Tickles Lotus Elise S1 111s
Discussion
ChrisBuer said:
Absolutely love this thread. It's what owning and driving a Lotus is all about!
You've inspired me to take mine off its trickle charge and take it out for a blast!
Thanks Chris, the jobs are rewarding yet never seem to stop. I think if they did stop it would mean I was bored with the car, none of them really 'need' doing. As you quite rightly said, you have to get the whole Lotus ownership thing.You've inspired me to take mine off its trickle charge and take it out for a blast!
The main thing is the driving of course. I have spent some/quite a lot of time on Google Earth plotting spring/summer road trips. The 'Northcoast 500 Loop - TVR T350C - Write up' thread in the Roads section made me do it!
Your LY V6 is a thing of beauty, I would love to be in the position to custom spec one from new. You did a fine job and the Jim Valentine pipe topped it off.
Hi Mark,
Just had to re read this thread again, such a lovely example of a rare S1. Something about the simplicity of the Elise which appeals.
Was up in North Wales today with a good friend in his E36 3.0 M3 and his mate's 111 R which was extremely nice; gracious pic below hope you don't mind. Was wondering if you would fancy coming along with us on a run out to Wales one morning Mark ? I am on the S1 Facebook page and noticed you posted in there.
Spent a few £ on the Clio recently, front brake re fresh and new Bridgestone RE070's which are absolutely superb, was tempted by the AD08R's but they're noticeably a few quid more per corner.
As mentioned, car is looking excellent and bet it sounds just as good too.
Just had to re read this thread again, such a lovely example of a rare S1. Something about the simplicity of the Elise which appeals.
Was up in North Wales today with a good friend in his E36 3.0 M3 and his mate's 111 R which was extremely nice; gracious pic below hope you don't mind. Was wondering if you would fancy coming along with us on a run out to Wales one morning Mark ? I am on the S1 Facebook page and noticed you posted in there.
Spent a few £ on the Clio recently, front brake re fresh and new Bridgestone RE070's which are absolutely superb, was tempted by the AD08R's but they're noticeably a few quid more per corner.
As mentioned, car is looking excellent and bet it sounds just as good too.
Hi Adam, thanks. You have done some nice mods to the 197 too. I think we have taken a similar approach as it’s not modifying, it’s replacing worn items with upgraded/superior than OEM parts. If that makes sense.
Looks like a very nice selection of drivers cars there with different engine layouts / wheels driven… and of course all with rev happy N/A engines!
My windscreen developed a crack over the weekend, possibly from an existing chip that was too small to repair (apparently). Anyway I need a new screen so any trips to Wales will be off until that’s replaced. The front clam needs to be undone and moved forward allowing access to the bottom of the screen, so it is not a straight forward job for the usual windscreen replacers. ‘It is not a straight forward job’ is a common phrase in Lotus ownership!
One job did go well on the car though at the weekend, the radio got removed and the blanking plate put on.
Fingers crossed it will get fixed this week so a run out to Wales sounds good, I am hoping to go over Easter at some point providing it’s dry.
Looks like a very nice selection of drivers cars there with different engine layouts / wheels driven… and of course all with rev happy N/A engines!
My windscreen developed a crack over the weekend, possibly from an existing chip that was too small to repair (apparently). Anyway I need a new screen so any trips to Wales will be off until that’s replaced. The front clam needs to be undone and moved forward allowing access to the bottom of the screen, so it is not a straight forward job for the usual windscreen replacers. ‘It is not a straight forward job’ is a common phrase in Lotus ownership!
One job did go well on the car though at the weekend, the radio got removed and the blanking plate put on.
Fingers crossed it will get fixed this week so a run out to Wales sounds good, I am hoping to go over Easter at some point providing it’s dry.
Yeah i am not really looking to modify the Clio; i think the Cup chassis is great out the box and doesn't need to be changed for road use IMO. Shame about the windscreen but a run out in Easter sounds good, i'll let you know when i plan to go and we can meet up en route; yeah its not much fun in the rain or damp conditions.
