I'm quite confused. The door sill plaque lists
245/40/19
285/35/19
and the car is shod by Pirelli rubber in these sizes.

But a search through the forum for tire discussions and also tirerack and other online clearing houses list:

Front - 235/40 ZR19
Rear - 275/35 ZR19

For OEM sizes. So...what am I missing?

 

All you're probably missing out on is running a smaller tire. Go with what's on the car and on the door plate. Your car may have come with different optional rims that are wider.

 

Stock 19" anthracite, I had them switch the rims to the newer ones for looks before I bought the car. Interestingly, a wider variety of rubber than the other 'stock' sizes.

 

Well, looks like you made out well on that deal

 

Indeed. Based on this thread:
https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...ires-amv8.html
I decided to give the continentals a try. I tracked the car on the Pirelli corsa that are on it and ate my way through them fairly quickly. But that was due to the nut behind the wheel. I was driving the line I'm used to in the Elise for which the AM did quite well in most places. But I was learning the car. Just put on a set of carbotech pads and new rubber this weekend for next weeks track session. Just one more for some film and then back to the Elise for the season.