Alternative tires to A048s

[Rick]

I'm looking for a tire with similar performance and wear ratings as the Advan A048 but won't heat cycle out as quickly. Mark, Reed, Peter, Phil? Any recommendations guys?

[Mark Hirt]

TireRack Track & Competition DOT (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/types/comp.jsp)

Kumho VictoRacer V700 (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Kumho&tireModel=VictoRacer+V700) (indestructible)
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Michelin&tireModel=Pilot+Sport+Cup)
Pirelli PZero Corsa (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Pirelli&tireModel=PZero+Corsa)
PZero Corsa System (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Pirelli&tireModel=PZero+Corsa+System)

[Rick]

TireRack Track & Competition DOT (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/types/comp.jsp)

Kumho VictoRacer V700 (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Kumho&tireModel=VictoRacer+V700) (indestructible)
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Michelin&tireModel=Pilot+Sport+Cup)
Pirelli PZero Corsa (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Pirelli&tireModel=PZero+Corsa)
PZero Corsa System (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Pirelli&tireModel=PZero+Corsa+System)

Thanks Mark! If anyone would know it would be you!

Kumho VictoRacer V700 (http://www.kumhousa.com/print_specs.jsp?pid=V700) doesn't come in the sizes I need. How does the Ecsta V70A (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Kumho&tireModel=ECSTA+V700) compare? Is it also "indestructible"?

[Mark Hirt]

The ECSTA V700 has "over heating" issues, once heated they tend turn into, well goooo

You might want to ask some other lotus owners if the 225/50-16 or 245/45-16 fits on front.

[MPIGP - Phillip Gordon]

I'm looking for a tire with similar performance and wear ratings as the Advan A048 but won't heat cycle out as quickly. Mark, Reed, Peter, Phil? Any recommendations guys?

Rick

I am a Hoosier guy all the way. As light as your car is, I would spring for the Hoosiers. Awesome grip, heat cycles well and on your car it may give you the kind of longevity that you can live with.

I liked the old BF Goodrich R compounds but they changed the rubber trying to match the performance of the Hoosiers back in, I think, the late 90's early 00's and ruined the tire. I am not familiar with the new g-force R1 but it looks good. If the price is right I would test a set.

Have you looked into the Toyo tire that the spec Miata's run? Those guys are getting good wear but I have never driven on them so I don't know what the performance is like.

Other than that, my vote is for the Kumho.

Phil

[Rick]

I'm really thinking of going down to 15" and 16" wheels so I can have more tire choices. That way I can run Khumo VictoRacer, Hoosier R6 or even Khumo Ecta MX tires. There's almost nothing available that will fit in the 16" 17" sizes. And since the body work is composite, I don't have the option of rolling the fenders.

[Mark Hirt]

I totally forgot about the Toyo RA1, great tire

Stay away from the Kumho MX, they also have heat issues. If your looking at tires like the MX... The Bridgestone RE-01R (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?&autoYear=2006&vehicleSearch=true&tireMake=Bridgestone&partnum=34WR7RE01R&tireModel=Potenza+RE-01R&autoMake=Mazda&autoModClar=Sport+Without+TPMS&i1_Qty=4&i1_Qty=4&autoModel=MX-5+Miata) and Yolohama Neova AD07 (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?&autoYear=2006&vehicleSearch=true&tireMake=Yokohama&partnum=34WR7AD07&tireModel=ADVAN+Neova+AD07&autoMake=Mazda&autoModClar=Sport+Without+TPMS&i1_Qty=4&i1_Qty=4&autoModel=MX-5+Miata) are better choices

[MPIGP - Phillip Gordon]

I totally forgot about the Toyo RA1, great tire

Stay away from the Kumho MX, they also have heat issues. If your looking at tires like the MX... The Bridgestone RE-01R (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?&autoYear=2006&vehicleSearch=true&tireMake=Bridgestone&partnum=34WR7RE01R&tireModel=Potenza+RE-01R&autoMake=Mazda&autoModClar=Sport+Without+TPMS&i1_Qty=4&i1_Qty=4&autoModel=MX-5+Miata) and Yolohama Neova AD07 (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?&autoYear=2006&vehicleSearch=true&tireMake=Yokohama&partnum=34WR7AD07&tireModel=ADVAN+Neova+AD07&autoMake=Mazda&autoModClar=Sport+Without+TPMS&i1_Qty=4&i1_Qty=4&autoModel=MX-5+Miata) are better choices

I heard good things about the Neova AD07. I have a set for the Bimmer but haven't mounted them yet so I can't speak from personal experience. However I'll be using them for the street because I haven't found a treaded tire yet that can match the performance and stability of an R compound tire on the track. If you plan to push your car to the limits on the track you'll be much happier with the R's.

[Mark Hirt]

I haven't found a treaded tire yet that can match the performance and stability of an R compound tire on the track. If you plan to push your car to the limits on the track you'll be much happier with the R's.

Phil I totally agree but Rick has this little problem. The Lotus will not hold 4 tires and I doubt anyone will make a hitch for it.

A friend and I got Curt manufacturing (DaLan) to make a hitch for the 06+ Miata (mine is #3, his was free) because over time Curt (DaLan) will sell 1000's of them.

Reed if you read this does the Lotus have a place to mount a hitch

http://home.comcast.net/%7Emazda_mx-5/images/photos/trailer01.jpghttp://home.comcast.net/%7Emazda_mx-5/images/photos/trailer02.jpg
note the red straps are only safety straps, the tires are held in place the THIS (http://home.comcast.net/%7Emazda_mx-5/images/photos/assembly-tireshaft.jpg) assembly on THIS (http://home.comcast.net/%7Emazda_mx-5/images/photos/assembly-trailer.jpg) bed

[El 77]

Rick, in case your wondering about Mark's question there is this thread on e-talk:
http://www.elisetalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15617&highlight=hitch
just in case you haven't seen this yet.


The only thing that is already there on the rear end of the vehicle are the 2 13mm main bolts that are used for the rear diffuser. The sector111 rear tow uses these and are meant for vehicle extraction only. They look far too weak for anything else like pulling a small trailer. Actually, these bolts look like they are just barely strong enough to even pull the car out of a sand trap but sector111 says they have used it. Something would have to be fabricated or a support vehicle. :frown: