Best all-round Elise for UK road use
Discussion
Had a 2.2 VX220 many years back which was an utterly fantastic thing but had to sell it for various family reasons (young kids, dog, etc). But now that the kids are almost self sufficient, really fancy another one, and for a change, perhaps going for an Elise this time. Budget is around £25-£35k.
Saw an S3 Club Racer in our pub car park at the weekend, looked a lovely thing, but reading some reviews, seems that it's quite track focused, and I'm not planning to track the car. I'm ruling out the base Elise's as I'd like a little more power than my old VX had. Thought about an S2 111R but have heard that because of the hi-revving engine, it's a bit Jekyll and Hyde and you have to be really on it to make the most of the engine. Also, think I'd prefer something slightly newer, so more than likely an S3 of some variant, perhaps supercharged. Hopefully then the availability of parts going forward will not be a problem. But I am also a bit concerned that some of the newer S3's have traction control, I wonder how intrusive this is as I'd like as few driver aids as possible?
So in essence I'm very confused. So to help me narrow down my search, what Elise would you recommend I should go for and why? And is there a sweet spot in the range?
Saw an S3 Club Racer in our pub car park at the weekend, looked a lovely thing, but reading some reviews, seems that it's quite track focused, and I'm not planning to track the car. I'm ruling out the base Elise's as I'd like a little more power than my old VX had. Thought about an S2 111R but have heard that because of the hi-revving engine, it's a bit Jekyll and Hyde and you have to be really on it to make the most of the engine. Also, think I'd prefer something slightly newer, so more than likely an S3 of some variant, perhaps supercharged. Hopefully then the availability of parts going forward will not be a problem. But I am also a bit concerned that some of the newer S3's have traction control, I wonder how intrusive this is as I'd like as few driver aids as possible?
So in essence I'm very confused. So to help me narrow down my search, what Elise would you recommend I should go for and why? And is there a sweet spot in the range?
Sounds to me that you'd like an SC S2 or S3 model, if you are worried about a lack of torque on a 111r. The cam change point can be lowered on the 111r via remap to make it less reliant on revs to deliver it's best.
Personally I prefer the older S1 and S2 models as the brakes are unassisted and feel amazing.
Which is actually best is hard to define. They are all very good.
Personally I prefer the older S1 and S2 models as the brakes are unassisted and feel amazing.
Which is actually best is hard to define. They are all very good.
Monkeywench said:
Quags said:
The S3 Sprint, 220. Just like mine! (which will possibly be selling this year)
Whats the difference is chassis setup between 220 Sport, Sprint, & Cup?All of them were even registered as Elise S by Lotus. Was very annoying for insuring it.
Edited by Composite Guru on Tuesday 17th February 18:49
An S3 220 Sport sounds like what you’d need.
Build quality and interior are greatly improved on the later cars and you should be able to just about get in an MY17.5 with the open shifter etc
It’ll (most likely) have working a/c and comes with the switchable DPM modes which control traction and stability.
Build quality and interior are greatly improved on the later cars and you should be able to just about get in an MY17.5 with the open shifter etc
It’ll (most likely) have working a/c and comes with the switchable DPM modes which control traction and stability.
_Bandit_ said:
An S3 220 Sport sounds like what you d need.
Build quality and interior are greatly improved on the later cars and you should be able to just about get in an MY17.5 with the open shifter etc
It ll (most likely) have working a/c and comes with the switchable DPM modes which control traction and stability.
Ideally I didn't want traction control or stability control, but could possible live with it if it wasn't too intrusive. How is it in the real world? Can you fully turn them both off?Build quality and interior are greatly improved on the later cars and you should be able to just about get in an MY17.5 with the open shifter etc
It ll (most likely) have working a/c and comes with the switchable DPM modes which control traction and stability.
Monkeywench said:
Ideally I didn't want traction control or stability control, but could possible live with it if it wasn't too intrusive. How is it in the real world? Can you fully turn them both off?
Real world you don't notice it. The car is so grippy, if you're at that kind of limit you're going to have a big accident on a public road. Handy for things like a greasy roundabout you might be booting it off and the back gets a little loose. Sport mode sharpens up the throttle map and I get more burbles 
herebebeasties said:
S2 SC for the road, for the combination of both oomph and revs, along with decent compliance and ground clearance.
Thanks, sounds good but can you still get all the spare parts for S2 Elises including trim, interior, body panels etc? One of the reasons I was put off getting another VX220 was this stuff is very hard to come by these days. Monkeywench said:
herebebeasties said:
S2 SC for the road, for the combination of both oomph and revs, along with decent compliance and ground clearance.
Thanks, sounds good but can you still get all the spare parts for S2 Elises including trim, interior, body panels etc? One of the reasons I was put off getting another VX220 was this stuff is very hard to come by these days. Monkeywench said:
_Bandit_ said:
An S3 220 Sport sounds like what you d need.
Build quality and interior are greatly improved on the later cars and you should be able to just about get in an MY17.5 with the open shifter etc
It ll (most likely) have working a/c and comes with the switchable DPM modes which control traction and stability.
Ideally I didn't want traction control or stability control, but could possible live with it if it wasn't too intrusive. How is it in the real world? Can you fully turn them both off?Build quality and interior are greatly improved on the later cars and you should be able to just about get in an MY17.5 with the open shifter etc
It ll (most likely) have working a/c and comes with the switchable DPM modes which control traction and stability.
Yes you can switch it all off, I’ve got an S3 Elise Cup and run with it all off unless it’s really cold or very wet.
You really need to be trying to get it to activate in the dry in any instance.
Was out today around Beachy Head and had a lot of fun
I’ve got an S3 S (what became the Sport), and it’s superb for the road. Well damped, communicative, torquey yet with a top end of the rev range that’s rewarding to use and within reach. Now I’ve fitted the Eliseparts alloy air con radiator the air con is also excellent, rather than just about useable. This makes a huge difference in the summer.
The traction control has three settings - normal, sport and fully off. Sport is great for progressive road driving. It’s very unobtrusive; if you’re having it intervene on the road you’re right on the limit and driving I’d say inappropriately. It’ll allow a degree of slip before doing anything.
The traction control has three settings - normal, sport and fully off. Sport is great for progressive road driving. It’s very unobtrusive; if you’re having it intervene on the road you’re right on the limit and driving I’d say inappropriately. It’ll allow a degree of slip before doing anything.
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