S3 Exige - S or 350? Which to go for?
Discussion
Hi Guys,
Am back in the market for an Exige after selling my Mac, am trying to decided if the 350 is worth the premium over the standard S?
Is it purely cosmetic changes or were there any internal suspension changes and engine set up differences.
Thanks
(Edit to comply with Posting Rules)
Am back in the market for an Exige after selling my Mac, am trying to decided if the 350 is worth the premium over the standard S?
Is it purely cosmetic changes or were there any internal suspension changes and engine set up differences.
Thanks
(Edit to comply with Posting Rules)
Edited by Scrump on Sunday 10th March 21:36
I also sold my McLaren 12C & bought an Exige 350. I loved it, had it for 9 months while trying to find a 675LT to replaced the 12C with. However a few weeks ago I traded it in for a 430CUP! It pulled at my heart strings even more than the 675LT.
I drove a V6 while looking for my 350. S 'v' 350 depends what you want. The 350 is rawer, lighter & has the exposed gear change. I found the S slightly more refined. There are elements of cost saving in the 350 over the S all in the name of weight saving! I would say I much prefer the glass screen over the louvered screen. I found the V6 gear change perfectly fine, actually very nice. I know the exposed change looks great but £5k+ ???
If you want a bargain get a roadster, my old red 350 is for sale at Oakmere. Its great with the soft top. The roadster does without the spoiler & splitter but can be had for a lot less. If you buy a roadster PM me as I have a spoiler & splitter. There is a lower 'advised'top speed with roadster but its around 140mph! Plenty :-)
If you get one its a slippery slope of tuning (look at komotec web site) carbon bits & suspension. If you can afford it a 410 sport is a great buy or even a 380 as they have lots of extra bits. If I was doing this again, on a budget, I would get a really nice S and then get 3 way nitron suspension and leave it at that. The ride is so much improved its as good as a McLaren. The standard suspension is ok but night & day next to the Nitrons, even on the road.
There is a blue komotec tuned one on PH for what seems like a very good price, not sure of the history of the car so you would need to investigate but it will be properly fast, as quick as a 12C to 100 but with a manual box. GLWS.
I drove a V6 while looking for my 350. S 'v' 350 depends what you want. The 350 is rawer, lighter & has the exposed gear change. I found the S slightly more refined. There are elements of cost saving in the 350 over the S all in the name of weight saving! I would say I much prefer the glass screen over the louvered screen. I found the V6 gear change perfectly fine, actually very nice. I know the exposed change looks great but £5k+ ???
If you want a bargain get a roadster, my old red 350 is for sale at Oakmere. Its great with the soft top. The roadster does without the spoiler & splitter but can be had for a lot less. If you buy a roadster PM me as I have a spoiler & splitter. There is a lower 'advised'top speed with roadster but its around 140mph! Plenty :-)
If you get one its a slippery slope of tuning (look at komotec web site) carbon bits & suspension. If you can afford it a 410 sport is a great buy or even a 380 as they have lots of extra bits. If I was doing this again, on a budget, I would get a really nice S and then get 3 way nitron suspension and leave it at that. The ride is so much improved its as good as a McLaren. The standard suspension is ok but night & day next to the Nitrons, even on the road.
There is a blue komotec tuned one on PH for what seems like a very good price, not sure of the history of the car so you would need to investigate but it will be properly fast, as quick as a 12C to 100 but with a manual box. GLWS.
I too was in the market for an Exige V6s or 350. Initially I wanted the 350 as it was a newer model but after doing some research there is very little difference between the two. Yes, the 350 is lighter but I doubt very much if you'd notice the difference.
The only real thing going for the 350 over the V6 (in my opinion) is the HVAC controls light up when switched on. I much prefer the look of the glass rear window over the louvered one also.
I hear the gear linkage on the 350 is supposed to be better also but I wanted an IPS so made no difference to me.
I pick mine up this Friday
The only real thing going for the 350 over the V6 (in my opinion) is the HVAC controls light up when switched on. I much prefer the look of the glass rear window over the louvered one also.
I hear the gear linkage on the 350 is supposed to be better also but I wanted an IPS so made no difference to me.
I pick mine up this Friday
Bispal said:
If you get one its a slippery slope of tuning (look at komotec web site) carbon bits & suspension. If you can afford it a 410 sport is a great buy or even a 380 as they have lots of extra bits. If I was doing this again, on a budget, I would get a really nice S and then get 3 way nitron suspension and leave it at that. The ride is so much improved its as good as a McLaren. The standard suspension is ok but night & day next to the Nitrons, even on the road.
Having the Nitrons also allows you to soften things up for the road, which can make a big difference on a bumpy B road. Incidently I have also found a nicer balance in the car with 'track' tyre pressures of 30 front and rear over the handbook pressures.I have a V6 Cup and it can be tiring over long distances. Presumably a 350 (or 430) with the NVH pack/carpets would be a much nicer place to cover long distances?
nw942 said:
Bispal said:
If you get one its a slippery slope of tuning (look at komotec web site) carbon bits & suspension. If you can afford it a 410 sport is a great buy or even a 380 as they have lots of extra bits. If I was doing this again, on a budget, I would get a really nice S and then get 3 way nitron suspension and leave it at that. The ride is so much improved its as good as a McLaren. The standard suspension is ok but night & day next to the Nitrons, even on the road.
Having the Nitrons also allows you to soften things up for the road, which can make a big difference on a bumpy B road. Incidently I have also found a nicer balance in the car with 'track' tyre pressures of 30 front and rear over the handbook pressures.I have a V6 Cup and it can be tiring over long distances. Presumably a 350 (or 430) with the NVH pack/carpets would be a much nicer place to cover long distances?
I am looking to get either an s or 350 next year. As my wife will be driving it, I will probably try and get the less hardcore roadster.
From my research, as I am incredibly excited (still over 12 months to wait.....), the 350 is about 50kg lighter due to more consistent construction techniques and simplification of components in the heating system etc
It has a different suspension setup (more front camber, different rear subframe) that apparently made it 2.5 seconds quicker round the Hethel track on less track biased tyres.
The 350 gearchange is supposed to be a fair bit better, as the S was criticized for this.
Sure all of them are an awesome drive, god luck in your search to the OP.
Mark
From my research, as I am incredibly excited (still over 12 months to wait.....), the 350 is about 50kg lighter due to more consistent construction techniques and simplification of components in the heating system etc
It has a different suspension setup (more front camber, different rear subframe) that apparently made it 2.5 seconds quicker round the Hethel track on less track biased tyres.
The 350 gearchange is supposed to be a fair bit better, as the S was criticized for this.
Sure all of them are an awesome drive, god luck in your search to the OP.
Mark
My old (ish 2014) manual roadster had an excellent gearchange, and was infact better then my recent 430 Cup...and the very well known independent I sold the car to said it was about the best manual (V6 Lotus set up) they have experienced...so really its just down to the set up of the car. The 2014 car did have 35,000 miles on it though which definitely helped.
MarkM3Evoplus said:
I am looking to get either an s or 350 next year. As my wife will be driving it, I will probably try and get the less hardcore roadster.
From my research, as I am incredibly excited (still over 12 months to wait.....), the 350 is about 50kg lighter due to more consistent construction techniques and simplification of components in the heating system etc
It has a different suspension setup (more front camber, different rear subframe) that apparently made it 2.5 seconds quicker round the Hethel track on less track biased tyres.
The 350 gearchange is supposed to be a fair bit better, as the S was criticized for this.
Sure all of them are an awesome drive, god luck in your search to the OP.
Mark
As CTE says I would not get too hung up on the gear change. There are subtle changes between the 350 & V6 to make the 350 lighter but I think the V6 is therefore slightly more refined. I would just buy the best example you can and not worry too much. The roadster is great value for almost no downside, it is slightly louder inside over the coupe but that's just the nature of the fabric top. The spoiler, spllitter & hardtop can easily be added and visa versa. From my research, as I am incredibly excited (still over 12 months to wait.....), the 350 is about 50kg lighter due to more consistent construction techniques and simplification of components in the heating system etc
It has a different suspension setup (more front camber, different rear subframe) that apparently made it 2.5 seconds quicker round the Hethel track on less track biased tyres.
The 350 gearchange is supposed to be a fair bit better, as the S was criticized for this.
Sure all of them are an awesome drive, god luck in your search to the OP.
Mark
johnwilliams77 said:
Can any owners englighten me - what is the cost of the soft top kit for a standard S?
Around £1,000 if you buy your car from a Lotus dealer with the soft top at the same time (if they have one in stock). If not then I think its around £1,500. However different dealers offer different prices as they will do deals / incentives with the cars. The dealer needs to fit some clips and that's about it. Elise parts sells an Elise one for £950+vat and I am 99% sure it fits the Exige?I test drove a 350 and S and bought an S roadster. Absolutely no regrets. I prefer the look of the S (glass rear window, double lights). I also like the gear change. It has a wider gate which is a little ‘old school’ but a nice mechanical feel to it and harder to mess up a downshift on track. The S roadster has more compliant suspension which is nice for everyday use and hasn’t been a problem on track for my limited abilities. It has much less camber on the front than the 350 but I think the same set up on the rear. Castle Lotus have recently taken out some shims and increased the front camber to 1 degree. This has made a massive difference to turn-in without significant tramlining or destabilising the rear.
Last year I bought a Mac 650 spider and was supposed to sell the S - but I can’t as it’s more fun!
Last year I bought a Mac 650 spider and was supposed to sell the S - but I can’t as it’s more fun!
It's a nigh on £9k system fitted if retro installed. Worth every penny. I've tried the Lotus Nitrons and they're awful in comparison. So ridiculously hard. I cannot abide a hard riding car on the road, there is no need. Though I didn't alter their settings, not into rolling around on the floor hence the touch screen for the Ohlins. The system comes with three presets, road, sport and race. Press the button and compression and rebound on all four corners is adjusted for you. The presets can be tailored manually.
