Tickles Lotus Elise S1 111s
Discussion
RatLad said:
Very interested to see your tyre choice. I've just been talked into ditching my Neova LTS's for the AD08's to be fitted this week. Apparently I will notice a substantial grip improvement in the dry, which I am lookign forward to - I just hope that they don't dampen any of the delicate feedback and compliance the Neova LTS's give.
Let us know how you get on with them Tickle.
From the digging around on SELOC I did before buying them I only read good things about the AD08-r’s. As you said dry grip is supposedly improved over the AD07 due to the compound being more like A048’s but with the AD07 tread pattern. Let us know how you get on with them Tickle.
I know the LTS spec tyres have a softer tyre wall to account for the low weight but I don’t know what the tyre wall properties of the AD08-R are like in comparison. The AD08-R’s are a newer design of tyre/compound so on paper they should be a superior tyre than the AD07’s, but how this works on a light car may contradict this.
From the 150 miles on road I have done with them they performed fine, although I didn't push them there seemed to be no loss of steering feel. The tyres fitted to the car when I bought it though were a little past their best and probably not a good bench mark!
The price and availability also helps make the decision easier, I think there is an element of a ‘Lotus Tax’ on the LTS branded tyres and I personally don’t think it’s worth paying the extra for.
Let me know what you think of them compared with your old AD07’s.
Tickle said:
From the digging around on SELOC I did before buying them I only read good things about the AD08-r’s. As you said dry grip is supposedly improved over the AD07 due to the compound being more like A048’s but with the AD07 tread pattern.
I know the LTS spec tyres have a softer tyre wall to account for the low weight but I don’t know what the tyre wall properties of the AD08-R are like in comparison. The AD08-R’s are a newer design of tyre/compound so on paper they should be a superior tyre than the AD07’s, but how this works on a light car may contradict this.
From the 150 miles on road I have done with them they performed fine, although I didn't push them there seemed to be no loss of steering feel. The tyres fitted to the car when I bought it though were a little past their best and probably not a good bench mark!
The price and availability also helps make the decision easier, I think there is an element of a ‘Lotus Tax’ on the LTS branded tyres and I personally don’t think it’s worth paying the extra for.
Let me know what you think of them compared with your old AD07’s.
Cheers Tickle. Let's compare notes in a couple of hundred miles. I know the LTS spec tyres have a softer tyre wall to account for the low weight but I don’t know what the tyre wall properties of the AD08-R are like in comparison. The AD08-R’s are a newer design of tyre/compound so on paper they should be a superior tyre than the AD07’s, but how this works on a light car may contradict this.
From the 150 miles on road I have done with them they performed fine, although I didn't push them there seemed to be no loss of steering feel. The tyres fitted to the car when I bought it though were a little past their best and probably not a good bench mark!
The price and availability also helps make the decision easier, I think there is an element of a ‘Lotus Tax’ on the LTS branded tyres and I personally don’t think it’s worth paying the extra for.
Let me know what you think of them compared with your old AD07’s.
FWIW, Steve Williams, (who looks after my 111s) did some tyre testing of the AD08's for Yokohama and they themselves wouldn't confirm nor deny what the difference of 'LTS' spec tyres actually is. I've heard about the softer tyre wall as you mention, but Steve seems to think that this is a fallacy. Considering the miles he's covered in Elise's, I'm inclined to believe it.
RatLad said:
Tickle said:
From the digging around on SELOC I did before buying them I only read good things about the AD08-r’s. As you said dry grip is supposedly improved over the AD07 due to the compound being more like A048’s but with the AD07 tread pattern.
I know the LTS spec tyres have a softer tyre wall to account for the low weight but I don’t know what the tyre wall properties of the AD08-R are like in comparison. The AD08-R’s are a newer design of tyre/compound so on paper they should be a superior tyre than the AD07’s, but how this works on a light car may contradict this.
From the 150 miles on road I have done with them they performed fine, although I didn't push them there seemed to be no loss of steering feel. The tyres fitted to the car when I bought it though were a little past their best and probably not a good bench mark!
The price and availability also helps make the decision easier, I think there is an element of a ‘Lotus Tax’ on the LTS branded tyres and I personally don’t think it’s worth paying the extra for.
Let me know what you think of them compared with your old AD07’s.
Cheers Tickle. Let's compare notes in a couple of hundred miles. I know the LTS spec tyres have a softer tyre wall to account for the low weight but I don’t know what the tyre wall properties of the AD08-R are like in comparison. The AD08-R’s are a newer design of tyre/compound so on paper they should be a superior tyre than the AD07’s, but how this works on a light car may contradict this.
From the 150 miles on road I have done with them they performed fine, although I didn't push them there seemed to be no loss of steering feel. The tyres fitted to the car when I bought it though were a little past their best and probably not a good bench mark!
The price and availability also helps make the decision easier, I think there is an element of a ‘Lotus Tax’ on the LTS branded tyres and I personally don’t think it’s worth paying the extra for.
Let me know what you think of them compared with your old AD07’s.
