ESPRIT WHEELS and TYRES

[MrDangerUS]

88 Esprit, Lotus Design OZ Ruote 7-spoke                                    

Frt: 195/60,   7J x 15    +23.3mm           track:1529 mm (60.0”)

RR: 235/60,  8J x 15    - 20.3* negative! track: 1553 mm (61.2”)

See: http://www.automobile-catalog.com/make/lotus/esprit/esprit_stevens/1988.html

 

89 –non SE, Lotus Design OZ Ruote 7-spoke                                   

Frt: 195/60,   7J x 15,    +23.3
RR: 235/60,  8J x 15,    +30.0

See: http://www.automobile-catalog.com/make/lotus/esprit/esprit_stevens/1989.html

 

5/89   to 93’ SE, Lotus Design  OZ Ruote 7-spoke                                  

Frt: 215/50,     7J x 15      +23.3 

RR: 245/50,  8.5J x 16     +30.0 

Seehttp: http://www.automobile-catalog.com/make/lotus/esprit/esprit_stevens/1990.html

 

Chassis and start-point for the “Eagle” Esprit SE chassis

From 3/4/89 for SE, then a couple of month laterfor the different variants at the following chassis numbers:

SE (264 BHP)                                    SCCFC20A 1KHF65000

GMP4 (225-228 BHP)                       SCC08291 0KHF62728

DOM (UK) Turbo (215 BHP)           SCC08291 OKHD13587

DOM (UK) N/A (172 BHP)              SCC08591 2KHD13582

 

 

93’ Sport-300, OZ Racing Futura Modular 5-spoke w/o cntr cap          

215/50     7J x 16    +20.0 

245/50  8.5J x 17      +6.0 

see:  http://www.automobile-catalog.com/make/lotus/esprit/esprit_stevens/1990.html

 

93-1/2 SE,  OZ Revolution 5-spoke                                                         

245/45    8.5J x 16    +23.3 

315/35  10.5J x 17    +30.0 

http://www.automobile-catalog.com/auta_search.php?cx=partner-pub-9659367955710532%3A3689687607&cof=FORID%3A10&ie=UTF-8&q=1992+Lotus+Esprit+sport+300&siteurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.automobile-catalog.com%2Fmake%2Flotus%2Fesprit%2Fesprit_stevens%2F1989.html

 

94 to 95-1/2   S4, and USA S4s, Lotus Design  OZ Racing 5-spoke          

235/40   8.5J X 17   +23.3 

285/35  10J x 18   +30.0 

http://www.automobile-catalog.com/make/lotus/esprit/esprit_stevens/1990.html

 

95 to 95-1/2   USA S4s (optional), OZ Racing Futura Modular 5-spoke   

215/40,   7J X 17   +23.3 

245/45  8.5J x 17   +30.0 

http://www.automobile-catalog.com/auta_search.php?cx=partner-pub-9659367955710532%3A3689687607&cof=FORID%3A10&ie=UTF-8&q=1994+Lotus+Esprit+s4s&sa=Search&siteurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.automobile-catalog.com%2Fmake%2Flotus%2Fesprit%2Fesprit_stevens%2F1989.html

 

95’ to 96’nonUSA S4s, OZ Racing Futura Modular 5-spoke               

215/40,   8.5J x 17    +19.0 

245/45    10J x 18    +17.0 

 

96’ to 98’ V8, Lotus Design  AWI 6-spoke                                          

235/40,  8.5J x 17   +19.0 

285/35   10J x 18    +17.0 

 

96 to 98 V8 (optional), OZ Racing Futura Modular 5-spoke                

235/40,  8.5J x 17    +19.0 

285/35   10J x 18     +17.0 

 

99 to 01V8, OZ Racing Saturn Plus 6-spoke                               

235/40  8.5J x 17   +19.0 

285/35   10J x 18   +17.0 

 

99’ Sport 350, Lotus Design OZ Racing Crono Magnesio 5-spoke    

235/40    8.5J x 17   N/A 

285/35     10J x 18   N/A 

 

02 to 04   V8,  OZ Racing Nova 16-spoke                                           

235/40     8.5J x 17   +19.0 

295/35      10J x 18   +17.0 

 

02 to 04  V8,  OZ Racing Nova 16-spoke                                           

235/40    8.5J x 17   +19.0

285/35     10J x 18   +17.0 

 

Early Stevens Esprit's front wheel wells changed through the years.  Early ones, including the '88, had smaller wheel wells.
Non-USA S4 and S4s got larger wheel wells, and 17x8.5 wheels with +19mm offset and 235/40 rubber. 

