Elan M100 turbo or non-turbo.

[RossyVR6]

My dad and I are after an elan and wondered what the potential costs are of having the turbo over the non-turbo. Its not the running costs, just the costs of fixing probs with the turbo.

Does the turbo suffer, or is it a strong reliable unit.

What a new turbo cost if it needed one?

Cheers, James.

[mustard]

Turbos are pretty much bomb proof, replacement is very rare, and as to going for a non-turbo they are very rare (less than 200 made compared to over 4000 turbo SE's) and arnt half as exciting to drive.

Go for a turbo everytime like this one

[peter450]

as said non turbos are very rare few were made and they were discontinued early due to such low demand, the reason for that being that the turbo is a much better car get a good se or s2 and enjoy

[JonRB]

Did anyone actually buy the non-turbo? They must be rare as rocking-horse sh*t.

If you consider than the turbo is underpowered, the non-turbo must be positively glacial.

[M100]

Only 129 non turbos were made, they are incredibly slow but still grip like a leech - best to avoid them because everyone, including pensioners in Honda's will laugh at how slow you are as they overtake you.

Try and get as late a car as possible although a 92 SE is a better built car than an S2 where some of the trim was made much more flimsy. Full Lotus service history counts for very little as few Lotus dealers had a clue about the cars 15 years ago and they've forgot most of it since (quite a few haven't got clue about the Elise either!) A continuous service history is essential though, If the invoices are not at least 1/2" thick for a 10-15 year old car then find another car!

A new turbo will cost around 1500 quid from Lotus or specialists will charge around 700 quid for a rebuilt one on exchange.

A few things will shorten turbo life:

Running non synthetic oil is a definite no-no, 6000 mile oil changes are absolutely essential.

Ingested airborne crap from slapdash air filter changes can very easily damage the compressor vanes (only ever use disposable paper type filters NOT anything like a K&N etc)

The engine should also be allowed to idle for a few minutes after a fast run to reduce the turbo bearing temperature.

With care the turbo will last a good 150-200k miles, if it's been abused they can be trashed a few k.

[mustard]

M100 said:

Full Lotus service history counts for very little as few Lotus dealers had a clue about the cars 15 years ago and they've forgot most of it

May be the case with some newer lotus dealers, but we certainly still see a fair few and couple of our technicians have worked on them for many years.

I also know of a car thats done over 300k on its original turbo

>> Edited by mustard on Thursday 13th October 21:50

[JonRB]

M100 is right - quite few things shorten turbo life. One thing that prolongs it, though, is fitting a blow-off valve as this prevents the turbo from stalling on the overrun and reduces wear and fatigue.

If you don't wish to join the Max Power set (like we didn't) then fit a recirculating type valve, which dumps the excess pressure into the air inlet and is thus virtually silent.

[RossyVR6]

Thanks for all the info chaps. Looks like a turbo is the way to go then.

I dont know why my dad has somthing against turbos coz he has never had one!

Just got to go and have a good look round some now.

Thanks again, James.

[muley]

I think a non-turbo is still worth a try, they are rare but they lie in a lower insurance group and there *is* less to go wrong. They are slightly lighter and the engine / rad area is easier to work on. Nicer clock, too !!

Given the fact that they have a higher compression ratio than their turbo'd cousins they are not complete slouches.

Try one and see.

Jim B

[Rob-C]

ISTR the non-turbo engines have a stronger bottom end and a higher rev limit.

I've never really understood all the anguish over petrol turbos reliability-wise. Nobody ever seems to worry about diesel tubos do they?

If a really tidy non-turbo car turned up locally for a good price, I'd be considering it, but I wouldn't wait indefinitely for one to appear for sale. Realistically, you'll have your pick of equally good turbo cars.

There are other expensive pitfalls besides turbos BTW (rear wishbones are an obvious example).