S1 Lotus Elise 111S
Discussion
So after a fantastic year in my 310R covering loads of UK days and driving the car to and from the Nurburgring and Spa for double header trackdays I fancied trying something a bit different.
Ive always liked S1 Elise's (I have a bit of a thing about owning motoring icons -hence a past of GT3s, Caterhams, 205 GTis, R129 SL, Cayman Rs etc) so when I got offered cash my way for a lovely little Elise it felt a deal not to turn down.
Gracious pic of Caterham - I will certainly have another most likely an ex race car just for track.
So to the car in question, it's a 1999 S1 111S in Norfolk Mustard with Green leather and the sport 160 wheels. The car has a ridiculous pair of history folders and whilst it isn't concourse it's clear it's been mechanically well look looked after.
A few pics below.
I've not had much chance to drive the car properly yet but overall observations are it feels a bit keener than my 310R but I think that's as much about gearing than anything else. It feels crashy at first but since discovered it had way too much pressure in the tyres, sorted that out and now feels much better.
The gearshift is sensational, I've got lots of bills for bushes and cables etc so sounds like it's been looked after around that area. The position from lever to wheel is utter perfection.
Concern areas so far... It stops but not as well as I think it should so some fresh pads and front discs are in order and I'd like to get some clubsport Nitrons on it as I will still use it on track days.
As I say very early into ownership but feels a nice balance between my GT3 and the Caterham, still raw but a little bit more habitable.
Finally the fact it's 25 years old next year means that if I do want rid it can go stateside.
First trackday booked at brands for 14 August.
Ive always liked S1 Elise's (I have a bit of a thing about owning motoring icons -hence a past of GT3s, Caterhams, 205 GTis, R129 SL, Cayman Rs etc) so when I got offered cash my way for a lovely little Elise it felt a deal not to turn down.
Gracious pic of Caterham - I will certainly have another most likely an ex race car just for track.
So to the car in question, it's a 1999 S1 111S in Norfolk Mustard with Green leather and the sport 160 wheels. The car has a ridiculous pair of history folders and whilst it isn't concourse it's clear it's been mechanically well look looked after.
A few pics below.
I've not had much chance to drive the car properly yet but overall observations are it feels a bit keener than my 310R but I think that's as much about gearing than anything else. It feels crashy at first but since discovered it had way too much pressure in the tyres, sorted that out and now feels much better.
The gearshift is sensational, I've got lots of bills for bushes and cables etc so sounds like it's been looked after around that area. The position from lever to wheel is utter perfection.
Concern areas so far... It stops but not as well as I think it should so some fresh pads and front discs are in order and I'd like to get some clubsport Nitrons on it as I will still use it on track days.
As I say very early into ownership but feels a nice balance between my GT3 and the Caterham, still raw but a little bit more habitable.
Finally the fact it's 25 years old next year means that if I do want rid it can go stateside.
First trackday booked at brands for 14 August.
Check your front discs. I think yours is too late, but early Elises had MMC discs, not renown for their stopping power in the wet, but they're like hens teeth these days and still worth a small fortune.
"The original Elise (up to chassis number 3714) had Metal Matrix Composite (MMC) disk brakes which could squeel and be very noisy".
"The original Elise (up to chassis number 3714) had Metal Matrix Composite (MMC) disk brakes which could squeel and be very noisy".
I’ve got a 99 111S as my guilty pleasure. They really are brilliant little things. It’s been on the fleet for well over 10 years now. 65K miles, still on the original engine and box. I’ve gently modified it over the years it’s at about 180BHP flywheel which is about as far as you can go on the VVC and standard cams. It’s extremely fast with the std close ratio box even if it’s a bit low geared. Mine will rev out in 5th which is quite entertaining. Best mod of all for me is the Quaife ATB diff. totally transformed the car, it does the most sublime donuts without any negative impact on the handling, highly recommended. I can even do donuts inside my garage. 
Replacing the ancient MEMS engine management with an Emerald system should be well up the shopping list as well.
It’s much better for getting the best out of any other engine mods that you might do.
Lovely car, enjoy it in good health.
Replacing the ancient MEMS engine management with an Emerald system should be well up the shopping list as well.
It’s much better for getting the best out of any other engine mods that you might do.
Lovely car, enjoy it in good health.
Richbo said:
Check your front discs. I think yours is too late, but early Elises had MMC discs, not renown for their stopping power in the wet, but they're like hens teeth these days and still worth a small fortune.
"The original Elise (up to chassis number 3714) had Metal Matrix Composite (MMC) disk brakes which could squeel and be very noisy".
