A delighted newbie with questions........
Discussion
Hi Guys!
Became the VERY proud owner of an S1 Millenium Edition about 6 weeks ago and good god, its SUCH a hoot!!! Overtaking is just hilariously easy and silly. The handling is just phenomenal (as expected) and I am completely in love with it. I have wanted one for a very, very long time and its only now that I have had the chance and got rid of my beloved and VERY good MR2 Roadster to buy it. And don't regret a thing (as much as I loved my Mister Two.......).
I have also done a fair bit of research on it too and have found a million and one links and tons of info from various sites and people. But there are some questions that are just best asked to the people who are REALLY in the know..........so here goes.......
Firstly, does anyone know of a specialist garage in or around the Cambridge area? I have searched high and low and I just can't find anyone. I have been recommended back to the factory for servicing as its not actually THAT far (about an hour), so its a possibility, but I would prefer to get closer for convenience if anyone actually knows of a place.....
Secondly, I am well aware that S1's make a fair few noises and rattles. But my car seems to make a HELL of a lot of them. The engine is a peach. Not a dodgy noise from that at all. Its only got 23K on it and its been looked after like a baby. But EVERY bump (and I really, really mean that) makes a rattle or a knock or a thump from the suspension and I was wondering if this is actually right? Also, larger dips or holes or ridges in the road seem to make the car "crash" over them with a little "skip". I really hope the shocks havent gone already....
If this IS the case, anyone got any idea how much they would be to replaced (including fitting)? I like to keep my cars as standard as possible and I hear that even Lotus themselves changed the damper supplier after a certain time as the originals weren't that great.
I have driven quite a few Elise's before, but they have all been S2's either on track or friends, so I don't have anything to compare to the S1 as this is the first time I have driven one, let alone own one.
I don't regret a thing, but I don't want to have to start spending great wodges of cash on it as soon as I get it. But hey, if needs be........
Other than that, I utterly love this car. Noisy as hell, but all the thrills this side of a Caterham, so I really, really am not complaining!!!
Thanks in advance guys!
Became the VERY proud owner of an S1 Millenium Edition about 6 weeks ago and good god, its SUCH a hoot!!! Overtaking is just hilariously easy and silly. The handling is just phenomenal (as expected) and I am completely in love with it. I have wanted one for a very, very long time and its only now that I have had the chance and got rid of my beloved and VERY good MR2 Roadster to buy it. And don't regret a thing (as much as I loved my Mister Two.......).
I have also done a fair bit of research on it too and have found a million and one links and tons of info from various sites and people. But there are some questions that are just best asked to the people who are REALLY in the know..........so here goes.......
Firstly, does anyone know of a specialist garage in or around the Cambridge area? I have searched high and low and I just can't find anyone. I have been recommended back to the factory for servicing as its not actually THAT far (about an hour), so its a possibility, but I would prefer to get closer for convenience if anyone actually knows of a place.....
Secondly, I am well aware that S1's make a fair few noises and rattles. But my car seems to make a HELL of a lot of them. The engine is a peach. Not a dodgy noise from that at all. Its only got 23K on it and its been looked after like a baby. But EVERY bump (and I really, really mean that) makes a rattle or a knock or a thump from the suspension and I was wondering if this is actually right? Also, larger dips or holes or ridges in the road seem to make the car "crash" over them with a little "skip". I really hope the shocks havent gone already....
If this IS the case, anyone got any idea how much they would be to replaced (including fitting)? I like to keep my cars as standard as possible and I hear that even Lotus themselves changed the damper supplier after a certain time as the originals weren't that great.
I have driven quite a few Elise's before, but they have all been S2's either on track or friends, so I don't have anything to compare to the S1 as this is the first time I have driven one, let alone own one.
I don't regret a thing, but I don't want to have to start spending great wodges of cash on it as soon as I get it. But hey, if needs be........
Other than that, I utterly love this car. Noisy as hell, but all the thrills this side of a Caterham, so I really, really am not complaining!!!
Thanks in advance guys!
Yep, S1s have crashy suspension. Even S2s make a lot of noise over large bumps - you can switch to S2 suspension but it's worth getting used to what you have first.
