High Octane juice
Discussion
Morning all.
I'm picking up my new S2 Exige tomorrow, having previously owned an S1 and S2 Elise.
Now, I know that with the standard engine, Lotus say higher octane petrol has no effect, but the Exige and 111R have a Toyota lump in the back. So, the question is, is Optimax or equivalent now worthwhile?
Cheers,
Tim.
I'm picking up my new S2 Exige tomorrow, having previously owned an S1 and S2 Elise.
Now, I know that with the standard engine, Lotus say higher octane petrol has no effect, but the Exige and 111R have a Toyota lump in the back. So, the question is, is Optimax or equivalent now worthwhile?
Cheers,
Tim.
I asked this exact question when I picked up my 111r, and the dealer couldn't give me a straight answer. However, I mentioned it on the customer satisfaction form, and a couple of days later, someone from the factory technical department called to leave a message with the info! Can't imagine many manufacturers doing that!
The short answer they gave me is that higher octane fuel will have no performance benefit for the 'Yota engine, although the detergents in Optimax will keep the innards clean. Makes sense I suppose as the engine will probably have been mapped using standard fuel.
On the basis of that info, I normally fill up with regular, but for every fourth or fifth tankfull, I go for Optimax. Maybe it's a psychological effect, but I hven't noticed a difference in the 111r like I get with my '72 MGB running on Premium as opposed to Regular.
HTH,
Karl
The short answer they gave me is that higher octane fuel will have no performance benefit for the 'Yota engine, although the detergents in Optimax will keep the innards clean. Makes sense I suppose as the engine will probably have been mapped using standard fuel.
On the basis of that info, I normally fill up with regular, but for every fourth or fifth tankfull, I go for Optimax. Maybe it's a psychological effect, but I hven't noticed a difference in the 111r like I get with my '72 MGB running on Premium as opposed to Regular.
HTH,
Karl
Its what comes of getting a divorce and unlocking all that lovely equity!! 
Rather than being sensible and buying a new house, I've gone and blown it on a new car. Much more fun!
Thanks for the info. I will try to get some pics up at some point, and if I can an mp3 of the sports exhaust with air induction kit, which just sounds fantastic!
Rather than being sensible and buying a new house, I've gone and blown it on a new car. Much more fun!
Thanks for the info. I will try to get some pics up at some point, and if I can an mp3 of the sports exhaust with air induction kit, which just sounds fantastic!
tiguk said:
Its what comes of getting a divorce and unlocking all that lovely equity!!
Rather than being sensible and buying a new house, I've gone and blown it on a new car. Much more fun!
Oh you f&*^ing idiot. You really shouldnt have said that. I have recently split up with my girlfriend and we are selling our house so I will have my mits on a large wedge of a cash before too long. I have told myself to be sensible and use it all for a new house / flat but have this little red devil on my shoulder saying "blow it on an Exige, you know you want to"
Dont know what to do now. Please tell me on Monday that its a cr@p car and you shouldnt have bought it
Enjoy your new beast.Davey,
I'd like to help you out by saying it's really not worth buying, but after 500 miles in one weekend I'm still grinning from ear to ear.
Another 500 to go then I can really go silly!
Best bit so far - the two longish tunnels on the M25 by the M11 and A10 exits. Windows & right foot down and hear that baby purr!
It is a much harder ride than the standard S2, but blimey it feels solid. Not a hint of roll whenever I had the guts to try it out (not often at the moment!)
Will try to post some pics of it, if I can work out how to. You probably won't like it though - it's Ardent Red, which I know isn't everyone's cup of tea....
...mind you, the car full of girls who flashed their t**s at me seemed to like the colour!
Tim.
I'd like to help you out by saying it's really not worth buying, but after 500 miles in one weekend I'm still grinning from ear to ear.
Another 500 to go then I can really go silly!
Best bit so far - the two longish tunnels on the M25 by the M11 and A10 exits. Windows & right foot down and hear that baby purr!
It is a much harder ride than the standard S2, but blimey it feels solid. Not a hint of roll whenever I had the guts to try it out (not often at the moment!)
Will try to post some pics of it, if I can work out how to. You probably won't like it though - it's Ardent Red, which I know isn't everyone's cup of tea....
...mind you, the car full of girls who flashed their t**s at me seemed to like the colour!
Tim.
Ok, think I've cracked this pic link thingy... should be able to click here
Topcat - yes, I actually test drove a demo car before and after they'd fitted the PiperX kit. Even I could notice the difference in pull below the magic 6200rpm. There's still a kick there, but it's less obvious as the induction kit seems to smooth things out a bit. But I came to the conclusion that if I could notice a difference after just two drives, it was worth the money.
Tim.
Topcat - yes, I actually test drove a demo car before and after they'd fitted the PiperX kit. Even I could notice the difference in pull below the magic 6200rpm. There's still a kick there, but it's less obvious as the induction kit seems to smooth things out a bit. But I came to the conclusion that if I could notice a difference after just two drives, it was worth the money.
Tim.
Tim that looks top. It wouldnt be my first choice but the red really suits the Exige more than the other S2 models. It looks like a junior Ferrari Le Mans racer.
Interesting about the Pipercross. I saw an advert for it in the back of EVO. It looks the same type of system as a K&N 57i (basically a cone filter and connecting pipe, alebeit in carbon fibre) but it was about £300. Sounds like its worth the money though.
Interesting about the Pipercross. I saw an advert for it in the back of EVO. It looks the same type of system as a K&N 57i (basically a cone filter and connecting pipe, alebeit in carbon fibre) but it was about £300. Sounds like its worth the money though.
Well I've had an Azure Blue S1, a stealth black S2, so I thought I'd go for red this time....
...that and the new g/f couldn't stand the idea of a yellow one.
about sums her reaction up.
I didn't even dare raise the option of orange with her, plus I can't see the justification of over £1k more for a different colour.
...that and the new g/f couldn't stand the idea of a yellow one.
about sums her reaction up. I didn't even dare raise the option of orange with her, plus I can't see the justification of over £1k more for a different colour.
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