Alloy wheels

[Umar B]

just wonder what the biggest alloys you can put on a s1 elise with out disturbing the handling.

A myth i have heard is that the bigger/wider the wheels, the better the handling? i don't this is true tho'

[adeewuff]

It's not true, wider & bigger wheels only impress the Max Power mob, leave well alone. Besides doesn't the Elise handle well enough already?

If you want proof, read Dave Minters tips at :-

www.daveminter.co.uk

[Umar B]

quote:
wider & bigger wheels only impress the Max Power mob,

THIS IS GETTING ANNOYING

[adeewuff]

THIS IS GETTING ANNOYING


Eh? Why have I annoyed you?

[Umar B]

hello adeewuff

its not you thats annoyed me its just the fact that whem people on this site refer to 'the max power mob' or similer, it feels like they are angryly (sp?) taking the p15s, not jokingly.

All that is happening is the 'yoof' and their cars are doing the same thing alot of people were doing in their youth and their cars, the only difference is its abit more wide spread,

RANT OVER (SORRY)

[saitama]

hi there ,
yes you can fit wider wheels to your elise

dymag make 15 x 6.0J and 16 by 7.5 is the standard, they have been comprehensively tested both here and in japan,fitted yoko ao38r .you will notice the diffrence
16 x 8.o has been supplied but feedback awaited.

wider at the back increases road holding ,but to get best effect get upgraded suspension.

also on the downside you will notice the difference when you look at you bank ballance !!!!!!!!!!!]

saitama

[hungryjim]

The Elise is perfectley balanced why change?

[adrianr]

quote:A myth i have heard is that the bigger/wider the wheels, the better the handling? i don't this is true tho'

Dave Minter (at the time Lotus chief ride & handling engineer for the Elise) says the opposite - bigger wheels and tyres are [usually] heavier, which means they take more energy to spin up and so hurt acceleration, and they add "unsprung" weight to the suspension which is also regarded to be a bad idea.

My view on it is that a good handling sportscar is one which can be stuck & unstuck to the road at the either end at the drivers whim; the optimum rubber size is the smallest [lightest] that allows this to happen.

That said, I think going to wider rims with the SAME width tyres can help tyre stability under hard cornering at the expense of ride comfort.

Cheers,
AdrianR

[saitama]

mag wheels are lighter -saving about18-20 kilos of the unsprung weight,,yokos have specially designed tyre wall to ensure max road/track surface grip
std suspension is ok ,but drive a ca with adjustable ad you will drive the difference