The USA models got smaller 17x7 with +23.3mm offset and 215/40 rubber.

Then, in mid-1995 the molds were commonized and all markets got the larger wheel wells.

Turn the front wheels to full lock on an early, small housing USA S4s, and the clearance between the outer edge of the tire, and the rear inside of the fender wall is a scant 8-10mm.
So if you're drooling over some of the big tires used on Euro S4/ S4s,  or mid-1995 onward USA S4s and all V8s,  you better carefully check-out the clearances in the front wheel well first.

 

[Vulcan Grey]

Sport 350 are 295/35-18 in rear

[qwerty123]

Tyres on the Sport 300 were mahoosive too, 245 45 16 at the front 315 35 17 at the back I think (8.5/10.5)

[ramjet]

Can't imagine that most of this is not on the LEW website?

[lotus4s]

And now it's here... 

[MrDangerUS]

Thank you for your help and corrections.

Group effort is always more efficient and accurate.

 

 

Yeah, it would be nice if someone start a wiki site with all the information available.

There was/is one for S3, but it has been neglected

 

see: 

85/86/87/(and 88?)  http://esprit.driestone.com/index.php?pagename=Esprit.TechnicalData

Edited March 6, 2015 by ramjet
Link to commercial website removed

[qwerty123]

I think the 93.5SE and Sport 300 are vice versa

[MrDangerUS]

Corrected data:

 

88 Esprit, Lotus Design OZ Ruote 7-spoke                                    

Frt: 195/60,   7J x 15    +23.3mm           track:1529 mm (60.0”)

RR: 235/60,  8J x 15    - 20.3* negative!    track: 1553 mm (61.2”)

See: http://www.automobile-catalog.com/make/lotus/esprit/esprit_stevens/1988.html

 

89 –non SE, Lotus Design OZ Ruote 7-spoke                                   

Frt: 195/60,   7J x 15,    +23.3
RR: 235/60,  8J x 15,    +30.0

See: http://www.automobile-catalog.com/make/lotus/esprit/esprit_stevens/1989.html

 

5/89   to 93’ SE, Lotus Design  OZ Ruote 7-spoke                                  

Frt: 215/50,     7J x 15      +23.3 

RR: 245/50,  8.5J x 16     +30.0 

Seehttp: http://www.automobile-catalog.com/make/lotus/esprit/esprit_stevens/1990.html

 

Chassis and start-point for the “Eagle” Esprit SE chassis

From 3/4/89 for SE, then a couple of month laterfor the different variants at the following chassis numbers:

SE (264 BHP)                                    SCCFC20A 1KHF65000

GMP4 (225-228 BHP)                       SCC08291 0KHF62728

DOM (UK) Turbo (215 BHP)           SCC08291 OKHD13587

DOM (UK) N/A (172 BHP)              SCC08591 2KHD13582

 

 

93’ Sport-300, OZ Racing Futura Modular 5-spoke w/o cntr cap          

245/45    8.5J x 16    +23.3 

315/35  10.5J x 17    +30.0 

see:  http://www.automobile-catalog.com/make/lotus/esprit/esprit_stevens/1990.html

 

93-1/2 SE,  OZ Revolution 5-spoke                                                         

215/50     7J x 15    +23.3

245/50  8.5J x 16    +30.0

 

http://www.automobile-catalog.com/auta_search.php?cx=partner-pub-9659367955710532%3A3689687607&cof=FORID%3A10&ie=UTF-8&q=1992+Lotus+Esprit+sport+300&siteurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.automobile-catalog.com%2Fmake%2Flotus%2Fesprit%2Fesprit_stevens%2F1989.html

 

94 to 95-1/2   S4, and USA S4s, Lotus Design  OZ Racing 5-spoke          

215/40   7J x17   +23.3 

245/45   8.5J x 17   +30.0 

http://www.automobile-catalog.com/make/lotus/esprit/esprit_stevens/1990.html

 

95 to 95-1/2   USA S4s (optional), OZ Racing Futura Modular 5-spoke   

215/40,   7J X 17   +23.3 

245/45  8.5J x 17   +30.0 

http://www.automobile-catalog.com/auta_search.php?cx=partner-pub-9659367955710532%3A3689687607&cof=FORID%3A10&ie=UTF-8&q=1994+Lotus+Esprit+s4s&sa=Search&siteurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.automobile-catalog.com%2Fmake%2Flotus%2Fesprit%2Fesprit_stevens%2F1989.html

 

95’ to 96’nonUSA S4s, OZ Racing Futura Modular 5-spoke               

235/40,   8.5J x 17    +19.0 

285/35    10J x 18     +17.0 

 

