Lotus Esprit S1 Tyres

[comem47]

I have an older model Falken (Ziex 502 I believe) and like them , (much better at not flat spotting ). Whereas my V rated Goodyears developed a bit of thumping noise and the typical 55 mph front end shimmy Esprits of this vintage are prone to, the Ziex are vibration free. Not the most racey rubber , but decent consdering the choices. I don't know , but I would suspect the current line is close to what I have. (I was able to get 205/60 and 225/60 at the time)

[peteyg]

Don't go near the FK-07Us unless you like pirouetting in the wet and the dry!! I tried them and they were a total disaster on the rears. Had them on for about 750 miles then binned them - lethal. Fortunately the Fuldas came back in stock.

Pete

[markjonesx]

Which Fuldas? From where?

[peteyg]

Fulda Assuro 205/70/14 in H or V. They keep going in and out of availability but I've bought them through the like s of mytyre and blackcircles in the past. I haven't looked recently as not using the car as much as I've done in the past where I was getting through a pair of rears every couple of years. Used to buy 2 pairs at a time to make sure I had a backup but sold my spare set to MatK just before he sold his S2 to Nelly.

Sorry can't be more help.

Pete

[markjonesx]

And the Falkens on the front?

[peteyg]

Not tried them. Am very happy with the Nexens I have on the front and they're cheaper than the Falkens too.

http://www.camskill.co.uk/products.php?plid=m4b0s402p59938

[markjonesx]

Cant get the Fulda's, on back orders, so next up is the Toyo's, anyone know if they are any good?

[Tony K]

The S306 was last sold in the States at least ten years ago, maybe fifteen.

A quick look at a couple of UK tyre web sites suggests they are discontinued there, too, only maybe more recently.

I realize what they say about older tires, but I'd rather have a new old stock 10-year-old tire that has been stored indoors and looks and feels brand new than a fresh new tire in the wrong size . . . .

[Matt-watts]

Hmmm, look OK, H rating is to 130mph, OK for my S1.

I've done 140 mph in mine

I'm with pete I use the tires he recommended they give good grip and keep the car well balanced

Hope this helps

Matt

[markjonesx]

THAT'S IT, I HAD ENOUGH, I'M BUYING THE TYRES ABOVE!

[peteyg]

Please post up your thoughts once you've had a chance to try them out Mark. I'll be looking for some rears in due course.

Pete

[nic996]

I have an S3 and will need tyres once the restoration is complete. I want an S2 look-a-like and so I thought about using the S1/S2 tyres as a guide regarding tyre size but with a15" rim. I found that the range of tyres is really good compared to the standard S3 size. I can get Continentals front and rear 195/55/15 V and 205/65/15 V respectively. BTW, according to Lotusespritworld, the original size is 195/60/14 for the front, not 205 as the start of this thread. Is that right? Anyway, as I have a normally aspirated car I reckon 205"s on the rear would probably be fine for that car.

Of course this means the speedo will be out. Is it a case of sourcing a speedo from and S2 or do I need a new drive in the gearbox. Anyone got an idea?

Incidentally, as original tyres are getting scarce I contacted Image wheels last year (regarding a different project) and they reckon that they can replicate a wheel in any size for the cost of a standard set of wheels plus £1000 on top. Very pricey but if they can replicate the S2 Speedline then that would be a great compromise between original look and modern rubber. I dont know if the bolts would be hidden (they are all split rims) but I think for that style I could live with it.

Nic

[7veloce]

I did a search on Sumitomo tires and buyyourtires.com came up with all the right sizes. Watch out! This is a DEMO site, not for real. But I did not see the RED BANNER on top and provided my CC info and went as far as reviewing my order and saw the BANNER on top. I did not place the order and ended the session. Anyway, I called Ryan Snell, Manager of SCS Inyternational Inc., (818.349.2264), who has the domian name. He said SCS does not save the CC info and will not be charged. I sure hope so. Tom

[comem47]

A very odd site indeed where one of the sort criteria is NOT size (i.e.; 14, 15, etc)

[7veloce]

I do not know much about Nankang tires but they make XR 611 in 205/60-14 and CX 668 in 205/70-14 for around $60-75 each. Do anyone have experience with these tires? Please advise.

[7veloce]

What would you buy if you need to replace uour S1 front and back tires in the USA next week? The best matching comb that I came up with is Falken SN211 tires: 195/65-14 and 205/70-14. Other suggestions?

[7veloce]

Well, I ordered General Altimax RT (195/65/14 and 205/70/14) for my S1 yesterday. WIll let you know how I like the tires.

[7veloce]

General Altimax RT (195/65/14 and 205/70/14) tires work great on S1. Steering feels light and quick. Note, these are touring tires, not high performance ones.

[catalina8]

For anyone state side, Coker Tires sells a Michelin XWX tire in the correct size for the S1 rear wheel, 205/70VR14. Only problem is they are $500+ per tire, which is ridiculous for 30 year old tire technology. Worth a look for someone serious about their esprit though.

http://www.cokertire.com/205-70vr14-michelin-xwx.html

[peteyg]

The new XWX are the original pattern but made with modern compounds. If they were good enough for Jag and Ferrari amongst others back in the day, they should be pretty good now. Agree with you on price though. They're about £250 on this side of the Pond...ouch.

[gvy]

I installed barum bravuris 215 65 R14 94H on the rear wheels of my esprit s2.2. some weeks ago

They have about the same diameter as the original 205 70 R14 .

They look AND drive good. I am happy with my choise

Geert

[Alp Esprit]

does anyone have an update on any 205 70 13 tyres that are available other than the exorbitant michelin Xdx please?

[peteyg]

I have Maxis MA-P1 on at the moment. Very good for the money if a little modern looking. Other options are Dunlop, Vreidestein, Blockley if you want the period look but more expensive.

 

[greentengu]

Is that a typo, Alp Esprit, with the 205/70/13? A thirteen inch wheel? Because there are a significant number of Touring tires available in the 205/70/14 size (none of which are high performance, and some of which come from manufacturers whose products appear synonymous with “cheap” rather than “quality”...). 

Just wondering; I have an S3 so am not familiar with the available sizes for the S1 & S2 Esprit. 

Cheers, 

Scott