Elise 111 v. Elise Standard (my 04) ?

[phoebusphoibos]

I've been a Lotus Elan driver for about 9 years now. Since a couple of months I'm bitten by the Elise virus. My dealer advises me, being used to a turbo driven engine, to go for a tuned/upgraded Elise. He says the 111 is to linear and only gives pleasure when 'it's driven like it is just stolen". He claims a upgraded standard version is far more a streetcar than the 111. I've driven a prepared standard version and I must say I was impressed. *sigh* hard to choose. Who can help me or give me right advice ?

[dragstar]

i have the 111s and its quick.

its easier to modify a standard one, so you'll have to drive them all to see what is best for you initially.

www.dvapower.com is a site to look at, as is www.turbotechnics.com for a supercharger.

i best leave this to one of the more intelligent guys on here to give you more info.

me? im just the joint resident idiot.

where is liquid anyway?

[DanH]

In most situations there is negligable difference between a 111S and a standard car. It only comes into its own 70+ really. Does depend a bit on whether you are talking about S1 or S2 though as there are various gearbox combinations that blur the 111s extra performance to a greater or lesser extent.

People to go on about the standard car being easier to tune, but I find it all a bit pointless as it will cost serious amounts to get usefully above 111S power (i.e. 180bhp min).

Of course a turbo technics conversion would be a nice way of getting the performance They are selling their demo car at the moment, but I'd be a bit cautious as I know someone stacked one of their demo cars last year. May be the same one.

[Davey s1]

Agree with Dan

I have an S1 with upgraded air filter, sports exhaust and throttle body (going on tomorrow)and it is more than fast enough in most situations.

It can get a little slugish above 80 on the motorway but I dont do much motorway driving so its not really a concern. I have been on a few runs and have not had any problems keeping up with 111S's

[onedsla]

I went for the S2 111S and have been really pleased, even with motorway performance (it just hits 100 in 3rd) - it's also a bit more economical - when I have my gf in the car I have to drive sloooowww or get in trouble - the plus side is that I can get 45mpg on a decent run.

[DanH]

The S2 111S really is negligably faster though as it has a wider ratio gearbox. Walshy of first lotus was comparing his against a standard car and due to the gearing, the standard car was in the lead initially and he only caught pushed ahead at 70 or 80.

In the end its much of a muchness due to the gearing until you get to higher speeds.

[Alex Gurr]

I only have experience of the Mk1 cars and I found the 111s to be more sprightly. This is partly due to the close ratio gearbox, but also because the egine rev's higher, so the car keeps going where a bog standard Mk1 would start to trail off. The only problem with the 111s engine is that it is very linear in its delivery so the speed is deceptive.

Both great cars and even in standard form, plenty quick enough.

[malbon]

On the roads I doubt you'll notice much difference unless your really pushing it....and if your really pushing it your doing it in the wrong place really. you should be on a track.

I can stay up with exiges on the road and for that matter pretty much anything bar motorbikes. But on that side of things, standard cars could prob stay up with me.

I like the linear line of the power curve becuase you don't get caught out like a S160 or S2000 does on early revs.

It really depends on you and if you like the VVC engine and CR box (assuming were talking S1)

Suck it and see

[phoebusphoibos]

Thanks for the comments. Still get a bit blinded by the difference in accelaration between the standard and the 111 ie from 0 to 160 kmh (+- 120 mph). It's not the actual top speed that does interest me it's more, more the vividness and quickness to reach 100-120 mph.

[lotusnobles]

Much as I love the Elise (and dont get me wrong I would love one) the prospect of doing 110-120 is not one I'd enjoy! LOL Whereas my Elan seemed quite at ease doing 100mph+ lastweek end (private ground of course officier!)

To me the Elise is a more intimate car which enjoyment can be had at near legal speeds, with the finesse of the handlng and responses, wheresa the Elan is about covering ground... Fast!

Just my thoughts!

[phoebusphoibos]

Thanks for the comments. Still get a bit blinded by the difference in accelaration between the standard and the 111 ie from 0 to 160 kmh (+- 120 mph). It's not the actual top speed that does interest me it's more, more the vividness and quickness to reach 100-120 mph.

[dragstar]

mine from 100-120 pulls very quickly.

i really cant compare to other elises, and i do have a fair few mods on:

see my profile.

for instance, during a bit of night driving i mangaged to get from standstill to about 125mph on a motorway slip-road.

alongide me was an M3 which i ate up until 80mph. i did keep up with him until 110mph then it went into overdrive.

[DanH]

A well driven newest style m3 will leave an Elise for dust in a drag race though.

I've driven my Elise at 120 and it felt ok, but was a little lighter at the front than I'd like and the geo was perfect at the time having only just been done. If the geo is out it will feel horrible even at 70.

Its worth noting that the S1 111S has the CR gearbox. The S2 111S doesn't, but the S2 std does which is why there isn't much to separate them until at very high speed. An S2 111S with CR box would be nice

>> Edited by DanH on Saturday 1st November 13:15

[dragstar]

nice pic dan!!

i hadnt noticed before. i hope to try some arty shots this weekend. also like bonce's black and white shot.

[bogie]

If you are not into modifying and spending thousands on a std car then a 111S with a few bolt-ons like Dragstars is the way to go - should see you to 155-65bhp with reliability too...which is pretty useful in an Elise. The extra power is most noticeable 60-120mph.

I had 160bhp in my car prior ot the latest upgrades and it was pretty quick - you still have to work the gearbox on the motorway, but it would pull 140mph in top with 160bhp.

[dragstar]

bogie said:

If you are not into modifying and spending thousands on a std car then a 111S with a few bolt-ons like Dragstars is the way to go - should see you to 155-65bhp with reliability too...which is pretty useful in an Elise. The extra power is most noticeable 60-120mph. I had 160bhp in my car prior ot the latest upgrades and it was pretty quick - you still have to work the gearbox on the motorway, but it would pull 140mph in top with 160bhp.

ohh bogie..i didnt know you went the TT-route.
is it worth it?

how do you think it will affect resale value/ease of selling?

[bogie]

yep - totally transforms the car

TT cars always sell - but you never get your money back on mods...most go for £2-3K max on top the price of a std model - the 2nd owners get a bargain ! Not that I intend on selling mine - it will have done 100-120K miles in 2 1/2 years time so will spend a few quid having the engine sorted again (maybe to 270bhp) and keep it as weekend car for many years to come - then get myself something sensible for daily use too.

[dragstar]

yeah good idea

[malbon]

I'd agree with Bogie. A 111s with exhaust/filter/TB/de-CAT can hit 165BHP no problem. you get reliability and your MPG for the grunt is simply unmatchable.

It is noticeably quicker than a standard car. Sure things can stay up with you in a straight line and even pull away from you but roman roads no longer exist

I can tell you a few stories about 240BHP S2000's with supposedly exact 60 and 100 figures to my car

[phoebusphoibos]

Seems all the good talks about 111s are referring to the S1 (indeed shorter ratio gearbox).