96’ to 98’ V8, Lotus Design  AWI 6-spoke                                          

235/40,  8.5J x 17   +19.0 

285/35   10J x 18    +17.0 

 

96 to 98 V8 (optional), OZ Racing Futura Modular 5-spoke                

235/40,  8.5J x 17    +19.0 

285/35   10J x 18     +17.0 

 

99 to 01V8, OZ Racing Saturn Plus 6-spoke                               

235/40  8.5J x 17   +19.0 

285/35   10J x 18   +17.0 

 

99’ Sport 350, Lotus Design OZ Racing Crono Magnesio 5-spoke    

235/40    8.5J x 17   N/A 

295/35     10J x 18   N/A 

 

02 to 04   V8,  OZ Racing Nova 16-spoke                                           

235/40     8.5J x 17   +19.0 

285/35      10J x 18   +17.0 

 

02 to 04  V8,  OZ Racing Nova 16-spoke                                           

235/40    8.5J x 17   +19.0

285/35     10J x 18   +17.0 

Edited March 6, 2015 by Vulcan Grey
corrections in red

[bogle]

Hello 91 Turbo Esprit SE owners,

 

I need new tires and the fronts 215/50 15 inch are proving very difficult to find.  Gator Motors in Indianapolis is doing my C service and one of the components needed aside from the C service is new tires.  My Dunlops are 12 years old with most likely about 15k on them.  They look pretty good, but I can't take a chance on dry rot.

 

Of course, even the rears 245/50 16 inch are hard to find.  A matching set of soft compounds or all seasons is what I prefer.  Anyone else trying to get tires for their Esprit (year  5/89 to 93ish)?  Anyone have any suggestions?

 

Gator will probably find them somewhere, but I want to know if anyone else has found a solution.

 

Thank you,

Bill

[Qavion]

A matching set of soft compounds or all seasons is what I prefer.

 

 

You won't find a matching set, Bill, anywhere in the world, unless you change the size of the tyres.

 

There is plenty of information on this forum sub-section about SE tyres (tires), but some of may be pretty old, so the availability of certain brands may be inaccurate.

I recently fitted a set of Toyo Prox 4 tyres on the rear and Dunlop SP Sport on the front  of my '89SE (all original sizes, but the speed rating wasn't ZR). Anyway, I don't race the car and don't do double the national speed limit too often

 

I was contemplating going up a size, but I couldn't get any information on wheel alignment values for non-standard tyres. I thought about the soft compound Toyo R888's (going up 10mm front and back).

 

Anyway, best not to add too much off-topic stuff in this message thread

 

Cheers

Ian

[bogle]

Thanks Ian,  I figured that was the case since my research turned up in tatters (UK version) / diddly squat (US).

 

Anyway,  I'll see what Gator Motorsports specs for the tyres (got to get used to that spelling).  I dropped off the car on Monday, so I'm expecting some news maybe next week being that it is in for it's first C service.

 

Noticed you have a few mods on your car.  Mine is all stock since I spent more than anticipated with the impending C service and tyres.  Not sure if I'll be able to get to that level plus my insurance doesn't want any mods done.

[Vanya]

Guys,

 

Can you give me some advice because this is truly doing my head in. I've got tyres from 1997 on my Turbo SE and their performance is underwhelming at best, lethal (rain) at worst.

 

My car is currently running Dunlop SP Sport 9000 215/50R15 front and 225/55R16 rear (don't ask, wasn't my choice).

 

215/50R15 is out of the question - doesn't exist anywhere any more. I'm not going to find "new old stock" SP Sport 9000's either because that'd be missing the point.

 

245/50R16 can be found in the form of EXTREMELY expensive BF Goodrich tyres on eBay, but then it wouldn't be a matching set.

 

I originally wanted to put on:

Kumho KU31 205/50R15 front

Kumho KU31 245/50R16 rear

 

Unfortunately (again) the rears are long since out of production. Can't find ANYONE with those in stock.

 

My options now: 

 

KU31 205/50R15 front

KU31 225/50R16 rear (meh...such puny rears!)

 

ALTERNATIVELY:

Toyo Proxes T1R

215/45R15 front

245/45R16 rear

 

I'm guessing neither is particularly enticing, but how will this affect handling and geometry? What's worse, lower height or narrower profile? I know the lower height will mess with my speedo (which is already a bit out of whack and needs calibration) but other than that zip...

 

P.S. I'm NOT gonna put Sailun or Nankang tyres on my car!!!!

[Barrykearley]

Got some new kumhos fitted to my rears a few weeks ago. They seem pretty grippy to me on street - can't comment about track.