I'm not sure a bout Cambridge specialists but I'd say ask a few people before using any company with the words 'Elite' and 'Cars' in the title
>> Edited by kevin ritson on Thursday 6th April 18:41
I'm not sure a bout Cambridge specialists but I'd say ask a few people before using any company with the words 'Elite' and 'Cars' in the title
>> Edited by kevin ritson on Thursday 6th April 18:41
TheYeti said:
I have had the chance and got rid of my beloved and VERY good MR2 Roadster to buy it. And don't regret a thing (as much as I loved my Mister Two.......).
Cracking cars arn't they. I miss the MR2, a superb car, despite the *ahem* problems it's suffered after the p/x....
No regrets here either though....
welcome and congrats 
knocking and banging/crashing is normal
for £500 get some S2 suspension on there - sorts it out nicely
Most people I know from Cambridge area bring their cars down to Castle Lotus (if you want dealer stamps/pricing) or Sinclaires (Gallows corner - Jct 28 on M25) are a well regarded specialist and about 60% of dealer pricing.
knocking and banging/crashing is normal
for £500 get some S2 suspension on there - sorts it out nicely
Most people I know from Cambridge area bring their cars down to Castle Lotus (if you want dealer stamps/pricing) or Sinclaires (Gallows corner - Jct 28 on M25) are a well regarded specialist and about 60% of dealer pricing.
Hollywood Wheels said:
I have had the chance and got rid of my beloved and VERY good MR2 Roadster to buy it. And don't regret a thing (as much as I loved my Mister Two.......).
Cracking cars arn't they. I miss the MR2, a superb car, despite the *ahem* problems it's suffered after the p/x....
No regrets here either though....
Yeah, they are a blinding little car and I do miss it for its "comfort" so to speak. I like to think of them as an "Elise Light".........sharp, responsive, reasonably quick........lovely thing.
But not quite the thrill the Elise is and I have wanted one since I got hooked on my mates S2 111S!!! What a car that is! So, the 2 had to go......shame, but no regrets whatsoever........
bogie said:
welcome and congrats
knocking and banging/crashing is normal
for £500 get some S2 suspension on there - sorts it out nicely
Most people I know from Cambridge area bring their cars down to Castle Lotus (if you want dealer stamps/pricing) or Sinclaires (Gallows corner - Jct 28 on M25) are a well regarded specialist and about 60% of dealer pricing.
Are Castle the ones that have a TVR dealership there too? I think I went to the 111R launch there. Not too far to be honest. But they are actually a dealer and I was thinking of a specialist garages. I was looking at the servicing prices at Castle while waiting for my turn in the 111R and I was blown away by them! HOW EXPENSIVE? The guy who sold me the car reckoned that the factory itself would be cheaper cos they don't have dealership overheads to pay and also reckoned they would be better too cos.....well....they know what they are doing and they built the bloody thing!!!
Don't know about the other place though. Will have to look that place up. Thanks for that info.
I also didn't realise the S2 suspension would fit on the S1. I thought the geo and the set up was actually quite different. Obviously not......
For the £500, what would I get for that? And is that a fitted price? I am not a complete muppet when it comes to mechanical things, but I don't have the space or the facilities to do work on it myself unfortunately......
ferrisbueller said:
Not exactly local but I use this lot
Kelvedon
and my mate drives over to this lot
B-K
>> Edited by ferrisbueller on Thursday 6th April 20:18
Ahhh....now Kelvedon is somewhere the dealer I bought my car told me to go. The guy who I bought it off used to work for Lotus himself, so knows the people there and used to travel around for the company. He did say that is wasn't THAT close to Cambridge, but they are very good apparantely.
Do they do courtest cars? Mine is my every day driver, so I need it all the while...........
ferrisbueller said:
BK lend you an Elise while they service yours. Kelvedon have a Cinquecento but depending on where you are that isn't ideal. They are in Spalding, Lincs. About 40 mins from Peterborough so a bit more than double that from Cambs.
Ok, nice one. Good to know. Thanks for the info!!!
Yeti, welcome and nice choice - the ME is a great special Ed!
As bogie mentioned, if the suspension is overly crashy switch to the S2 set-up. WAY better than the koni's and the best choice if you don't want to step up to adjustables. I've not heard of one person say anything bad about it. You will need to budget for a full geo after fitting of course, but this would be required whatever you replaced it with.
Take heed of the note from Kevin and avoid.
