Does size matter?

[captain_beaky]

Have been perusing (if that is a word) the various on-line tyre suppliers and have noticed that certain brands only suply certain sizes which limits choice when it come to replacing the whole set. Therefore I am left wondering whether using slightly different sizes would dramatically adversely affect the old girl's handling characteristics. For example would 195/50/15's on the front be too much of a problem???

Someone out there must have been here and tried this before me???

[gregmund]

hi Beaky

I see from earlier posts you have an S1.

Yoko Advans Neovas are the top mainstream choice. Only available from your friendly Lotus dealer - IMHO, once you've tried them you won't want anything else!! They are specifically designed for the S1, Fronts are 195/50 R 15, Rears 225/45 R16



Fronts are around £75 each, Rears £110 each. They look aweseome (nice tread pattern!) & are brill in all conditions (execpt I haven't tried them in snow yet)

I've had Bridgestones & Pirellis before & neither come close to the Yoko's.

>> Edited by gregmund on Monday 6th September 10:21

[thub]

Fitting 195s to the fronts is very common and I'd doubt you'd notice any difference.

[captain_beaky]

Cheers guys, I know everyone raves about the Yoko's as they were developed specifically for the Elise and by all accounts are top-drawer, but was just wondering if the different size is gonna be an issue as I fancied trying something different. To be 100% honest I doubt that my driving abilities would be able to detect the difference between the Yoko's and any other decent brand - as i'm a real beginner with rear drive and am in the early stages of learning. Perhaps a set of Yokes would be a worthwhile venture once i've gained experience in lesser tyres - then I would be in a position to be able to appreciate the increased grip.

Is it possible that a substantialpart of the reason the Yokes get such good reviews is that they're considerably wider than the standard ones???

Does this also mean that any 225 width tyre will fit my rears??? (in 16" rim size with reasonable profile obviously)

[Bonce]

If you increase your fronts to 195 then you should also increase your rears to 225. Both will fit on standard rims no problem.

[gregmund]

If you're 'learning' then seriously consider the Yoko's. They're really progressive & most importantly (to me) wipe the floor with the other makes in the wet (it's just occured that they probably do that literally - not just metaphorically!)

I'm no Schumacher either, but the sure-footedness they offer in bad conditions (and I sailed, sorry drove, in a lot of really crap weather in August) is very reassuring.

P.s. I'm in no way connected with Yokohama, just a satisfied customer

There is some useful tyre info on www.elises.co.uk

[captain_beaky]

Food for thought indeed!!! Oh well will have to make a visit to my local dealer then I think. I was erring towards Toyo Proxes as had them on a previous tin-top but everyone seems to favour the Yokes - ah well there are worse decisions to have to make!!!

Thanks for the wise words too

[S Works]

Yoko's - superb in everyway!

I think if you're a member of SELOC certain places do special deals (Motorway Sportscars in Canterbury I think do a good deal).

>> Edited by S Works on Tuesday 7th September 12:24