Think it had Goodyear Eagles on before - can't remember the size - but do remember checking against the owners handbook and they were the size stated in that....

[Vanya]

What size/profile?

[Barrykearley]

Off to look

Right - they are kumho ecsta spt 245/50zr16 If I remember correctly about £250 the pair fitted

[Vanya]

WHAAAT!? Where'd you get those?! I've been looking EVERYWHERE. 

[Barrykearley]

Got them from a main dealer who I do loads of work for.

They did take nearly a week to come in - they made mention they went on some weird Pontiac or something - I think their tyre supplier doesn't really sell many of them normally!!!

The are UK based - if you need I can find out where they originated from tomorrow

[Vanya]

Please do! I'd love to try the Kumhos! Cheers!

[Barrykearley]

Can't find a date code on them - i peeled the stickers off them while they were being fitted - they hadn't been hanging around that's for sure

Have just txt my contact to see if he remembers where he got them from

[bogle]

Hi Guys,

 

Gator put on the following Firestone tyres for me:

 

195/55/15 Firehawk Oval Indy 500

 

245/50 /16 Firehawk Wide Oval Indy 500

 

I originally had the Dunlop Sports before of course which are now impossible to find.  I've only driven less than 500 miles.  Tyres seem to work okay but then again I'm not a racing type.  It's simple too expensive for repairs if something goes wrong on the track.

 

I spun out while powering into left hand turn from a stop light.  There had been an accident the night before and oil was still present on the recently wet road conditions.  I did a 180 degree spin (no damage), but that was on the 12 year old Dunlops which look almost new.  I learned not to power into turns in wet conditions at that point.

 

I'm not sure if Firestone is readily available in the UK or not?  However, the tyre is slightlly skinnier and about a 1/8 to 1/4 lower.  I also had the upper and lower ball joints replaced so I'll need to calibrate my speedometer later.

 

The tyres were incredibly inexpensive in Lotus terms only about $600 US dollars for the set mounted and balanced.  Of couse, my car needed a front end alignment with the addition of the new ball joints which added a lot more cost.

 

I hope this helps a little.

 

Bill

[MrDangerUS]

FYI, Update:

 

88 Esprit, Lotus Design OZ Ruote 7-spoke                                    

Frt: 195/60,   7J x 15    +23.3mm           track:1529 mm (60.0”)

RR: 235/60,  8J x 15    - 20.3* negative! track: 1553 mm (61.2”)

See: http://www.automobile-catalog.com/make/lotus/esprit/esprit_stevens/1988.html

 

89 –non SE, Lotus Design OZ Ruote 7-spoke                                   

Frt: 195/60,   7J x 15,    +23.3
RR: 235/60,  8J x 15,    +30.0

See: http://www.automobile-catalog.com/make/lotus/esprit/esprit_stevens/1989.html

 

5/89   to 93’ SE, Lotus Design  OZ Ruote 7-spoke                                  

Frt: 215/50,     7J x 15      +23.3 

RR: 245/50,  8.5J x 16     +30.0 

Seehttp: http://www.automobile-catalog.com/make/lotus/esprit/esprit_stevens/1990.html

 

Chassis and start-point for the “Eagle” Esprit SE chassis

From 3/4/89 for SE, then a couple of month laterfor the different variants at the following chassis numbers:

SE (264 BHP)                                    SCCFC20A 1KHF65000

GMP4 (225-228 BHP)                       SCC08291 0KHF62728

DOM (UK) Turbo (215 BHP)           SCC08291 OKHD13587

DOM (UK) N/A (172 BHP)              SCC08591 2KHD13582

 

 

93’ Sport-300, OZ Racing Futura Modular 5-spoke w/o cntr cap          

245/45    8.5J x 16    +23.3 

315/35  10.5J x 17    +30.0 

see:  http://www.automobile-catalog.com/make/lotus/esprit/esprit_stevens/1990.html

 

93-1/2 SE,  OZ Revolution 5-spoke                                                         

215/50     7J x 16    +23.3

245/50  8.5J x 17    +30.0

 

http://www.automobile-catalog.com/auta_search.php?cx=partner-pub-9659367955710532%3A3689687607&cof=FORID%3A10&ie=UTF-8&q=1992+Lotus+Esprit+sport+300&siteurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.automobile-catalog.com%2Fmake%2Flotus%2Fesprit%2Fesprit_stevens%2F1989.html

 

