It just don't feel right
Discussion
Hi Guys,
I have owned my 45K 1999 V reg S1 111S for two months now - If I am honest, it's not been the driving or ownership experience I had hoped for.
Don't get me wrong, it looks fantastic, the engine is strong and the car flies, but the handling just doesn't seem right. (Which is the main reason for buying an Elise !) The car feels slightly loose & also crashy. Non of the compliance or rigid, but tactile damping I'd imagined. Non of the Koni dampers are leaking - Indeed the two rears are approx only two years old.
It rumbles and grumbles a bit too - so I imagine that the front bearings are on the way out ? I get all sorts of other metallic noises as well, sometimes it's quiet and sometimes it sounds like the driveshafts are lubed with sand.
Having recently just changed the Brakes, i noticed that the bushes we're (completely) knackered - would this have a very noteable effect on the handling ?
Spent 800 quid so far this month - looks like it's going to get worse.
Passengers window has also just fallen in the the door, brake's squeel like banshees - to top it all off it looks like a flock of birds have been using it as target practice. Currently wishing I'd never bothered. Tell me it'll be ok in the end!
What do you think is up with my handling, how do I get it nice and tight like I'd imagined ? How much is an Overhall at a dealers. Christopher Neils is the nearest place to me - Do I just drop it off, loosen my belt and bend over.
End of self-pitying essay
Cheers,
Ben
I have owned my 45K 1999 V reg S1 111S for two months now - If I am honest, it's not been the driving or ownership experience I had hoped for.
Don't get me wrong, it looks fantastic, the engine is strong and the car flies, but the handling just doesn't seem right. (Which is the main reason for buying an Elise !) The car feels slightly loose & also crashy. Non of the compliance or rigid, but tactile damping I'd imagined. Non of the Koni dampers are leaking - Indeed the two rears are approx only two years old.
It rumbles and grumbles a bit too - so I imagine that the front bearings are on the way out ? I get all sorts of other metallic noises as well, sometimes it's quiet and sometimes it sounds like the driveshafts are lubed with sand.
Having recently just changed the Brakes, i noticed that the bushes we're (completely) knackered - would this have a very noteable effect on the handling ?
Spent 800 quid so far this month - looks like it's going to get worse.
Passengers window has also just fallen in the the door, brake's squeel like banshees - to top it all off it looks like a flock of birds have been using it as target practice. Currently wishing I'd never bothered. Tell me it'll be ok in the end!
What do you think is up with my handling, how do I get it nice and tight like I'd imagined ? How much is an Overhall at a dealers. Christopher Neils is the nearest place to me - Do I just drop it off, loosen my belt and bend over.
End of self-pitying essay
Cheers,
Ben
Yeah if you drop it off at CN's and say 'fix my car' you are likely to be still paying for it when you retire.
Nothing wrong with CN's, just that, at end of day, they are still a main dealer. Suspect if you pre phone and discuss your problems, then they would take a look at it and advise of potential problems and likely fix costs.
On the other hand, the Elise is a pretty basic car, so a lot of stuff should be reasonably self fix if your mechanically minded. Otherwise, hunt out a decent independant who won't fleece you.
Elise are not soft cars, especially the Mk1, so you do have to get used to a different driving experience.
Nothing wrong with CN's, just that, at end of day, they are still a main dealer. Suspect if you pre phone and discuss your problems, then they would take a look at it and advise of potential problems and likely fix costs.
On the other hand, the Elise is a pretty basic car, so a lot of stuff should be reasonably self fix if your mechanically minded. Otherwise, hunt out a decent independant who won't fleece you.
Elise are not soft cars, especially the Mk1, so you do have to get used to a different driving experience.
I moved from Konis to AVOs. The difference was night and day. The AVOs don't crash except over the worst of potholes.
First thing to do (if you don't want to shell out big bucks) is get all the geo set to a good base line. Also, get an accurate tyre gauge and check all the pressures. Garage forecourt gauges are usually well out and on the Elise that makes a huge difference.
I would budget on getting the bushes and dampers done at some point, but don't panic about it. Personally, I'd seek out a decent local garage to do the work - on an S1 I'd argue that main dealer service history isn't vital (now that the car's over 5 years old).