After the crack developed in my windscreen I was a bit worried about getting it repaired by an insurance nominated company. Anyway, after a quick chat with my insurer and then to National Windscreens I was booked into the Manchester depot for a new screen. The screen was fitted in a day and they talked me through how it would be done beforehand which gave me piece of mind.
The new screen has now been fitted with a smaller rear view mirror, not to sure where Lotus sourced the original but I think it may of a been a wagon!
You can see the size difference to the new one, pleased that the lever/suction mount does not wobble either.
I also got hold of the rarest of the rare faux carbon 111s radio blanking plate. Radio now out, plate installed and polished up.
Finally after all the little jobs, however rewarding I got to drive the thing! A gap in the weather meant some dry Welsh roads for the first time (for me) this year.
The good sections of roads were quite empty too, no traffic apart from a Boxter
it was early doors though. Looking forward to the next few months now, today was one of them days were all the niggly jobs and garage trips made sense and very much worth it 
I also did a bit of messing about with light settings on the car camera too, these also prove the car gets used and not just tinkered with
It was however caked in road muck so needed a good scrub!
The new screen has now been fitted with a smaller rear view mirror, not to sure where Lotus sourced the original but I think it may of a been a wagon!
You can see the size difference to the new one, pleased that the lever/suction mount does not wobble either.
I also got hold of the rarest of the rare faux carbon 111s radio blanking plate. Radio now out, plate installed and polished up.
Finally after all the little jobs, however rewarding I got to drive the thing! A gap in the weather meant some dry Welsh roads for the first time (for me) this year.
The good sections of roads were quite empty too, no traffic apart from a Boxter
it was early doors though. Looking forward to the next few months now, today was one of them days were all the niggly jobs and garage trips made sense and very much worth it I also did a bit of messing about with light settings on the car camera too, these also prove the car gets used and not just tinkered with
It was however caked in road muck so needed a good scrub!
Edited by Tickle on Friday 25th March 15:48
My charcoal soft top was actually once black. I went over it with Autoglym soft top cleaner, some black Renovo and finally Autoglym soft top protect.
I don't use the car much with the roof on but it's nice to have it looking good, well as good as a S1 pram roof can look anyway!
I don't use the car much with the roof on but it's nice to have it looking good, well as good as a S1 pram roof can look anyway!
Edited by Tickle on Sunday 3rd April 18:27
Cheers Guys 
Nothing new regarding it's upkeep really. I did manage to persuade the OH to come out in it yesterday, she hates it... hates the harshness that much she fell asleep coming home from a pub lunch in it
Just got back from a early morning spring blast, obligatory pic below.
Nothing new regarding it's upkeep really. I did manage to persuade the OH to come out in it yesterday, she hates it... hates the harshness that much she fell asleep coming home from a pub lunch in it
Just got back from a early morning spring blast, obligatory pic below.
Edited by Tickle on Sunday 17th April 12:15
Huge fan of this thread, it was part of the driving force that prompted me to buy one. As ever, cracking pic! When I showed my missus my Elise, she was completely unimpressed, and would no doubt hate coming out in it, so can't ever see that happening!
My little boy on the hand loves it, so plenty of father and son bonding time.
I keep looking for a nice spot to take a similar picture, but knowing my luck I'd pick the quietest road in the world, as soon I stopped to take a picture, there would be a deluge of traffic!!
My little boy on the hand loves it, so plenty of father and son bonding time.
I keep looking for a nice spot to take a similar picture, but knowing my luck I'd pick the quietest road in the world, as soon I stopped to take a picture, there would be a deluge of traffic!!
Tickle said:
itcaptainslow said:
If your missus hates the car it's only a matter of time before you're forced to change to a S3
If she gets accustomed to the Elise and starts asking to come out in it more I will get a bloody Atom!
itcaptainslow said:
Noooo. Elise is the way, the truth and the light! Atom handles atrociously in comparison
I am more than happy with my 111s, no plans to change... even if the OH starts to like it Although the likes of an Atom, Caterham or Zenos are tempting I can't see myself straying from having a Lotus.
