advice on S2 purchase and ownership
Discussion
Anything i should be particularly aware of when looking at an early s2. Ie any common faults/problems, i'm going to look at a 2001 plate with 35k and i'd appreciate any advice.
Also, how easy are they to work on? i'll be getting the yearly services done at a recognised dealer/specialist but anything inbetween i'd like to tackle myself...within reason.
Thanks for looking, Matt
Also, how easy are they to work on? i'll be getting the yearly services done at a recognised dealer/specialist but anything inbetween i'd like to tackle myself...within reason.
Thanks for looking, Matt
Hopefully someone will come along and tell you what interval the C service is due at, can't remember off the top of my head but it's around 4ish years now and it's expensive (cambelt change), so if it's due, make sure it's been done or try and haggle a grand off the price.
It's not a problem to work on, provided you've got a jack that can get under the car! Also add half an hour to each job for removing and replacing the undertray(s)
Service intervals are 9K miles or 12 months for the usual oil and filter change and vary depending on where you go. Otherwise, the engine's a K-series so plenty of 'em about and easy enough to work on. I'm sure there are a few more mechanically-minded people than me on here that can give you a bit more detail on this.
Hope it's a good car, they're addictive, these Elises
It's not a problem to work on, provided you've got a jack that can get under the car! Also add half an hour to each job for removing and replacing the undertray(s)
Service intervals are 9K miles or 12 months for the usual oil and filter change and vary depending on where you go. Otherwise, the engine's a K-series so plenty of 'em about and easy enough to work on. I'm sure there are a few more mechanically-minded people than me on here that can give you a bit more detail on this.
Hope it's a good car, they're addictive, these Elises
Hi Matt,
I've got a very early 2000 X reg S2 and I love it! Things to look out for... chassis damage from previous accident repairs. Easy to check the front end, just put the steering on full lock and you;ll be able to see the very front of the tub.
Checking the rear is more difficult as you'd need to drop the undertrays.
Check the lower part of the front clam for cracks. it's very low and easy to do quite a bit of damage by carelessly hitting a kerb.
Check tyre wear. Sometimes you'll see the inner edges of front tyres with more wear that the outers. This isn't too alarming, it's just indicative of a car that's been cruising up and down the motorway without being driven too hard. Odd wear on the rear tyres would suggest that the suspension geometry is out.
I get my car serviced at a specialist (not because I don't know what I'm doing, but because I want it to retain it's value). I pay:
A service £100
B service £195
C service £350
Geo £75
In between services however I change the oil myself. I've also fitted a cat replacement pipe and changed the gear linkage at the back. They're pretty easy to work on and the engine is just a Rover unit after all.
Ask about HGF (head gasket failure). Though an Elise of this age is apparantly least likely to suffer this due to improved gaskets, better than the earlier cars. Later cars had poorer quality cylinder head castings.
See what temp it settles at when warm. All owners report slight differences. Mine's normally at 87. However, on the motorway in winter and it's 86. The fan comes on on my car at 98. Only in traffic after a run.
On the whole they're good reliable cars. Mine's had a couple of problems with faulty sensors on the engine. Other than that it's no trouble.
If you're looking at a car with 35k on a Y plate then you're looing at £13 - £14k. Probably nearer the former as the winter closes in.
If you need anymore advice just ask - there's loads of helpful people on here.
I've got a very early 2000 X reg S2 and I love it! Things to look out for... chassis damage from previous accident repairs. Easy to check the front end, just put the steering on full lock and you;ll be able to see the very front of the tub.
Checking the rear is more difficult as you'd need to drop the undertrays.
Check the lower part of the front clam for cracks. it's very low and easy to do quite a bit of damage by carelessly hitting a kerb.
Check tyre wear. Sometimes you'll see the inner edges of front tyres with more wear that the outers. This isn't too alarming, it's just indicative of a car that's been cruising up and down the motorway without being driven too hard. Odd wear on the rear tyres would suggest that the suspension geometry is out.
I get my car serviced at a specialist (not because I don't know what I'm doing, but because I want it to retain it's value). I pay:
A service £100
B service £195
C service £350
Geo £75
In between services however I change the oil myself. I've also fitted a cat replacement pipe and changed the gear linkage at the back. They're pretty easy to work on and the engine is just a Rover unit after all.
Ask about HGF (head gasket failure). Though an Elise of this age is apparantly least likely to suffer this due to improved gaskets, better than the earlier cars. Later cars had poorer quality cylinder head castings.
See what temp it settles at when warm. All owners report slight differences. Mine's normally at 87. However, on the motorway in winter and it's 86. The fan comes on on my car at 98. Only in traffic after a run.
On the whole they're good reliable cars. Mine's had a couple of problems with faulty sensors on the engine. Other than that it's no trouble.
If you're looking at a car with 35k on a Y plate then you're looing at £13 - £14k. Probably nearer the former as the winter closes in.
If you need anymore advice just ask - there's loads of helpful people on here.
kevin ritson said:
Service intervals are 9K miles or 12 months for the usual oil and filter change and vary depending on where you go. Otherwise, the engine's a K-series so plenty of 'em about and easy enough to work on. I'm sure there are a few more mechanically-minded people than me on here that can give you a bit more detail on this.
C serivice was 54k at 6 years but Lotus dropped this back to 4 years and about 40k. I had mine C serviced in November when I bought it as it was just past 4 years old at this point.
madderdog said:
Just been quoted £720 for a C service at murray motors in glasgow. Where did you get your service at. Have friends in Liverpool could make a good trip out of it if your guy is good?
Hi,
bit further again I'm afraid! I use Horizon Motorsport in Birmingham. Jct 3 M5. They really are excellent and have an great reputation. As you can see, their prices are more than competitive. They do TVR too and I know they have a customer with a Chimera who happily travels from Edinburgh.
You could save £250 after petrol etc by going there...
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