111R - talk to me
Discussion
One of the best things about the Elise is that theres something for everyone. I would have a look at as many different versions as is practical. The ultimate Elise for me with no budget is the SC. The power delivery is correct for a sports car in that its linear and the overall performance is blistering.
My other favorite Toyota powered car is the 134 not 190. The 134 is perkier at lower more normal/every day speed. For road driving with an occasional trackday I would have the 134 every day. For trackdays with the odd weekend blat it would be the 190 111R/R. On road the 111R can be pretty tedious as you rarely get chance to fully extend into the 2nd cam zone and you often end up driving like a lunatic trying to keep the car's revs up.
My personal car (I sell these cars for a living I should add) is a K series. For me the K series is just perfect for the Elise. Its light, has bags of tourque with good linear delivery and although it can be problematic they are cheap to fix. My car was a 122 tourer but then the inevitable head gasket issues prompted an engine swap to a 160BHP unit. With a couple of other bits I have on my car its resulted in a pretty stock tuned but uselful 170 ish BHP car. Its got a lot of useable power and makes a noise that the Toyota cars could only dream of. The only thing I would consider swapping it for is an SC Elise which I have actually got in stock which is tempting but thats a big jump in investment from sub 15k to over 30k....
The SC:
My K
Decisions!
Anyway the moral of the story is that the 111R is not the best Elise just because its got the biggest on paper BHP!
My other favorite Toyota powered car is the 134 not 190. The 134 is perkier at lower more normal/every day speed. For road driving with an occasional trackday I would have the 134 every day. For trackdays with the odd weekend blat it would be the 190 111R/R. On road the 111R can be pretty tedious as you rarely get chance to fully extend into the 2nd cam zone and you often end up driving like a lunatic trying to keep the car's revs up.
My personal car (I sell these cars for a living I should add) is a K series. For me the K series is just perfect for the Elise. Its light, has bags of tourque with good linear delivery and although it can be problematic they are cheap to fix. My car was a 122 tourer but then the inevitable head gasket issues prompted an engine swap to a 160BHP unit. With a couple of other bits I have on my car its resulted in a pretty stock tuned but uselful 170 ish BHP car. Its got a lot of useable power and makes a noise that the Toyota cars could only dream of. The only thing I would consider swapping it for is an SC Elise which I have actually got in stock which is tempting but thats a big jump in investment from sub 15k to over 30k....
The SC:
My K
Decisions!
Anyway the moral of the story is that the 111R is not the best Elise just because its got the biggest on paper BHP!
The 189bhp Toyota engine is a bit marmite. I love high revving engines, but if you don't you'd be better with a Rover engined car. They're a good chunk lighter and have lovely unassisted brakes. The lower powered Toyotas just seem like the worst of both worlds to me, I don't see the appeal.
Budget might be a factor. I'm downsizing quite a lot if my kitcar sells but dont really want 25-30k tied up in a summer toy for occasional trackdays. That might rule out the sc anyway?
Nothing against the K series as such as long as its been fixed properly. Ideally something with grunt, am coming from something with 500bhp in a similar size n weight package to an elise. Need to drive an sc really and soon!
Nothing against the K series as such as long as its been fixed properly. Ideally something with grunt, am coming from something with 500bhp in a similar size n weight package to an elise. Need to drive an sc really and soon!
I loved my 111R. Fantastic car and my first Elise. I love my current Exige more. Obviously more powerful. A series 3 CR would also without a doubt hit the nail on the head. It looks fantastic in blue. My next car was supposed to be another Exige series 2 but LHD. However, a series 3 S in standard or CR form might just get the nod. Then again an Evora, which I have never ever driven. Either way, test drive a lotus, find the one that suits YOU best, for whatever reason, and then start to enjoy the Lotus experience. They are all wonderful cars.
fridaypassion said:
If you want the CR SC above let me know. Could do with it gone before winter sets in!
Interested! But you'd have to bring the cr and cash lol! I have to sell my kit car first unfortunately to free up funds :-)Looks beautiful and colour suits. Pm if you do want a genuine chat :-)
400SE Dave said:
Skaffen said:
You can supercharge a 111R - either fitting the factory supercharger used on the Exige S (without the charge cooler) or one of the other aftermarket options - but they don't come like that as standard. And with a supercharger you'll manage a bit more than 190bhp 
..or you can by and Elise SC which is the factory Supercharged version. These had 220bhpwalm said:
Just a quick FYI but if you are considering supercharged Elises - I would also consider the Exige S (S2 not S3).
It is essentially the same car but with added discomfort - you can't see out the back, the A/C never works and the roof is a pain to take off.
I loved mine!!
The SC is different.It is essentially the same car but with added discomfort - you can't see out the back, the A/C never works and the roof is a pain to take off.
I loved mine!!
In the Elise the SC is pretty much on the limit.
The one in the Exige has potential for easy power/Torq increase.
The SC has more of its power from lower down the rev range as well. The Exige S is still quite banzai and I've always felt never feels as quick as it should do. The 220 only feels a little bit quicker than an Elise 111R.
The SC Elise feels rapid I think just because its the old trick of having more of the power available more of the time. Not as much option for tuning but thats only mainly because they havent been well supported by tuners.
The SC Elise feels rapid I think just because its the old trick of having more of the power available more of the time. Not as much option for tuning but thats only mainly because they havent been well supported by tuners.
fridaypassion said:
The 220 only feels a little bit quicker than an Elise 111R.
Can't really agree with that. My 220 always feels quick to me and the power is available across a way larger portion of the rev range than a 111r. Never driven an Elise SC so can't comment on that.Edited by 400SE Dave on Monday 13th October 20:19
fridaypassion said:
At the top end its 30bhp nearly 20% more. Not really that much LOADS if you also take into consideration the not inconsiderable weight difference as well
FTFYI am with Dave.
It's absolutely rapid.
The weight difference between an Exige NA vs. S is 914kg vs. 933kg. Sweet FA.
Although it is more vs. a 111R I guess.
111R official 0-60 is 4.9secs vs. 4.2secs for the Exige S. That's a huge difference.
walm said:
FTFY
I am with Dave.
It's absolutely rapid.
The weight difference between an Exige NA vs. S is 914kg vs. 933kg. Sweet FA.
Although it is more vs. a 111R I guess.
111R official 0-60 is 4.9secs vs. 4.2secs for the Exige S. That's a huge difference.
My very early 111R (54 Plate) weighed 865Kgs. Granted it has no Touring Pack or AC, but for me that was worth the lack of weight. Otherwise I'd have bought a ProscheI am with Dave.
It's absolutely rapid.
The weight difference between an Exige NA vs. S is 914kg vs. 933kg. Sweet FA.
Although it is more vs. a 111R I guess.
111R official 0-60 is 4.9secs vs. 4.2secs for the Exige S. That's a huge difference.
Beachbum said:
walm said:
FTFY
I am with Dave.
It's absolutely rapid.
The weight difference between an Exige NA vs. S is 914kg vs. 933kg. Sweet FA.
Although it is more vs. a 111R I guess.
111R official 0-60 is 4.9secs vs. 4.2secs for the Exige S. That's a huge difference.
My very early 111R (54 Plate) weighed 865KgsI am with Dave.
It's absolutely rapid.
The weight difference between an Exige NA vs. S is 914kg vs. 933kg. Sweet FA.
Although it is more vs. a 111R I guess.
111R official 0-60 is 4.9secs vs. 4.2secs for the Exige S. That's a huge difference.
They really aren't very big heavy bits of kit.
Exiges are 
When you have picked up a clam you'll know.
I prefer the Exige but its not because its faster/slower/heavier whatever it just looks awesome. The only difference of any note that makes an real difference over the Elise is the wider track. I'm sure there was something in the brochure about downforce but thats just marketing.
I stand by the fact the 220 is not in the grand scheme of things that much quicker than a 111R. I have sold one or two over the last couple of years so spent some useful time in most of the S2 variants. The 260 is where it starts to become interesting for me.
If you have a drive of a stage 2 supercharged VX220 you'll realise the 220 Exige is not as impressive out of the box as it should have been. The VX220 would wipe the floor with it with 250BHP and 240lb. A factory 260 would be a fairer fight.
Its all irrelevant anyway as a 122BHP sport tourer is the best of all the S2's
When you have picked up a clam you'll know. I prefer the Exige but its not because its faster/slower/heavier whatever it just looks awesome. The only difference of any note that makes an real difference over the Elise is the wider track. I'm sure there was something in the brochure about downforce but thats just marketing.
I stand by the fact the 220 is not in the grand scheme of things that much quicker than a 111R. I have sold one or two over the last couple of years
so spent some useful time in most of the S2 variants. The 260 is where it starts to become interesting for me. If you have a drive of a stage 2 supercharged VX220 you'll realise the 220 Exige is not as impressive out of the box as it should have been. The VX220 would wipe the floor with it with 250BHP and 240lb. A factory 260 would be a fairer fight.
Its all irrelevant anyway as a 122BHP sport tourer is the best of all the S2's
walm said:
FTFY
I am with Dave.
It's absolutely rapid.
The weight difference between an Exige NA vs. S is 914kg vs. 933kg. Sweet FA.
Although it is more vs. a 111R I guess.
111R official 0-60 is 4.9secs vs. 4.2secs for the Exige S. That's a huge difference.
As mentioned already weight difference is bigger and the Exige came with 888s. If you stick 888s on the 111R you'll be within a tenth or two of that time. I am with Dave.
It's absolutely rapid.
The weight difference between an Exige NA vs. S is 914kg vs. 933kg. Sweet FA.
Although it is more vs. a 111R I guess.
111R official 0-60 is 4.9secs vs. 4.2secs for the Exige S. That's a huge difference.
Next time you get the opportunity see if you can get a comparison with someone with a 111R side by side. You'll be pulling away. Slowly. Above 100.
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