Top grip street and auto-x tires (Exige / Elise)

[EricH]

I know many have already done this compare, but in order to prevent others from re-inventing the wheel (no pun intended) I thought I would post a summary of my research here. Hopefully it will save someone's afternoon.

My opinion - R888 and A048s are great at the track. On the street or even if auto-x in our light cars even with a 2 driver car they DO NOT heat up enough. I am in Texas. I know what heat is.

I just purchased a set of spare wheels to mount tires that are more complementary for max grip street or auto-x (tire class) driving. Dry weather grip is my only concern. I don't care about wet weather, ice, snow, mileage etc.

For reference, my '08 Exige-S 240 OEM setup:
Front Wheels/6J x 16 - 195/50R16 Yoko A048
Rear Wheels/7.5J x 17 - 225/45R17 Yoko A048

My spare wheels:
Fronts: 16x7 +27 offset
Rears: 17x8 +35 offset

For my spare wheels I researched the following tire sizes:
Preferred -
215/45/16 and 245/40/17 sizes.

2nd choice -
205/50/16 and 235/45/17 sizes.


To cut to the chase unfortunately my preferred choice is STILL not available from the brands/type of tire I am looking for. So, I will go with the 2nd choice in Z1 Star spec flavor. Toyos were another 2nd choice option.

The only option at this time to get my preferred sizes would have been to go with 615 fronts and Z1 rears. I decided to stick to the same brand all the way around. I think the 615s would be less sticky than the Z1s. I don't want more under steer.


Falkin 615 - Untitled Document
Only has preferred front.

Yokohama - yokohamatires.com
AD07 – Back stock size only 225/45/17
AD08 – Preferred back size, 2nd choice back size.

Dunlop Z1 – Dunlop Tires - Find The Right Tire - Tire Specifications
2nd choice fronts and backs, preferred choice backs.

Toyo Proxy R1R – PROXES R1R | Toyo Tires
Preferred rear, 2nd choice both.

Bridgestone RE-11 – Sizes and Specifications
Preferred and 2nd choice rears.

Hankook R-S3 - Welcome to Hankook Tire International Website
Nothing available.

[ZQQM]

I've done most the the same research, thanks for writing up a great summary ( and I guess confirming all of my tire searches ).

The only thing I would add is that the Hankook R-S2 is available in the 215/45/16 - 245/40/17 sizes. Read some pretty good reviews on this tire. I guess thats what I'm leaning towards right now.

[Maxster]

Originally Posted by EricH

My opinion - R888 and A048s are great at the track. On the street or even if auto-x in our light cars even with a 2 driver car they DO NOT heat up enough. I am in Texas. I know what heat is.
Nothing available.

Eric, Very good job. If your interest is mostly dry street and autoX. You may want to reconsider the A048s but be aware that the LTS version of the tire comes in the Medium-Hard compound and the Medium (which is a less popular tire) may better suited to your requirements.

[EricH]

Maxster - very good suggestion that I didn't think of. If you are going to stay with the stock Lotus sizes, the softer compound A048s might be another good option for others to try for a max-grip street tire.

Note for for Auto-x A048s will keep you out of tire class. You will be competing against others on full slicks.

[EliseAtLeast]

What about Kumho Ecsta XS? They come in 215/45/16 and 245/40/17 sizes.

[EricH]

EliseAtLeast, true - I felt (from other's opinions) that the Z1s were better tires than the Kumho Ecsta XS KU36. However it is possible that having the ideal size would make up for it. True I have not heard from someone that has has both brands and combos on our cars. Have you? Anyone else had both and have an opinion?

205/50/16 and 235/45/17 - Dunlop Vs. 215/45/16 and 245/40/17 - Kuhmo

[EricH]

Not sure if you can tell much from the picture but here they are:

Front Wheels/6J x 16 - 195/50R16 Yoko A048
Rear Wheels/7.5J x 17 - 225/45R17 Yoko A048
and
Fronts: 16x7 +27 offset - 205/50/16 Dunlop Star Spec
Rears: 17x8 +35 offset - 235/45/17 Dunlop Star Spec