Help 111s or 111R? (comfort)
Discussion
Hi be kind as this is my first post.
Ive had 3 previous Lotus cars, 2 being the Elan M100 and the latter being an Elise S2. I loved the Elise but many times especially on short journeys I wished the suspension was a little more forgiving when it came to the usual potholes we experience in England.
My Elise ownership didn't last too long as my wife became pregnant and the Elise was our daily car (my wife didn't drive either) so it had to go when our son arrived. Amazingly she was still able to get in and out with a little shove of course right up to the birth.
Tragically and unexpected, my wife passed away last summer. My son loves sports cars, and now that I'm again albeit unfortunately in a position to have a two seater again I'm wondering if the Lotus community can help me out on here with this question.
I know and have read many threads over the years about the performance characteristics of these two cars but what I'm interested in is the comfort side, after all I have a 5yr old son to consider. I think I remember reviews stating how the 111R was a significant improvement/comfort ride over the 111s, is this true? and is the extra sound insulation worth having?
Many thanks.
Ive had 3 previous Lotus cars, 2 being the Elan M100 and the latter being an Elise S2. I loved the Elise but many times especially on short journeys I wished the suspension was a little more forgiving when it came to the usual potholes we experience in England.
My Elise ownership didn't last too long as my wife became pregnant and the Elise was our daily car (my wife didn't drive either) so it had to go when our son arrived. Amazingly she was still able to get in and out with a little shove of course right up to the birth.
Tragically and unexpected, my wife passed away last summer. My son loves sports cars, and now that I'm again albeit unfortunately in a position to have a two seater again I'm wondering if the Lotus community can help me out on here with this question.
I know and have read many threads over the years about the performance characteristics of these two cars but what I'm interested in is the comfort side, after all I have a 5yr old son to consider. I think I remember reviews stating how the 111R was a significant improvement/comfort ride over the 111s, is this true? and is the extra sound insulation worth having?
Many thanks.
Firstly, I am very sorry about your wife.
Secondly, sign up to SELOC for endless debate on 111s vs. 111r.
http://forums.seloc.org/index.php
My 2p which is really only worth 1p since I have had a brief 111s ownership:
- You have to keep the 111r at high revs to take full advantage of the power - that's gonna be NOISY!
- Although if you are motorway cruising the 6 speed helps.
- I didn't think there was much difference in the sound proofing. Certainly the Touring Pack 111s has as much sound proofing as I know about: 2x carpet, insulated soft top etc...
- As far as ride is concerned I thought they were on the same tyres and same shocks (Bilsteins) so not sure there is much difference. You can obviously tailor these to personal preference in either car.
Secondly, sign up to SELOC for endless debate on 111s vs. 111r.
http://forums.seloc.org/index.php
My 2p which is really only worth 1p since I have had a brief 111s ownership:
- You have to keep the 111r at high revs to take full advantage of the power - that's gonna be NOISY!
- Although if you are motorway cruising the 6 speed helps.
- I didn't think there was much difference in the sound proofing. Certainly the Touring Pack 111s has as much sound proofing as I know about: 2x carpet, insulated soft top etc...
- As far as ride is concerned I thought they were on the same tyres and same shocks (Bilsteins) so not sure there is much difference. You can obviously tailor these to personal preference in either car.
As mentioned, sorry about your wife.
However, for comfort, don't worry about a five year old. I run an Exige with Performance Pack and a Stage 3 exhaust as my daily driver, including nursery runs. My three year old loves it and is really dissappointed if I bring mummy's car instead. I've got Kidz ear defenders for when he's in the car to protect him from the noise in there. As an aside, if you get one with Probax seats I've found the Kiddie Cruiser Pro to be the best fitting kid seats.
However, for comfort, don't worry about a five year old. I run an Exige with Performance Pack and a Stage 3 exhaust as my daily driver, including nursery runs. My three year old loves it and is really dissappointed if I bring mummy's car instead. I've got Kidz ear defenders for when he's in the car to protect him from the noise in there. As an aside, if you get one with Probax seats I've found the Kiddie Cruiser Pro to be the best fitting kid seats.
Hi there,
Tragic news about your wife. Life is too short, so going for an Elise is the right choice. I did own a 111S and now have an R. My advice would be to go for the R. It feels more like a proper car and better put together. It definitely doesn't crash as much over potholes compared to my old 111S
Tragic news about your wife. Life is too short, so going for an Elise is the right choice. I did own a 111S and now have an R. My advice would be to go for the R. It feels more like a proper car and better put together. It definitely doesn't crash as much over potholes compared to my old 111S
I've got both a 54 plate 111s and 111r at the moment (111r will be for sale this weekend) both with Touring Packs and they feel the same suspension wise and rattles/thumps wise. In fact because the 111r has the stage 2 exhaust it is a lot louder and boomy (along with nice pops).
Possibly comparing a 2002 111s with a 2008 R, the R is more refined but not the different models from around the same time.
Possibly comparing a 2002 111s with a 2008 R, the R is more refined but not the different models from around the same time.
iand17 said:
I've got both a 54 plate 111s and 111r at the moment (111r will be for sale this weekend) both with Touring Packs and they feel the same suspension wise and rattles/thumps wise. In fact because the 111r has the stage 2 exhaust it is a lot louder and boomy (along with nice pops).
Possibly comparing a 2002 111s with a 2008 R, the R is more refined but not the different models from around the same time.
You cannot ask for a better comparison than from the guy who has both!. It#'s to be expected that the later cars will be better comfort wise as mods are introduced, but as an owner of a late 111R I would never describe it as really comfortable. Great as a fun car and quite good for that holiday blast round N Spain, but as an everyday car the noise, rattles and crashes would really get to irritate.Possibly comparing a 2002 111s with a 2008 R, the R is more refined but not the different models from around the same time.
There is a 10% difference in performance ( both top speed and acceleration) but since you rarely if ever use the last 10% that is irrelevant. The other difference is reliability. Particularly if it is an only car I would not want to trust the K series. It's not so much a question of if it will let you down as when.
I would not want to trust the life of my offspring to the Lotus every day. I would be going for the safest car I could find and that isnt the Elise, good though it is.
Edited by bordseye on Thursday 26th April 10:31
Sorry to here of your sad loss. I've had the S2111s and a S2 Exige both of which seemed to have a compliant ride to me.
What I would say, though, is that I have just bought a 1992 M100 and its great in so many ways. Comfortable, roomy, biggish boot and not too expensive to buy. Maybe consider another one of these?
What I would say, though, is that I have just bought a 1992 M100 and its great in so many ways. Comfortable, roomy, biggish boot and not too expensive to buy. Maybe consider another one of these?
Sorry about your tragic loss. Not sure if your budget allows (need £20k-£30k) but maybe a used Elise SC could be an answer. Ultra reliable Toyota engine and supercharged - therefore able to deliver great performance at lower revs than an R & hence more livable as a frequently used car. Also as they were only produced from 08 they have all the latest mods (eg Probax seats and usually with Touring Pack so will have leather interior, extra soundproofing etc)& appear to be the most reliable to date... I have only had my 09 SC just over a month...still smiling all the time and wife has remarked how amazed she is with low level sound, comfort etc at "normal" road speeds.....plus the speed & roadholding when required just blows her away.
The Probax seats that are available on the R are so much better than the standard ones. I drove from Cheshire to Spa in a day and never once felt uncomfortable - no way could I have done that with the standard seats that I used to have in my old S1. In terms of suspension, anything with "road" dampers will be so much more comfortable than "upgraded" ones - after that it's pretty much the same chassis so there isn't really a lot of difference.
As standard, the R is quite quiet, almost too quiet tbh. I fitted a 2bular back box which made a lovely noise yet wasn't too loud or intrusive. The 111S is, imho, quite a bit noisier. The R is built better, no question.
Drive both and see which your son prefers!
As standard, the R is quite quiet, almost too quiet tbh. I fitted a 2bular back box which made a lovely noise yet wasn't too loud or intrusive. The 111S is, imho, quite a bit noisier. The R is built better, no question.
Drive both and see which your son prefers!
Never find my car (2006R) uncomfortable. On the contrary, considering everything I think the car surprisingly confortable for what it offers. My nine year old son (7 when I bought the car) 'endures' a 300 mile ride without any worries. He's not so keen once I start hitting the eighties but thats more down to the fact that he cant hear his portable DVD so well. However on public roads, avoiding the motorways, it doesn't happen to often. This having been said its completely relative. I dont expect it to be as confortable as my everyday drive (Citroen DS3) which knocks it into a cocked hat for confort, noise and economy. But the Lotus puts a smile on my face, and that of my son and that to me remains te critical factor. Buying a Lotus I think one expects a certain compromise
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