A&Q about Lotus
Q:
What does the 2005 Elise with sport package include besides the LSS wheels/tires? Does someone have a web link or another post somewhere with this info? Thanks!
A:
Slightly stiffer springs and shock valving. The spring perches may also be set at the factory to lower the ride height by 5mm. Most of the handling advantage of the Sport Pack is the Advan A048 tires. The price for that is very short tread life and poor cold-tire performance.
A:
With the optional 'Sport' package, which includes a lower ride height, larger diameter wheels, retuned suspension and A048 tires, the Elise should pull close to 1G on the skid pad. Food for thought for US drivers of Corvettes, Boxsters and Z4's who may be taken aback at the capabilities of the little British motor.
I own that package. It's very nice to have...car is outrageous!
A:
Second oil cooler?
A:
Originally Posted by LARRY
With the optional 'Sport' package, which includes a lower ride height, larger diameter wheels, retuned suspension and A048 tires, the Elise should pull close to 1G on the skid pad.
The wheels are not larger in diameter. They are a bit wider.
xtn
A:
Originally Posted by ChrisB
the Advan A048 tires. The price for that is very short tread life and poor cold-tire performance.
This should not be minimized. The base suspension/tires is fantastic, and more than enough for most. The Sport Pack adds a small increment to the performance.
But the average Sport Pack owner seems to be getting around 5,000 miles out of a set of tires (as compared to 15,000 to 20,000 for base tires - and the tires are rather expensive. Additionally, in the cold, the A048 tires don't have much grip. Not too fun in the rain either.
The Sport Pack may be worth it for many people, but it's something that you should really consider carefully - the pros and cons, against your actual planned usage of the car.
A:
The Sport Pack has extra "sport."
A:
Sport pack wheels are also harder to clean.
But they look cooler than the tour... I mean the other wheels.
A:
Originally Posted by ChrisB
The spring perches may also be set at the factory to lower the ride height by 5mm.
So then does that mean that it may or may not be set different? I have the sport pack on my car but I've never parked it next to one without the sport pack. Actually I've never really looked closely when it was parked next to another sport pack model to see if they were the same.
A:
FWIW, in my experience the A048's have been very good in the rain, and not any worse than any other high-end performance tire in cold weather. It looks like I'll end up getting ~7,500 miles on the rears, maybe double that on the fronts.
The Sport Pack cars are also a couple tenths quicker to 60 due to the lighter wheels, stiffer suspension, and stickier tires.
A:
Originally Posted by Taxcheat
Sport pack wheels are also harder to clean.
But they look cooler than the tour... I mean the other wheels.
Not sure which one is harder, base wheels or sport wheels..
A:
Originally Posted by TimMullen
But the average Sport Pack owner seems to be getting around 5,000 miles out of a set of tires (as compared to 15,000 to 20,000 for base tires .
I have a non-sport car and I got 11K on my rears and that seems to be what most of the LOONYs are gettting on their cars.
I hated the sport package when I drove the Krypton Green one at Auto Europe. I thought it was so outragous that the person with me..Jay (now a CO owner)...and myself just started to laugh...uncontrollably. Every time we hit a hole or bump...we would just laugh....it was so stiff.
A:
Originally Posted by TimMullen
But the average Sport Pack owner seems to be getting around 5,000 miles out of a set of tires (as compared to 15,000 to 20,000 for base tires - and the tires are rather expensive. Additionally, in the cold, the A048 tires don't have much grip. Not too fun in the rain either.
I'm at 6k miles and oddly all my tires are at below the wear mark.. I was hoping these suckers would last me at least 10k..
non-sport pack car..
20/22psi
A:
Originally Posted by Taxcheat
Sport pack wheels are also harder to clean.
But they look cooler than the tour... I mean the other wheels.
I have 3 types of brushes I use to get my LSS wheels clean.
A:
Originally Posted by Taxcheat
Sport pack wheels are also harder to clean.
But they look cooler than the tour... I mean the other wheels.
Dr. Mullen, this patient appears to suffer from Intentional Goading Syndrome. What treatment do you recommend?
xtn
A:
no one really mentioned that it guarantees dual oil coolers for an 05. many non-sport early 05s had them, though
A:
Originally Posted by choi0706
I'm at 6k miles and oddly all my tires are at below the wear mark.. I was hoping these suckers would last me at least 10k..
non-sport pack car..
20/22psi
I see what you posted as the inflation pressure, but the picture shows classic over-inflation. It's possible that you have an alignment problem. Though it is highly unusual for an alignment problem to exhibit that wear pattern, it seems that some Elise owners have experienced just that.
A:
I use ZYMOL on my sport wheels. It is the best, safe, and easy. Does not affect wheels at all, just cleans them...
A:
"Be aware that on cars fitted with optional clear anodised forged alloy wheels (with 7 twin-spokes), the anodised surface finish may be attacked by some proprietary wheel cleaning products. Wash only using hot soapy water or car bodywork shampoo. Advise tire fitting companies accordingly." Page 96 of the Owner's Manual
A:
The sticker on my door jam of my non-sport Elise says 26psi front, 28psi rear.
I let the pressure get down to around where you listed (20/22, i just didn't check them for "ahem" 6 months) and when I put the 26 and 28 (cold) in, it felt like a new car. Crisp turn in, very little movement when going through switchbacks, etc. Also, I've got 10,500 miles on mine and they look like they could do another 10k.
I think proper tire inflation is directly related to tire life!