RE: PH Buying Guide: Lotus Elise S1
Discussion
zebedee said:
Your best bet is to turn off the interior alarm sensor by pressing the small button just after the big one on the fob. That said, if you battery is a bit old, you might be as well getting a new one. Or just use it more! I think the chargers that plug into the cigarette lighter don't work because the circuitry is 'dead' when the ignition is off, so I have heard. Not sure about the ones you hook up to battery, but assume that would help.
Mine charges through the cigarette lighter socket, but I think the original owner had the wiring modified. If you use the car infrequently, as I do, a trickle charger is a must.I couldn't face using an Elise as an everyday car, but when the sun is shining and the roads (B roads, with bends) are empty there's nothing better for a 20 minute blast and unlike many more powerful cars, you can give it a good thrashing without going stupidly fast (although an extra 50 bhp would be welcome...).
RYH64E said:
Mine charges through the cigarette lighter socket, but I think the original owner had the wiring modified. If you use the car infrequently, as I do, a trickle charger is a must.
I couldn't face using an Elise as an everyday car, but when the sun is shining and the roads (B roads, with bends) are empty there's nothing better for a 20 minute blast and unlike many more powerful cars, you can give it a good thrashing without going stupidly fast (although an extra 50 bhp would be welcome...).
Agreed, fast up to 60 but torque wise not brilliant and on the motorway a bit lacking. I drove the 111S and that was much better, massive VTEC kick in the rev range and a much nicer sound to the engine. If I went for one now I'd go for the 111S for sure.I couldn't face using an Elise as an everyday car, but when the sun is shining and the roads (B roads, with bends) are empty there's nothing better for a 20 minute blast and unlike many more powerful cars, you can give it a good thrashing without going stupidly fast (although an extra 50 bhp would be welcome...).
boobles said:
Are you being serious?
Cheaper granted but more expensive to insure & no way better looking.
Definitely not more expensive to ensure, Elise insurance was 3x price I pay for my tubby.Cheaper granted but more expensive to insure & no way better looking.
Regardless have to drive and enjoy one of these, if very tall take off roof and wear safety glasses
MJK 24 said:
Last four digits.
My S2 is 0007 - the seventh S2 they made.
did the 111s have seperate chassis #s then, as the fourth from last on mine is a 0, despite it being a 2009 car...My S2 is 0007 - the seventh S2 they made.
In which case were there only 8600 standard Elise S1s, but each variant had a further build on top, in which case how many S1s of all types were made?
zebedee said:
did the 111s have seperate chassis #s then, as the fourth from last on mine is a 0, despite it being a 2009 car...
In which case were there only 8600 standard Elise S1s, but each variant had a further build on top, in which case how many S1s of all types were made?
AFAIK:In which case were there only 8600 standard Elise S1s, but each variant had a further build on top, in which case how many S1s of all types were made?
- 1,2,3: Manufacturer Code
- 4: Engine Code
- 5: Something to do with safety systems
- 6,7,8: Model Code
- 9: Checksum
- 10: Model year
- 11: Manufacture Plant
- 12: RHD or LHD
- 13: Model subtype
- 14,15,16,18: Serial Number
Rawwr said:
AFAIK:
- 1,2,3: Manufacturer Code
- 4: Engine Code
- 5: Something to do with safety systems
- 6,7,8: Model Code
- 9: Checksum
- 10: Model year
- 11: Manufacture Plant
- 12: RHD or LHD
- 13: Model subtype
- 14,15,16,18: Serial Number
http://www.deroure.com/diagrams.asp?TBL=1710&M...
EliseKSK said:
I've had my S1 Elise 4 years now and have loved every minute. Standard S1 with Lorini Club Sport exhaust, K&N filter and Trophy throttle body - perfect!!
The only problem I have is that if I don't use it for 2-3 weeks, the battery drains. Anyone know if fitting an isolator switch and hooking-up to solar trickle charger (no power in my garage) would help?
I used to have that problem with various Mk1 Mr2s. I've tried both an isolator switch and a solar battery charger for my MR2.The only problem I have is that if I don't use it for 2-3 weeks, the battery drains. Anyone know if fitting an isolator switch and hooking-up to solar trickle charger (no power in my garage) would help?
A teeny solar panel doesn't do much - although perhaps it would if it was bigger and I lived in North Africa. What did work and stopped the battery drain was a battery isolator switch. I got this 'discarnect' thing very easy to fit and problem solved.
See link and there will be similar switches around http://www.amazon.co.uk/Discarnect-immobiliser-bat...
Rawwr said:
zebedee said:
did the 111s have seperate chassis #s then, as the fourth from last on mine is a 0, despite it being a 2009 car...
In which case were there only 8600 standard Elise S1s, but each variant had a further build on top, in which case how many S1s of all types were made?
AFAIK:In which case were there only 8600 standard Elise S1s, but each variant had a further build on top, in which case how many S1s of all types were made?
- 1,2,3: Manufacturer Code
- 4: Engine Code
- 5: Something to do with safety systems
- 6,7,8: Model Code
- 9: Checksum
- 10: Model year
- 11: Manufacture Plant
- 12: RHD or LHD
- 13: Model subtype
- 14,15,16,18: Serial Number
The lotus elise s1 is a great car, just a few things when you go looking, a number of cars suffered from footwell rot on both sides and lotus reverted by glueing in cover plates (under warranty) which look great from the inside to cover up the rot holes, get a car without these if possible. It would appear that front suspension uprights mountings have started to rot according to "Lakeside lotus" website (copyright here, but have a look) etc steel reinforcement inserts reacting with alum chassis (i,e bi metallic corrosion). Engine i find responsible however see if the thermostat has be repositioned in the outlet side of the water system of the engine as oppossed to the standard return line this takes takes a lot of thermal stress out the engine. Whilst the outside may be great have a good look at the tub inside it marks very easy, light marks really show up and i do not know of a reconditioning product i,e is anodised alum.My car marked by the seat just by coins falling out of my pocket, did not show straight away but light black oxide showed the impacts of the coin edges which appeared a couple of weeks latter. All external black grills will rust but this is only cosmetic.
Do not let me put you off its a great car, but be careful.
Do not let me put you off its a great car, but be careful.
Lotus have managed the usual car makers trick of making later models flabby and loaded with profit making tricks, a small open two seater with aircon. for example. The only crap thing about the S1 design is the door mirrors, worse than young prince Charles' ears. An early S1 is a great drive, try one.
RYH64E said:
Mine charges through the cigarette lighter socket, but I think the original owner had the wiring modified. If you use the car infrequently, as I do, a trickle charger is a must.
I couldn't face using an Elise as an everyday car, but when the sun is shining and the roads (B roads, with bends) are empty there's nothing better for a 20 minute blast and unlike many more powerful cars, you can give it a good thrashing without going stupidly fast (although an extra 50 bhp would be welcome...).
Strange how whatever you have, another 50bhp would be welcome I couldn't face using an Elise as an everyday car, but when the sun is shining and the roads (B roads, with bends) are empty there's nothing better for a 20 minute blast and unlike many more powerful cars, you can give it a good thrashing without going stupidly fast (although an extra 50 bhp would be welcome...).
My first Elise was a Sport 160, I felt I'd really like it to be nearer 180-190bhp but ended up going for an engine converted one with over 250-260bhp. That didn't really work out, next up was a 200bhp Tubby which was about right considering the extra weight (200kg more).
But when an opportunity came along to get another Sport 160 I had to jump at it. Again I'd like another 20-30bhp but you know, power corrupts. If I could get a slight bit more torque that would be absolutely ideal but it's actually quite lovely as a fizzy little thing. And the Sport 160 with it's lumpy cams and lump-lump-lump idle has more character in it's little finger than any other modern car I can think of.
