S1 Buyers Questions
Author
Discussion

PJLarge

Original Poster:

480 posts

271 months

Tuesday 9th November 2004
quotequote all
Hello again folks,

I'm looking for an S1 in Calypso Red. My ideal spec thus far has been a 111S, although admittedly I've not driven one. My reasoning was the extra power, and the interior is nicer. The CR box I was neither here nor there about.

This morning however I've been offered a car which seems perfect - but it's not a 111. The car looks mint from the photos, it's a '98, mature owner and has done less than 15k with full history. Had the cambelt done last year by a specialist. It has the 111 seats which is a step in the right direction Speaking with the owner, we were on the same wavelength sharing interests in attention to detail. Definately an enthusiast, which again is good.

This particular car has the MMC discs and pads. Are they considered a good thing?

Is the carbon effect dash trim from a 111s retro fittable to a normal elise?

Am I missing out on much going for a non VVC car? I know the non VVC 'K' is more tweakable, but I've done the engine mods thing before to the Mazda and am not sure I want to go down that road again. This time, I'm hoping to leave it alone...

All advice gratefully received.

Phil

Davey S1

13,389 posts

278 months

Tuesday 9th November 2004
quotequote all
No difference in the interior between the 2 apart from more padded seats and the carbon effect trim.

If it already has the 111S seats you can buy carbon fibre trim and loads of other stuff for the interior from Eliseparts.com.

The car sounds nice and if it is well priced I would say go for it.

The 111S does have more power and torque but the gap between the 2 in normal driving conditions on the road is not that great.

StuartB

339 posts

259 months

Tuesday 9th November 2004
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Only to add that MMC's are great .... in the dry. In the wet they can be a bit frightening when you first use them.

To give you an analogy - You will no doubt have had a pedal cycle, remember when you applied the brakes in the rain and all it did was make a farty noise....exactly the same! They do grip eventually !

You can replace the pads with newer better ones that grip even better in the dry and thankfully work in the wet too.

In terms of what you can do to the K, have a look here:
www.dvapower.com/
Don't be fooled by the look of the website. Very professional, very well respected. The K is I think commonly felt to be reliable to 170BHP provided you don't spend too much life at the top end of the rev range!

15k while it sounds great to get a low milage car, remember that it must sit for sooooo much of its life in a garage somewhere with everything drying up.

You probably shouldn't be paying more than 12k for the car you described

PJLarge

Original Poster:

480 posts

271 months

Tuesday 9th November 2004
quotequote all
Cheers Stuart, your price seems to be about on the money based on what I told you about the car. There are a few other bits like a hardtop etc and some sensible mods like stainless fasteners so the price it's on at seems just right.

Phil.

stuartb

339 posts

259 months

Tuesday 9th November 2004
quotequote all
Don't have one myself, but it seems the best thing to do with the hard top is to stick it on eBay and get about £800 back on the deal!!

Most reports I have read is that they fit worse and leak more than the soft roof

malbon

280 posts

285 months

Wednesday 10th November 2004
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just to clarify that the type model for the s1 elise is called 111.

the vvc engined model is called 111S. It got different alloys, grill,wider rear tyres, spoiler, carbon dash-which aint so great,padded seats-which are, vvc engine-which people like/dont,cr box which everyone loves and IMHO is awesome.

the 111-std elise is still a great car. And the one you mentioned sounds great.

But dont be swung by colour. These cars are over 5 years old now and trying to find one in the oh so favourtite colour will be hard. I did this on my first one opting for silver and nothing else. Since then i have had 3 yellow ones- hate yellow but now look at condition rather than looks !!

plenty of info thru these pages. rest assured that your doing the right thing tho whichever model u opt for ;-)