S1 Suspension advice

[Steve Evil]

Hi all, just bought myself a series 1 Elise and did the usual advised thing of buying the first one I saw. Previous owner had a C service done on it as part of the deal and I've just taken it for a 500 mile test drive around Wales where it didn't miss a beat, so engine-wise I'm happy for now *touches wood*. What I have noticed is that the front offside is riding 10-15mm lower than the nearside (measured at the chassis not the clam). It's got Lotus Sport Suspension on it but I don't think this has been changed or refreshed in many a year, the wishbones are also looking quite corroded now so it's due a bit of TLC.

I'm the most mechanically inept person I know so I don't fancy having a bash at it myself, so am throwing myself at the mercy of your suggestions. I can see that HPE are quite well regarded and aren't a million miles from me. They offer a suspension refresh service and I'd probably end up looking to replace the springs and dampers at the same time. So my queries to you all are:

1. Is there anyone else out there that you'd recommend I speak to about it? Ideally not wanting to spend the earth on it as I had enough trouble getting the initial purchase past the Wife, but don't want to skimp and get a poor job done.
2. Springs and Dampers, I'm not the quickest driver in the world, but do like to make progress on a B-road and would likely end up doing maybe 1 track day a year in it, am I likely to notice the benefit of Nitron NTRs over the Street Series? Anything else I should be considering instead?

Thanks muchly.

[james_gt3rs]

S2 Bilsteins a good option. Full suspension refresh is costly business, with new dampers I definitely wouldn't expect change out of 2k FYI

[Steve Evil]

Yes, that's what I've been bracing myself for. I think Bilstein-wise, the Nitron Street Series don't seem to be too much more, plus offer more in terms of adjustability.

[Altrezia]

Steve Evil said:

Yes, that's what I've been bracing myself for. I think Bilstein-wise, the Nitron Street Series don't seem to be too much more, plus offer more in terms of adjustability.

For road use the Bilsteins are way nicer.

[itcaptainslow]

Completely agree with the above-if you’re wanting to maintain much of the original OE character and keep it useable on the road, Bilsteins are the way. I had Nitrons on my S1 and whilst it was sublime on track, even set relatively softly they really didn’t like bumpy B roads.

[james_gt3rs]

Also I once had a passenger ride on track in an S1 with Bilsteins and AD08s... it was brilliant

[Steve Evil]

Pretty unanimous there. Anyone know of anyone doing them cheaper than Elise parts who seem to be the cheapest at £840?

[Bispal]

I had Nitrons on my S1 and they were absolutely sublime. I don't think I've owned a car with a better balance of handling & comfort, even better than my McLaren and 430 Cup exige. I would not hesitate to put Nitrons on, however I have not experienced the Bilstein's so can't offer comparisons. Try both if you can.

[Jodele]

I've had both on my S2 Cup260...Nitrons were way better in every way even though I had the stiffest springs offered. The ride was more supple on the streets and much better on track.

[Steve Evil]

I'm guessing there's quite a difference between the Nitron Street Series and the NTR though and you've not mentioned which ones you had, given that the first are £880 and the next are £1500. For reference the Bilsteins are £840.

[giveitfish]

Jodele said:

I've had both on my S2 Cup260...Nitrons were way better in every way even though I had the stiffest springs offered. The ride was more supple on the streets and much better on track.

All due respect but I don't think a ride quality that's an acceptable for a Cup260 has much relevance to a road-biased 118bhp S1.

Where are you based OP? Pheonix Motorsport (http://phoenixmotorsports.co.uk/) did my S1 refresh a few years ago and the fast-road geo they put on the car was superb. About £1k for bushes and wishbone powercoat. Spring and dampers will be same again on top.

[Steve Evil]

Thanks for the recommendation, bit out of my way though as I'm in Bedfordshire. I've spoke to a friend who owns a garage locally and he's happy to do the work for me and I think I'm going down the Bilstein route as that seems to be the general consensus, hopefully the wishbones aren't too badly corroded.

