Thinking of A110 or A110S, coming from a GR Yaris & M2 OG
Discussion
Hi there
So test drove an A110, thought it was cracking fun. Watched lots of reviews of the A110S and some say its vastly harsher and not good on UK b roads and some say it is fine, as such those who own an A110S how is it on a typical UK b-road?
I like idea of the S as I will do the odd track day.
Another example is if I find an A110S a little too harsh do the Life110 springs sort it and would the S still be better than say a Legende / GT on Life110 springs?
I am coming from a GR Yaris and M2 OG Manual, both of which I am selling to drop into an A110 in either Legende, GT or S trim. Any owners here moved from a GR or M2 OG into an A110S, how does ride compare please?
So test drove an A110, thought it was cracking fun. Watched lots of reviews of the A110S and some say its vastly harsher and not good on UK b roads and some say it is fine, as such those who own an A110S how is it on a typical UK b-road?
I like idea of the S as I will do the odd track day.
Another example is if I find an A110S a little too harsh do the Life110 springs sort it and would the S still be better than say a Legende / GT on Life110 springs?
I am coming from a GR Yaris and M2 OG Manual, both of which I am selling to drop into an A110 in either Legende, GT or S trim. Any owners here moved from a GR or M2 OG into an A110S, how does ride compare please?
I picked up my new GT 3 weeks ago after 2.5 years in an OG M2 manual. I’ve also test driven the GR and came very close multiple times to buying one.
First impressions on the A110 are positive. The ride really is magic-carpet compared to the M2. I’m yet to properly push on - on dry roads and be able to load the chassis up properly but I’ve got some reservations as to whether it’s *too* soft and whether the 205 section front tyres are perhaps on the narrow side.
I’d really try to drive both S and GT if I was you. I had to rush as I got a crazy discount/0% deal which meant there wasn’t time to mess around.
My suspicion is now that the S would be noticeably more compliant than the M2 but still have body control and grip comparable to the M2 - win win.
I’ve got my GT booked in with Spires in April to get the life geometry done and fingers crossed that’ll help settle the car down when driving spiritedly. If not I’ll buy the life springs and some wider wheels/tyres £££
First impressions on the A110 are positive. The ride really is magic-carpet compared to the M2. I’m yet to properly push on - on dry roads and be able to load the chassis up properly but I’ve got some reservations as to whether it’s *too* soft and whether the 205 section front tyres are perhaps on the narrow side.
I’d really try to drive both S and GT if I was you. I had to rush as I got a crazy discount/0% deal which meant there wasn’t time to mess around.
My suspicion is now that the S would be noticeably more compliant than the M2 but still have body control and grip comparable to the M2 - win win.
I’ve got my GT booked in with Spires in April to get the life geometry done and fingers crossed that’ll help settle the car down when driving spiritedly. If not I’ll buy the life springs and some wider wheels/tyres £££
Gibbo205 said:
Hi there
So test drove an A110, thought it was cracking fun. Watched lots of reviews of the A110S and some say its vastly harsher and not good on UK b roads and some say it is fine, as such those who own an A110S how is it on a typical UK b-road?
I like idea of the S as I will do the odd track day.
Another example is if I find an A110S a little too harsh do the Life110 springs sort it and would the S still be better than say a Legende / GT on Life110 springs?
I am coming from a GR Yaris and M2 OG Manual, both of which I am selling to drop into an A110 in either Legende, GT or S trim. Any owners here moved from a GR or M2 OG into an A110S, how does ride compare please?
A purely personal perspective of course but I drove a GT and an S on the road, back to back, after trying both the base version and an S at Thruxton, and went for an S on the basis that I preferred it's slightly more taught character of the chassis. Having said that I would say that in their OEM specs the GT is definitely more comfortable than the S. However, I knew from the start that I would be visiting Life110/Spires in Leamington (indeed had it booked before I collected the car) so I was intent on tinkering from the get-go.So test drove an A110, thought it was cracking fun. Watched lots of reviews of the A110S and some say its vastly harsher and not good on UK b roads and some say it is fine, as such those who own an A110S how is it on a typical UK b-road?
I like idea of the S as I will do the odd track day.
Another example is if I find an A110S a little too harsh do the Life110 springs sort it and would the S still be better than say a Legende / GT on Life110 springs?
