 rather than 50's is this going to a problem.

or am I best looking for a set of S4 or later rims where tyres are easily availble in the recommended width/profile?

The car understeers at present, this I think is down to old tires (plenty of tread, year unknown but think well over 5 years old) and lack of the rubber edging underneath the spoiler (not practial, it will keep on being knocked off as I live down a unmade road).

[lotusguy]

dictys said:

I note Jim's comments on the "Wheel Wobble" thread concerning tyre profiles, all the tyres people mention are 45 rather than 50's is this going to a problem. or am I best looking for a set of S4 or later rims where tyres are easily availble in the recommended width/profile? The car understeers at present, this I think is down to old tires (plenty of tread, year unknown but think well over 5 years old) and lack of the rubber edging underneath the spoiler (not practial, it will keep on being knocked off as I live down a unmade road).

Hi,

The comment I made concerning aspect ratio was in relation from going from a 65(?) to a 55. But, once you go into the 40's, the tire takes on fairly different characteristics.

The aspect ratio number is essentially the sidewall height represented as a percentage of the tread width. For example, a 205/50 tire will have a sidewall of about 103mm or 50% the width of the tire. Since this is a ratio, going from a 195/65(125mm sidewall) to a 205/50 (103mm sidewall)isn't so significant as to change the characteristics much. But, when going lower than 50% on most modern tires, the tire is made very differently so that the much lower sidewall performs nearly the same as the higher one. This means that it must have different compounds and cording/belts. It is generally stiffer under compression, but almost as flexible laterally as the sidewall of the same, but higher aspect ratio, tire. Hope this helps. Happy Motoring! Jim'85TE

[dictys]

Thanks Jim, but what really concerns me if I put a set of 215/45 15R on the front and 245/45 16R on the back is this going to upset the handling of the car considering lotus recommend 215/50 + 245/50 for the SE.

I understand the tyres compounds and size/width etc, but if I change the to above I will have a smaller rolling radius, the height of the tyre wall will be 11.03 cm rather than 12.25 cm. will this effect the handling or will the newer tyre design etc offset this problem.

Rgds
Dictys

[lotusguy]

dictys said:

Thanks Jim, but what really concerns me if I put a set of 215/45 15R on the front and 245/45 16R on the back is this going to upset the handling of the car considering lotus recommend 215/50 + 245/50 for the SE. I understand the tyres compounds and size/width etc, but if I change the to above I will have a smaller rolling radius, the height of the tyre wall will be 11.03 cm rather than 12.25 cm. will this effect the handling or will the newer tyre design etc offset this problem. Rgds Dictys

Hi,

Again, the balance should be pretty well maintained, what you will notice is a very slightly harsher ride quality because the shorter sidewalls are much stiffer, especially since dropping from 50 to 45. This is the aspect ratio breakpoint where the tire manufacturers 're-engineer' the compounds and belting of the tire sidewall. In aspect ratios of 50 on up to 70, and conversely 45 on down to 30, the tire contruction and materials remains virtually the same within these groups, but varies between the groups. Happy Motoring! Jim'85TE



>> Edited by lotusguy on Tuesday 2nd September 21:51

[cnh1990]

dictys said:

The car understeers at present, this I think is down to old tires (plenty of tread, year unknown but think well over 5 years old) and lack of the rubber edging underneath the spoiler (not practial, it will keep on being knocked off as I live down a unmade road).

All the SE's I have driven understeers. Call it a safety factor. After installing the adjustable links my car is a bit more neutral. My back end comes about easier but not that much.
Calvin 90 SE

[rfoster]

dictys,

I had to change my tyres earlier this year for the MOT and was unable to find any Goodyears anywhere. Bell & Colvill have had them on order since November last year and they still aren't available. In the end I had to take what I could get quickly. I ended up with Bridgestones on the front (215/50/15) and Kuomos on the back (245/50/15). Couldn't get a matching set from anyone (tried locals, Kwik Fit, ATS etc.)

I have however been pleasantly surprised by how good these tyres are. But that said, I have the SE wheels on my 90 'NA so I don't get anywhere as much power through the rear wheels as you would and I just don't drive that fast any more. Might be worth trying - I think I paid £440 for the lot.

Alternatively, when I was searching for the tyres, I was offered a set of GT3 alloys with new tyres from Douglas Valley Breakers for £1,000. You could give them a call, might still be around.

Cheers, Richard.

[turbesp]

I am running Bridgstone SO 1's on the front with the Goodyears on the rear. After 3 years of complaining about the handling I replaced the front tyres to the Bridgstone's and the car is spot on. I now know what an SE shold feel like through the twisty bits.
Have fun

Mike

[dictys]

Last night I checked the DOT number on the tyres and they were made in 1995, so I'm going to change them for the SP 9000's 215/45 & 245/45's.

Mytyres do the whole lot for £405.50 all in (mail order).

Rgds
Dictys