new tyres

[Russh]

Need some new 205 45 16 tyres
Any recommendations .More interested in a nice ride than track day performance

[FunElan]

I've just put on Continental Extreme Contact Sport - while they are a summer tire, they are pretty compliant and comfortable! They stick very well too.

[Simon_P]

Toyo Proxes T1R
Or
Avon ZV7

I was converted to Avon tyres after putting ZV3s on the M100 years ago. Latest set are ZV7 which aren't quite as good. The T1R has a similar asymmetric pattern to the ZV3 and thats probably why I slightly prefer it.
Check the noise level if you are going to do long journeys - it's just behind you!

[Russh]

Thanks for advice.
Now a long shot has anyone got a set of wheels that I could borrow or hire for a couple of weeks while I have mine refurbished
I live between Bedford and Cambridge

[Russh]

Thanks for advice.
Now a long shot has anyone got a set of wheels that I could borrow or hire for a couple of weeks while I have mine refurbished
I live between Bedford and Cambridge

[Rambo]

Assuming you live close, the best approach is to drive your car there and let them take care of it. It should only take a day/overnight.

If you're not close just jack the car up and put on axle stands and courier the wheels. If organised it should only take about 3 days

[peter canepa]

I just replaced my 20 year old Pirreli P-Zeros, with what is available in Calif. Continental Extreme Contact Sport. 205/45R16 I have had them on other cars and had good experience. Much improved ride, steering. I'll drive the car more and report, but I do notice the torque steer at higher speeds.
More Later
Peter

[Rambo]

I just replaced my 20 year old Pirreli P-Zeros

FFS, it's a wonder you're still alive Peter. Particularly with the strength of that Californian sun

[Simon_P]

I just replaced my 20 year old Pirreli P-Zeros

FFS, it's a wonder you're still alive Peter. Particularly with the strength of that Californian sun

They're not allowed to drive fast Rambo.

[Rambo]

I haven't even got 20 year old tyres on my BRG wheelbarrow. And that doesn't go fast either.

It stays outside in all weathers - rain, hail, snow, sun. According to the DOT mark they are 12 years old and the side walls are perished

[rip]

Thanks for advice.
Now a long shot has anyone got a set of wheels that I could borrow or hire for a couple of weeks while I have mine refurbished
I live between Bedford and Cambridge

I've only just seen this & have a set of spare 15" Vauxhall wheels & I'm not too far from you.
The tyres are old & 1 has a slow puncture. PCD is the same as for the Elan but the offset is different, so if you have SE wheels they are fine as replacements.

[peter canepa]

Regarding the new, Continental Extreme Contacts I put on Feb 2022. After I left the Tyre shop,The car had bad torque steer, (actually it always had that) wondered around, seemed hard to drive straight, pulled to the right upon acceleration, oh and vibration at 60 mph. Generally the car was a mess! After a wet winter, and I don't get it wet, and wanting the car for summer. I started with the wheel balancing, after having it done 3 times, its good. Then alignment, Torque steer was gone, then the front sway bar bushing replace. Best its been in years! torque steer is gone, no vibration, and most would be happy with the improvements. Though now I don't feel connected. At speed I feel like I'm going to fall out, it doesn't feel planted. So now, what? Replace all the bushes in the suspension. I'm on a bush kick right now, SJ has them, I might try that, which really is a whole suspension rebuild. I have a suspicion its the tires. Toyo Proxes have been suggested, they only have 1 model Toyo I can get here. R1R
Suggestions are much appreciated.

[FunElan]

Regarding the new, Continental Extreme Contacts I put on Feb 2022. After I left the Tyre shop,The car had bad torque steer, (actually it always had that) wondered around, seemed hard to drive straight, pulled to the right upon acceleration, oh and vibration at 60 mph. Generally the car was a mess! After a wet winter, and I don't get it wet, and wanting the car for summer. I started with the wheel balancing, after having it done 3 times, its good. Then alignment, Torque steer was gone, then the front sway bar bushing replace. Best its been in years! torque steer is gone, no vibration, and most would be happy with the improvements. Though now I don't feel connected. At speed I feel like I'm going to fall out, it doesn't feel planted. So now, what? Replace all the bushes in the suspension. I'm on a bush kick right now, SJ has them, I might try that, which really is a whole suspension rebuild. I have a suspicion its the tires. Toyo Proxes have been suggested, they only have 1 model Toyo I can get here. R1R
Suggestions are much appreciated.

