Elise s1 and s2 durability
Discussion
What do you think is the mileage "limit" on an s1 or s2? Want to buy one and to be honest, I want to use on track, b road blasts on the weekend and modify it if I feel its necessary. In other words, I just want to use it and enjoy it for years.
Just wondering whether the Elise is one of those cars you can buy with 120 k miles on the clock and use a lot longer, or if by then it's time for engine rebuilds and what not. Are sub 60 k examples worth the premium over cars with more and even 100 k miles? Is it all about history and proof it's been well taken care of?
Just wondering whether the Elise is one of those cars you can buy with 120 k miles on the clock and use a lot longer, or if by then it's time for engine rebuilds and what not. Are sub 60 k examples worth the premium over cars with more and even 100 k miles? Is it all about history and proof it's been well taken care of?
Only my own experience, but 3 1/2 years ago I bought a 2003 111S that had no service history, not even a service book, with only the word of the seller about the work that he'd done to it. No notion of whether the head-gasket had ever been upgraded, 5+ owners indicated on the taxbook, EML on, and on first inspection there was enough to indicate that it hadn't been fastidiously maintained, in fact had been a bit neglected for a few years.
I'm fairly sensible and risk-averse, but I decided to buy it when I first clapped eyes on it. I decided it's only a K-series engine and some suspension.
I've not regretted it. Unless there's obvious chassis or bodywork damage, I think they're a great buy :
Neither chassis or bodywork will rust ;
someone wisely posted recently that getting the head-gasket upgraded won't cost much more than a major service on a premium German;
an older, higher mileage example won't feel so precious that a home mechanic mightn't tackle basic maintenance or a suspension rebuild;
in fact, any work you do on it can only improve the car, especially as they're not depreciating.
Much as my other love is MX-5's, rust seems to kill those. Elises are a great long-lived platform. That they can be driven so hard at such an age, "drive them on the door handles" as my local specialist said, is fantastic. My own will still take a hard B-road drive despite the crusty suspension. In fact, I've started a suspension strip down and I'm almost glad to see how old it all looks because refreshing that all will only make the car so much better. I'm looking at a suspension rebuild bill that would buy a whole roadworthy MX-5 NB, but I'm not holding that against the Elise. I think basically they're a great solid and hard-wearing car and worth putting the effort into doing the big mechanical jobs if required.
I'm fairly sensible and risk-averse, but I decided to buy it when I first clapped eyes on it. I decided it's only a K-series engine and some suspension.
I've not regretted it. Unless there's obvious chassis or bodywork damage, I think they're a great buy :
Neither chassis or bodywork will rust ;
someone wisely posted recently that getting the head-gasket upgraded won't cost much more than a major service on a premium German;
an older, higher mileage example won't feel so precious that a home mechanic mightn't tackle basic maintenance or a suspension rebuild;
in fact, any work you do on it can only improve the car, especially as they're not depreciating.
Much as my other love is MX-5's, rust seems to kill those. Elises are a great long-lived platform. That they can be driven so hard at such an age, "drive them on the door handles" as my local specialist said, is fantastic. My own will still take a hard B-road drive despite the crusty suspension. In fact, I've started a suspension strip down and I'm almost glad to see how old it all looks because refreshing that all will only make the car so much better. I'm looking at a suspension rebuild bill that would buy a whole roadworthy MX-5 NB, but I'm not holding that against the Elise. I think basically they're a great solid and hard-wearing car and worth putting the effort into doing the big mechanical jobs if required.
Edited by Darryl247W on Friday 1st November 19:38
Edited by Darryl247W on Friday 1st November 19:42
Wow, that gives me some confidence in the Elise then. So it's really all about the chassis condition. I am currently looking for an s1 or s2 to use heavily but was wondering if they can take high miles, so its good to know that they really are tough little things. And I know what you mean about MX5s, theyre great little cars but rust issues really do spoil them for me, hence the interest in one of them.
And you mentioned driving it around with iffy suspension, is it still somewhat enjoyable with suspension that needs to be refurbished?
PS if anyone is looking to sell their s1 or s2 feel free to send me a message!
Thank you Darryl!
And you mentioned driving it around with iffy suspension, is it still somewhat enjoyable with suspension that needs to be refurbished?
PS if anyone is looking to sell their s1 or s2 feel free to send me a message!
Thank you Darryl!
My first S2 has really minging looking suspension after 46k miles, I posted about it here:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I refurbished it mainly for aesthetic reasons, it tightened the ride up slightly and removed a couple of squeeks/rattles but generally it could have been perfectly liveable in its minging state.
My S2 Exige (same year as my Elise, but 30k miles 'fresher') is much cleaner in the wheel arches, but you can see signs that things are starting to go.
Regardless of mileage, rear toe-links are a highly recommended upgrade when you buy the car as they're known for failing when used on track with sticky tyres. If the suspension is looking a bit tired, then they may let go sooner than later and maybe even on the road. Aside from that, it's unusual for the suspension to degrade to the point it becomes dangerous, it just looks naff!
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I refurbished it mainly for aesthetic reasons, it tightened the ride up slightly and removed a couple of squeeks/rattles but generally it could have been perfectly liveable in its minging state.
My S2 Exige (same year as my Elise, but 30k miles 'fresher') is much cleaner in the wheel arches, but you can see signs that things are starting to go.
Regardless of mileage, rear toe-links are a highly recommended upgrade when you buy the car as they're known for failing when used on track with sticky tyres. If the suspension is looking a bit tired, then they may let go sooner than later and maybe even on the road. Aside from that, it's unusual for the suspension to degrade to the point it becomes dangerous, it just looks naff!
Buy on condition over milage, think Triggers Broom.
Some low mile cars could still be on original suspension, radiator, tow-post...etc
...or a high mile car with all the weak spots addressed with known upgrades/betterment.
Plenty that are used:
https://wiki.seloc.org/a/Over_100k
Some low mile cars could still be on original suspension, radiator, tow-post...etc
...or a high mile car with all the weak spots addressed with known upgrades/betterment.
Plenty that are used:
https://wiki.seloc.org/a/Over_100k
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