Buying an S1 - suspension refresh questions

Buying an S1 - suspension refresh questions

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AndrewGP

Original Poster:

1,988 posts

162 months

Friday 23rd December 2016
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As soon as Christmas is out of the way I'll be on the hunt for an S1 Elise (I'd prefer a 111S, but I'd be happy with a standard car). I'll be buying on condition, not mileage, so given these cars are getting on a bit now, how likely is it that the car would need a suspension refresh straight away? Is it something that I should expect to have been done after a certain mileage?

I'm willing and able to do a refresh if it's not been done, as I did the same to my Caterham Superlight. Any benefit to changing the OEM shocks ie should I budget for Nitrons or S2 Bilsteins?

Lastly, I've read up on the differences between a 111S and the standard car, but does either come with a lightweight flywheel?

Many thanks.


worldwidewebs

2,351 posts

250 months

Tuesday 27th December 2016
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AndrewGP said:
As soon as Christmas is out of the way I'll be on the hunt for an S1 Elise (I'd prefer a 111S, but I'd be happy with a standard car). I'll be buying on condition, not mileage, so given these cars are getting on a bit now, how likely is it that the car would need a suspension refresh straight away? Is it something that I should expect to have been done after a certain mileage?

I'm willing and able to do a refresh if it's not been done, as I did the same to my Caterham Superlight. Any benefit to changing the OEM shocks ie should I budget for Nitrons or S2 Bilsteins?

Lastly, I've read up on the differences between a 111S and the standard car, but does either come with a lightweight flywheel?

Many thanks.
If an S1 is still on its original suspension it will be knackered, but tbh it would be pretty unusual (although not impossible) to find one like this. More than likely any car you find will have had the suspension replaced within a reasonable timeframe so I wouldn't worry about it unless you have very specific requirements. Nitrons, Bilsteins, Gaz, etc etc - all depends on what you want to use the car for really - track vs road.

The main differences between a std S1 and the 111S are the VVC engine and a close ratio gearbox, which is well worth having but isn't a massive cost to retrofit. Neither car came with a lightweight flywheel

Take a look at http://www.elises.co.uk/models/ and http://forums.seloc.org for more information

AndrewGP

Original Poster:

1,988 posts

162 months

Tuesday 27th December 2016
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Thanks, that's reassuring most should have already have been done. I don't have any specific requirements, I just want to make sure whichever car I get doesn't handle like a shopping trolley.

I've been on SELOC and Elises.co.uk all Christmas, I think I could practically recite every detail now laugh my wife is also fed up of me talking about it!

The lightweight flywheel isn't a massive issue either, I was just curious. Of course, I could always retrofit one but that's a discussion for way down the line, I need to actually buy one first biggrin

Tickle

4,918 posts

204 months

Tuesday 27th December 2016
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My 111s has Bilsteins and it seems perfect for road use to me. Come refresh time I would go with Bilsteins again.

Regarding the flywheel, you could always get one fitted come 'C' service time.

Hope you find one soon that you are happy with.

Little Bob

244 posts

209 months

Tuesday 27th December 2016
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My S1 Sport 135 has the S2 Bilsteins - great for road use.

Lightweight flywheels seem very rarely discussed for an Elise, certainly uncommon compared to Caterhams for some reason.