FWIW, Steve Williams, (who looks after my 111s) did some tyre testing of the AD08's for Yokohama and they themselves wouldn't confirm nor deny what the difference of 'LTS' spec tyres actually is. I've heard about the softer tyre wall as you mention, but Steve seems to think that this is a fallacy. Considering the miles he's covered in Elise's, I'm inclined to believe it.
I gave the little Elise a spring clean this weekend. I am going to a few events in it over the next few months, so I thought it deserved some pampering.
The headlight lenses had collected quite a bit of dust, water marks and half wasp and bee pieces! With the use of a hair-dryer they were off quite easily. They were cleaned with AG tar and adhesive remover and back on with some strong thin black double sided tape.
Not sure if the masses will like this but I like the look of British cars with a Union flag under the side indicators. I got some cheap stickers to see if I liked the look first, I did so I got some proper enamel badges. I like them anyway
finally it also got a snow-foam, de-tar, wash, clay, polish and seal too.
The headlight lenses had collected quite a bit of dust, water marks and half wasp and bee pieces! With the use of a hair-dryer they were off quite easily. They were cleaned with AG tar and adhesive remover and back on with some strong thin black double sided tape.
Not sure if the masses will like this but I like the look of British cars with a Union flag under the side indicators. I got some cheap stickers to see if I liked the look first, I did so I got some proper enamel badges. I like them anyway
finally it also got a snow-foam, de-tar, wash, clay, polish and seal too.
itcaptainslow said:
Cleaning the inside of the headlamp lenses really improves the look of the car I think, I was well chuffed when I did mine whilst the clam was off.
It was the thought of how the lights would look when finished that kept me going! At first it was a 'WTF have I started' moment when I was picking all the old sealant off. You're right though, a job worth doing
Edited by Tickle on Monday 25th May 09:42
itcaptainslow said:
Brilliant! 
I keep saying this but I wouldn't mind joining you on one of these Triangle blats-if that's OK let me know via Facebook when you're next game for one?
Still loving the look of the Victory alloys-I'd be half tempted to swap my Speedlines for some.
No worries Iain, I keep saying this but I wouldn't mind joining you on one of these Triangle blats-if that's OK let me know via Facebook when you're next game for one?Still loving the look of the Victory alloys-I'd be half tempted to swap my Speedlines for some.
When I go it's only decided a couple of days before. The weather in Snowdonia is even more fickled that the rest of the UK! I will message you a couple of days prior my next run to Wales though. Would be good getting two 111s together
Hopefully the beginning of July will be the next jaunt over, I will get a good route mapped out.
Speedlines are very tempting too !
I attempted to go to the B4391 yesterday morning, the weather reports said it was going to be dry. Alarm clock set for 06:00 for an early dash out was all set. The weather seemed to have different ideas though and when I got up it was p
ng it down! I had to wait until around 08:00 for the rain to stop and the roads to start to dry.
The route into Wales was good until I got higher up and the heavens opened and like a knob I had left my roof at home. Didn't quite make the B4391 so I headed over to a drier EVO Triangle to not make the trip a complete waste of time.
Regarding the car, a couple of things that I have done/about to do.
I have polished the fuel cap up. A combination of a magic sponge, brasso, elbow grease and alloy wheel sealant have it looking good as new. Not sure if its had enough time to oxidise yet or the alloy wheel sealant is doing its job but it is still gleaming a few weeks on.
Secondly I have managed to bag a Janspeed Supersport S/S cat-back. So that will be getting soda blasted and the tips re-polished next week. The standard 111s is a bit quiet for a weekend car. The exhaust will be getting fit when the MOT is due in a couple of weeks.
If anyone has any feedback on the Supersport that would be good too
ng it down! I had to wait until around 08:00 for the rain to stop and the roads to start to dry.The route into Wales was good until I got higher up and the heavens opened and like a knob I had left my roof at home. Didn't quite make the B4391 so I headed over to a drier EVO Triangle to not make the trip a complete waste of time.
Regarding the car, a couple of things that I have done/about to do.
I have polished the fuel cap up. A combination of a magic sponge, brasso, elbow grease and alloy wheel sealant have it looking good as new. Not sure if its had enough time to oxidise yet or the alloy wheel sealant is doing its job but it is still gleaming a few weeks on.
Secondly I have managed to bag a Janspeed Supersport S/S cat-back. So that will be getting soda blasted and the tips re-polished next week. The standard 111s is a bit quiet for a weekend car. The exhaust will be getting fit when the MOT is due in a couple of weeks.
If anyone has any feedback on the Supersport that would be good too
A bit of a refurbishment project on the Supersport exhaust this week.
I got the cat-back soda blasted and bought some new fixings and fastenings. New stainless gasket, clamp and a set of hangers from Elise-Parts.
To get the tips looking good again I got a buffing kit, really pleased with how the tips came out.
Before...
and after...
I also sourced a new drivers lamp as one had been cracked by a ballistic stone. I don't really want to go into detail of how much of a tt it was to fit, the memories and cuts are still fresh!
A few people warned me that the supersport will be loud so I got this Lotus tat to stop tinnitus!
Will post up pics when fitted.
