Tires for autox/street/track - LotusTalk

mx1 · 01-10-2009, 07:09 PM

I tried searching and did not find a clear answer. I plan to mostly drive on the street and autocross. Will do a couple of track days a year.

Currently have the original 048s, with about 8500 miles. The fronts are still ok, but the rears are about gone.

I plan to stick with the original rims. Should I just get 2 new rear 048s, or go with 4 new tires? What brand, model? I would like to be as competitive as possible while still driving on the street.

Thanks!

Rob

Buz · 01-10-2009, 07:26 PM

My front A048's were so hard from age and heat cycles when the rears were worn out that I replaced them. The fronts had 5/32 of tread on them so they probably would have lasted well over 25k miles if I did not mind massive understeer and poor braking. Check the DOT build date on your fronts to see if they are less than 2 years old, if so they might be ok for a while. The last 4 digits after the DOT code are the week and year they were manufactured. Go with R888 or R1R Toyos depending on your grip/longevity preference.

qu1Z · 01-10-2009, 07:38 PM

Does anyone here have the R888's in the rear and normal stock tires for the elise in the front?

Icedog_16 · 01-12-2009, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by qu1Z

Does anyone here have the R888's in the rear and normal stock tires for the elise in the front?

Personally, I don't think I'd want to do that since they'll have differing handling characteristics.

MidasHands · 01-12-2009, 04:44 PM

I know some people with R888's and they are very happy with them on the street and for AutoX.

If you are looking for something a little cheaper the Falkin Azinis are also pretty good.

mx1 · 01-12-2009, 07:09 PM

Let me ask another way, I see several choices. Pls let me know if you have any thoughts/experience with these:
Falcon Azenis 615
Dunlop Direzza Z1 Star Spec
Yok Advan Sport
Nitto NT-01
Bridgestone RE-01
Hankook Ventus R-S2

Of these, local autoxers have been using Direzzas and Azenis. I appreciate any feedback.

Rob

goofygrin · 01-12-2009, 08:58 PM

For AutoX the class you run will help decide...

I run Star Specs daily (and in STU last year) on the Evo. They have a fairly stiff sidewall (good for the portley Evo, but likely not needed for a Lotus). Great grip for a street tire though. They are lasting fairly well (have ~6 events [including about 23 80-90 second runs at Mineral Wells [gravelly] over two days) on the + 5500 daily driver miles on them). The stock Yoko Advans lasted 6000 miles or so, but that includes daily driving and my hamfisted autocross technique.

ETA: the Falken 615's are two years ago "tire to have." They aren't great any more. The RE-01 was 07's "tire to have". The D1 was 2008's.

There is also a new Nitto street tire coming out that's getting favorable reviews: Gates311: Nitto NT05 Review **Street Class Tire ** - evolutionm.net

stubble88 · 01-21-2009, 07:58 PM

give the new Kuhmo XS a try. Good price and sizes.
Im trying them out this year.

FLuXeXigeS · 01-21-2009, 07:59 PM

another vote for R888

Rich · 01-22-2009, 01:43 PM

I haven't found the Kumho XS in a good 16 inch size - where did you find them and what size did you like?

stubble88 · 01-22-2009, 02:33 PM

i have 16x7 wheels Front

Hmm..I cant remember what size i got
it think 215/45/16 ?? let me check.

stubble88 · 01-22-2009, 02:35 PM

215/45R16

225/50R16

265/45R16

01-10-2009, 07:09 PM	#1 (permalink)
mx1 Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Fort Walton Beach FL Posts: 74	Tires for autox/street/track I tried searching and did not find a clear answer. I plan to mostly drive on the street and autocross. Will do a couple of track days a year. Currently have the original 048s, with about 8500 miles. The fronts are still ok, but the rears are about gone. I plan to stick with the original rims. Should I just get 2 new rear 048s, or go with 4 new tires? What brand, model? I would like to be as competitive as possible while still driving on the street. Thanks! Rob __________________ Previous--66 Austin Healey 3000; 79 Alfa Spyder; 72 BMW 2002; 85 944; 86 MR2; 89 944S2; 89 944S2 w M030; Current--01 Audi S4, modded twin turbo;07 Lotus Exige S Lucky enough to have driven the autobahn for 5 years

01-10-2009, 07:38 PM	#3 (permalink)
qu1Z ub3r s3xy Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Montana Posts: 424	Does anyone here have the R888's in the rear and normal stock tires for the elise in the front? __________________ 2005 Lotus Elise (Chrome Orange) - RIP 2006 Lotus Exige (Aspen White) - Larini SE Exhaust/Decat & Naked.