The little 111s had it's big service and general fettling last week; belt(s), water pump, ITG filter clean, bonnet catch replaced, fuel filter, oil filter, oil change, brake fluid, throttle pedal adjusted and a few other bits that I have probably forgot to add that got done.
As always Phoenix was busy with a selection of other Loti, good to see Ollie and I appreciate the time and work he puts into my car. Great guy!
After all the bits mechanically were sorted it was due its pre-summer spruce up.
Wheels off to clean the dishes, also under the arches whilst they were off. Iron-X is quite a product... and smell!
I also got the residue off from past balancing weights.
After a wash and clay it got a hand polish...
Then a wax, these finger applicators were useful on the curvy body work.
Another useful thing were some foam brushes picked up from ebay for under a £1, they were great for putting tyre gel on the black trim (especially the black air ducts), rubber and tyres.
For a 16 year old car it scrubs up well.
Sorry for a bit of overkill the on 'detailng', it is no way a garage queen and I am not a detailer but I thought some may find it interesting/useful.
Before the wash it did get a good final tune-up though, Italian style on some local lanes.
Great time of the year for early morning blasts, this was at 06:30... perfect way to wake yourself up... and the neighbours on the way out!
Some more trips to Wales are planned and a venture into Yorkshire to Ribblehead are on the cards.
As always Phoenix was busy with a selection of other Loti, good to see Ollie and I appreciate the time and work he puts into my car. Great guy!
After all the bits mechanically were sorted it was due its pre-summer spruce up.
Wheels off to clean the dishes, also under the arches whilst they were off. Iron-X is quite a product... and smell!
I also got the residue off from past balancing weights.
After a wash and clay it got a hand polish...
Then a wax, these finger applicators were useful on the curvy body work.
Another useful thing were some foam brushes picked up from ebay for under a £1, they were great for putting tyre gel on the black trim (especially the black air ducts), rubber and tyres.
For a 16 year old car it scrubs up well.
Sorry for a bit of overkill the on 'detailng', it is no way a garage queen and I am not a detailer but I thought some may find it interesting/useful.
Before the wash it did get a good final tune-up though, Italian style on some local lanes
.Great time of the year for early morning blasts, this was at 06:30... perfect way to wake yourself up... and the neighbours on the way out!
Some more trips to Wales are planned and a venture into Yorkshire to Ribblehead are on the cards.
TheRocket said:
Lovely 111S you have there, and enjoying your updates, your post on your soft top prompted me to do the same this weekend so thanks ! I also like the spot lamp covers, can I ask where you got them ?
Hi, glad I was of assistance 
I was kind of waiting for a comment on the covers. I bought some new ones from Elise Parts so had a mess about with the old ones. I polished the outside to make them clear and take back some of the small chips, which worked well. I painted the inside with plastikote white paint and finished them off with an 80mm 'Cibie' decal from Isaydingdong to the outer.
I am going to keep them on and see if I like them as I am not 100% sure yet. If I like them I may get some made from Retro-racer but at £90 a pair I may keep these or put the new clear ones on!
Tickle said:
Hi, glad I was of assistance
I was kind of waiting for a comment on the covers. I bought some new ones from Elise Parts so had a mess about with the old ones. I polished the outside to make them clear and take back some of the small chips, which worked well. I painted the inside with plastikote white paint and finished them off with an 80mm 'Cibie' decal from Isaydingdong to the outer.
I am going to keep them on and see if I like them as I am not 100% sure yet. If I like them I may get some made from Retro-racer but at £90 a pair I may keep these or put the new clear ones on!
They look good in the picture, how are they secured on ? I was kind of waiting for a comment on the covers. I bought some new ones from Elise Parts so had a mess about with the old ones. I polished the outside to make them clear and take back some of the small chips, which worked well. I painted the inside with plastikote white paint and finished them off with an 80mm 'Cibie' decal from Isaydingdong to the outer.
I am going to keep them on and see if I like them as I am not 100% sure yet. If I like them I may get some made from Retro-racer but at £90 a pair I may keep these or put the new clear ones on!
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