Have you become a member of SELOC yet? Good community forum and technical resource. Worth joining and it's free if you don't want to get the paid-up member discounts.
As bogie mentioned, if the suspension is overly crashy switch to the S2 set-up. WAY better than the koni's and the best choice if you don't want to step up to adjustables. I've not heard of one person say anything bad about it. You will need to budget for a full geo after fitting of course, but this would be required whatever you replaced it with.
Take heed of the note from Kevin and avoid.
Have you become a member of SELOC yet? Good community forum and technical resource. Worth joining and it's free if you don't want to get the paid-up member discounts.
If you're looking for some S2 suspension... full set on eBay right now.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Lotus-Elise-Sus
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Lotus-Elise-Sus
S works said:
Yeti, welcome and nice choice - the ME is a great special Ed!
As bogie mentioned, if the suspension is overly crashy switch to the S2 set-up. WAY better than the koni's and the best choice if you don't want to step up to adjustables. I've not heard of one person say anything bad about it. You will need to budget for a full geo after fitting of course, but this would be required whatever you replaced it with.
Take heed of the note from Kevin and avoid.
Have you become a member of SELOC yet? Good community forum and technical resource. Worth joining and it's free if you don't want to get the paid-up member discounts.
Cheers for that. Won't be for a while yet if it gets done. Going to get used to what I have and money is a little tight at the moment as I am spending the money from my house sale (a split with the long term girlfriend forced this. Hence I could afford the Elise......) to go travelling. So its not a priority as yet, but its definately something to think of for the future.
Yeah, the ME is lovely! The colour is fab, especially when really polished up and the sun is out and I love the blue Alcantara interior as well. Ans the 111S wheels set it off lovely........
The "Elite Cars" thing going on. Are they based in Foxton, near Cambridge by any chance? If these are the guys that you are talking about, I have tested a car from there before I decided on the ME. It was a S1 Type 72, with a hard top and upgraded brakes, going for 14,500 with 20K on the clock. The car drove pretty well to be honest, but the inside was a complete state and the guy didn't really sound like he knew what he was talking about.
Is there a problem with these guys? I would be interested to know what they are like as a friend of mine has already warned me off them, but no-one seems to be able to give me an answer to why!!!
I did become a member of SELOC a while ago while doing some research on my ME, but I forgot what my password and login was, so I haven't been back for ages cos I can't get in!!! Nice one eh? What a plonker........but a good forum all the same......might have to look to see if I can get back in there......
Stonie said:
If you're looking for some S2 suspension... full set on eBay right now.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Lotus-Elise-Sus
Probably won't be looking to do it for a while, but thanks for the heads up!!!
Good friendly bunch you lot!!! Ta! Nice to feel welcomed!
TheYeti said:
Cheers for that. Won't be for a while yet if it gets done. Going to get used to what I have and money is a little tight at the moment as I am spending the money from my house sale (a split with the long term girlfriend forced this. Hence I could afford the Elise......) to go travelling. So its not a priority as yet, but its definately something to think of for the future.
Yeah, the ME is lovely! The colour is fab, especially when really polished up and the sun is out and I love the blue Alcantara interior as well. Ans the 111S wheels set it off lovely........
The "Elite Cars" thing going on. Are they based in Foxton, near Cambridge by any chance? If these are the guys that you are talking about, I have tested a car from there before I decided on the ME. It was a S1 Type 72, with a hard top and upgraded brakes, going for 14,500 with 20K on the clock. The car drove pretty well to be honest, but the inside was a complete state and the guy didn't really sound like he knew what he was talking about.
Is there a problem with these guys? I would be interested to know what they are like as a friend of mine has already warned me off them, but no-one seems to be able to give me an answer to why!!!
I did become a member of SELOC a while ago while doing some research on my ME, but I forgot what my password and login was, so I haven't been back for ages cos I can't get in!!! Nice one eh? What a plonker........but a good forum all the same......might have to look to see if I can get back in there......
Suggestion one - don't piss all the money from the house away on a holiday. Keep it and get back on the housing ladder, rent the place out while you're gone away and it'll earn you money. Had a simliar situation recently and buying the house off her was the smartest thing I ever did. Once you're on the ladder don't fall off!!
Sermon over, blimey is that Type 79 (the 72 was the S2 version - I used to have a 79) still around. They were trying to flog that last summer. No wonder it hasn't sold if it's tatty in side.
Basically they have a very bad rep, search on SELOC and you'll find out why. Recently went into bankruptcy and upset a lot of people I believe. Just no need to take chances when there are lots of good options around as alternatives.
If you have a problem with your SELOC account email Stu the webmaster (webmaster@seloc.org) and he'll help you out.
S works said:
Cheers for that. Won't be for a while yet if it gets done. Going to get used to what I have and money is a little tight at the moment as I am spending the money from my house sale (a split with the long term girlfriend forced this. Hence I could afford the Elise......) to go travelling. So its not a priority as yet, but its definately something to think of for the future.
Yeah, the ME is lovely! The colour is fab, especially when really polished up and the sun is out and I love the blue Alcantara interior as well. Ans the 111S wheels set it off lovely........
The "Elite Cars" thing going on. Are they based in Foxton, near Cambridge by any chance? If these are the guys that you are talking about, I have tested a car from there before I decided on the ME. It was a S1 Type 72, with a hard top and upgraded brakes, going for 14,500 with 20K on the clock. The car drove pretty well to be honest, but the inside was a complete state and the guy didn't really sound like he knew what he was talking about.
Is there a problem with these guys? I would be interested to know what they are like as a friend of mine has already warned me off them, but no-one seems to be able to give me an answer to why!!!
I did become a member of SELOC a while ago while doing some research on my ME, but I forgot what my password and login was, so I haven't been back for ages cos I can't get in!!! Nice one eh? What a plonker........but a good forum all the same......might have to look to see if I can get back in there......
Suggestion one - don't piss all the money from the house away on a holiday. Keep it and get back on the housing ladder, rent the place out while you're gone away and it'll earn you money. Had a simliar situation recently and buying the house off her was the smartest thing I ever did. Once you're on the ladder don't fall off!!
Sermon over, blimey is that Type 79 (the 72 was the S2 version - I used to have a 79) still around. They were trying to flog that last summer. No wonder it hasn't sold if it's tatty in side.
Basically they have a very bad rep, search on SELOC and you'll find out why. Recently went into bankruptcy and upset a lot of people I believe. Just no need to take chances when there are lots of good options around as alternatives.
If you have a problem with your SELOC account email Stu the webmaster (webmaster@seloc.org) and he'll help you out.
Wish I could have got back on the ladder, but didn't make enough money from the sale for me to do so on my own. We had only recently remortgaged to renovate the place, so by the time we came to sell after the split, the house had only gone up a tiny bit in value. Enough money for me to enjoy myself a little, but not enough to use to get back on the ladder. Besides, not sure what I am going to do with my life now (we were together for 9 years and now I am very much at a loose end) and I also desperately need to get away from this country for a little while so going to go travelling to NZ and Japan. Completely understand what you are saying, but circumstances just conspired against me.....
My apologies on the car as well. Yes, it was an S1 T79. And I did believe it had been there for a while. Like I said, the guy didn't know too much about the cars themselves as he didn't have a Lotus background, but he DID say they were looking to expand and get a proper Lotus franchise. He even showed me where they were going to build the new showroom!!! So, god knows what is going on there.
I have just mailed the webmaster at SELOC about my login problem, so when I get in I will do a search for Elite Cars now. I am quite glad I went for the ME and not the T79. I have to say, I do like the 79's though..........nice colour combo.....
S works said:
Unlucky with the homelife situation, all I can say from experience is better to be out of it and getting back on with your life than living a lie or being unhappy. A break abroad with some time and space to think about what happens next sounds like a top idea. Best of luck.
Cheers mate. Appreciate the sentiments. Its been a very, very tough year. Had to stay in the house and renovate it on my own after she left, so not really had time to "get over" it so to speak. But coming round to the idea of being single again, which is weird at 33 years old!
Still, like you said, i'm out of it now, so got to push on and get on with things. No point in getting down on things. Hence I bought the Elise!!!
Can't wait to get away though. Got a chance to go to the two places I have wanted to go to since I was a child, so going to take it and enjoy! Then I have a nice car to come back to............another sinclaires recommendation from me (it was them that mentioned a lotus supercharger to me). and sympathy with the rest of it. i've just gone back to single status too and i'm not a lot younger. summer here now - roof off and short skirts everywhere. best time of year for quick recovery.
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