Been following Andy Hollis' tire tests and it looks like the ECS 02 is probably what I want to slap on my ND before my vaguely planned "Trackday at Laguna Seca" next year. But the Elise needs a set of new tires before the WV Hillclimb festival, too. I think AD08/AD09s are a pretty customary tires for an Elise so they're a safe choice, but I'm wondering if I should chance the ECS02s instead?
Yes, "overanalyze everything" is my middle name.
The ECS02s could get melty more easily after a few laps, the AD09s won't have that issue but also won't have the cold performance, or likely the wet performance of the ECS02.
Haven't really exercised the ECS 02 I put on my car but I can say that they ride very soft and compliant. Grip seems excellent on a freeway on ramp. That's all I've managed so far
In reply to GameboyRMH :
Wet performance is likely a concern around here, especially with the currrent weather patterns of high likelihood of E36 M3 weather on weeks.
In reply to spandak :
"Soft and compliant" might come in handy when driving longer distances.
I'll have to go back to the magazine and re-read the article. One characteristic that is important to me on the Elise are the breakaway characteristics as I'd prefer to have a tire that gives me decent notice before it lets go, especially given how abrupt breakaway was when I ended up in the scenery with it.
The AD09s are a bit knife-edgey while the ECS02s are more forgiving.
on my elise i have had
ad07
a048
ad09
r888
re71
since new.
a052 which is what i run now has been the best
In reply to nsxmr2elises2000 :
Thanks, I'll add those to my consideration. They didn't show up in my original list, because it turns out the front tire isn't available in the size that's on my Elise - someone has replaced the 195/50/16 "Standard" size with a 205/45/16. That also made me wonder if that may have upset the fairly tight balance these cars have on account of having too much front grip.
How much track time you planning to put on these tires?
In reply to Olemiss540 :
A fair amount - I mainly bought the Elise as a track sled, and my plan was to use it for Auto-X and track days (and apparently now also a hillclimb).
Of course I scared myself during the first Auto-X so there is that.
In reply to BoxheadTim :
Stock front ARB?
In reply to Region_Rat :
I believe so, but that's based on my observation so far that pretty much everything under the car appears to be stock.
How about the Nankang CR-S?
In reply to Olemiss540 :
Didn't realize it's available in the correct sizes for my car. Probably because I was looking for the sizes that are currently on there.
Something to consider as well, probably want to re-read the tests for that tire as well.
Just reread this test and the Nankang is a definite contender, especially as Andy mentioned that once hot, the A052 "becomes rather challenging to drive at the limit".
Given that I found the combination of car's limits and talent limit on the Else before, I think I don't need to liven things up a little more.
I have been tracking my Elise with the ECS (not 02) for 8 track days over the last few years (rebuilding it took it out of comission for a few years in between). Of those, three have had rain and I was immensely grateful for the ECS' wet grip. Seriously, they make rainy track days an absolute blast, and you'll look like a hero. Super forgiving and high rain limits. With our narrow tires, they cut through heavy water better than they would on a larger car, too. Similar things with trips to the mountains where it rained. If there's a chance of rain, that tire is pretty hard to beat. In the dry, I have not had any problems with heat buildup since our cars are so light. I could see it chunking with a heavier car (read: 'light' by modern standards), but I've not had any issues. I'll report back after VIR this August now that I'm starting to pick up some speed, haha.
I have not tried the 02 yet though, but it sounds like they didn't give up much wet grip and gained dry grip. Still, I am on the fence. I have started trailering, so having dedicated rain and dry tires is a possibility. I won't be changing tires though until I burn through this current set. At the rate they are wearing , they'll rot before the tread is worn down.
In reply to cyow5 :
Thanks for the feedback on the ECS, that's super helpful. Rain is obviously a concern for me at least until I've got the ND suitable kitted out for backup HPDE duty. Right now it looks like it's a decision between the ECS 02 and the Nankang CR-S, but while the Nankang is available in the "Sport package" sizes (although I don't think my car has the Sport package), the ECS02 is only availabe in the sizes that are currently on the car with the slightly upsized front (205/45/16 instead of 195/50/16).
ECS02 has a rebate until the end of the day, $110 off a set of four. I'm buying another set today.
BoxheadTim said:In reply to cyow5 :
Thanks for the feedback on the ECS, that's super helpful. Rain is obviously a concern for me at least until I've got the ND suitable kitted out for backup HPDE duty. Right now it looks like it's a decision between the ECS 02 and the Nankang CR-S, but while the Nankang is available in the "Sport package" sizes (although I don't think my car has the Sport package), the ECS02 is only availabe in the sizes that are currently on the car with the slightly upsized front (205/45/16 instead of 195/50/16).
If the door jamb sticker is stock and says 195, that's the LSS size. 175 is base.
In reply to cyow5 :
Door jamb sticker says 195.
BoxheadTim said:In reply to nsxmr2elises2000 :
Thanks, I'll add those to my consideration. They didn't show up in my original list, because it turns out the front tire isn't available in the size that's on my Elise - someone has replaced the 195/50/16 "Standard" size with a 205/45/16. That also made me wonder if that may have upset the fairly tight balance these cars have on account of having too much front grip.
yup - go back to stock sizes
after 17 years of ownership amd trying other sizes - the sport package size is my favorite
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