[james_gt3rs]

Steve Evil said:

Thanks for the recommendation, bit out of my way though as I'm in Bedfordshire. I've spoke to a friend who owns a garage locally and he's happy to do the work for me and I think I'm going down the Bilstein route as that seems to be the general consensus, hopefully the wishbones aren't too badly corroded.

Ah Bedford, Matt Bentley Racing your best bet

[Altrezia]

james_gt3rs said:

Ah Bedford, Matt Bentley Racing your best bet

Deffo. Matt and the gang are ace.

[itcaptainslow]

james_gt3rs said:

Steve Evil said:

Thanks for the recommendation, bit out of my way though as I'm in Bedfordshire. I've spoke to a friend who owns a garage locally and he's happy to do the work for me and I think I'm going down the Bilstein route as that seems to be the general consensus, hopefully the wishbones aren't too badly corroded.

Ah Bedford, Matt Bentley Racing your best bet

Never heard of these chaps but they’re nice and local; will bear the positive reviews in mind when it comes to geo time for my Elise!

[Steve Evil]

My shiny new Bilsteins arrived the other day, now stuck waiting for wishbone bearings. Intending going for this kit:

https://www.seriouslylotus.com/suspension-steering...

But after speaking to him he's waiting on the OEM-spec bushes to come back into stock, he's been told they're due middle of the month, but as he's been waiting 5 months already he's not holding his breath. After seeing the other thread about corrosion on the mounts I gave mine a quick look as best I could last night and there doesn't look to be anything that made me worry, will make sure that they're given a good look over when the work is being done and are treated with some POR15 and duralac as part of the work.

Part of me is wondering bearing-wise whether I should just go for some Powerflex/Superflex bushes instead but I don't really want the added headache of having to lube the bearings periodically when the OEM ones don't need it. Any advice on the bearings side of things from those with experience? I also don't really want to end up waiting for months and months for a part to come into stock.

[Tickle]

Steve Evil said:

My shiny new Bilsteins arrived the other day, now stuck waiting for wishbone bearings. Intending going for this kit:

https://www.seriouslylotus.com/suspension-steering...

But after speaking to him he's waiting on the OEM-spec bushes to come back into stock, he's been told they're due middle of the month, but as he's been waiting 5 months already he's not holding his breath. After seeing the other thread about corrosion on the mounts I gave mine a quick look as best I could last night and there doesn't look to be anything that made me worry, will make sure that they're given a good look over when the work is being done and are treated with some POR15 and duralac as part of the work.

Part of me is wondering bearing-wise whether I should just go for some Powerflex/Superflex bushes instead but I don't really want the added headache of having to lube the bearings periodically when the OEM ones don't need it. Any advice on the bearings side of things from those with experience? I also don't really want to end up waiting for months and months for a part to come into stock.

Ask Geary at Elise Parts: https://www.eliseparts.com/products/show/70/460/lo...

[Steve Evil]

Tickle said:

Ask Geary at Elise Parts: https://www.eliseparts.com/products/show/70/460/lo...

Cheers, think if it's looking like a lengthy delay I might go down that route, but the price for the bushes alone through EliseParts isn't far off the full refresh kit from SeriouslyLotus.

[LIVY]

Steve Evil said:

Cheers, think if it's looking like a lengthy delay I might go down that route, but the price for the bushes alone through EliseParts isn't far off the full refresh kit from SeriouslyLotus.

Hi Steve,

I've met Matt and he is a nice guy who knows his stuff. I have the original Nitron Street series on my S1 and I love them. I live in Northamptonshire and use Guglielmi Motorsport who are based in Daventry and Steve G is an absolute wizard when it comes to suspension setup and geo.

Hope this helps.

Mark

[Steve Evil]

Just got the car back this morning and the arch gaps are still off so I'm pretty gutted suggesting it's either the clams or underlying chassis damage. Checking the front clams more closely I can see some shims underneath the NS where it sits on the sill. Looking closely I can also see that side is bent slightly near the box section housing the ARB.

Any ideas on how serious that is likely to be and what any fix might involve?