S1 Lotus Elise 111S
Discussion
bencollins4 said:
Mid 90’s -Mid 2000’s is totally where it’s at for peak fun before things get too safe / sanitised / complicated!
I recognise that driveway above! Hope it feels better for you now it’s a bit lower? A yellow 111s was what I was after 5 or 6 years ago but once I saw someone selling a Sport 135 on SELOC, I had to have it! The close-ratio gearbox makes a big difference. Not sure off-hand if the 111s has that or not?
And to your other point weeks back, we have an office at Kings Hill that I worked from pre-covid and pre-home working - small world! Do miss taking the Elise through the back roads around Paddock Wood / Brenchley / Horsemonden / Goudhurst!
Hi Ben, I recognise that driveway above! Hope it feels better for you now it’s a bit lower? A yellow 111s was what I was after 5 or 6 years ago but once I saw someone selling a Sport 135 on SELOC, I had to have it! The close-ratio gearbox makes a big difference. Not sure off-hand if the 111s has that or not?
And to your other point weeks back, we have an office at Kings Hill that I worked from pre-covid and pre-home working - small world! Do miss taking the Elise through the back roads around Paddock Wood / Brenchley / Horsemonden / Goudhurst!
Yep it certainly has the short ratio box. I'd like a longer 5th for motorway use but not sure I can be bothered to get someone to pull the box apart etc.
Yes we're certainly lucky around here to have some half decent roads just wish the surface wasn't as shocking.
Should get the car back from Simon this week! Felt a slight bit of movement in the gearbox on downshifts so asked him to check the mount before giving it back.
So as I think I mentioned I'd felt a tiny bit of movement in the gearbox in downshifts. Simon confirmed to me that yep we have a bit of play. So that'll be replaced as otherwise the car shifts beautifully and a doggy mount will just make that crap.
Then also the good old induction hosing was well passed its best so we ripped that out and a new ones been ordered.
Car is back from Simon after some geo changes and a few little bits. It's sitting perfectly now in my view. (Excuse the garage it needs a tidy)
Also I know this will never work but have tried to protect the engine cover and heat with some reflecting strips....basically a McLaren F1 now right? 😂
Managed 100 miles this morning with a blast down to Newhaven. A great test for the new setup and you can tell the dampers have also started to bed in.
Overall I'm super happy with the car, it glides over the road and the cross country pace really is quite astonishing for such a inheritantly low powered car.
Interesting comparison with my old man's 987 Spyder, Elise definitely more agile and isn't that much slower in the real world.
Next job for me is to fit the cold air feed and then just get the miles in.
All fixed and just on a 1000 miles don't.
In terms of a 1k review.... the car is majestic on the right road and it has a delicacy which is unlike anything I've ever driven. The control weights are perfect and in particular the gearshift on this car is sensational... 205 GTi esque in it'd wand like function.
Obviously mines on rather fancy dampers now which is cheating but it just feels like it breaths with the road but not in a way that feels floaty or spiky.
The little K series VVC engine feels like it's got far more punch than the mere 143bhp it's supposed to have. Mine has a Janspeed exhaust in it but I sincerely doubt that's liberating any other power.
And that leads me onto noise... ive replaced the Flexi but I definitely think it needs a quieter exhaust, the baffles etc in the Janspeed according to the specialists are fine but in combination with the super short box it's just a bit noisy when you do want to travel a bit on the motorways. So much so that it's actually less pleasant to cruise in than my old caterham.
I'm super pleased with it and I get so many compliments on how it looks. Interestingly I'm not inclined to track it as much as it does feel fragile in the drive train compared to previous cars.
Its due to be driven with a load of mates to the black forest next year so need to do something about that racket on the motorway.
bencollins4 said:
What’s going on Joe?! Selling already after you’ve got it just right?!
Seriously, best of luck with the sale. What are you looking for instead? I am also after a tourer of some sort, but it won’t be the Elise that goes.
I'm in no rush to and I'll keep it if I don't get the right money. But I just think I'm suited to something with a little longer legs. Seriously, best of luck with the sale. What are you looking for instead? I am also after a tourer of some sort, but it won’t be the Elise that goes.
The Elise is sublime, sensational even but I find I don't use it as much as the caterham as that could at least relax into a cruise.
It was mega today and got loads of attention at a local meet so if it stays that's also fine.
Joehow said:
bencollins4 said:
What’s going on Joe?! Selling already after you’ve got it just right?!
Seriously, best of luck with the sale. What are you looking for instead? I am also after a tourer of some sort, but it won’t be the Elise that goes.
I'm in no rush to and I'll keep it if I don't get the right money. But I just think I'm suited to something with a little longer legs. Seriously, best of luck with the sale. What are you looking for instead? I am also after a tourer of some sort, but it won’t be the Elise that goes.
The Elise is sublime, sensational even but I find I don't use it as much as the caterham as that could at least relax into a cruise.
It was mega today and got loads of attention at a local meet so if it stays that's also fine.
I guess back to a Porsche then?! A yellow 111S is a pretty awesome S1 combo, so sure someone will buy it soon.
bencollins4 said:
Fair enough. I used to find the opposite, that the Elise was much happier cruising on a motorway than the Caterham.
I guess back to a Porsche then?! A yellow 111S is a pretty awesome S1 combo, so sure someone will buy it soon.
I think a standard S1 might be better, it's that gearbox as amazing as it is on a back road it's a pain in the arse for distance. I guess back to a Porsche then?! A yellow 111S is a pretty awesome S1 combo, so sure someone will buy it soon.
Nah not back to a Porsche, probably a TVR or something or if not that an S2 Elise with the Toyota lump.
I didn't find my 111S too bad for cruising. I was in my 20's at the time and maybe my tolerance would be different now though! Mine did have a carpets, a usable stereo and I didn't go too mad with the exhaust set up. A standard S1 will obviously be a little better in terms of revs at motorway speeds but not night and day.
Gad-Westy said:
I didn't find my 111S too bad for cruising. I was in my 20's at the time and maybe my tolerance would be different now though! Mine did have a carpets, a usable stereo and I didn't go too mad with the exhaust set up. A standard S1 will obviously be a little better in terms of revs at motorway speeds but not night and day.
Mines only got a Janspeed on it to be fair. It isn't awful but I think I was just a bit shocked how much calmer the caterham was revs wise etc on the motorway. I'm only 35 so not exactly an old man!
Joehow said:
Gad-Westy said:
I didn't find my 111S too bad for cruising. I was in my 20's at the time and maybe my tolerance would be different now though! Mine did have a carpets, a usable stereo and I didn't go too mad with the exhaust set up. A standard S1 will obviously be a little better in terms of revs at motorway speeds but not night and day.
Mines only got a Janspeed on it to be fair. It isn't awful but I think I was just a bit shocked how much calmer the caterham was revs wise etc on the motorway. I'm only 35 so not exactly an old man!
Gad-Westy said:
My benchmark for Seven type cars are a Caterham R400 (K-series with 6 speed), my first 4 speed X-flow Westfield and then my VX Westfield with a straight cut quaiffe box. After those, my Elise felt like an S-Class! What sort of set up was your Caterham?
310R full cage carbon buckets etc, I also had a 996 GT3 before that which was rose jointed throughout, Ohlins dampers loads of cup car bits etc. I drove the Caterham to the ring did a two day trackday and drove back, same for Spa.
Joehow said:
Gad-Westy said:
My benchmark for Seven type cars are a Caterham R400 (K-series with 6 speed), my first 4 speed X-flow Westfield and then my VX Westfield with a straight cut quaiffe box. After those, my Elise felt like an S-Class! What sort of set up was your Caterham?
310R full cage carbon buckets etc, I also had a 996 GT3 before that which was rose jointed throughout, Ohlins dampers loads of cup car bits etc. I drove the Caterham to the ring did a two day trackday and drove back, same for Spa.
I'm surprised you found that easier going but no point in suggesting you've got it wrong as it's ages since I've had my 111S and even longer since I've driven a Seven. Will be interesting to see what's next. Gad-Westy said:
Sounds fun I'm surprised you found that easier going but no point in suggesting you've got it wrong as it's ages since I've had my 111S and even longer since I've driven a Seven. Will be interesting to see what's next.
I think it's just the tone of the k series which goes right through me. Everything else on the car is fabulous, it may yet stay! I'm surprised you found that easier going but no point in suggesting you've got it wrong as it's ages since I've had my 111S and even longer since I've driven a Seven. Will be interesting to see what's next. 
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff