S1 Elise spring/damper recommendations

[Captain Muppet]

Hello.

I have an S1 Elise with a leaky damper.
My problem is it's got factory supplied height adjustable Konis (the LSS option maybe - the rest of the car is Sport 160 spec) and it seems there aren't any of these new anywhere.

I'd rather keep it original, but given I can't, I need recommendations for replacement springs and dampers.

I'd like something similar to what I have now, I desperately don't want to cock up the ride and handling and I want something that isn't going to fall to bits after a couple of winters (I drive all year, on B-roads mostly, if that helps).

I do sprints in the Elise, but I'd rather much rather compromise track performance than ruin my commute.

I'm also currently toying with selling the Elise so something that won't put off potential buyers would be good.

Budget is not a problem, but I don't want to waste money on race spec bits I don't really need. Or save money buying st.

I dread asking the Internet, especially on a forum that suggested a tricycle on my "tyres for my motorbike" thread, but who else can I ask?

Help please. Thanks.

[giveitfish]

I can't help but answers will be interesting - my S1 is also running Konis and one has just begun to mist. Apparently the Konis are still made in batches sometimes so worth contacting Koni UK direct first?

I'll probably go for the S2 Bilstein kit myself for convenience and cost but deep down I'd prefer it to ride the way it was originally built, especially after being on the receiving end of a rant from Chris Fouldes (Lotus specialist in Yorkshire) about how he's driven load of Elise's and the poor rep of the Konis is just forum bullst due to people comparing worn Konis to new Bilsteins.

[james_gt3rs]

Can you even buy the Konis anymore? S2 Bilstein probably your best option.

[Captain Muppet]

james_gt3rs said:

Can you even buy the Konis anymore?

No. Hence thread.

james_gt3rs said:

S2 Bilstein probably your best option.

As a replacement for standard Konis yes. Not for the LSS adjustable Konis though.

Still open to suggestions...

[Smitters]

I would suggest a conversation with Simon at Meteor Motorsport would not be a bad place to start. He knows suspension and doesn't push you into something you don't want or need.

He may even know if the Konis can be rebuilt.

[MattyB_]

Unless you're keeping it 100% standard to hold it's collector value, I wouldn't be too concerned about resale; all the alternative options (Bilstein/Quantum/Nitron) are all very well regarded - if anything, replaced suspension will be seen as a plus to most.

If you want to maintain the "originality" but standard Bilstein are too high, you can get S2 LSS, but it's expensive and rare secondhand as it was only on the 135R.

Otherwise, I'm afraid your only option is getting Nitron NTR40/46's, or Quantums, and custom spring rates to suit your needs.

[kambites]

The simple answer is that all of the main after-market spring and damper options are pretty good, and you largely get what you pay for in terms of quality. Personally I decided I wanted a non-adjustable setup where someone else had done the calibration work for my road car; if I'd been intending to track it I might have gone for one-way adjustables though; more adjustment than that sounds more trouble than its worth to me.

[Mister K]

Bilstein are pretty good on S1, if you need height adjustable then Nitron Street Series 2