94 to 95-1/2   S4, and USA S4s, Lotus Design  OZ Racing 5-spoke          

235/40   8.5J x17   +23.3 

285/35   10J x 18   +30.0 

http://www.automobile-catalog.com/make/lotus/esprit/esprit_stevens/1990.html

 

95 to 95-1/2   USA S4s (optional), OZ Racing Futura Modular 5-spoke   

215/40,   7J X 17   +23.3 

245/45  8.5J x 17   +30.0 

http://www.automobile-catalog.com/auta_search.php?cx=partner-pub-9659367955710532%3A3689687607&cof=FORID%3A10&ie=UTF-8&q=1994+Lotus+Esprit+s4s&sa=Search&siteurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.automobile-catalog.com%2Fmake%2Flotus%2Fesprit%2Fesprit_stevens%2F1989.html

 

95’ to 96’nonUSA S4s, OZ Racing Futura Modular 5-spoke               

215/40,   8.5J x 17    +19.0 

245/45    10J x 18     +17.0 

96’ to 98’ V8, Lotus Design AWI 6-spoke
235/40, 8.5J x 17 +19.0
285/35 10J x 18 +17.0

96 to 98 V8 (optional), OZ Racing Futura Modular 5-spoke
235/40, 8.5J x 17 +19.0
285/35 10J x 18 +17.0

99 to 01V8, OZ Racing Saturn Plus 6-spoke
235/40 8.5J x 17 +19.0
285/35 10J x 18 +17.0

99’ Sport 350, Lotus Design OZ Racing Crono Magnesio 5-spoke
235/40 8.5J x 17 N/A
295/35 10J x 18 N/A

Any V8 wheel can use the 295/35-18 as an alternative. It was only specified on the Sport 350 though.
02 to 04 V8, OZ Racing Nova 16-spoke
235/40 8.5J x 17 +19.0
295/35 10J x 18 +17.0

02 to 04 V8, OZ Racing Nova 16-spoke
235/40 8.5J x 17 +19.0
285/35 10J x 18 +17.0

Meanwhile S4 and S4s had different offsets:

Not available on USA S4 or S4s, also the stock USA wheels for S4 and S4s were ONLY 17" front AND rear, same size as the USA Futura below.
94 to 95-1/2 S4, and USA S4s, Lotus Design OZ Racing 5-spoke
235/40 8.5J x17 +23.3
285/35 10J x 18 +30.0

95 to 95-1/2 USA S4s (optional), OZ Racing Futura Modular 5-spoke
215/40, 7J X 17 +23.3
245/45 8.5J x 17 +30.0

 

The two Esprit S4s set-ups are:

USA, 1995-95.5, OZ Racing Futura Modular 5-spoke
Ft 215/40ZR17 on 17 x 7.0, +23.3mm offset, 58mm ctr bore
Rr 245/45ZR17 on 17 x 8.5, +30.0mm offset, 60mm ctr bore

non-USA, 1995-96, OZ Racing Futura Modular 5-spoke
Ft 235/35ZR17 on 17 x 8.50, +19mm offset, 58mm ctr bore
Rr 285/35ZR18 on 18 x 10.0, +17mm offset, 60mm ctr bore

 

Early Stevens Esprit's front wheel wells changed through the years.  Early ones, including the '88, had smaller wheel wells.
Non-USA S4 and S4s got larger wheel wells, and 17x8.5 wheels with +19mm offset and 235/40 rubber. 

The USA models got smaller 17x7 with +23.3mm offset and 215/40 rubber.

Then, in mid-1995 the molds were commonized and all markets got the larger wheel wells

[MrDangerUS]

Could anyone add center bore dimensions to the information above, please?

[MikieP]

Consider me stupid on this topic. My SE data plate on the door sill says it was built in NOV 1992 even though it was registered here as a 1993.. Currently have the 15/16 wheels and Toyo Proxes 4's front and rear. Death in any rain but plenty of tread left so I am good with no rain on the road. I did purchase Saturn 17/18's a while back and have found matching tyres to fit them. I do understand that the front wheels need to be trimmed to fit the spindles. My remaining question is if I ever get the car back, running from a 3rd attempt in getting basics things like brakes functional, are the wheel wells large enough to take the Saturn rims?

[top-plumber]

Hey Mikie,

                   depends on the width. My s4 has 17 and 18 inch futuras, the front rub on the inside on full lock because of the width and some times at high speed with full compression on the suspension the rears just rub on the arch, just....

The s4s arches were modified to take the 8.5 j and 10 j wheels.

[MikieP]

Thanks for the information! I was suspecting that would be the case. The only matching tyres I could find to fit the Saturn wheels are Falken FK-452 235/40ZR17's and 285/35R18 's.