The Lotus Grand Tourers

I have just been informed that SP9000s are no longer being made in 215/50R15.....

That leaves only Toyo available in the correct speed rating and Kumho in the right size, but lower rating (H).

And I need two new tyres! (and please, let's not have the 205/50R15 vs 225/50R15 discussion again).

I'm tempted to fit the Kumhos on the basis that I never exceed 100mph anyway - 'cos I don't go anywhere where it would be legal to do that. Any thoughts ?

Insurance....some might not like the fitting of lower rated tyres (so I've heard)?

Better to fit higher rated 205s all round Angus...










sorry, I couldn't resist

I'm going to ring the insurance company on Monday to see what their stance is.

Given that the speed rating relates to the maximum speed at which the tyre can be run for sustained periods I can't see how a drop from V to H can really be an issue since H is 130mph anyway (see comment above about max. legal speeds).

Moot point anyway - I seem to have found a couple of SP9000s locally after all...at a hell of a price

and I don't want 205s - speed bumps are bad enough as it is without dropping the ride height any further and having to adjust the tracking etc.

i run Toyo R888s all year round, and they are AWESOME....
/end public service announcement...

Hi Angus,

Some Insurance companies will not insure a car with lower spec tyres, although legally they are OK.

I checked with the Police, MOT and my Insurance company and all happy with it before I went to H rated, however I do know instances of Insurance companies refusing to insure cars with lower speed rated tyres so I would highly recommend that it be declared (and again if you change insurers). They will either accept or not - but at least you find out before the claim.

edit: Of course the law may be different abroad (and I recall you do a lot of miles abroad). I seem to recall Micha saying that it would definitely be illegal in Germany.

Well - it's official, no-one can get 215/50(V-Z)R15s in the UK other than those Toyos that I really don't like the look of for every day use (yes, I know Ozzy swears by them, but I drive around Yorkshire & Co. Durham) so I've gone for Avon ZV5s in 205/50/15 for the run to Madrid and back through France.

MEANWHILE - I've been writing to Tyre co's who I know have the right size but either not in the right rating or not available in Europe - and have had an e-mail from one which may lead to something. Very early stages yet, but they want to talk to me on Monday - sounds a little better than ignoring the letter or sending a "no thanks". I'm hoping we can have something to announce at the NEC.

And I haven't forgotten about the 14" wheels either...but they're even harder to find.

I had a word with my local MOT tester today. He told me the good news that a tyre on a car does not have to be "e" marked to pass the MOT test.

Are we talking Dunlop SP9000's Angus? If so, the Dunlop UK website still shows 215/50 ZR15's on their list of available Tyres (well it did last night!)

Delsexcel wrote:Are we talking Dunlop SP9000's Angus? If so, the Dunlop UK website still shows 215/50 ZR15's on their list of available Tyres (well it did last night!)

It may well show them - but NONE of the suppliers I tried (about a dozen) could get them.

And KevW- the problem is not passing an MOT it's finding someone who can supply the tyres - it is illegal to sell a tyre without "e" markings in Europe...if I started importing them for forum members - I could get done for it!

I'm trying another tack with tyre manufacturers, but not having much luck yet.

SP9000s have been available sporadically because Dunlop made batches only occasionally, as I understand it. I wonder what the minimum batch size is and whether we could get anywhere with original Audi Quattro drivers (which use the same size tyres),

I contacted Longstone classic tyre suppliers to ask if they could supply 215/50X15.

The nearest they can provide is 215/55X15 which would give a 22mm increase in diameter when compared to O E tyres and that's a bit too much for my liking.

Good news is that I've found National Tyres www.national.co.uk are able to supply the 215/50 Dunlop SP9000 according to their website. Bad news is that they are asking for £206 per tyre !

So if anyone wants some badly enough you know where to go ....

KevW wrote:Good news is that I've found National Tyres http://www.national.co.uk are able to supply the 215/50 Dunlop SP9000 according to their website. Bad news is that they are asking for £206 per tyre !

So if anyone wants some badly enough you know where to go ....

Lots of websites claim they can supply them - but none of them could get hold of any when I tried- I have credit card statement full of refunds!

According to my local ats outlet (neston wirral) they can get dunlop 9000 for £125 per tyre and sport 9000s for 225 in 215/50/15 pricy im seriously thinking of fitting kumho 205/50/15 ecsta's main reason im running them on my mazda 626 estate jap import with the hi performance 2litre dohc 16v jo and find them excellent in all weather conditions and nice at 120 + cruisingand hammering it round north wales back roads lol

nothing will beat an R888 on a dry road... end of (except another super sticky tyre)

Toyo will not be making R1Rs in 215/50/15s so its R888 of nothing really...

Bad news is the R888s have gone from £55 to £98 per tyre since the R1R has been launched...