I am coming from a GR Yaris and M2 OG Manual, both of which I am selling to drop into an A110 in either Legende, GT or S trim. Any owners here moved from a GR or M2 OG into an A110S, how does ride compare please?
Since collecting it I initially had the geo done, which is a must for any A110 owner I'd say, and then went back for the sport springs and another geo change. Finally, in September I went back a third time and changed the springs and standard dampers for Life110's AST coilovers.
Each change has made a noticeable improvement, but putting on the AST coilovers got me to where I wanted to be which is the body control of an S with (more like) the ride of a GT. I'd not claim that it is as good as a GT but it's where I want it to be and I'm now really pleased with the chassis of my car.
Each to their own of course but I'm finding that an S with coilovers, geo, lower ride height and extended gear paddles is a very fine place to be! But as the guys above have said, try both before you part with your cash.
Test drove an S a few months back but on selling my Yaris recently bought a GT instead as unlikely to track it and thought it’ll be more livable as a daily.
Unfair comparison due to the different price point, acknowledging much of the GR costs are the trick bits under its skin but the Alpine cabin is a much nicer place to be. I don’t need to carry loads of stuff so the one thing often levelled at the car regarding storage doesn’t affect me.
Only 300 miles in but completely different to the GR. auto box, the extra power and softer set up all welcome.
Will get the Life110 paddles and geo sorted soon.
Unfair comparison due to the different price point, acknowledging much of the GR costs are the trick bits under its skin but the Alpine cabin is a much nicer place to be. I don’t need to carry loads of stuff so the one thing often levelled at the car regarding storage doesn’t affect me.
Only 300 miles in but completely different to the GR. auto box, the extra power and softer set up all welcome.
Will get the Life110 paddles and geo sorted soon.
Edited by AndyD360 on Thursday 15th February 19:54
Gibbo205 said:
Hi there
So test drove an A110, thought it was cracking fun. Watched lots of reviews of the A110S and some say its vastly harsher and not good on UK b roads and some say it is fine, as such those who own an A110S how is it on a typical UK b-road?
I like idea of the S as I will do the odd track day.
Another example is if I find an A110S a little too harsh do the Life110 springs sort it and would the S still be better than say a Legende / GT on Life110 springs?
I am coming from a GR Yaris and M2 OG Manual, both of which I am selling to drop into an A110 in either Legende, GT or S trim. Any owners here moved from a GR or M2 OG into an A110S, how does ride compare please?
I'm a GT owner, but I did test drive two S', both the older and the facelift version. Like you I initially wanted the S, that is until I drove one down a wet B road. On this particular day I drove the GT first, which has an ability to just fly over bumpy sections with ease, you can keep the throttle pinned and it gives you high confidence. The car feels made for it. On the other hand the S (in this case pre-facelift) felt significantly firmer and quite unsettled over the same bumpy sections, high speeds felt more sketchy and it just meant lifting off the throttle more. It wasn't as fun and it really drove home the difference between the suspension setups in my mind.So test drove an A110, thought it was cracking fun. Watched lots of reviews of the A110S and some say its vastly harsher and not good on UK b roads and some say it is fine, as such those who own an A110S how is it on a typical UK b-road?
I like idea of the S as I will do the odd track day.
Another example is if I find an A110S a little too harsh do the Life110 springs sort it and would the S still be better than say a Legende / GT on Life110 springs?
I am coming from a GR Yaris and M2 OG Manual, both of which I am selling to drop into an A110 in either Legende, GT or S trim. Any owners here moved from a GR or M2 OG into an A110S, how does ride compare please?
On another day at a different dealership I drove the new facelift S, but this time on smoother more sweeping roads. To be fair it did feel great, I didn't notice as much harshness this time, it felt very planted but still with enough body movement that you could feel the suspension loading up in turns. It felt slightly less engaging at lower speeds though. It would undoubtedly make a better track car, but as a road car my favourite was still the GT.
I have a slight suspicion is that the newer S has more compliant suspension than the older S, but as I was driving on different roads it's hard to say for sure. If you plan to do a lot of track days, or happen to have a lot of smooth fast roads around you, the S might make more sense, but otherwise I think the base car (or GT) are more capable and fun day to day.
Test drive an S for yourself and you'll soon see.
