Spot the difference s2 Elise 111s and standard S2 Elise

[Stig95]

Hi All I need a little help

How do I spot the difference between a 111s and a standard Elise?

I know the wheels are different and the 111s should have 111s stickers, however is there any other ways of telling the two apart? I'm just worried about buying a none 111s which has had a new set of alloys and a few stickers stuck on.

For instance is there any easy way of identifying a car via just looking at the engine etc?

[Republik1980]

I've been doing similar homework recently.. one difference is that the inlet manifold on the standard car is plastic, while the VVC item on the 111s is alloy (although watch out as the 135S also had an alloy inlet). As you say wheels and stickers are another one.

I'd also be interested to hear anyone's thoughts on telling a post 2004 facelift from earlier 111s cars; since they got a few more niceties such as 'leccy windows and central locking. Were these offered as options on earlier cars or is the presence of 'leccy windows a sign that all it's a later car with all the later kit?

[sato]

Not sure when the change was, but my 2005 has no radio aerial on the boot lid so that may be one way to tell a later car?

[Republik1980]

I'm still trawling through it but this on SELOC is very helpful


ETA:


Differences between standard car and 111s and at introduction:

Elise 111 & 111S: May 2002

VIN character 4 = J; Serial number from 2677.

Std. car continues unchanged. 111 & 111S versions available as option, including: 160ps VVC engine; ‘G6’ transmission ratios; new exhaust muffler with round tailpipes and flap valve; intake resonator box; oil/water heat exchanger; larger type (a.c.) radiator, twin rad. fans and re-circ. pump; 8-spoke heat treated road wheels; enhanced rear diffuser; Shurlock instrument pack; heater cars use HVAC system (see above) less a.c. equipment.


Changes to 111s, MY 2004:

2004 Model Year: May 2003

VIN character 10 = 4; Serial number restarts at 0001.

Range as previous with following new features: Optional central door locking on driver's and passenger's doors operated via Cobra 8185/8186 alarm transmitter. Electric window operation combined with CDL option. Gearchange mechanism noise suppression. Interior noise suppression package on 'S' variants. Uprated battery, bar graph fuel display, orange backlighting, restyled repeater lamps, optional CD multichanger in boot, aerial ground plane, washer bottle in engine compartment, optional Tracker security. Sun visors, new trim features. Lotus roundel on rear transom. Red spark plug cover.

I'm off to try and find some photos of said differences

Edited by Republik1980 on Friday 12th July 11:11

[Stig95]

Looks like there is also a difference with the rear diffuser however I cannot find a decent photo to see if its obvious

[kambites]

Stig95 said:

Looks like there is also a difference with the rear diffuser however I cannot find a decent photo to see if its obvious

It's very obvious. Standard K-series cars have a single element diffuser, VVC cars have three elements.




Also, looking at the engine, the 111S has a metal intake manifold. I believe the normal K-series is plastic.


ETA: Any of these things could have been retrofitted, though. Checking the log book is probably your best bet.

Edited by kambites on Friday 12th July 11:31

[RobM77]

I'm a former S2 111S owner and can think of a few things, but surely the best way would be to get the VIN and check with Lotus or a main Lotus dealer? I don't know if they offer such a service, but it'd be worth asking.

Whilst I'm posting I'd like to say that the 111S is probably the best Elise I've driven, and I'd say the second best road car I've ever driven. It's still got non-servo brakes, which is brilliant, and the VVC engine has loads of torque which is good for public road use along sweeping b roads and the like. Plus the extra sound deadening over previous models to me almost makes all the feedback from the car stand out more.

[kambites]

Oh, and not all 111Ss have 111S stickers on them.

[un1eash]

Check for the VVC Hydraulic Control Unit on the engine (round silver thing coming out the head at an angle)....



If standard then the diffuser, wheels and exhaust tips are the easiest way to tell from outside.

[ad243S]

Have a look here http://wiki.seloc.org/a/Elise_model_history

Alternatively do a vehicle registration check and see what the BHP is
Standard S2 is 120bhp
111S is 160bhp

[Stig95]

Thanks for the help. Definatly have enough useful tell tail signs to avoid a 300 mile round trip.

[Republik1980]

Top sleuthing

Another thought is the emissions; the standard car produces 177g/km while the 111s is better at 163g/km - a DVLA vehicle enquiry will tell you which it is..

[MagicalTrevor]

The 111S doesn't necessarily have the 111S stickers either, mine doesn't ('05 111S)

[ad243S]

Stig95 said:

Thanks for the help. Definatly have enough useful tell tail signs to avoid a 300 mile round trip.

What car are you looking at, maybe you could get someone local to the car to give it a once over for you?

[grumpy]

111S, VVC engine, has two cam belts, one at each end of the engine.

[walm]

Perhaps not foolproof but worth doing (if the reg is available) is an insurance quote.
I have no idea what database they use but often once you put the reg in, it will auto-fill all the details, including that it is a 111S (or not) and the all important bhp.
Note that some 2003 cars appear to be called "S" but certainly aren't a 111S.

[Ferrari456MGT]

RobM77 said:

111S is probably the best Elise I've driven, and I'd say the second best road car I've ever driven

I'm pretty sure it's the best thing I've driven. I'd love to know what beats it for you?

[RobM77]

Ferrari456MGT said:

RobM77 said:

111S is probably the best Elise I've driven, and I'd say the second best road car I've ever driven

I'm pretty sure it's the best thing I've driven. I'd love to know what beats it for you?

It starts with the controls; they're just perfect. The weighting of the brake pedal is bang on for easy heel and toe and modulation; almost all servo assisted brakes get this wrong. The steering is just delicious; non linear at its extremes, but 95% of it remains linear, full of feel and delicately weighted. Lastly, it has a cable throttle, so has none of that awful lag that ruins most modern cars,even Porsches. Yes, the engine pickup isn't instant due to its injection system, but there's not a processing lag, which in my humble opinion ruins otherwise great cars like the Cayman S or E46 M3.

Next up is the refinement. I think the more refined 111S brings the feedback from the car more to focus than its noisier cousins - I find I notice it all more. Also, you want to use the car more because it's more liveable.

The VVC engine is just perfect for a road car due to its lovely spread of torque throughout the rev range. Due to speed limits, most twisty roads don't involve much braking and hard acceleration, just a smooth flow between about 40mph and 60mph, so they demand an engine that has response at those sorts of middling speeds. The k series is also one of the lightest 4 cyl engines available (in fact I think it was the lightest at the time).

Lastly, the 111S is a genuine 800kg, which makes itself known constantly compared with the newer and heavier cars.

I'm tempted to tie the 111S with the SC, my other favourite Elise - both are fantastic cars.

Lotus do continue to improve all the time; the best road car I've ever driven is the new Exige S, and just behind the Elise in third place is the Evora S. All three perfect the art of building a good road car.

[ch427]

Some really good informative comments on this thread, I want one now!

[ch427]

Some really good informative comments on this thread, I want one now!