Vibration at 60 points to the same thing I'm going through - the intermediate shaft bearing is starting to go. I've made a big bushing purchase as well and am planning a full suspension refresh.

I have the Contis on my BMW and the M100 and found that they stick very well. But I have also only had my car for 2 years or so, so I don't know what it feels like with fresh suspension and axles yet! Before you replace the tires, do your axles and suspension bushes, as it's good to do anyway. After I do mine, I'll drive my car from LA to Santa Cruz to meet you.

[tigerdog]

Suggestions are much appreciated.

Hi Peter! Good to know there's still a few of us long-timers here in California. When I got Smaug, I put on a set of Kumho Ecstas in a model no longer made. I know that doesn't help, but what might help is knowing a 215/45-16 fits with no rubbing or issues. In that size, Tire Rack shows a 5 different "Extreme Summer" or "Summer" tires that might suit the Elan quite well including two different Falken Azenis models. I ran these on a 1987 Honda Prelude Si at one time and really like the grip. Search by size, not by model/year, to see what's out there.

[peter canepa]

Yes, Its great to see, what,maybe 3 California cars on this site. There is one guy on You Tube in LA! Still like the car, it still check all the boxes for a fun drive.
OK I'll search tires by size,
Thanks

[FunElan]

Yes, Its great to see, what,maybe 3 California cars on this site. There is one guy on You Tube in LA! Still like the car, it still check all the boxes for a fun drive.
OK I'll search tires by size,
Thanks

That guy on youtube is me

I know 3 others in the LA area. 2 BRG, 1 white

[peter canepa]

That's great, good to see more Elan's in CA. Never see one on the road. You've got a bit of work ahead of you, sorting out these issues. I was just about to order all new bushes from SJ. Now my mechanic is quitting
Also, there is the conversation Poly or Rubber, Though rubber does not look like its a real choice. I like keeping the car as original as possible.
That's why tires is the easy route. I go to Woodland Hills a lot are you round there?
Peter

[FunElan]

Newer poly compounds are pretty compliant. I'm using poly wherever I can. I don't want to change these bushes again

I'm about 30 minutes south of Woodland hills (with no LA traffic). Not too bad at all. Give me a shout next time you're down here....

Before I start my project, I have to help my dad finish his '69 Elan. We're on year 5 of it being apart so it takes priority.

Torquehorse just did bushes and axles, so we can all discuss in solidarity. Barry Spencer is in Rohnert Park and works on M100s. He's close-ish to you?

[Saltire]

Pardon me for jumping in, but when I did my suspension refresh four years ago, I was advised that many of the OE spec rubber bushes were no longer available, but it was fine in general to fit polyurethane. However, I was strongly advised NOT to fit poly bushes to the raft, for which OE spec is still available throughout. I was told tha Lotus designed the bushes with a specific compliance in a particular direction, which cannot be reproduced in polyurethane, and therefore poly bushes on the raft “would have an adverse effect on the handling” (well, that’s not exactly what he said, but you get the general idea)

Apologies if I am speaking out of turn to those whose engineering knowledge greatly exceeds my own

[peter canepa]

Saltire, No apologies necessary, I'm all in with keeping the suspension as stock as possible. This is a big project, I only want to do it once. As I go through this, and there are a lotta bushes on this thing.
The rubber bushes should be, and these are part #'s I got from SJ Flanked Raft lower rear E100C6001F 2 Each Flanked Raft lower forward C100C6006F 4 Ea and Upper bush raft D100C60iAF 4 Ea.
All other bushes, including rear are OK in Poly