111R or Supercharged Elise
Discussion
Please could you give me your thoughts/experience...I am looing to buy an Elise, and all the motoring write ups seem to say the basic S is the best to buy?
I have driven an S and really enjoyed it, but thought it needed more oomph. I have a test drive on Saturday with a supercharged Elise, which should resolve that question....but the R seems pretty close, although obviously its a different kettle of fish with regard to the power delivery...but there are a lot more R`s about and therefore cheaper.
Which ought to be the better car for weeknd hooning, the occasional commute or longer weeked type trip, and the odd track day?
I have the feeling the Supercharged car is more relaxing and effortless, but perhaps not quite so much fun because it might actually be too good?..although the 0-100 time does appeal!
I have driven an S and really enjoyed it, but thought it needed more oomph. I have a test drive on Saturday with a supercharged Elise, which should resolve that question....but the R seems pretty close, although obviously its a different kettle of fish with regard to the power delivery...but there are a lot more R`s about and therefore cheaper.
Which ought to be the better car for weeknd hooning, the occasional commute or longer weeked type trip, and the odd track day?
I have the feeling the Supercharged car is more relaxing and effortless, but perhaps not quite so much fun because it might actually be too good?..although the 0-100 time does appeal!
I had a standard 2001 K-series and recently bought an SC because I was getting bored with all those gaps that aren't quite big enough to overtake people on B roads. 
The R would doubtless have solved that for me about as well, but it just wasn't enough of a step up for me - I found it too gutless low down. I like the sensation of some torque in a light vehicle, and the immediacy that brings no matter what cog you're in.
The SC doesn't feel as quick as it is, because the power delivery is quite linear. The big difference is that the second cam comes on at about 4000 rpm if you have your foot down, rather than 6000. This means there's no step-change like you get in an R. Some people really like that, though, so just try them all and decide.
About the only thing I don't like is that the throttle response isn't as good with the SC. That wasn't enough of a deal-breaker to stop me getting one though - the supercharger whine is addictive, and 2nd gear from 4.5k though to 8k+ is a special place. :-)
The R would doubtless have solved that for me about as well, but it just wasn't enough of a step up for me - I found it too gutless low down. I like the sensation of some torque in a light vehicle, and the immediacy that brings no matter what cog you're in.
The SC doesn't feel as quick as it is, because the power delivery is quite linear. The big difference is that the second cam comes on at about 4000 rpm if you have your foot down, rather than 6000. This means there's no step-change like you get in an R. Some people really like that, though, so just try them all and decide.
About the only thing I don't like is that the throttle response isn't as good with the SC. That wasn't enough of a deal-breaker to stop me getting one though - the supercharger whine is addictive, and 2nd gear from 4.5k though to 8k+ is a special place. :-)
Edited by herebebeasties on Tuesday 12th July 13:27
You might like to read: http://pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f...
You can buy the Supercharger used in the factory Exiges and fit to your R.
They are fitted by Essex Autosport (formerly Sinclares) who are a long established Lotus Maintainers, repairers and tuners.
Cost is about £3500.
Well proven and reiable. Gives about 240 BHP +/-
http://www.essexautosport.com/content/upgrades/upg...
Ex77
They are fitted by Essex Autosport (formerly Sinclares) who are a long established Lotus Maintainers, repairers and tuners.
Cost is about £3500.
Well proven and reiable. Gives about 240 BHP +/-
http://www.essexautosport.com/content/upgrades/upg...
Ex77
I have an R with the Katana s/c on it. I'd avoid an R. Power is peaky, you have to thrash the nuts off it to get the speed out of it. Its like a car with lots of turbo lag. I'd say from experience, in day to driving, its the slowest variant of all the Elises. At least the Rover engined cars have decent low down torque.
If you're buying 'new' go for the SC model.
If you're buying 'new' go for the SC model.
This makes interesting reading, from a respected source
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/driving/new_car_r...
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/driving/new_car_r...
Geneve said:
This makes interesting reading, from a respected source
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/driving/new_car_r...
I think EVO magazine pretty much echo'd his sentiments:http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/driving/new_car_r...
http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evocarreviews/2155...
The R is the most fun. Does everything that's great about the 's' but adds a little lunacy. 'S' is best value but take money out of the equation and I don't see why anyone would prefer iT despite what journos say.
SC seems to be prefferred by those who don't like to rev, but high rev screaming top end suits the Elise so well. Fortunately the sc revs high too but not with quite as much enthusiasm. The gains are mostly lower down. Which is more relevant to the daily grind than a Sunday blast.
SC seems to be prefferred by those who don't like to rev, but high rev screaming top end suits the Elise so well. Fortunately the sc revs high too but not with quite as much enthusiasm. The gains are mostly lower down. Which is more relevant to the daily grind than a Sunday blast.
Thanks for your thoughts everyone, although I am not sure if I am not more confused now?? I can appreciate the lary fun of the R, but also the more relaxed and effortless SC.
There are a couple of very nice looking R sports racers(?) for sale....whats the difference, just cosmatics, or any worthwhile improvements?
Is there any reason why you cannot Kantana an S?...or are there too many other differences, ie clutch, drive shafts, brakes etc?
There are a couple of very nice looking R sports racers(?) for sale....whats the difference, just cosmatics, or any worthwhile improvements?
Is there any reason why you cannot Kantana an S?...or are there too many other differences, ie clutch, drive shafts, brakes etc?
I have a Sportsracer and am unnaturally fond of it.
It has lighter wheels (the place where losing weight has the most effect), firmer springs, traction control (actually very good), extra oil coolers, fly by wire throttle, improved brake pedal, pro bax seats, hard top. All very worthwhile options. Basically what you'll find on a well equipped 2007 onwards model Elise R with sportpack. The firmer springs offer better body control at the expense of the astonishing magic carpet standard R/111r ride. That means not as comfortable and possibly slower down a bumpy b-road but more planted on smoother a-roads. Still feels fairly soft on the track though so if you want to do a few trackdays it would be a preferable set up over the standard R.
If you like the sound of both manic revs and relaxed progress then the SC would most likely hit the spot. It will do both. Personally going out for a good thrash is all part of the fun of the car. I don't think I'd ever go out for a relaxed cruise in an Elise. But each to their own. I happen to find the R engine perfectly adequate on the lower cam. Driven in isolation I go so far to say that it feels reasonably torquey. Straight after an SC it would feel a bit all or nothing I imagine. I drove both back to back but was in the R first.
However you can very easily supercharge a Sportsracer, which at 840kgs is a good bit lighter than the Elise SC, either using a factory warranted upgrade kit at around £4000 or go aftermarket for more power for the same or less money. You'd then end up with something searingly quick for the price of the SC. However I do understand the appeal of factory developed.
It has lighter wheels (the place where losing weight has the most effect), firmer springs, traction control (actually very good), extra oil coolers, fly by wire throttle, improved brake pedal, pro bax seats, hard top. All very worthwhile options. Basically what you'll find on a well equipped 2007 onwards model Elise R with sportpack. The firmer springs offer better body control at the expense of the astonishing magic carpet standard R/111r ride. That means not as comfortable and possibly slower down a bumpy b-road but more planted on smoother a-roads. Still feels fairly soft on the track though so if you want to do a few trackdays it would be a preferable set up over the standard R.
If you like the sound of both manic revs and relaxed progress then the SC would most likely hit the spot. It will do both. Personally going out for a good thrash is all part of the fun of the car. I don't think I'd ever go out for a relaxed cruise in an Elise. But each to their own. I happen to find the R engine perfectly adequate on the lower cam. Driven in isolation I go so far to say that it feels reasonably torquey. Straight after an SC it would feel a bit all or nothing I imagine. I drove both back to back but was in the R first.
However you can very easily supercharge a Sportsracer, which at 840kgs is a good bit lighter than the Elise SC, either using a factory warranted upgrade kit at around £4000 or go aftermarket for more power for the same or less money. You'd then end up with something searingly quick for the price of the SC. However I do understand the appeal of factory developed.
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