Discussion
Personally I think the best deal at the moment is the 111S (now with central locking, electric windows, air-con and hard top included) but it depends what you're looking for...
I think it's fair to say that out of the 2 models you mention, the 111R is definately the superior, but they're very different cars. The Toyota engine is a completely different beast - more refined and with an extra 55 or so bhp - a lot in an Elise. It also has a 6 speed box that on a 30min test drive felt far superior to the normal 5 speed.
The 135R has the Lotus Sports suspension and yokohama tyres and would almost certainly be quicker on a twisty, dry track, but on the road the 111R would have the edge.
A couple of questions may help us answer:
Are you buying as an everyday car or a weekend toy? Are you likely to go on track days?
Do you do much motorway / dual carriageway driving?
I think it's fair to say that out of the 2 models you mention, the 111R is definately the superior, but they're very different cars. The Toyota engine is a completely different beast - more refined and with an extra 55 or so bhp - a lot in an Elise. It also has a 6 speed box that on a 30min test drive felt far superior to the normal 5 speed.
The 135R has the Lotus Sports suspension and yokohama tyres and would almost certainly be quicker on a twisty, dry track, but on the road the 111R would have the edge.
A couple of questions may help us answer:
Are you buying as an everyday car or a weekend toy? Are you likely to go on track days?
Do you do much motorway / dual carriageway driving?
Hard choice. The 111R is a better car, but the 135R had the handling pack that you'd ideally want on a 111R. If you have the handling pack on the 111R it will own the 135R.
Both nice cars, depends on your priorities. Problem is your priorities change. I started off happy with my boggo S2 and now find myself tempted by exotic engine transplants or buying a Noble of a mate...
You can get a second hand 135R for 22k though if you check seloc classifieds. The 111R will probably cost close on 30k without the handling pack. Financially the 135R makes a lot more sense, but its more raw, more direct and more Elise. The 111R you can do miles on a motorway in and not feel fatigued. If money were no issue 111R and handling pack or S2 Exige, but given constraints I'd take the 135R and appreciate it as one of the ultimate handling Elises, which is what they are about not raw power*.
*Says the guy wanting a 300bhp audi conversion or a Noble.
I took delivery of my 111R 3 weeks ago, firstly i would like to say its awesome, after i ran it in i took it to santa pod, i managed 13.2 and still it had only done 1300 miles... For an everyday car its great, it is very good to drive and you dont get the uncomftable ride you would expect.
I have had a few problems with it, it sometimes stalls on idle running at 96c, roof laks very hard to the point it sets off the alarm, reverse doesnt slot in, goes to first, been to the dealer once and still not reslved, other than that its awesome.
I have had a few problems with it, it sometimes stalls on idle running at 96c, roof laks very hard to the point it sets off the alarm, reverse doesnt slot in, goes to first, been to the dealer once and still not reslved, other than that its awesome.
pley said:
The 111R is a good car. Granted. I would drive one home tomorrow but for 30k it is overpriced. 30k for an Elise...no way.
I've just been for a comprehensive road thrash in both Exige S2 and 111R (full review in several vats' time).
£30k "no way?"
Let's see: vastly improved gear change, outrageous junior F355 on-cam wail accompanied by genuine thrust, impeccable damping (eclipsing the Exige for on road behaviour) and a promise not to throw me into a field without gross provoction and even then a sense of recovery not being too unfeasible.
Looks better than a good Scooby, goes just as insanely on B-roads plus optional wind in the follicles stylee.
Let's just say that if the Superlight experience from Caterham is too much on road (I find out in two weeks) I'm having one.
£28k for the non-ponce spec R is actually very cheap for a grin as big as the one I'm wearing right now...
If I have had a few more grand I would have had a 111R but I have just bought a brand spanking saffron yellow 135R for £24995 on the road, had only got 12 miles on the clock when I drove it away from the dealers, I don't know how many new 135Rs are left as they only made 150, but I am well chuffed with mine at that price.
mmm..I dont think the price is too bad for the 111R - a 120bhp S2 Sports Tourer was £26.5K 6 months ago, and a Sport 190 was £35K+ ...now you get a better built car with 190bhp (albeit with extra weight)for £29K ish...people were paying that for specced up Sport 160s and 111S's.
I thought the 111R was the best put together Elise Id driven and pretty quick too when on cam...its £10K cheaper than a decent spec Boxster S and faster - pretty much in a niche of its own IMO...if I was buying new again, for a daily drive car Id definately have one.
I thought the 111R was the best put together Elise Id driven and pretty quick too when on cam...its £10K cheaper than a decent spec Boxster S and faster - pretty much in a niche of its own IMO...if I was buying new again, for a daily drive car Id definately have one.
I have "borrowed" Peninsula's 111R for the weekend. what a fabulous car .... hard to keep legal when the engine just loves to rev, and goes absolutly mental after 6500rpm !!...
irCon very nice, and, definatly faster around my favourite hampshire lanes than my TVR (or my golf GTi).
I still miss absolute power, but the elise is a formidable foe.
irCon very nice, and, definatly faster around my favourite hampshire lanes than my TVR (or my golf GTi).
I still miss absolute power, but the elise is a formidable foe.
Moving on slightly in the "track optimised" vs "road optimised" debate, what do you guys think of 111r vs S2 Exige for day to day use? I have a 111r on order for September "54"-plate delivery, but toyed with the idea of the new Exige after seeing it on Top Gear the other week. I had a closer look at one at the Motor Show, but decided to stick with the 111r. I posted my reasons in another thread, but I'll copy them here:
Exige is slightly heavier (lower PtW)
Exige needs aircon which adds more weight and saps power
I hate black wheels (I know I'm in a big minority)
Want an open top (am told you can get the roof off an Exige after all)
Elise has better on-road manners yet is not too far off Exige track pace
Exige tyres on wet Monday morning commute =
Cost of all the extra bits I would need (like the silver wheels)
What do you guys think?
[k]
Exige is slightly heavier (lower PtW)
Exige needs aircon which adds more weight and saps power
I hate black wheels (I know I'm in a big minority)
Want an open top (am told you can get the roof off an Exige after all)
Elise has better on-road manners yet is not too far off Exige track pace
Exige tyres on wet Monday morning commute =
Cost of all the extra bits I would need (like the silver wheels)
What do you guys think?
[k]
Id go for a 111R - the difference between the 2 cars in on track performance is purely academic to 99% of drivers/owners - only very good track drivers could appreciate (and benefit) from the difference between the 2 on track and extract the .5% extra performance out of the Exige...in the real world you wont be able to notice any - buy whichever you prefer ! ..I like a soft top 2 seater myself 
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