elise 111r or exige s1
Discussion
Both are superb motors and having owned an S1 Exige for 3+ years and 42k trouble free miles I can recommend it. Other Exige owners I know have had issues with their VHPD's but I reckon secret is warming them up gently and reg oil changes (every 4k miles) with syn oil - oh and keep them away from main dealers 
. Driven both S2 Exige and 111R at Donington (thanks Lotus) - both are super motors but wasn't moved to change...
BTW as with any secondhand Lotus, buy wisely and make sure you look at a few (easy to be seduced by the first one) - any Lotus can be a moneypit if you buy the wrong one...
. Driven both S2 Exige and 111R at Donington (thanks Lotus) - both are super motors but wasn't moved to change... BTW as with any secondhand Lotus, buy wisely and make sure you look at a few (easy to be seduced by the first one) - any Lotus can be a moneypit if you buy the wrong one...
twpbugger said:
cheers gtrene, so do u agree that the s1 exige is unreliable.
i would like to state that not having a boot doesnt bother me. its more a reliability source
I haven't own a Exige S1 myself, but a high-tuned and not that strong engine is a bit asking for trouble when buying second hand(and all I've heard about) I have test driven a few Elises with different power(120ps, 160ps, 190ps and 215ps), and for road-only, the 111R did a very nice job and reliable!
I hear you like the S1 Exige very much, and a lot people still do as you also can see at the asking prices...
Maybe the best next thing is to buy a Exige S1 with a broke down engine that needs a rebuilt for a very good price! and then build a Honda conversion 220hp or even with SC and around 300hp when you have the money, but I think the 220hp is very reliable and is fast too!
second engine choice the 2.3 duratec en third choice and also cheapest the audi TT engine but thats with a turbo so not that Exige S1 power kind of feeling and another annimal for the track(turbo = not that connected)
cheers
GTRene
>> Edited by GTRene on Wednesday 21st December 18:57
twpbugger said:
any ideas how much a honda engine conversion would cost then??
here you have already 1 in GB
www.blinkmotorsport.com/cgi-bin/site.pl?specs
and 2
www.brooke-kensington.co.uk/phond6.htm
and 3 a german tuner with 2.3 duratec compleet cost 11.800,-euro about 7.900gbp! cheap and you can keep or sell your parts...
www.komo-tec.com/product_info.php/products_id/394
and 4 also honda but prices are mostly simmilar
www.maidstonesportscars.co.uk/services/lotusHPE.asp
I got a lot more links of other conversions but I think those are the better deals, others are sometimes to exlusive(expensive) or audi..
good luck!
GTRene
>> Edited by GTRene on Wednesday 21st December 18:18
You must be a troll, have a lot of money stashed away, or be walking into an amazing job when you graduate.
To get an S1 Exige (even a tired one), get it setup correctly, Honda'd (even NA), will cost you upwards of 30K, at which point you could be driving an S2 Exige off the forecourt of a dealers or considering moving into TVR, Noble, Porka territory.
The approximate cost of an NA Honda conversion from Maidstone Sports Cars, with baffled sump, custom exhaust, manifold, remap etc. will come in at around 11-12k. If you want the supercharged version, 15k+.
Clangers point (that a well looked after example may well last well) is probably well founded but from listening to more than a few owners, the exception rather than the norm.
If you like the looks, the best combo and most sensible choice, is spend around 12k on a nice S1 111s and buy some 2nd hand motorsport clams and have these sprayed and fitted with the rear wing. That will probably come in at around 20k and give you a more reliable package.... however, you'll lose half that cost the minute its completed... Blown K was the classic example.
Frankly the whole idea is absurd... buying one of the most track-focussed cars that Lotus has ever produced to 'cruise around town'. Sacriledge at best.
>> Edited by S Works on Wednesday 21st December 21:20
To get an S1 Exige (even a tired one), get it setup correctly, Honda'd (even NA), will cost you upwards of 30K, at which point you could be driving an S2 Exige off the forecourt of a dealers or considering moving into TVR, Noble, Porka territory.
The approximate cost of an NA Honda conversion from Maidstone Sports Cars, with baffled sump, custom exhaust, manifold, remap etc. will come in at around 11-12k. If you want the supercharged version, 15k+.
Clangers point (that a well looked after example may well last well) is probably well founded but from listening to more than a few owners, the exception rather than the norm.
If you like the looks, the best combo and most sensible choice, is spend around 12k on a nice S1 111s and buy some 2nd hand motorsport clams and have these sprayed and fitted with the rear wing. That will probably come in at around 20k and give you a more reliable package.... however, you'll lose half that cost the minute its completed... Blown K was the classic example.
Frankly the whole idea is absurd... buying one of the most track-focussed cars that Lotus has ever produced to 'cruise around town'. Sacriledge at best.
>> Edited by S Works on Wednesday 21st December 21:20
£2000 a year will be nigh on impossible to spend on a Exige for upkeep. I do about 10000 miles a year in mine and have spent nearly that on tyres. Oil's another problem, drinks a couple of litres every 1000 miles and goes black after the same time (I normally change oil every 1500 miles). Haven't had any probs with the engine on 34000 now, only a few electrical gremlins which could happen on any Lotus. Reg the engine rebuilds, DVA will rebuild the engine for just over £2000 so even if it's due one every couple of years its not that bad.
>> Edited by moles on Wednesday 21st December 21:36
>> Edited by moles on Wednesday 21st December 21:36
moles said:
Oil's another problem, drinks a couple of litres every 1000 miles and goes black after the same time. Reg the engine rebuilds, DVA will rebuild the engine for just over £2000 so even if it's due one every couple of years its not that bad.
drinks a couple of litres evry 1000 miles??
that aint normal I think you've got extreem cilinder bore worn-out?! that way also the oil quikly turns black! and you loose and burn a lot of oil! your engine still works but I think you've got low compression too! GTRene
>> Edited by GTRene on Wednesday 21st December 22:06
porsche boxster not up my street!! too many of those around in the area i live!!
anyway, 10,000 miles and you spend nearly a couple of grand on tyres!! you must drive like a nutter (or track it). i am aware that the tyres are of a soft compound, but still.......
as for the engine coversion, this would only be done as a last resort if the exige i bought was endless trouble, otherwise i would be more than happy to motor with the k series. also, i wouldnt have the cost of 10-15k for the conversion as i would buy the engine myself and there is a local garage nearby who would convert it for me for nowhere the cost!!!
anyway, 10,000 miles and you spend nearly a couple of grand on tyres!! you must drive like a nutter (or track it). i am aware that the tyres are of a soft compound, but still.......
as for the engine coversion, this would only be done as a last resort if the exige i bought was endless trouble, otherwise i would be more than happy to motor with the k series. also, i wouldnt have the cost of 10-15k for the conversion as i would buy the engine myself and there is a local garage nearby who would convert it for me for nowhere the cost!!!
S Works said:
You must be a troll, have a lot of money stashed away, or be walking into an amazing job when you graduate.
Frankly the whole idea is absurd... buying one of the most track-focussed cars that Lotus has ever produced to 'cruise around town'. Sacriledge at best.
>> Edited by S Works on Wednesday 21st December 21:20
As usual, you and I are both in total agreement.
twpbugger said:
as for the engine coversion, this would only be done as a last resort if the exige i bought was endless trouble, otherwise i would be more than happy to motor with the k series. also, i wouldnt have the cost of 10-15k for the conversion as i would buy the engine myself and there is a local garage nearby who would convert it for me for nowhere the cost!!!
Coffee hits screen.
Are you serious. I havnt seen any smiles, so I take it you are.
twpbugger said:
as for the engine coversion, this would only be done as a last resort if the exige i bought was endless trouble, otherwise i would be more than happy to motor with the k series. also, i wouldnt have the cost of 10-15k for the conversion as i would buy the engine myself and there is a local garage nearby who would convert it for me for nowhere the cost!!!
As long as they have a full range of overhead manifold sprockets they'll be fine as that's the real key to avoiding magnatron loss during the conversion.
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