I got the cat-back soda blasted and bought some new fixings and fastenings. New stainless gasket, clamp and a set of hangers from Elise-Parts.
To get the tips looking good again I got a buffing kit, really pleased with how the tips came out.
Before...
and after...
I also sourced a new drivers lamp as one had been cracked by a ballistic stone. I don't really want to go into detail of how much of a t
t it was to fit, the memories and cuts are still fresh!A few people warned me that the supersport will be loud so I got this Lotus tat to stop tinnitus!
Will post up pics when fitted.
Edited by Tickle on Saturday 18th July 21:29
Lovely Lotus. Just had a read of this thread your Clio 200 thread.
You have owned some fun cars and I enjoyed reading about the little jobs you have been carrying out on this one.
I sat in the newest shape Elise at Goodwood (twice as I liked that much) and thought I need to get an Elise at some point soon. The gearbox felt so direct and mechanical and I hope they all feel similar.
I like your colour combo, nice to see some black seats instead of the cream, blue or red ones.
Has yours had any of the coolant system upgraded? I spoke to a chap from Lotus with a very low miles S1 and he said his has a new uprated radiator and fans along with a lower temp thermistat. Other than that he said they are ace.
You have owned some fun cars and I enjoyed reading about the little jobs you have been carrying out on this one.
I sat in the newest shape Elise at Goodwood (twice as I liked that much) and thought I need to get an Elise at some point soon. The gearbox felt so direct and mechanical and I hope they all feel similar.
I like your colour combo, nice to see some black seats instead of the cream, blue or red ones.
Has yours had any of the coolant system upgraded? I spoke to a chap from Lotus with a very low miles S1 and he said his has a new uprated radiator and fans along with a lower temp thermistat. Other than that he said they are ace.
Soupie69uk said:
Lovely Lotus. Just had a read of this thread your Clio 200 thread.
You have owned some fun cars and I enjoyed reading about the little jobs you have been carrying out on this one.
I sat in the newest shape Elise at Goodwood (twice as I liked that much) and thought I need to get an Elise at some point soon. The gearbox felt so direct and mechanical and I hope they all feel similar.
I like your colour combo, nice to see some black seats instead of the cream, blue or red ones.
Has yours had any of the coolant system upgraded? I spoke to a chap from Lotus with a very low miles S1 and he said his has a new uprated radiator and fans along with a lower temp thermistat. Other than that he said they are ace.
Thanks for reading You have owned some fun cars and I enjoyed reading about the little jobs you have been carrying out on this one.
I sat in the newest shape Elise at Goodwood (twice as I liked that much) and thought I need to get an Elise at some point soon. The gearbox felt so direct and mechanical and I hope they all feel similar.
I like your colour combo, nice to see some black seats instead of the cream, blue or red ones.
Has yours had any of the coolant system upgraded? I spoke to a chap from Lotus with a very low miles S1 and he said his has a new uprated radiator and fans along with a lower temp thermistat. Other than that he said they are ace.
The Clio 200 was a cracking car, revvy N/A little go cart with a great chassis and brakes. I noticed in your garage you had a 106 Rallye so I guess you are used to that type of car... albeit lighter!
Yes, mine has had a new radiator. The originals had plastic ends and had a habit of spewing coolant after time. The temp thermostat has not been modified, not by me anyway. One thing I have learned from my time with my S2 K series is that you spend more time looking at the temperature gauge than the speedo. I am a mechanical engineer, not sure if it helps but I am very mechanically sympathetic, my cars are always warmed up slowly and not just the water temp but the oil temp too. My S1 is only used on dry weekends or summer evenings so it always tends to me moving, not sat in traffic. So far I've had no scary temperature moments in standing traffic!
They are great cars and the jobs that build up are easy. Not sure if its the engineer in me or the OCD car nerd but I find them enjoyable and rewarding, even the ones that turn out to be not so easy!
If you are thinking about getting one do it, they are fantastic. They will try your patiences but are worth it.
TLC time for the little Lotus this weekend. Not much in the way of driving to report apart from going to the Cars and Coffee event in Liverpool last weekend. Plenty of amazing cars there at a very well run event. Not something that I would usually go to but I quite enjoyed it. Any time I get free in the near future though will be driving, not sipping coffee with other car nerds! 
The TLC consisted of checking of all the fluid levels and a bit of grease/oil here and there.
Then it got treated to a de-tar, wash, clay, polish and wax. All the rubbers also had some rubber care treatment.
Oh, the fuel filler got a working over with the fine buffing wheel too.
The TLC consisted of checking of all the fluid levels and a bit of grease/oil here and there.
Then it got treated to a de-tar, wash, clay, polish and wax. All the rubbers also had some rubber care treatment.
Oh, the fuel filler got a working over with the fine buffing wheel too.
Car looks fantastic, really well sorted and great attention to the little details. I love the idea of having a Lotus sitting in the garage for a proper weekend/sunny day car. Similarly to yourself, I currently own a Clio 197 as my daily driver, great for a hoon too, but not half as special as an Elise - I wonder how the Lotus would stand up as a daily driver for a short commute.
Edited by CallorFold on Wednesday 9th September 09:16
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