Tyre sizes '03 onwards???

[jonytom]

Firstly, I'm sure this has been covered before, but I've spent around an hour searching for the answer without luck - I seem to be going round in circles!

I need to replace stock Yokos on an '03. Current sizes are:

Front - 185/55/15
Rear - 215/45/16

Can't seem to be able to get rear size in anything else but the Yoko A043's I've already got.

Considering F1 Eagles or Toyo T1-S or T1-R's.

What sizes would be OK front/rear in these?

[markiii]

generally people go

195/50/15 front
and

225/40/16 rear

[jonytom]

Having trouble finding 225/40/16 in F1s. Could I go to 195/50/15 and 215/40/16?

[markiii]

you can and I have.

from a driving perspective it's fine

2 things to bear in mind though.

1. your speedo will overead
2. the ride will be slightly harder.

[jonytom]

Harder ride is fine - plus better acceleration with lower profile, presumably?

However, I assume what you're saying about the speedo will affect the mileage as well. Been trying to get my head round this, but won't this mean more miles on the odometer than actually driven?

Which wheels does the speedo/odometer work off?

[markiii]

the wheels will do more revolutions to travel the same distance, so yes you will appear to have gone further than you have.

however perversely I found my mileage to a tank to have dropped.

[Anonymous]

I went to a get new rear pair of OEM Yokohama Advan A-043s on Friday and discovered that these have now been discontinued.

So I'm now faced with the question all us '03 and later MR2 owners seem to have to face sometime and that's what tyre and what size? I'm guessing all you Toyo boys and girls are using:

   195/50 R15
   225/40 R16

And am I right in thinking all you Neova LTS fans are using:

   195/50 R15
   225/45 R16

As that's Mk1 Elise size? So what's best? I like the sound of the Advan Neova LTS (what's the full name so I can phone round to see if my local tyre place stock it?) But could also be tempted with the A539 - I liked the gooon-tastic aka "lively" review elsewhere.   s:D s:D  

Option 1 above means the diameter is less all round (lower gearing, better acceleration, more mileage and a speedo even further out than normal) and the difference in front/back diameter is slightly less.

Option 2 means the fronts are smaller, but rears are larger than normal (higher gearing, less acceleration, less miles, speedo slighly under). But it must work on the Mk1 Elise. What affect does the extra difference in front/back diameter have on handling? I would guess it should be more pointy?

[markiii]

you will only get teh neovas froma lotus dealer or specialist supplier,

from past experience yoru average tyre dealer has no chance. And if they did teh price would be astronomical.

I got mine from elise parts for £400 for teh set.

and yes the sizes are correct.

[Tem]

I suppose the easy way would be to trade your 16's to someones 15's  s8) s8)

[Anonymous]

you will only get the neovas froma lotus dealer or specialist supplier,

from past experience yoru average tyre dealer has no chance. And if they did the price would be astronomical.

I got mine from elise parts for £400 for the set.

and yes the sizes are correct.

You can only get them from Lotus dealers, they have lotus part numbers. The tyre fitters also will also raise an eyelid for fitting "Lotus specific tyres" to a non-Lotus car. I got quoted £382 for a full set, including fitting and balancing. Another quote for over £500!!

Can someone confirm Speedo is linked to the rear tyres?

Link to tyre info:
   m http://340r.net/news/neova.htm m

Link to a better tyre size calculator:
   m http://www.tyresave.co.uk/tyresize.html m