The 'E' Type Forum

6" inch rim with 185/15 tyres

Just taken a number of photos for updated agreed valuation and thought it worth showing this one which I feel is an excellent but subtle upgrade worth illustrating. Practicality purposes the handling performance hasn't been compromised, probably better, but mainly the car has started to lose it's "railway carriage" feature with the wheels becoming more outboard.



John H

I couldn't agree with you more, John. The railway carriage look is just about the only design 'fault' I can see with the S1 Coupe, and the steering feels just right as well with the 6 inch wheels.

Here's my negative of yours.....Red with a Black interior vs Black with a Red interior!

I think John was championing the idea of using Michelin XVS 185 section tyres on 6" rims rather than on the standard 5" rims. Michelin specifies their 185 tyres will fit on 5", 5.5" and 6" rims. You do not get any extra tread on the road but stretching the tyre sideways tends to stiffen the side walls which can have a positive effect on handling. The downside may be a loss of ride comfort due to loss of compliance in the side walls but I doubt you would notice - although my wife probably would :? . Using this combination improves the front/rear aspect of the car while retaining the side on view of full wheel arches. The downside of lower profile tyres (apart from a reduction in ride height) is the car looks odd from the side.

185 section tyres on 5" wheels:


So the ideal world Mark - ditch those time expired 225 Pirelli's and put on a set of 185's :D

I like the wider section tyres as well! I'm starting to push the car a bit harder now with 800 miles on the clock, and frankly, I doubt very much if I would notice the difference on the road between the 185s and the 225s.

I may be stuck in a timewarp.....I used to race in Modsports where the Elans has Formula 2 wheels and tyres....about 18 inches wide....which made them look superb in my eyes! They would look a bit daft on the road though.

There's still a fair bit of tread left on the Pirellis, John, and a couple of years left! The S3 is going to be on the road this year, and that has 4 new looking Pirellis fitted with about 1500 miles on them...but they are 12 years old :(

Maybe I will try the XAS tyres on that first.

MarkE wrote: I doubt very much if I would notice the difference on the road between the 185s and the 225s.

You would after the first roundabout!

MarkE wrote:The S3 is going to be on the road this year, and that has 4 new looking Pirellis fitted with about 1500 miles on them...but they are 12 years old. Maybe I will try the XAS tyres on that first.

Noooooooooooooo! The ideal tyres for the S3 are Michelin XWX 205/70VR15 or the Dunlop ER70HR15 SP Sport. The S3 is happy with the wider tyre as it has power steering.

Ah....three nice rear ends!

David; your number plate with raised lettering is one of the few things I would like to replace on my rear end. Your plate is also the right size to fill the area, do you know the supplier? Otherwise I'll do an internet search.

Mark; I think the geometry of your wheels flowing into the body looks flawless although I can't help feeling it's not quite right hence I thought I'd call my rear end a subtle improvement! Incidentally you mention XAS which is available but David and myself have XVS which leaves less money in our pockets!!

Happy motoring

John H

The S1 doesn't need power steering with the 225s, so I doubt the S3 would be happier! In fact the 225s weight the steering perfectly for me when on the move, and give excellent feedback. Well, in the dry they do.....I haven't pushed it in the wet yet.

I still have to re-valve the S3 rack so that it doesn't feel so dead. All the feedback of Novocaine.

The Pirellis on the S3 are 225s currently....I wasn't going back to the slimlines just yet!

John

Full list of number plate suppliers in the Knowledge Base. I bought mine from Tippers: http://www.tippersvintageplates.co.uk/ I have is the 'Ace' raised digits version (available in white or silver) but, be warned, the characters are in very limited NOS supply so some combinations may not be available as they are not being re-manufactured. The plate is not cheap either! Tippers will make the alloy back plate to whatever measurement you want. Give Mr Tipper a call and see what he can do for you:

ACE TYPE DIGITS
Originally made by CORNERCROFT ENG.LTD. of Coventry, ceased production in early 1970's. These were a 3 1/2" peaked WHITE and SILVER die cast digit, also produced in 3 1/8" FLAT TOP White and Silver, very stylised into a squared type of digit and very popular in the 1960's and 70's. Our stocks are original and all Aluminium - some 3 1/2" stocks are low - WE WILL ALWAYS BUY OLD "ACE" STOCKS OF METAL DIGITS. All orders for "Ace" type are subject to specific stocks availability.
Note: We also have REMNANT STOCKS of other manufacturers' digits (all metal) such as BLUMELS, C U D and HILLS.

DIE PRESSED ALUMINIUM
Introduced in the early 1930's. Present specification used is hand polished 16swg (i/16" approx.) thick aluminium with Black stove enamelled (high temperature) background.
1930's to 1963/4 = 6 characters only - 3 1/2" high
Standard sizes - 21" x 5" oblong and 11", 12" or 14" x 9 1/4" square
1964 to 1973 = 7 characters (with prefix or suffix "A", etc.)
Standard sizes - 20 1/2" x 4 1/2" or 11 11/16" x 8 3/8"
Above sizes (unless otherwise requested) contain 1/4" wide raised polished beaded edge with 1/8" corner on 3 1/2" and 5/8" rounded corner on 3 1/8" size