I'd happily do 2k miles round Europe in it. In fact , if it doesn't sell, I will be doing in September with Supercar Drivers as I'm signed up for their Alps trip. Even if I've still got the 911 as well I'll take the Lotus as the Alps in September in a convertible 360 cant be beaten by a hardtop 911.
I'd happily do 2k miles round Europe in it. In fact , if it doesn't sell, I will be doing in September with Supercar Drivers as I'm signed up for their Alps trip. Even if I've still got the 911 as well I'll take the Lotus as the Alps in September in a convertible 360 cant be beaten by a hardtop 911.
Last summer I bought an S roadster. I didn’t try any of the other models, so can’t really address the question posed by the OP. But I’m sharing my experience anyway.
As others have observed, the roadster has no splitter, which means I can get it on the drive, just. A standard Exige, with splitter, would scrape, a lot.
The gear shift precision was terrible. Dan at HPE Automotive did stuff and the precision is magnificat now. He put a new gear stick in as the nylon ball at the bottom was faulty. He replaced linkages. And then at the engine end he also replaced various linkages and did some other stuff.
For driving in UK, I’m not sure there is a better car in terms of excitement, connection with the road and without being too harsh. I had the geometry moved from the factory range for the S to mid range for the standard Exige. It helped with turn in and lessened under steer. Centre Gravity carried out this work.
The only other changes so far have been to add the Lotus developed solution for fixing the slight rock that you get on the driver’s seat. As I understand it, the seat runners have never been brilliant from Elise onwards and at last lotus pulled their fingner out and developed a retro fix. This comprises two BBQ skewers, bent in a zig zag fashion, which you then insert into the runners. These are the most expensive BBQ skewers known to man. However, they really do work.
I’ve got a hard roof, as well as the soft top. Swapping them out is complex - twenty minutes and a two person job.
I love my Lotus.
As others have observed, the roadster has no splitter, which means I can get it on the drive, just. A standard Exige, with splitter, would scrape, a lot.
The gear shift precision was terrible. Dan at HPE Automotive did stuff and the precision is magnificat now. He put a new gear stick in as the nylon ball at the bottom was faulty. He replaced linkages. And then at the engine end he also replaced various linkages and did some other stuff.
For driving in UK, I’m not sure there is a better car in terms of excitement, connection with the road and without being too harsh. I had the geometry moved from the factory range for the S to mid range for the standard Exige. It helped with turn in and lessened under steer. Centre Gravity carried out this work.
The only other changes so far have been to add the Lotus developed solution for fixing the slight rock that you get on the driver’s seat. As I understand it, the seat runners have never been brilliant from Elise onwards and at last lotus pulled their fingner out and developed a retro fix. This comprises two BBQ skewers, bent in a zig zag fashion, which you then insert into the runners. These are the most expensive BBQ skewers known to man. However, they really do work.
I’ve got a hard roof, as well as the soft top. Swapping them out is complex - twenty minutes and a two person job.
I love my Lotus.
Thank you.
£400 for the gear shift fix.
Can’t remember the geo price. But it was done during the half day check over service that centre gravity offer. Price might be on their website. Pete at CG showed me all around the underside of the car. He pointed out that each nut is shown as being torqued correctly at the factory by a permanent marker line and then checked by another mechanic who adds his own different colour permanent marker line.![](https://thumbsnap.com/sc/xHP09ZPy.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="https://thumbsnap.com/e1gTP1Zi" Target="_blank" rel="nofollow">[img]https://thumbsnap.com/sc/e1gTP1Zi.jpg)
The mechanic responsible for each car signs it, in my case “Adie”. The superb driving experience in enhanced, for me, by knowing that the car is built by human beings and in this country.
£400 for the gear shift fix.
Can’t remember the geo price. But it was done during the half day check over service that centre gravity offer. Price might be on their website. Pete at CG showed me all around the underside of the car. He pointed out that each nut is shown as being torqued correctly at the factory by a permanent marker line and then checked by another mechanic who adds his own different colour permanent marker line.
The mechanic responsible for each car signs it, in my case “Adie”. The superb driving experience in enhanced, for me, by knowing that the car is built by human beings and in this country.
simonpieman said:
Thank you.
£400 for the gear shift fix.
Can’t remember the geo price. But it was done during the half day check over service that centre gravity offer. Price might be on their website. Pete at CG showed me all around the underside of the car. He pointed out that each nut is shown as being torqued correctly at the factory by a permanent marker line and then checked by another mechanic who adds his own different colour permanent marker line.
The mechanic responsible for each car signs it, in my case “Adie”. The superb driving experience in enhanced, for me, by knowing that the car is built by human beings and in this country.
Very helpful posts Simon and car does look terrific£400 for the gear shift fix.
Can’t remember the geo price. But it was done during the half day check over service that centre gravity offer. Price might be on their website. Pete at CG showed me all around the underside of the car. He pointed out that each nut is shown as being torqued correctly at the factory by a permanent marker line and then checked by another mechanic who adds his own different colour permanent marker line.
The mechanic responsible for each car signs it, in my case “Adie”. The superb driving experience in enhanced, for me, by knowing that the car is built by human beings and in this country.
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