Elise S1 questions / advice
Discussion
Wonder if anyone can offer some advice...? :)
A mate of mine is looking to buy a Lotus Elise... he's coming from a BMW M3 (old shape jobbie) and reckons the Elise will be a weekend toy (yeah, yeah... heard that before!). Anyway, he's got around 12k to spend and he's asked muggins here to help him in his search :rolleyes: I'm guessing for that sort of money he's going to be looking at an S1...
Trouble is, I know naff all about the Elise... so can someone explain the bewildering monikers... (eg 111S) and what sort of thing he should get for his money...? Is there an Elise site where all the info is laid out...? What are the common issues that affect the car...?
TIA. :)
A mate of mine is looking to buy a Lotus Elise... he's coming from a BMW M3 (old shape jobbie) and reckons the Elise will be a weekend toy (yeah, yeah... heard that before!). Anyway, he's got around 12k to spend and he's asked muggins here to help him in his search :rolleyes: I'm guessing for that sort of money he's going to be looking at an S1...
Trouble is, I know naff all about the Elise... so can someone explain the bewildering monikers... (eg 111S) and what sort of thing he should get for his money...? Is there an Elise site where all the info is laid out...? What are the common issues that affect the car...?
TIA. :)
Elise S1: standard 118bhp.
135 engine (factory approved aftermarket) 135bhp
111S: VVC engine, 143bhp, variable valve timing, has a close ratio gearbox, duck tail spoiler, different wheels.
Sport 160: nicely mental
Sport 190: rare, bit bonkers - I'll take mine in grey please.
For 12k, you could get a decent S1, with a few decent mods. A 135 engine is definitely within reach. This adds a useful amount of extra go. I don't know much about 111S' so others can advise on this.
Look at brakes: the original MMC brakes are light, but pads are dear and cleaning the discs is crucial. Steel discs allow a large selection of aftermarket pads, good if the car will be tracked day'd.
The original red Koni shockers are not the best. They have a pretty poor life expectancy and they are noisy. Common upgrades include S2 stuff, Nitrons etc.
Tyres are pretty crucial too. The originals are P-Zeros. I don't mind them, but many don't like them. Yokohama Advans are a common upgrade but Toyo Proxes and BF Goodrich G-Profilers are popular, espcially on cars which do little track work.
I would say to buy on condition not age. A higher mileage car (assuming it is not mega miles) with all the right bits, looked after by an enthusiast would be my choice over a low mileage car by someone who doesn't really know what he has got.
Look for all the usual service history etc, regular oil changes, cam belts etc.
135 engine (factory approved aftermarket) 135bhp
111S: VVC engine, 143bhp, variable valve timing, has a close ratio gearbox, duck tail spoiler, different wheels.
Sport 160: nicely mental
Sport 190: rare, bit bonkers - I'll take mine in grey please.
For 12k, you could get a decent S1, with a few decent mods. A 135 engine is definitely within reach. This adds a useful amount of extra go. I don't know much about 111S' so others can advise on this.
Look at brakes: the original MMC brakes are light, but pads are dear and cleaning the discs is crucial. Steel discs allow a large selection of aftermarket pads, good if the car will be tracked day'd.
The original red Koni shockers are not the best. They have a pretty poor life expectancy and they are noisy. Common upgrades include S2 stuff, Nitrons etc.
Tyres are pretty crucial too. The originals are P-Zeros. I don't mind them, but many don't like them. Yokohama Advans are a common upgrade but Toyo Proxes and BF Goodrich G-Profilers are popular, espcially on cars which do little track work.
I would say to buy on condition not age. A higher mileage car (assuming it is not mega miles) with all the right bits, looked after by an enthusiast would be my choice over a low mileage car by someone who doesn't really know what he has got.
Look for all the usual service history etc, regular oil changes, cam belts etc.
Try here and here.
For a 12k weekend toy I'd suggest a well modified S1 or a 111s. A good Sport 160 is likely to be a bit out of reach.
Test drive a few at the dealers as they all behave slightly differently. Then buy privately from an enthusiastic owner.
Lots of good information to be found at SELOC. Well worth spending a week trawling through there to get a feel for the Elise.
Gruffy
For a 12k weekend toy I'd suggest a well modified S1 or a 111s. A good Sport 160 is likely to be a bit out of reach.
Test drive a few at the dealers as they all behave slightly differently. Then buy privately from an enthusiastic owner.
Lots of good information to be found at SELOC. Well worth spending a week trawling through there to get a feel for the Elise.
Gruffy
long time no see!
I dont like FWD though 
Gassing Station | Elise/Exige/Europa/340R | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff