Afternoon
Well i have been out of an elise now for a couple of years and couldnt stand it any longer! so im back to the Lotus line up again!
I have in the past only had the K series exige and elise but i wanted to try something newer i still wanted an exige though so i have soon to be on my drive a newish Mk2 with touring pack and sports exhaust but other than that i think its fairly standard
So questions at the moment it has the standard lotus tyre on but on my last Mk 1 Exige i had the AO39 and whilst being a great tyre it wasnt to cheap when it came to changing them,so as i commute i wanted something a lttle cheaper any ideas as to what i need to go for? i am no racer so even on track days i wont be pushing it more enjoying
Would like to replace the standard black rims for silver maybe 240 wheels eventually when i have got used to the car best place to get these? i will have to wait a while for more toys the wife thinks i am spending enough as it is brakes roof & seats wishfull thinking!
And lastly as i havent commuted using this engine before anything i need to be aware of? i didnt really have many issues with my mk1 exige on the commute so would appreciate any advice on this frm those who do miles in their car
So guys any help would be great and nice to say hi again to the lotus community!
You’ll have no worries on the commute with the toyota engine, compared with any of the K series. Air con is a good idea if it’s your main mode of transport. Which ever spec S2 you get it’ll be a doddle in traffic etc.
The A039 is a great all rounder, but not cheap as you say. Personally I plan to have two sets of wheels/tyres. one each for winter & summer. Use the A048’s (or similar) for summer. Others will be along soon on summer/winter alternative tyre advise.
Thanks Tim sounds a good idea if i do go for another set of rims it may be worth while keeping them both with rubber on then
The car has air con so that is good haing driven a mk1 every day through a hot summer without air con its a luxury!
I don’t think you can get A039’s in an S2 size on the front. Most people i’ve seen that move away from the A048’s seem to go for toyo T1-R’s which are ok on track but go off quickly on hotter days if you push them hard. I was talking to a bloke from the netherlands the other week who was testing some new toyo R1-R’s in a sprint championship over there for toyo which seemed quite good. Dunno when these will be released though.
The 240R wheels cost a bomb new (�2500 I think) so I think waiting for 2nd hand ones is the way forward!
The yota engine seems quite reliable. Oil useage can be a bit random on some so regular checks and don’t assume it’s ok. If you have an early one the batteries can leak on track. I think they were replaced with varta ones late 05 ish which don’t. There is also a toe link brace bar you should get if tracking regularly.
Hi Neil
hmm 2500 well i think i will leave that a while blimey!2nd hand will be the way
thanks for the other info will look into Toyo tyre then!
just have to wait for the pick up day now!
cheers