Rob_RCF said:
I'm a GT owner, but I did test drive two S', both the older and the facelift version. Like you I initially wanted the S, that is until I drove one down a wet B road. On this particular day I drove the GT first, which has an ability to just fly over bumpy sections with ease, you can keep the throttle pinned and it gives you high confidence. The car feels made for it. On the other hand the S (in this case pre-facelift) felt significantly firmer and quite unsettled over the same bumpy sections, high speeds felt more sketchy and it just meant lifting off the throttle more. It wasn't as fun and it really drove home the difference between the suspension setups in my mind.
On another day at a different dealership I drove the new facelift S, but this time on smoother more sweeping roads. To be fair it did feel great, I didn't notice as much harshness this time, it felt very planted but still with enough body movement that you could feel the suspension loading up in turns. It felt slightly less engaging at lower speeds though. It would undoubtedly make a better track car, but as a road car my favourite was still the GT.
I have a slight suspicion is that the newer S has more compliant suspension than the older S, but as I was driving on different roads it's hard to say for sure. If you plan to do a lot of track days, or happen to have a lot of smooth fast roads around you, the S might make more sense, but otherwise I think the base car (or GT) are more capable and fun day to day.
Test drive an S for yourself and you'll soon see.
Thank you, do you know what year the S was updated please?On another day at a different dealership I drove the new facelift S, but this time on smoother more sweeping roads. To be fair it did feel great, I didn't notice as much harshness this time, it felt very planted but still with enough body movement that you could feel the suspension loading up in turns. It felt slightly less engaging at lower speeds though. It would undoubtedly make a better track car, but as a road car my favourite was still the GT.
I have a slight suspicion is that the newer S has more compliant suspension than the older S, but as I was driving on different roads it's hard to say for sure. If you plan to do a lot of track days, or happen to have a lot of smooth fast roads around you, the S might make more sense, but otherwise I think the base car (or GT) are more capable and fun day to day.
Test drive an S for yourself and you'll soon see.
Gibbo205 said:
Thank you, do you know what year the S was updated please?
2022 was the changeover year. Easiest way to tell is to look at the rear badging. Older cars simply say "ALPINE" while facelift cars show the model as well (A110/S/GT). Facelift S also get the updated engine with 340Nm and 300 PS, same as the GT.I used to own a Pure and now an S, and yesterday I drove a Pure again.
In the Pure its definitly a much more comfortable experience, softer probably is the best word I can descibe it as, but not just suspension soft, its an all round softer.
Compared to the S, I now felt the Pure to be slow, and the engine really quite asthmatic, partricularly in the upper end of the revs.
The S is harder, but also more focussed and capable. The softness of the Pure (same suspension as GT) is its weakness when going properly quick, there is a lot of weight transfer that whilst not extreme, its simply not there in the S. For me, I'm not sure I'd want the increased S power in the softer set up, I'm sure I'd get myself in trouble far more easily than in the S - as tempting as that softer ride is.
I use my S daily, I've done 2600 miles in 2 months, I've not found myself in a situation where it has been overly harsh and teeth shattering, but it is harder.
You must get the Life110 geometry done though. My car was initially quite choppy and I thought I'd made a mistake in getting an S, but the revised geometry transformed it, and having driven a Pure again dont regret going with an S this time.
I also chose an S over a GT because of the seats, I just dont find the comfort seats comfortable, but the buckets are a great fit, for others its the other way round, as thats something not actually easily changed, but suspension and engine map is, make that part of your decision process.
Good luck
In the Pure its definitly a much more comfortable experience, softer probably is the best word I can descibe it as, but not just suspension soft, its an all round softer.
Compared to the S, I now felt the Pure to be slow, and the engine really quite asthmatic, partricularly in the upper end of the revs.
The S is harder, but also more focussed and capable. The softness of the Pure (same suspension as GT) is its weakness when going properly quick, there is a lot of weight transfer that whilst not extreme, its simply not there in the S. For me, I'm not sure I'd want the increased S power in the softer set up, I'm sure I'd get myself in trouble far more easily than in the S - as tempting as that softer ride is.
I use my S daily, I've done 2600 miles in 2 months, I've not found myself in a situation where it has been overly harsh and teeth shattering, but it is harder.
You must get the Life110 geometry done though. My car was initially quite choppy and I thought I'd made a mistake in getting an S, but the revised geometry transformed it, and having driven a Pure again dont regret going with an S this time.
