Front wheel width! - LotusTalk

DBG · 09-15-2009, 03:54 AM

Hello,

Apologies in advance for the random question. I have done some searching and asked many people, but I cant seem to find a definitive answer as to whether these wheels (in attached pic) ever came with a 6.5'' width option on the front?

If they did, does anyone have any for sale?!!

I am looking to get some wider tyres (195/50 instead of 175/55), but would rather not squeeze them onto the 5.5'' rims if I didnt have to!

Thanks for your help!

Ben

Aedo · 09-15-2009, 06:19 AM

No they didn't sadly (my favourite wheel on the Elise - had to get a 111S to make sure I got them!). Those wheels only come in the one width but they do fit a 195 with no problem (I 195s on my car).

DBG · 09-16-2009, 01:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aedo

No they didn't sadly (my favourite wheel on the Elise - had to get a 111S to make sure I got them!). Those wheels only come in the one width but they do fit a 195 with no problem (I 195s on my car).

Thanks for that Aedo. That is a bit of a pain!!

Would it be possible to post a pic or two of what the 195 tyres look like on the rims? Just so I can see how much 'bubble' there is on the tyre walls?

Thanks again.

Ben

Aedo · 09-16-2009, 02:55 AM

****ty BB photos (of very dirty car) - I'll try and get some more on the weekend when its clean.

DBG · 09-16-2009, 03:57 AM

Thanks heaps mate!

Doesn't actually look too bad.

Aedo · 09-16-2009, 04:52 AM

You can go to 205 - one of the guys in Sydney has them on his Elise SC.

PS: have you logged onto Aussie Elises for the local scene?

DBG · 09-17-2009, 02:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aedo

PS: have you logged onto Aussie Elises for the local scene?

Thanks Mate. Yep, on AE with the same login. Both forums are extremely useful. I rate that you can ask a question on LotusTalk and have so many people available to answer. Must be a MASSIVE forum!

Cheers

Ben

...m... · 09-17-2009, 06:01 AM

...205s fit the stock 5.5" wheels, really?..that's good to know, as to my eyes they've always looked best on these cars...

neoshaman · 09-17-2009, 07:39 AM

Anyone have any photos with the 205's on these rims?

I agree that they are the best looking rims for the Elise.

Aedo · 09-17-2009, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DBG

Thanks Mate. Yep, on AE with the same login. Both forums are extremely useful. I rate that you can ask a question on LotusTalk and have so many people available to answer. Must be a MASSIVE forum!

Cheers

Ben

Sure is! Particularly compared to the 20 or so regulars on AE (most of whom visit here too!)

Here is a 205 Kumho on an Elise SC front wheel (5.5" - same as the stock wheel). From this thread on AE (I decided to go for the A048s in the end).

lwein · 09-17-2009, 10:33 PM

I could be wrong,but I think the wheel in the photo is 7" wide-----it is the standard wheel from a Lotus Elise SC. The optional wheel when the LSS is ordered is only 6" wide,as are the standard LSS wheels on the 08 and up Exige. The S260 wheels are 7" wide,but are significantly lighter than the wheel in the photo.
I know it does not make sense,and most of the brochures say the newer LSS wheels are 6.5",but measure them---------they are 6". The older LSS wheels are 6.5"

-----and they ALL have 195 section tires.
And a 205 section tire may fit on a 5.5" wheel, but it is just too wide for a 5.5" wheel. I am not saying it cannot be done,but there are better options. you run the risk of "crowning" the tread.
Some tires are more "tolerant" of a narrow wheel,check the tire rack website for the "approved rim width ranges" of various 205 section tires.

PECivil · 09-18-2009, 06:49 AM

FWIW
my 06 does not have the sport pack option, but does have the forged wheel option, and the fronts are only 6" wide, not 6.5.

lwein · 09-18-2009, 07:04 AM

That is odd,as I was under the impression that the 06 LSS front wheels were 6.5".-----did you measure?
My 05 very early production LSS equipped Elise had 6.5,My 07 Exige had 6.5(both silver),and my 08 S240 had black 6" wheels.

fpitas · 09-18-2009, 07:58 AM

I thought the only front wheels from Lotus that are 7" wide are from the Cup Cars.

lwein · 09-18-2009, 09:13 AM

I have never measured them, I was told they were 7"(but they are cast alum and much heavier) and it is on the Window Sticker. The owners manual states that the LSS wheels are 6"for 2008.

I remember questioning the dealer about that-seems kind of strange to pay more for a narrower wheel---------but that is Lotus.

fpitas · 09-18-2009, 10:03 AM

As concerned as Lotus has been with oversteer, it would be very surprising if they put 7" wheels on the front of the Elise SC. I'm guessing the window sticker had a misprint, but who knows.

09-15-2009, 03:54 AM	#1 (permalink)
DBG Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 12	Front wheel width! Hello, Apologies in advance for the random question. I have done some searching and asked many people, but I cant seem to find a definitive answer as to whether these wheels (in attached pic) ever came with a 6.5'' width option on the front? If they did, does anyone have any for sale?!! I am looking to get some wider tyres (195/50 instead of 175/55), but would rather not squeeze them onto the 5.5'' rims if I didnt have to! Thanks for your help! Ben Attached Images __________________ Canberra, Australia. 2005 Lotus Elise 111R

09-16-2009, 02:55 AM	#4 (permalink)
Aedo anglophile in exile Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Oz Posts: 2,574 Images: 88	****ty BB photos (of very dirty car) - I'll try and get some more on the weekend when its clean. Attached Images

09-16-2009, 03:57 AM	#5 (permalink)
DBG Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 12	Thanks heaps mate! Doesn't actually look too bad. __________________ Canberra, Australia. 2005 Lotus Elise 111R

09-17-2009, 06:01 AM	#8 (permalink)
...m... Denuo Volatilis Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 2,716	...205s fit the stock 5.5" wheels, really?..that's good to know, as to my eyes they've always looked best on these cars... __________________ 2005 Federal Elise \| Touring \| Storm Titanium ...73,000 miles and aging beautifully... 2000 New Beetle \| Turbo \| Reflex Silver ...107,000 miles of steadfast service...

09-17-2009, 10:33 PM	#11 (permalink)
lwein Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 196	Front Wheel widths I could be wrong,but I think the wheel in the photo is 7" wide-----it is the standard wheel from a Lotus Elise SC. The optional wheel when the LSS is ordered is only 6" wide,as are the standard LSS wheels on the 08 and up Exige. The S260 wheels are 7" wide,but are significantly lighter than the wheel in the photo. I know it does not make sense,and most of the brochures say the newer LSS wheels are 6.5",but measure them---------they are 6". The older LSS wheels are 6.5"-----and they ALL have 195 section tires. And a 205 section tire may fit on a 5.5" wheel, but it is just too wide for a 5.5" wheel. I am not saying it cannot be done,but there are better options. you run the risk of "crowning" the tread. Some tires are more "tolerant" of a narrow wheel,check the tire rack website for the "approved rim width ranges" of various 205 section tires.

09-15-2009, 06:19 AM	#2 (permalink)
Aedo anglophile in exile Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Oz Posts: 2,574 Images: 88	No they didn't sadly (my favourite wheel on the Elise - had to get a 111S to make sure I got them!). Those wheels only come in the one width but they do fit a 195 with no problem (I 195s on my car).

09-16-2009, 04:52 AM	#6 (permalink)
Aedo anglophile in exile Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Oz Posts: 2,574 Images: 88	You can go to 205 - one of the guys in Sydney has them on his Elise SC. PS: have you logged onto Aussie Elises for the local scene?

09-17-2009, 07:39 AM	#9 (permalink)
neoshaman One question at a time... Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Finger Lakes, New York Posts: 72	Anyone have any photos with the 205's on these rims? I agree that they are the best looking rims for the Elise.

09-18-2009, 06:49 AM	#12 (permalink)
PECivil Engineer of Record Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: SandyEggo Posts: 197	FWIW my 06 does not have the sport pack option, but does have the forged wheel option, and the fronts are only 6" wide, not 6.5. __________________ 02 Phoenix Yellow M3 (fast and fun) 06 Autumn Gold Elise (faster and funner) 07 328iT (wifey's car)

09-18-2009, 07:04 AM	#13 (permalink)
lwein Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 196	Width That is odd,as I was under the impression that the 06 LSS front wheels were 6.5".-----did you measure? My 05 very early production LSS equipped Elise had 6.5,My 07 Exige had 6.5(both silver),and my 08 S240 had black 6" wheels.

09-18-2009, 07:58 AM	#14 (permalink)
fpitas User, Registered Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Leesburg, VA Posts: 1,832	I thought the only front wheels from Lotus that are 7" wide are from the Cup Cars. __________________ Francis 2006 Chrome Orange Elise: LSD/TC, Nitron SAs with 425/650 springs, BWR 7/8" Front Bar, Eliseparts bumpsteer kit, VF Stage 2, 2bular Header + Sport Cat + 8x24 GT3 Muffler, ECU Tune by Jermaine, Smaay's fuel rail, ACT XT clutch, Saikou Michi dual catch can, Moroso pan, Manly's mount inserts & FF Engine Damper 2000 Black Integra Type R: - 213,000 miles...running again!

09-18-2009, 09:13 AM	#15 (permalink)
lwein Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 196	7" fronts---- I have never measured them, I was told they were 7"(but they are cast alum and much heavier) and it is on the Window Sticker. The owners manual states that the LSS wheels are 6"for 2008. I remember questioning the dealer about that-seems kind of strange to pay more for a narrower wheel---------but that is Lotus.

09-18-2009, 10:03 AM	#16 (permalink)
fpitas User, Registered Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Leesburg, VA Posts: 1,832	As concerned as Lotus has been with oversteer, it would be very surprising if they put 7" wheels on the front of the Elise SC. I'm guessing the window sticker had a misprint, but who knows. __________________ Francis 2006 Chrome Orange Elise: LSD/TC, Nitron SAs with 425/650 springs, BWR 7/8" Front Bar, Eliseparts bumpsteer kit, VF Stage 2, 2bular Header + Sport Cat + 8x24 GT3 Muffler, ECU Tune by Jermaine, Smaay's fuel rail, ACT XT clutch, Saikou Michi dual catch can, Moroso pan, Manly's mount inserts & FF Engine Damper 2000 Black Integra Type R: - 213,000 miles...running again!

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