111R Brakes...

[RobM77]

I've done a search and found a little bit of information on the 111R's brakes, but was surprised that the topic of the 111R's brakes hasn't found a thread of its own yet!

I'm buying an Elise as soon as I sell my present car, and am considering a 111R or 111S. Now, the 111R... I drove one on Saturday and found two problems with the brakes:

1) As we all know, the brake pedal goes too low for heel and toe. I have heard that this is adjustable with a couple of spanners and a few spare minutes. How adjustable is this? Can the problem be solved, or just minimized? The car I drove needed about two inches added to the brake pedal height! Lotus themselves admitted that this was a weakness after the launch of the 111R - did they ever fix it? If so, can I apply this fix to a 2004 car? Maybe I could just put an inch thick pad on the brake pedal?! I sat in a few different cars, and some were better than others; however heel and toe wouldn't really have been easy in any of them. I've driven a few non-servoed Elises and they've all been wonderful - but the 111R's brakes were just awful!

2) Braking effort required - Can this be increased? I found the original non-servoed Elise brakes just perfect for me.

3) Is it possible to just scrap the servo? I admit I really like the idea of ABS, but not at the cost of driveability.

any thoughts are appreciated. Thanks.

[scuffham]

1) it can be adjusted, but it's still not great
2) no, that's the servo for you
3) no, ABS has to have the servo etc...

[fish]

I've adjusted mine and the levels of the pedal are about perfect for heal and toe. I've fitted braided hoses which didn't really make a huge difference and I also run EBC with red stuff front and green stuff rear.

I beleive the new pedal boxes are better but to be honest mine is now fine. Unadjusted I nearly gave the car back to them!

[RobM77]

fish said:

I've adjusted mine and the levels of the pedal are about perfect for heal and toe. I've fitted braided hoses which didn't really make a huge difference and I also run EBC with red stuff front and green stuff rear. I beleive the new pedal boxes are better but to be honest mine is now fine. Unadjusted I nearly gave the car back to them!

That's great to hear - thanks for your response. I loved the 111R (as I do any Elise), but on the test drive I pulled over for a better look at my feet and the pedals after just two miles because of this problem! I found that the brake pedal started level with the accelerator, and then when I braked it dropped about 3 inches during braking, trapping my foot in the gap between clutch and accelerator. The accelerator was level with the bottom of my ankle - not ideal for H&T!!!

The other off putting thing was that the acclerator was as heavy as the clutch! very weird. Maybe this car was just a poor example? Elises I've driven in the past have all varied (as do Caterhams and other hand built cars).

[Davey S2]

Never had a problem heel 'n toeing on mine.

Just about to upgrade to eliseparts Ali Belled discs on the front with braided hoses all round and new Pagid RS 42's.

Needed due to a slight 'incident' on a LOT day at Donnington.

[Davey S2]

Never had a problem heel 'n toeing on mine.

Just about to upgrade to eliseparts Ali Belled discs on the front with braided hoses all round and new Pagid RS 42's.

Needed due to a slight 'incident' on a LOT day at Donnington.

[RobM77]

[quote=Davey S2]Never had a problem heel 'n toeing on mine.[quote]

What are the relative positions of brake and acc pedal on yours when braking? This one I drove on Saturday had the brake about 2-3 inches below the accelerator, thus heel and toe was completely impossible no matter how weird the foot positioning.

[ryallm]

You might find this useful - instructions on adjusting the brake pedal

www.sandsmuseum.com/cars/elise/experience/maintenance/brakes/brakeadj.html

Mark

[Davey S2]

RobM77 said:

[quote=Davey S2]Never had a problem heel 'n toeing on mine.[quote] What are the relative positions of brake and acc pedal on yours when braking? This one I drove on Saturday had the brake about 2-3 inches below the accelerator, thus heel and toe was completely impossible no matter how weird the foot positioning.

Completely standard. I'm not saying its ideal but with practise you can do it so I could not be bothered about getting it adjusted.

[RobM77]

Davey S2 said:

RobM77 said: Davey S2 said: Never had a problem heel 'n toeing on mine. What are the relative positions of brake and acc pedal on yours when braking? This one I drove on Saturday had the brake about 2-3 inches below the accelerator, thus heel and toe was completely impossible no matter how weird the foot positioning. Completely standard. I'm not saying its ideal but with practise you can do it so I could not be bothered about getting it adjusted.

The question is - what is standard? I guess all cars vary. As I said, the demo car had the brake so low during braking that heel and toe would be impossible for anyone - the accelerator is level with your ankle!!

The responses on this thread have given me some hope though. I'll ask for a purchase dependant on this adjustment being succesful, as the dealer suggested.

[RobM77]

ryallm said:

You might find this useful - instructions on adjusting the brake pedal www.sandsmuseum.com/cars/elise/experience/maintenance/brakes/brakeadj.html Mark

Thanks. Very useful indeed! This is undoubtedly what the dealer will do - let's hope they can do it to my satisfaction.