They're the later discs. I think they're just a bit old and need refreshing! "The original Elise (up to chassis number 3714) had Metal Matrix Composite (MMC) disk brakes which could squeel and be very noisy".
bigmowley said:
I’ve got a 99 111S as my guilty pleasure. They really are brilliant little things. It’s been on the fleet for well over 10 years now. 65K miles, still on the original engine and box. I’ve gently modified it over the years it’s at about 180BHP flywheel which is about as far as you can go on the VVC and standard cams. It’s extremely fast with the std close ratio box even if it’s a bit low geared. Mine will rev out in 5th which is quite entertaining. Best mod of all for me is the Quaife ATB diff. totally transformed the car, it does the most sublime donuts without any negative impact on the handling, highly recommended. I can even do donuts inside my garage.
Replacing the ancient MEMS engine management with an Emerald system should be well up the shopping list as well.
It’s much better for getting the best out of any other engine mods that you might do.
Lovely car, enjoy it in good health.
Might impressive garage space! A diff is on my list for sure. Thanks for the tip in management Replacing the ancient MEMS engine management with an Emerald system should be well up the shopping list as well.
It’s much better for getting the best out of any other engine mods that you might do.
Lovely car, enjoy it in good health.
keo said:
I like that! Enjoy op. Funny I have been thinking of going the other way (from a Lotus to a Caterham) but I took mine out Sunday and I really enjoyed the lotus. Yeah the 7 might be more out and out fun. But the Lotus has got to be a better overall package I’d of thought.
The 7 is more of a pure toy I think. It is a bit more fun but it has to be on a track or in the right conditions. It feels a much older design (it is) than the Elise as well. I think anyone who considers themselves a petrol head knows exactly what an Elise is all about and there is a good reason for that, Lotus got it right.
But it seems they were not content with that, oh no, they also decided to build what is IMO one of the most beautiful, small sports car of all time.
Yours looks like an especially nice example. Looks like you’re going to have a lot fun with it.
But it seems they were not content with that, oh no, they also decided to build what is IMO one of the most beautiful, small sports car of all time.
Yours looks like an especially nice example. Looks like you’re going to have a lot fun with it.
Wonder how many Elise owners have had a 7 in the past ?
Great looking car. Back in '96 I competed in a few sprints in a HPC 7, then I bought a new S1 in red. Since then I had another two S1 Elises, and 6 Caterhams .
I now have a lovely 160 spec S1, but i'm always wanting to have another 7 .
Great looking car. Back in '96 I competed in a few sprints in a HPC 7, then I bought a new S1 in red. Since then I had another two S1 Elises, and 6 Caterhams .
I now have a lovely 160 spec S1, but i'm always wanting to have another 7 .
Right managed a decent 60 miles today!
So proper conclusions... Steering is insanely good, it's actually quite freaky to start with you can literally feel everything and because it's so light it takes a while to understand there is a ton of grip. Although it weighs a good 200kilos more than the caterham it in some way feels lighter. I suspect this is due to the suspension setup so it feels like it floats.
Because of that floating sensation it really can be pedaled down a road rather quickly. But unlike the caterham where you can bully it about you can't do that in the Elise you need to be more precise... I like this!
Engine wise - that little K series is a hoot, it's got more midrange than the sigma in the caterham but at the top end the caterham was more savage but that was most likely the crazy cams it had.
Only way I've got it to go to go sideways is just lifting off and being a bit brutal with your inputs. So it's more of a needling threading car.
Gearshift and placement to the steering wheel is magic and the pedal weights are beautiful.
Only gripe I've got so far are the seats are a bit slippy and it really doesn't stop like I'm used to....
As a roadtrip car the motorways would be a little chore (it's doing 3.6k at 70) but worth putting up with as once you're there in smooth tarmac it would be the b
ks.
So proper conclusions... Steering is insanely good, it's actually quite freaky to start with you can literally feel everything and because it's so light it takes a while to understand there is a ton of grip. Although it weighs a good 200kilos more than the caterham it in some way feels lighter. I suspect this is due to the suspension setup so it feels like it floats.
Because of that floating sensation it really can be pedaled down a road rather quickly. But unlike the caterham where you can bully it about you can't do that in the Elise you need to be more precise... I like this!
Engine wise - that little K series is a hoot, it's got more midrange than the sigma in the caterham but at the top end the caterham was more savage but that was most likely the crazy cams it had.
Only way I've got it to go to go sideways is just lifting off and being a bit brutal with your inputs. So it's more of a needling threading car.
Gearshift and placement to the steering wheel is magic and the pedal weights are beautiful.
Only gripe I've got so far are the seats are a bit slippy and it really doesn't stop like I'm used to....
As a roadtrip car the motorways would be a little chore (it's doing 3.6k at 70) but worth putting up with as once you're there in smooth tarmac it would be the b
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