I also chose an S over a GT because of the seats, I just dont find the comfort seats comfortable, but the buckets are a great fit, for others its the other way round, as thats something not actually easily changed, but suspension and engine map is, make that part of your decision process.
Good luck
Hi there
So I drove a yellow 2021 A110S today:
So the car is different to the regular car mainly in how it rides.
At under 30mph it’s a firmer ride but nothing too harsh.
At 60mph plus the car feels more planted, more keyed into the road and the front end feels more precise and cornering is flatter this for me was a major highlight of the S.
The downside is at 35-45mph the ride on SOME roads seemed really jittery and unnecessarily pogo like almost like the suspension was transmitting the ripples almost as if you drove over someone’s credit card you’d be able to read the numbers at this speed.
The latter was somewhat upsetting as it’s a speed you sit at often.
My question is will Life110 springs help with this to a noticeable amount, in short reduce to remedy this jittery / harshness we felt particular at 35-45mph range without impacting the steering precision and flatter cornering?
Apart from that the S seemed a little more urgent but I’d not say it was a big difference but I really enjoyed the added focus of the S but it would be nice if their was a solution to reduce the harshness without losing what I like about the S so much please?
So I drove a yellow 2021 A110S today:
So the car is different to the regular car mainly in how it rides.
At under 30mph it’s a firmer ride but nothing too harsh.
At 60mph plus the car feels more planted, more keyed into the road and the front end feels more precise and cornering is flatter this for me was a major highlight of the S.
The downside is at 35-45mph the ride on SOME roads seemed really jittery and unnecessarily pogo like almost like the suspension was transmitting the ripples almost as if you drove over someone’s credit card you’d be able to read the numbers at this speed.
The latter was somewhat upsetting as it’s a speed you sit at often.
My question is will Life110 springs help with this to a noticeable amount, in short reduce to remedy this jittery / harshness we felt particular at 35-45mph range without impacting the steering precision and flatter cornering?
Apart from that the S seemed a little more urgent but I’d not say it was a big difference but I really enjoyed the added focus of the S but it would be nice if their was a solution to reduce the harshness without losing what I like about the S so much please?
Ah the Solihull one, nice car, but needs a price adjustment - has been up to another dealer in Stoke too last year and has been forsale a while.
I believe the springs on their own are 5% softer than the S, so it should have a small impact, the real question is whether you’ll feel 5% difference is enough and if the lower ride height compromises anything for you?
Didn’t quite get around to trying an S, but I ended up with a base car and with the state of the roads right now, I’m glad I did. Edit; worth remembering that in theory this is about as bad as the roads get…. I’m hoping they start to fix them as the weather improves.
I believe the springs on their own are 5% softer than the S, so it should have a small impact, the real question is whether you’ll feel 5% difference is enough and if the lower ride height compromises anything for you?
Didn’t quite get around to trying an S, but I ended up with a base car and with the state of the roads right now, I’m glad I did. Edit; worth remembering that in theory this is about as bad as the roads get…. I’m hoping they start to fix them as the weather improves.
Edited by BCA on Sunday 18th February 10:18
BCA said:
Ah the Solihull one, nice car, but needs a price adjustment - has been up to another dealer in Stoke too last year and has been forsale a while.
I believe the springs on their own are 5% softer than the S, so it should have a small impact, the real question is whether you’ll feel 5% difference is enough and if the lower ride height compromises anything for you?
Didn’t quite get around to trying an S, but I ended up with a base car and with the state of the roads right now, I’m glad I did. Edit; worth remembering that in theory this is about as bad as the roads get…. I’m hoping they start to fix them as the weather improves.
I also wouldn't want anything firmer than the standard suspension, at least on the road. If anything I would like to try an A110 even softer still, if it meant the car had more of the sublime smoothness and body movement sensations with minimal sacrifice of agility. I'm sure Alpine tested softer and firmer setups than the ones available, perhaps any softer would compromise the handling too much. The ride/handling balance the standard suspension strikes is excellent, however if there was an option in the opposite direction of 'lower and stiffer' it's something I would consider.I believe the springs on their own are 5% softer than the S, so it should have a small impact, the real question is whether you’ll feel 5% difference is enough and if the lower ride height compromises anything for you?
Didn’t quite get around to trying an S, but I ended up with a base car and with the state of the roads right now, I’m glad I did. Edit; worth remembering that in theory this is about as bad as the roads get…. I’m hoping they start to fix them as the weather improves.