The brakes do squeal. You need to 're-bed' them in. Do repeated stops from about 60mph down to a near standstill a good few times. Real work a lot of heat into the pads. That should help a lot.
If I was me, I'd give the car a really thorough clean this weekend and get it gleaming, so it looks like the mini-spercar it is.
(Then I'd take it out and get it dirty again!!)
First thing to do (if you don't want to shell out big bucks) is get all the geo set to a good base line. Also, get an accurate tyre gauge and check all the pressures. Garage forecourt gauges are usually well out and on the Elise that makes a huge difference.
I would budget on getting the bushes and dampers done at some point, but don't panic about it. Personally, I'd seek out a decent local garage to do the work - on an S1 I'd argue that main dealer service history isn't vital (now that the car's over 5 years old).
The brakes do squeal. You need to 're-bed' them in. Do repeated stops from about 60mph down to a near standstill a good few times. Real work a lot of heat into the pads. That should help a lot.
If I was me, I'd give the car a really thorough clean this weekend and get it gleaming, so it looks like the mini-spercar it is.
(Then I'd take it out and get it dirty again!!)
Have you driven any other Elises? If not it is worth trying to have a go in someone elses just to see if your car is behaving badly or just doing what an Elise does.
I had similar issues when I bought my first Elise (also a V reg 111S) coming from a Civic Type R. To suddenly be exposed to every noise from the engine, suspension, undertray etc. caused huge paranoia. Nothing was wrong with it and they took me out in a couple of others that felt and sounded exactly the same.
Standard shocks are noisy though and an upgrade would be a worthwhile investment.
I had similar issues when I bought my first Elise (also a V reg 111S) coming from a Civic Type R. To suddenly be exposed to every noise from the engine, suspension, undertray etc. caused huge paranoia. Nothing was wrong with it and they took me out in a couple of others that felt and sounded exactly the same.
Standard shocks are noisy though and an upgrade would be a worthwhile investment.
Hi Ben,
CN is closest but there are good independents all over the northwest. Normally I'd reccommend Albert Walsh but he is laid up following an operation at the mo, although he has arranged for someone to work in his absence.. If you join up to www.norlog.net you'll be able to get more local advice and you can come along to meets and see if anyone has had the same problems you are facing.
Best of luck sorting it out anyway, frankly my (lack of) knowledge of car mechanics is embarrassing!
CN is closest but there are good independents all over the northwest. Normally I'd reccommend Albert Walsh but he is laid up following an operation at the mo, although he has arranged for someone to work in his absence.. If you join up to www.norlog.net you'll be able to get more local advice and you can come along to meets and see if anyone has had the same problems you are facing.
Best of luck sorting it out anyway, frankly my (lack of) knowledge of car mechanics is embarrassing!
MancBen said:
Hi Guys,
What do you think is up with my handling, how do I get it nice and tight like I'd imagined ?
Ben
What do you think is up with my handling, how do I get it nice and tight like I'd imagined ?
Ben
I thought the same when i first got mine, then I got the steering geo checked/sorted and it made all the difference, suddenly had much more confidence in the car - it felt much more secure.
nwtony said:
Hi Ben,
CN is closest but there are good independents all over the northwest. Normally I'd reccommend Albert Walsh but he is laid up following an operation at the mo, although he has arranged for someone to work in his absence.. If you join up to www.norlog.net you'll be able to get more local advice and you can come along to meets and see if anyone has had the same problems you are facing.
Best of luck sorting it out anyway, frankly my (lack of) knowledge of car mechanics is embarrassing!
Hi Tony,
Am a member of norlog but it's a bit desserted on the forum - Will pop a question regarding local Geo specialist though.
Cheers
Ben
CN is closest but there are good independents all over the northwest. Normally I'd reccommend Albert Walsh but he is laid up following an operation at the mo, although he has arranged for someone to work in his absence.. If you join up to www.norlog.net you'll be able to get more local advice and you can come along to meets and see if anyone has had the same problems you are facing.
Best of luck sorting it out anyway, frankly my (lack of) knowledge of car mechanics is embarrassing!
Hi Tony,
Am a member of norlog but it's a bit desserted on the forum - Will pop a question regarding local Geo specialist though.
Cheers
Ben
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