01-12-2009, 04:44 PM	#5 (permalink)
MidasHands Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Glen Ridge, NJ Posts: 971	I know some people with R888's and they are very happy with them on the street and for AutoX. If you are looking for something a little cheaper the Falkin Azinis are also pretty good. __________________ - Mike 2006 KG Elise, Magnolia Interior

01-12-2009, 07:09 PM	#6 (permalink)
mx1 Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Fort Walton Beach FL Posts: 74	Let me ask another way, I see several choices. Pls let me know if you have any thoughts/experience with these: Falcon Azenis 615 Dunlop Direzza Z1 Star Spec Yok Advan Sport Nitto NT-01 Bridgestone RE-01 Hankook Ventus R-S2 Of these, local autoxers have been using Direzzas and Azenis. I appreciate any feedback. Rob __________________ Previous--66 Austin Healey 3000; 79 Alfa Spyder; 72 BMW 2002; 85 944; 86 MR2; 89 944S2; 89 944S2 w M030; Current--01 Audi S4, modded twin turbo;07 Lotus Exige S Lucky enough to have driven the autobahn for 5 years

01-21-2009, 07:58 PM	#8 (permalink)
stubble88 car Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Glendale CA Posts: 242	give the new Kuhmo XS a try. Good price and sizes. Im trying them out this year. __________________ 1993 Mazda RX7 R1 2009 Scion XD 2007 Lotus Exige S arctic Silver, lsd, track pack, touring, FOR SALE

01-10-2009, 07:26 PM	#2 (permalink)
Buz Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 1,920	My front A048's were so hard from age and heat cycles when the rears were worn out that I replaced them. The fronts had 5/32 of tread on them so they probably would have lasted well over 25k miles if I did not mind massive understeer and poor braking. Check the DOT build date on your fronts to see if they are less than 2 years old, if so they might be ok for a while. The last 4 digits after the DOT code are the week and year they were manufactured. Go with R888 or R1R Toyos depending on your grip/longevity preference.

01-12-2009, 08:58 PM	#7 (permalink)
goofygrin Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 57	For AutoX the class you run will help decide... I run Star Specs daily (and in STU last year) on the Evo. They have a fairly stiff sidewall (good for the portley Evo, but likely not needed for a Lotus). Great grip for a street tire though. They are lasting fairly well (have ~6 events [including about 23 80-90 second runs at Mineral Wells [gravelly] over two days) on the + 5500 daily driver miles on them). The stock Yoko Advans lasted 6000 miles or so, but that includes daily driving and my hamfisted autocross technique. ETA: the Falken 615's are two years ago "tire to have." They aren't great any more. The RE-01 was 07's "tire to have". The D1 was 2008's. There is also a new Nitto street tire coming out that's getting favorable reviews: Gates311: Nitto NT05 Review Street Class Tire - evolutionm.net

01-21-2009, 07:59 PM	#9 (permalink)
FLuXeXigeS without a Lotus Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: SoCal/AZ/NV Posts: 4,708	another vote for R888 __________________ -Coi- currently having Lotus withdrawals Facebook \| Twitter \| Pics \| Vids eBay Store

01-22-2009, 01:43 PM	#10 (permalink)
Rich Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 334	I haven't found the Kumho XS in a good 16 inch size - where did you find them and what size did you like?

01-22-2009, 02:33 PM	#11 (permalink)
stubble88 car Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Glendale CA Posts: 242	i have 16x7 wheels Front Hmm..I cant remember what size i got it think 215/45/16 ?? let me check. __________________ 1993 Mazda RX7 R1 2009 Scion XD 2007 Lotus Exige S arctic Silver, lsd, track pack, touring, FOR SALE

01-22-2009, 02:35 PM	#12 (permalink)
stubble88 car Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Glendale CA Posts: 242	215/45R16 225/50R16 265/45R16 __________________ 1993 Mazda RX7 R1 2009 Scion XD 2007 Lotus Exige S arctic Silver, lsd, track pack, touring, FOR SALE

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