Moospeed said:
RYH64E said:
Mine charges through the cigarette lighter socket, but I think the original owner had the wiring modified. If you use the car infrequently, as I do, a trickle charger is a must.
I couldn't face using an Elise as an everyday car, but when the sun is shining and the roads (B roads, with bends) are empty there's nothing better for a 20 minute blast and unlike many more powerful cars, you can give it a good thrashing without going stupidly fast (although an extra 50 bhp would be welcome...).
Strange how whatever you have, another 50bhp would be welcome I couldn't face using an Elise as an everyday car, but when the sun is shining and the roads (B roads, with bends) are empty there's nothing better for a 20 minute blast and unlike many more powerful cars, you can give it a good thrashing without going stupidly fast (although an extra 50 bhp would be welcome...).
My first Elise was a Sport 160, I felt I'd really like it to be nearer 180-190bhp but ended up going for an engine converted one with over 250-260bhp. That didn't really work out, next up was a 200bhp Tubby which was about right considering the extra weight (200kg more).
But when an opportunity came along to get another Sport 160 I had to jump at it. Again I'd like another 20-30bhp but you know, power corrupts. If I could get a slight bit more torque that would be absolutely ideal but it's actually quite lovely as a fizzy little thing. And the Sport 160 with it's lumpy cams and lump-lump-lump idle has more character in it's little finger than any other modern car I can think of.
I can't see me ever selling mine. Glorious machine
Moospeed said:
RYH64E said:
Mine charges through the cigarette lighter socket, but I think the original owner had the wiring modified. If you use the car infrequently, as I do, a trickle charger is a must.
I couldn't face using an Elise as an everyday car, but when the sun is shining and the roads (B roads, with bends) are empty there's nothing better for a 20 minute blast and unlike many more powerful cars, you can give it a good thrashing without going stupidly fast (although an extra 50 bhp would be welcome...).
Strange how whatever you have, another 50bhp would be welcome I couldn't face using an Elise as an everyday car, but when the sun is shining and the roads (B roads, with bends) are empty there's nothing better for a 20 minute blast and unlike many more powerful cars, you can give it a good thrashing without going stupidly fast (although an extra 50 bhp would be welcome...).
My first Elise was a Sport 160, I felt I'd really like it to be nearer 180-190bhp but ended up going for an engine converted one with over 250-260bhp. That didn't really work out, next up was a 200bhp Tubby which was about right considering the extra weight (200kg more).
But when an opportunity came along to get another Sport 160 I had to jump at it. Again I'd like another 20-30bhp but you know, power corrupts. If I could get a slight bit more torque that would be absolutely ideal but it's actually quite lovely as a fizzy little thing. And the Sport 160 with it's lumpy cams and lump-lump-lump idle has more character in it's little finger than any other modern car I can think of.
RYH64E said:
I've moved on to a current Elise S with 217bhp, and to my mind it's a much more complete car. I know that others will disagree but I find the addition of air conditioning, electric windows, central locking, and less 'sporty' (loud) exhaust mean that the car is almost useable as a daily driver, it's certainly much easier to drive longer distances than my S1. The extra power is certainly welcome, though an extra 50bhp wouldn't go amiss...
I guess the sweet spot varies from person to person. For me it was the very last K-series powered S2s, which is why I own one. kambites said:
I guess the sweet spot varies from person to person. For me it was the very last K-series powered S2s, which is why I own one.
It does, which shows what a fine line Lotus tread with their model range. I really enjoyed my S1, but it hardly got used as any journey longer than about 20 miles became a chore, whereas the latest version is more of a 'proper' car and quite useable even for long distances. Yet to some, even the minimal creature comforts available in the current offerings detract from the essence of the car. Then Lotus have to find buyers willing to spend a sum of money that would buy two good specification MX5s, for what is still a very basic sports car.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff