im worried by elise quality
Discussion
Met an elise mechanic at the weekend - works for a national franchise a local lotus dealer sends cars to - and he hates the elise. They repair Astons/TVRs also so they have a valid point of reference. Main points: - poor build quality s1 and s2 - k series engine has far to many problems. Do lotus owners wear blinkers - are they blinded by their purchase ?
Ta for now
Jonny
Ta for now
Jonny
I really don't know where all this "k series are plagued with problems" mince comes from. I and my friends have had a few K engined cars including the elise and never had a problem with any of them. The only thing is the overhyped HGF problem.
Build quality isn't the best but I think it varies from car to car and in general the S2 is slightly better than the S1 in this respect.
Build quality isn't the best but I think it varies from car to car and in general the S2 is slightly better than the S1 in this respect.
I know a K-series expert, he rates the engine for its efficiency and weight but realises that there are a few problems with it - all the known stuff really, but some bits of the design were a wee bit, 'underfunded' but they're little things.
There are very few (I'm not saying not any) engines that have minor problems, K-series is no worse than say the Audi/VW unit, the Zetec etc
There are very few (I'm not saying not any) engines that have minor problems, K-series is no worse than say the Audi/VW unit, the Zetec etc
If you have a bit of free time then read this, it is a lengthy and technical account of the K series but it is educational.
[url] www.sandsmuseum.com/cars/elise/thecar/engine/kingk.html [/url]
[url] www.sandsmuseum.com/cars/elise/thecar/engine/kingk.html [/url]
Was this a genuine thread or is someone taking the mickey here - "stirring the pot" maybe? Heck any Trevor mechanic worrying about elise reliability needs to increase the dose of his antipsychotics. Has the person who posted this thread actually been in an elise?
>> Edited by shangani on Tuesday 1st November 23:19
>> Edited by shangani on Tuesday 1st November 23:19
Nick J said:
If you have a bit of free time then read this, it is a lengthy and technical account of the K series but it is educational.
[url] www.sandsmuseum.com/cars/elise/the [/url]
Sadly the chap writing it hasn't put his money where his mouth is and built this ultimate k...
The build quality on all the Elises I've seen of many varying ages, has always been worlds above most other small volume builds: I have never seen anything of the wiring loom inside, the bits have always worked, I've never seem a door drop when being opened, the windows always fit their guides and seals. Even if they have been an occational track and everyday car there's often not much more than scuffed sills and worn seats. The older ones also stand up against stone chips really well as they have tougher paint on them.
The only exception I've seen to low-volume hand built quality being no where near as good as something like a Ford, is the Noble M14 demo car and Astons.
I've never known a TVR for any length of time (over a month) that hasn't had a knob or gizmo inside fall off and/or the engine break.
I've also heard lots of horror stories about the k-series, in and out of Elises. However, people always moan when things go wrong. Nobody logs on here everyday, day and says 'my engine is still fine today' off their own back - what would be the point. The same thing goes with when they go wrong - they take them to the garage to get them fixed. I've never taken a car to a garage to get fixed if it's fine.
Sorry, I've had a lot of coffee this morning, I'll go now.....
The only exception I've seen to low-volume hand built quality being no where near as good as something like a Ford, is the Noble M14 demo car and Astons.
I've never known a TVR for any length of time (over a month) that hasn't had a knob or gizmo inside fall off and/or the engine break.
I've also heard lots of horror stories about the k-series, in and out of Elises. However, people always moan when things go wrong. Nobody logs on here everyday, day and says 'my engine is still fine today' off their own back - what would be the point. The same thing goes with when they go wrong - they take them to the garage to get them fixed. I've never taken a car to a garage to get fixed if it's fine.
Sorry, I've had a lot of coffee this morning, I'll go now.....
jonny_jazz3 said:
Met an elise mechanic at the weekend - works for a national franchise a local lotus dealer sends cars to - and he hates the elise. They repair Astons/TVRs also so they have a valid point of reference. Main points: - poor build quality s1 and s2 - k series engine has far to many problems. Do lotus owners wear blinkers - are they blinded by their purchase ? <br/> <br/>Ta for now <br/>Jonny
does this mean if I go on the TVR forum there will be no topcis relating to TVR build quality or Engine prblems?
I think not!!!
That article on the K-series is really very good. I think the guy has a few issues to deal with that leak into the essay, but otherwise it seems well informed and backed up with some good arguments.
Any idea where that graph, that should be about half way down, is? And any idea on what happened to his touted crank? If he did come out with it, it would certainly cement his argument.
Right, I'm off to look up Vibration Free for some costs.
Any idea where that graph, that should be about half way down, is? And any idea on what happened to his touted crank? If he did come out with it, it would certainly cement his argument.
Right, I'm off to look up Vibration Free for some costs.
Early S1 Elises had problems like any low volume car but I had a year 2000 S1 Elise for 4 years, including track days, with only one minor window winder failure in that time.
Contrast that with my Noble M12 which has had 26 issues including major problems - classic low volume under-development.
Contrast that with my Noble M12 which has had 26 issues including major problems - classic low volume under-development.
I've owned 3 Elises, a S1, an early S2 and a 2002 111S. Build quality is fine. I had a few problems, steering rack went on the 111S but that was the worst of it. Other stuff was very minor, more down to a poor PDI on my first S2 rather than quality issues with the car, and was always fixed FOC by the dealer. I used mine every day and covered 70K in 5 years across the 3 cars.
Interesting still that the author of this thread has not returned. Though it has sparked some interesting comments / experiences. I might add that unreliable cars are reported to be a great way to meet people - think of all those interesting conversations that TVR owners have by the roadside while they wait for the RAC van.
hbaumhardt said:
This thread has caused me to invest some hours digging around on on HGF, PRRT and remote stats but most articles discuss the S1.
Anyone know if Lotus addressed the thermostat issue on the 2003 S2S, or should I consider investing in this area before my track calander fills up again ?
Found this:
www.exiges.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=27673&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=
but it's started by the same guy that wrote the article King K. Only just started on it too, so not sure how it pans out - however, he does give his email out and says just to drop him a line if you want any info.
Edit - So far he seems to know his stuff, and more about him comes out in the thread, making a good read with 18 pages to go - esp as I have no intent on doing any work today
>> Edited by jitsukadave on Thursday 3rd November 09:43
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