New Tyres or not?

[TrevorB]

I have been reading the various posts on tyres and am now seeking advice as to whether I need to renew mine.
Currently have:

Front - Michelin 205/50ZR15 86W

Rear - Goodyear Eagle F1 205/50ZR15 86W

All the tyres are dated 1004 which I understand is the 10th week in 2004 making them over 11 1/2 years old.

All the tyres still have plenty of tread and having inspected them I cannot see any degredation on the outer walls but I'm
not an expert.

The concern I have though is the age of the tyres. Do I need new tyres?

If so I've seen these:

http://www.larkfieldtyres.co.uk/TyreSea ... R+20550R15

or the Bridgestone's here

http://www.f1autocentres.co.uk/tyre-results.php


What's your advice. Many thanks

Trevor

[petezipp]

Yes my tyres were perfect but old in fact two had no date code at all.
taking the advice of another Lotus Drivers club member I fitted a set of Toyo Proxy 205/50's and am delighted with them so far.
Halfrords had a deal on at the time £240 the set and I splashed out with a set of metal valves off Flebay for £10.
Does give you more confidence and they seem to give good grip ( I don't do track days)
Pete

[muley]

..another vote for Toyos ~ T1-R IIRC


Jim

[Rice crispy]

Trevor I just changed my front pair of pirellis due to age as they had plenty of tread and looked fine but I can really notice the difference in grip and comfort. I went for Khumo ecsta sports which were slightly more expensive than the toyo's which are on my spare set of wheels. I thought the toyo's were ok but I had recently put a set of the Khumo's on Lesleys mini and was really impressed with them on both cars
David

[dapinky]

I think that rubber (tyre) technology has moved so much in the last 12 years that virtually anything availlable now will be noticed as an improvement (except perhaps the really cheap Chinese stuff).

Combined with the material degradation (softer? / Harder?) due to their age, I'd suggest it is worth swapping all four.

When it comes to what to buy, everyone has an opinion - and you'll not be surprised to know that I'm happy to express mine

I love Yokohamas, and am currently on a set of rubber I got 18months ago. Well pleased with the grip in all weather. A tad more expensive than Toyos (about £75 a corner, plus fitting), but all the reviews say they have more grip, but less longevity.

At the mileage I cover, I'd rather have good grip and 'poor' life as they will be due for a change before they wear out anyway!

http://www.camskill.co.uk/m53b0s93p1143 ... se%3A_75dB

[Fredjohn]

I'll throw in my tuppence worth too: I went for the Toyo Proxes T1R too, but would also suggest you change all 4. Very very happy with them. But had I bought Khumo or Yokohama I would probably be saying the same thing!!

PS Dave said correctly that the Yokohamas are more expensive than the Toyos, what he didn't add was how much he actually paid for them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[dapinky]

PS Dave said correctly that the Yokohamas are more expensive than the Toyos, what he didn't add was how much he actually paid for them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There's no point in upsetting people, you know

(and I'd have happily paid the going rate for them if I'd had to).

[Rob P]

Another vote for Yokohama AD08's great tyre, as Dave says very grippy although not the best in the very wet weather we have seen recently

[Scott J]

Kumho Ecsta

[Rusty Wishbone]

I agree with everyone else: it is time to replace all 4 tyres. I'm happy with Toyo T1Rs, but it is clear that there are several other good options out there too.

[TrevorB]

A terrific response but that's not unexpected from you guys

New tyres it is then. Done some searching on the web and there are some deals out there but
so much choice. Yes the Yokohama's are expensive in comparison to the Toyo's. I do like the
look of the toyo's and there is a firm that does mobile fitting. Still looking around though as I
haven't found the Kumho Ecsta yet.

I will let you know my decision.

Thanks again.

Trevor

[dapinky]

Trevor, for comparison.....

Kumho - http://www.camskill.co.uk/m53b0s93p1286 ... se%3A_73dB

Toyo - http://www.camskill.co.uk/m53b0s93p1210 ... se%3A_71dB

[Nickydee]

My two pennieth as follows:

After a year of ownership I bit the bullet and replaced all four tyres on my Elan - like yours Trevor - mine were a Reputable make, had good tread and wee in perfect condition visually but the transformation in grip handling particular on damp roads was amazing - still the best value "mod" I ever made.

Choose Toyos Proxies mainly on price but would agree there a number of options out there.

I use to run a Civic Type R with unique OEM Yokohamas which would last 10,000 miles on the front. After the Elan experience I tried the Toyos which appeared to be as good but did last a lot longer and were of course cheaper.


Cheers Nick

[Tuga2112]

Yes my tyres were perfect but old in fact two had no date code at all.
taking the advice of another Lotus Drivers club member I fitted a set of Toyo Proxy 205/50's and am delighted with them so far.
Halfrords had a deal on at the time £240 the set and I splashed out with a set of metal valves off Flebay for £10.
Does give you more confidence and they seem to give good grip ( I don't do track days)
Pete

mine came with toyos from previous owner as well, have no complaint at all, but have no experience with other tyres either to compare.

[HJ2]

I Vote for the Toyo R1R (so not the T!)
A tad softer, but my tyres go out sooner by age then wear due not to many km's a year. However, I prefer those KM's as grippy as possible without leaving the street legal dept.
They are also remarkably grippy in the wet, for a semi-slick

And yes, please change all 4 of them for pete's sake!

[TrevorB]

Four new Toyo Proxes T1R's fitted today. Car felt very good on the short drive home and I do believe the road noise was less.

Thanks again everyone for your advice and thoughts.





Trevor

[HJ2]

[rip]

Four new Toyo Proxes T1R's fitted today. Car felt very good on the short drive home and I do believe the road noise was less.

Just wait until Spring/Summer. They are much grippier when warm.

I don't think they are very good when cold so I'm about to take mine off the daily & put on my winter tyres for a few months.

[Saltire]

Trevor's recent experience prompted me to go and check my tyres:

- Two dated 4604
- One dated 1611
- One undated

The two 2004 are Goodyear Eagle F1 (rear); the fronts are Falken. I had Eagle NCTs on my old 205GTI 1.9, but have no experience of the Falkens. Given the dates, I'll be changing too. As a matter of interest, what was original fitment on the S2?

[Rambo]

Michelins I think. I know it was Michelin MXX2's on the SE - not sure what model on the S2 but it will be listed in your specifications in the grey folder