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P-Zero's (Caution - Tyre Content!)

Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2006 5:06 pm
by Dicey
Hi Peeps,

Can anyone tell me if the P-Zero's are a special Lotus fitment for the Elise (like the Yokohama Advans Neova LTS) or will 'any' 225/45ZR16 P-Zero do?

Reason I ask is I need new rears, but would like to get more mileage from the fronts and don't want to mix 'n match brands. Seems a shame to get rid of tyres with 6mm tread left. And yes, I know all the arguments against Pirellis, I'll get Yokohamas next time :wink: Unless they are an Elise specific fitment, MMC quoted £264.89 each for a P-Zero!!!! £105.35 for an Advans. They also say they are specific to the Elise, Kwikfit say no... argh!

Ta Muchly

Mike.

Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2006 5:07 pm
by Tom
I've got a pair of rear pzeros with about 6 mm on them for an S1. You can have them for gratis :D :D

Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2006 5:08 pm
by Tom
i may even know a man that can bring them to dundee, unless you're coming down anytime soon. how desperate are you??

Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2006 5:09 pm
by Tom
for the tyres, before anyone jumps in with comedy desperate jokes.....

Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2006 5:12 pm
by Shug
IIRC the P Zero is no longer produced in Elise S1 sizes. That's one of the (many) reasons a replacement was found. Not sure if it's the front or rears you can no longer get...

The argument for holding on to tyres with lots of tread is fairly sound with one very important caveat - are the tyres more than 2 years old? Have you tracked them?

They go hard over time and heat cycles - to the point that they will never appreciably wear and the grip level plummets. If they are older tyres, please bin them. They will be fine at the moment, but the minute the rains fall, they are a liability - because they are totally unpredictable.

This coming from a man who runs Maxsports in monsoons.....

Re: P-Zero's (Caution - Tyre Content!)

Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2006 5:15 pm
by Shug
Dicey wrote: Unless they are an Elise specific fitment, MMC quoted £264.89 each for a P-Zero!!!! £105.35 for an Advans. They also say they are specific to the Elise, Kwikfit say no... argh!
Ah - read again, sounds like you're going for whatever end are still available.

They are not Lotus specific AFAIK - I did replace a pair in the dim and distant past and certainly didn't go through MMC. Wonder if MMC would tell you the exact difference in codes for the Lotus specific ones.....

:?

Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2006 5:17 pm
by Tom
thanks for advice. I have no idea how old the tyres on mine are(or the spares for that matter). apparently you can work out the age by the coding on the sidewall. I drive like a blind old person in the wet anyway. My plan is Brunty's day at the start of August, a Walshy day on the 15th, SIDC on the 19th and change to Yoko's after that. :D :D


You're welcome to my(sanjoy's) spare pair Mike if you want them.

Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2006 5:40 pm
by Dicey
Thanks for the replies guys.

Tom – I’ve a feeling your tyres will be 205’s. I need 225’s, but if they are 225’s that’s mighty kind and I’ll take you up on your offer.

Shug – It’s the front 185’s you can’t get anywhere. The tyres are the original fit (six years old), been tracked and, as you say, getting a bit hard. I was hoping to get the rest of the summer out of them and put Yokos on for next year. MOT in August and the rears won’t pass by then. I don’t need huge grip for the track, I don’t mind the sliding and the bum clenching that comes with the current Pirellis – just wait ‘til I bend a toe link or summat, getting hauled out the gravel, then it’ll be a different story (rear toe eye is on the list)…

If I can’t get the (proper?) P-Zero rears for a sensible price (don’t get me started on main dealers) I’ll just have to stump up the readies for four Yokohamas a little sooner than I’d hoped.

Mike

Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2006 5:41 pm
by Dicey
oops, to slow...

Tom, are your (Sanjoy's) tyres 225's then?

Mike.

Re: P-Zero's (Caution - Tyre Content!)

Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2006 7:22 pm
by Bennicus
Dicey wrote:MMC quoted £264.89 each for a P-Zero!!!!
!!!!
I got a full set of T1Rs, including fitting, for less than that. That's obscene! The proton dealer in Scummers had fronts for £80-odd each (P-Zeros, that is), dunno about rears though.

Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2006 8:33 pm
by simon
If you're paying around £200 (or more) for 2 P-zeros, you should really consider a full set of Toyo T1-R for £240 instead!

Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2006 10:23 pm
by thinfourth
if the tyres can make it to hoysport then i am needing to do a run to hoysport via dundee and back to aberdeen to drop off some junk.

Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2006 11:07 pm
by Sanjøy
Cannto remember what tyres are with Tom but you ar more than welcome to them.

Silly price for those 0s. £250 inc vat inc fitting inc valves inc smiles for Toyos.

Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2006 9:28 am
by robin
Dicey wrote:Thanks for the replies guys.

The tyres are the original fit (six years old), been tracked and, as you say, getting a bit hard.

Mike
Eek - you want to bin those now before you get caught in the rain, where these tyres have low grip to start with and yours will probably be like driving on marbles.

The biggest issue seems to be under braking where a very common outcome is (a) apply moderate brakes in the wet, (b) turn steering wheel for gentle corner, (c) end up in hedge.

Of course you might know all that and be the sort of bloke that can drive around this type of handicap, in which case enjoy!

Personally I would splash out the cash and get a set of the Advans Neovas for the summer - they'll last a good 8,000 miles even with some track abuse. Were it closer to winter I would advise the T1R (less money, better grip in the wet), but in the current weather I don't fancy the T1R on track (butter).

Cheers
Robin

Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2006 9:47 am
by Tom
they're 205's. OE was 185F 205R. I didn't know they did 225's for the elise.