Edited by 7en on Sunday 18th February 17:44
7en said:
BCA said:
Ah the Solihull one, nice car, but needs a price adjustment - has been up to another dealer in Stoke too last year and has been forsale a while.
I believe the springs on their own are 5% softer than the S, so it should have a small impact, the real question is whether you’ll feel 5% difference is enough and if the lower ride height compromises anything for you?
Didn’t quite get around to trying an S, but I ended up with a base car and with the state of the roads right now, I’m glad I did. Edit; worth remembering that in theory this is about as bad as the roads get…. I’m hoping they start to fix them as the weather improves.
I also wouldn't want anything firmer than the standard suspension, at least on the road. If anything I would like to try an A110 even softer still, if it meant the car had more of the sublime smoothness and body movement sensations with minimal sacrifice of agility. I'm sure Alpine tested softer and firmer setups than the ones available, perhaps any softer would compromise the handling too much. The ride/handling balance the standard suspension strikes is excellent, however if there was an option in the opposite direction of 'lower and stiffer' it's something I would consider.I believe the springs on their own are 5% softer than the S, so it should have a small impact, the real question is whether you’ll feel 5% difference is enough and if the lower ride height compromises anything for you?
Didn’t quite get around to trying an S, but I ended up with a base car and with the state of the roads right now, I’m glad I did. Edit; worth remembering that in theory this is about as bad as the roads get…. I’m hoping they start to fix them as the weather improves.
Edited by 7en on Sunday 18th February 17:44
Gibbo205 said:
Hi there
The downside is at 35-45mph the ride on SOME roads seemed really jittery and unnecessarily pogo like almost like the suspension was transmitting the ripples almost as if you drove over someone’s credit card you’d be able to read the numbers at this speed.
The latter was somewhat upsetting as it’s a speed you sit at often.
This is exactly what mine did, just the 110Geomotry has all but eliminated it. I initially was working out whether to go springs, dampers, I even had a set of Pure springs lined up, but after the Geo I dont plan on any of it.The downside is at 35-45mph the ride on SOME roads seemed really jittery and unnecessarily pogo like almost like the suspension was transmitting the ripples almost as if you drove over someone’s credit card you’d be able to read the numbers at this speed.
The latter was somewhat upsetting as it’s a speed you sit at often.
I got my car from Solihul, where are you based? Come and have a drive of mine...
fuzzy-si said:
This is exactly what mine did, just the 110Geomotry has all but eliminated it. I initially was working out whether to go springs, dampers, I even had a set of Pure springs lined up, but after the Geo I dont plan on any of it.
I got my car from Solihul, where are you based? Come and have a drive of mine...
This has been my experience also. Picked up my S (also a Color Edition funnily enough) last November and found it did feel a bit skittish at times. Had the geo properly done at Spires and it's transformed the car.I got my car from Solihul, where are you based? Come and have a drive of mine...
Simon Owen said:
7en said:
BCA said:
Ah the Solihull one, nice car, but needs a price adjustment - has been up to another dealer in Stoke too last year and has been forsale a while.
I believe the springs on their own are 5% softer than the S, so it should have a small impact, the real question is whether you’ll feel 5% difference is enough and if the lower ride height compromises anything for you?
Didn’t quite get around to trying an S, but I ended up with a base car and with the state of the roads right now, I’m glad I did. Edit; worth remembering that in theory this is about as bad as the roads get…. I’m hoping they start to fix them as the weather improves.
I also wouldn't want anything firmer than the standard suspension, at least on the road. If anything I would like to try an A110 even softer still, if it meant the car had more of the sublime smoothness and body movement sensations with minimal sacrifice of agility. I'm sure Alpine tested softer and firmer setups than the ones available, perhaps any softer would compromise the handling too much. The ride/handling balance the standard suspension strikes is excellent, however if there was an option in the opposite direction of 'lower and stiffer' it's something I would consider.I believe the springs on their own are 5% softer than the S, so it should have a small impact, the real question is whether you’ll feel 5% difference is enough and if the lower ride height compromises anything for you?
Didn’t quite get around to trying an S, but I ended up with a base car and with the state of the roads right now, I’m glad I did. Edit; worth remembering that in theory this is about as bad as the roads get…. I’m hoping they start to fix them as the weather improves.
Edited by 7en on Sunday 18th February 17:44
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