Mixing tyres

[IanD]

My Bridgestone re040 on the front need replaced on my series 2 111s

I was hoping to replace only the fronts with same size AD07's. Especially as the rear Bridgestones have almost full tread and then change rears to AD07 when the Bridgestones wear out.

Have been told leaving the re040 on the rear isn't viable with AD07 on front and need to change them all.

What is the opinion on mixing tyres bearing in mind my driving is fun road use ?

I do want to take car to MMC to get a few other things checked out as well so thought I would bundle up a tyre change with other items and to be honest would probably have chosen AD07 anyway rather than non Lotus alternatives but would prefer not to add £300+ to the bill if not necessary.

[cla5h]

As the AD07 is considered more grippy then you could risk introducing more oversteer if you put them on the front. However, that's only going to be relevant if you're pushing to the limit of the rear tyres' grip - probably not an issue on day-to-day driving - so depends how you're using it.

Also, I thought I'd heard that the RE040 were no longer being produced (or was that just the LTS spec ones) so you might not be able to match the fronts with your existing rears.

[j2 lot]

Probably not a wise move to mix tyres unless you really have to, certainly not as a long term proposition.
It doesn't take much to upset the handling on an Elise and in wet conditions who knows what handling you will have (probably lots of oversteer).
I know £300 seems a lot to shell out for something you don't really need but you will regret trying to save such a small amount if you stack it You might also have insurance difficulties if you did need to claim.

The Yokohamas are a great tyre - I would fit them all round enjoy spirited driving without worrying about what the handling might be like and try to sell the rear Bridgestones on.

[MacK]

and try to sell the rear Bridgestones on.

Try here http://www.scottishelises.com/phpbb/vie ... =7&t=28838

[KevD]

Just moving away from mixed tyres here,it was always at back if my mind even though the rears are still on 5-6mm tread.

I've bought Toyos from camskill, arrived next day and were £30 each cheaper than I could have got anywhere local. Mobile fitter will take £30 cash for fit and balance them all. If you can find the AD07's online cheap you'll get someone to fit them no bother and could save a bit overall.

Kev

[dirkpitt]

hi ian,
as you know i have mixed tires........ 048's on the front and r888's on the rear, and i havent noticed any serious problems in handling or over steer etc.......i bought the rears new and the fronts were scrubbed in and a lot cheaper. i figured seeing they are both semi slicks and the same compound, they are closely matched; also, i wanted to test out the r888's to see if they were any good.

the scrubbed in yokohama's i got on ebay for £120 pair, and toyo's for just under £300

to be honest the only reason i did this was because i didn’t want to shell out nearly 600 bucks...and was prepared to take the risk of mixing.

However, my best-judged opinion would be biased on a pure safety issue, and say do not mix!

my wise old man would always say.... “buy the best tires for the car leigh, you have to consider its the only thing which is in contact between you and the ground!.......don’t mess about get the best!”