Wheels, Tyres and Brakes

Wheels

The alloy wheels on the Lotus Carlton/Omega re different sizes at the front and rear. The front wheels are 8.5J x 17 and the rears are 9.5J x 17. It is unlikely that you will encounter aftermarket wheels as few will fit over the brakes.

There are no major concerns with the alloy wheels, check for parking damage, especially on the front. Be particularly careful and inspect the rims for dents and cracks.

The Lotus Carlton/Omega has an 18" space saver wheel, you can't miss it, it's bright red. This can be found behind the carpet panel in the left side of the boot. Make sure it is there.

Tyres

As with the alloy wheels, the tyres are different sizes front and rear. The front tyres should be 235/45 17 and the rears should be 265/40 17. The speed rating should be Z or W. The standard tyres are Goodyear Eagles designed specifically for the car and marked with W on the side wall. Many people use Goodyear Eagle F1 tyres as the originals are becoming scarce.

Inspect the condition of the space saver wheel too, if this is badly worn, either the previous owner(s) has been unlucky and had a lot of punctures or the wheel has been left on for a long time. The tyre is 115 TR 18 and should not be used above 50mph/80 kph. The tyre is no longer available.

Ensure that the tyres are the correct size and speed rating and of a reputable make. Savings made here will give an indication as to how the car has been cared for.

Also ensure that metal tyre valves are fitted.

The final thing to check is the tread depth and wear pattern. If the tread is low, you have another negotiating point. If the tread wear is uneven, it points towards incorrect inflation pressure, suspension wear, suspension leveling failure or incorrect geometry/tracking.

Brakes

The brakes on the Lotus Carlton/Omega are huge (and expensive!!). Front disks are 330mm in diameter and the rears are 300mm in diameter. Stopping power is provided by AP calipers, 4-pot on the front and 2-pot on the rear, via group C pads.

Check for pad and disk wear. Be aware that there will be no wear lip on the outer edge of the disks. Worn pads will have a hidden cost as it is likely that calipers will need replacing/re-sleeving at the same time.

Judder through the steering wheel may be caused by excessive runout caused by overheating. Have a look at the colour of the brake fluid too.

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