From Lotus Internet List
From: "Glyn Harper"

Subject: S4 Wheels
Date: Wed, 2 Jun 1999 16:42:04 +0100

Has anyone ever tried a set of S4 wheels and tyres on a pre-S4 X180 Esprit (88 model)

I am hopefully getting a set, but am not sure about it. I know they physically fit, but has anyone got any good/bad reports about handling, etc. Also, anyone know about the availability of tyres?

Cheers..
Glyn.

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From: Karl-Franz Marquez

Actually Glyn,

Saying that they fit is a mis-statement. The front hubs on an 88MY have a 60mm spigot diameter. The S4/S4s/V8 front wheels are center bored for 58mm. If you get these wheels, you will have to take them somewhere to have the centers machined to the proper diameter, or you won't be able to mount them. It is also critical that they machine them precisely, since this is what centers the wheel when you mount it on the car. Sanj and Sigurd have already gone through this experience. Maybe they can give you some tips.

Once you get the tires mounted though, you will notice an improvement in the handling due to the shorter sidewalls.

Karl-Franz :-)

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From: Sanjaya Vatuk

As Karl-Franz has already told you, the front wheels will *not* fit without modification. I am still trying to get used to the changes in handling after installing a set of wheels and tires from a '97 V8 on my car -- you will, if nothing else, probably see an increase in the jolt factor due to the lower sidewalls. I did manage to go around a curve so hard the other day that I lost oil pressure for a couple of seconds.........

I had a brief exchange of e-mails a while back with a guy who was selling a '91 fitted with S4 wheels, he was rather unhappy with the ride. The wheels were on the car when he bought it, so the difference may not be that great.

Another factor to consider -- do you have inboard brakes? The wheel insets are quite different in this instance.

Tire availability shouldn't be much of a problem, IMHO.

Cheers,
Sanj

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From: Karl-Franz Marquez

Good points brought up by Sanj. The guy selling the 91MY with S4 wheels bought the car with those wheels already mounted, so he has nothing to compare the ride against. Overall, the ride of the S4/S4s is very forgiving compared to other sports cars. However, if you expect it to be as soft as a Lexus (OK maybe as soft as a Camaro) then your kidneys are going to be in for a surprise.

The jump from SE to S4 wheels is not nearly as drastic as it is from SE to V8 wheels (as Sanj did) when it comes to sidewall height. I don't believe the difference in ride comfort (with the S4 wheels) would be too drastic.

The other important observation that Sanj made is about the offsets. 88's with inboard brakes have 20.3mm *negative* offset rear wheels. This means that the wheel mounting surface is inboard of the wheel's centerline. This is what usually gives a wheel a "deep dish" look. S4 wheels have a 30mm *positive* offset. If you try to mount these on an 88MY with inboard brakes, the wheels will look set-in towards the center of the car by almost 2 inches and may not actually fit because they interfere with the suspension components. At the very least, it would narrow the rear track of the vehicle by nearly 4 inches and make it look awkward and handle terribly.

Karl-Franz :-)