New Esprit tyres

[C.Giles.T]

Im sure Im not the only person to have noticed that tryes from an approved Lotus dealer cost about double that of from the high street (for an s4s), even for exactly the same tyre, Ive seen this on the espritworld site:

S4S 235/40 ZR 17" 285/35 ZR 18" Michelin Pilot MXX3 £130/£200"

V8 235/40 ZR 17" 285/35 ZR 18" Dunlop SP Sport 9000 £165/£200

I did a search online at Kwit fit and put the speed rating in as "z" (pressuming that is what the "zr" in the names above stand for)
This is what came up amongst others:

"235/40R17 Z Dunlop SP SPORT 9000 MF" at (fronts)£137each

can anyone tell me if, 1,is this the correct tyre and 2, what the "MF" stands for as it didnt show in the "espritworld" list
Cheers!

[ErnestM]

I believe that MF is Dunlopese for "Max Flange" shield. In other words, the bit of tire that is extended so slightly to protect your rim...

ErnestM

PS: Prefer Michelins (regular Pilot Sports, not the Pilot Sport A/S stuff) myself, although the new Goodyear F1's look tasty (even though they don't have the correct size)

>> Edited by ErnestM (moderator) on Thursday 7th August 03:39

[Del-Esprit]

If your looking for reasonably priced tyres, have a local agent that is prepared to fit what you bring and don't mind waiting a few days then try this site.

www.mytyres.co.uk/start.html

I have heard good things from people about them, delivery speed isn't wonderful, depending upon how awkward a tyre size is.

example Toyo PROXES T1-S 235/40 ZR17 90Y Rim-protection (Front) £ 87.80

was thinking about going here myself as my S4s is about due for a complete set. Any views on them welcome.

[solar]

"zr" is a tire rated for safe use at more mph than z rated right?

[rob.e]

solar said:

"zr" is a tire rated for safe use at more mph than z rated right?

I think Z is the speed rating. R just means radial.

[Del-Esprit]

Ratings for a tyre usually show two elements the load rating and the speed rating.
The load raing is usually a number before the letter.
The letter from A1 to Zr is the maximum design speed.
ZR is the highest at 149mph+. The R is sometimes dropped so Z and ZR are identical.
For a good explination look at the good year site
www.goodyear.co.uk/services/guides/loadindex.html

[C.Giles.T]

Wow, I was quoted £336 from my Local aprroved Lotus shop per tyre for the "SP SPORT 9000 235/40 R17 ZR"
mytyres.co.uk has quoted a price of £ 102,40 inc vat and delivery, how is this possible?
Im almost to scared to try them..........but unless anyone knows otherwise I think I might!

[rob.e]

C.Giles.T said:

Wow, I was quoted £336 from my Local aprroved Lotus shop per tyre for the "SP SPORT 9000 235/40 R17 ZR" mytyres.co.uk has quoted a price of £ 102,40 inc vat and delivery, how is this possible? Im almost to scared to try them..........but unless anyone knows otherwise I think I might!

I've used mytyres twice now. They are very good in my opinion. Sometimes takes a week or so to for the tyres to turn up.. but if you can cope with that (and don't mind finding someone local to you to fit them for you) then mytyres offers some good savings.

Friend with 550 maranello (same rear size as my esprit) actually found that our local tyre shop would match the mytyres price if he haggled hard enough.

£336 is taking the p*ss.

Take care with who you let loose on fitting your tyres - a lazy tyre fitter may end up scratching your rims. Also for the rears not all tyre shops have a balance machine thats rated for 18" wheels.

Where are you based?

cheers
Rob
98 V8-GT

[djonesdj]

I'm not sure where youn are located, as your profile only states UK, but if you are anywhere Slough (bad luck if you live their!!)then STS Motorsport 01753 770050 have the 235 17 40 Dunlops in stock at £101+ vat each. Very experienced at supercars etc and very good. Going in soon myself to replace my rears which have gone ''slick''

[C.Giles.T]

Well, Ive orderd them from "mytyres",I'm not that far from Canterbury (Mororway sports), where the car is having its MOT and Fortunatly, although they quoted £336 for each front tyre they also quoted £13 to fit them so Im taking the tyres down there!

[kylie]

Del-Esprit said:

If your looking for reasonably priced tyres, have a local agent that is prepared to fit what you bring and don't mind waiting a few days then try this site. www.mytyres.co.uk/start.html I have heard good things from people about them, delivery speed isn't wonderful, depending upon how awkward a tyre size is. example Toyo PROXES T1-S 235/40 ZR17 90Y Rim-protection (Front) £ 87.80 was thinking about going here myself as my S4s is about due for a complete set. Any views on them welcome.

Hi can't say, but have got some Toyo RA1's on order. I do bugger all miles and keep out of the rain where poss, so am going for something stickier for fun track days. Bit different from T1-S, but the Elise boys here rate T1-S better than all other top brands. A few other chaps here have them as well.
Regards,
Kylie
89 Esp Turbo

[C.Giles.T]

Just to let you guys know, I ordered the tyres from "mytyres" and they turned up as expected 5 days later!, no hassel what so ever, and all for less than a third of the price.

[Khoa Bui]

Happy for you !
Khoa

[LOTUSUSA1]

only in the Uk would someone spell Tires with a "y". I abolstel;y love our cultural differences. he he

[armynick]

Try Elite-direct.com in Essex

Tel: [phone]

Cheapest tyres and fitting than anyone. They've got a huge showroom with lounge area (sofas, TV coffee etc), good service and cheap tyres. It's worth the journey from Cambridge for me, the're that much cheaper.

I use Toyo Proxes S-1 s on my GT3. Alot better that Goodyear Eagle F1s and Bridgestone Pontenza SO3s.

[rob.e]

armynick said:

Try Elite-direct.com in Essex Tel: [phone] Cheapest tyres and fitting than anyone. They've got a huge showroom with lounge area (sofas, TV coffee etc), good service and cheap tyres. It's worth the journey from Cambridge for me, the're that much cheaper. I use Toyo Proxes S-1 s on my GT3. Alot better that Goodyear Eagle F1s and Bridgestone Pontenza SO3s.

Nick - for the v8 sizes i found mytyres undercut elite considerably..

Depends on the make/size i suppose.

Rob

[armynick]

Are...but does that include fitting etc AND lounging around on a nice big sofa?