S1 Lotus Elise 111S
Discussion
So after a fantastic year in my 310R covering loads of UK days and driving the car to and from the Nurburgring and Spa for double header trackdays I fancied trying something a bit different.
Ive always liked S1 Elise's (I have a bit of a thing about owning motoring icons -hence a past of GT3s, Caterhams, 205 GTis, R129 SL, Cayman Rs etc) so when I got offered cash my way for a lovely little Elise it felt a deal not to turn down.
Gracious pic of Caterham - I will certainly have another most likely an ex race car just for track.
So to the car in question, it's a 1999 S1 111S in Norfolk Mustard with Green leather and the sport 160 wheels. The car has a ridiculous pair of history folders and whilst it isn't concourse it's clear it's been mechanically well look looked after.
A few pics below.
I've not had much chance to drive the car properly yet but overall observations are it feels a bit keener than my 310R but I think that's as much about gearing than anything else. It feels crashy at first but since discovered it had way too much pressure in the tyres, sorted that out and now feels much better.
The gearshift is sensational, I've got lots of bills for bushes and cables etc so sounds like it's been looked after around that area. The position from lever to wheel is utter perfection.
Concern areas so far... It stops but not as well as I think it should so some fresh pads and front discs are in order and I'd like to get some clubsport Nitrons on it as I will still use it on track days.
As I say very early into ownership but feels a nice balance between my GT3 and the Caterham, still raw but a little bit more habitable.
Finally the fact it's 25 years old next year means that if I do want rid it can go stateside.
First trackday booked at brands for 14 August.
Ive always liked S1 Elise's (I have a bit of a thing about owning motoring icons -hence a past of GT3s, Caterhams, 205 GTis, R129 SL, Cayman Rs etc) so when I got offered cash my way for a lovely little Elise it felt a deal not to turn down.
Gracious pic of Caterham - I will certainly have another most likely an ex race car just for track.
So to the car in question, it's a 1999 S1 111S in Norfolk Mustard with Green leather and the sport 160 wheels. The car has a ridiculous pair of history folders and whilst it isn't concourse it's clear it's been mechanically well look looked after.
A few pics below.
I've not had much chance to drive the car properly yet but overall observations are it feels a bit keener than my 310R but I think that's as much about gearing than anything else. It feels crashy at first but since discovered it had way too much pressure in the tyres, sorted that out and now feels much better.
The gearshift is sensational, I've got lots of bills for bushes and cables etc so sounds like it's been looked after around that area. The position from lever to wheel is utter perfection.
Concern areas so far... It stops but not as well as I think it should so some fresh pads and front discs are in order and I'd like to get some clubsport Nitrons on it as I will still use it on track days.
As I say very early into ownership but feels a nice balance between my GT3 and the Caterham, still raw but a little bit more habitable.
Finally the fact it's 25 years old next year means that if I do want rid it can go stateside.
First trackday booked at brands for 14 August.
Richbo said:
Check your front discs. I think yours is too late, but early Elises had MMC discs, not renown for their stopping power in the wet, but they're like hens teeth these days and still worth a small fortune.
"The original Elise (up to chassis number 3714) had Metal Matrix Composite (MMC) disk brakes which could squeel and be very noisy".
They're the later discs. I think they're just a bit old and need refreshing! "The original Elise (up to chassis number 3714) had Metal Matrix Composite (MMC) disk brakes which could squeel and be very noisy".
bigmowley said:
I’ve got a 99 111S as my guilty pleasure. They really are brilliant little things. It’s been on the fleet for well over 10 years now. 65K miles, still on the original engine and box. I’ve gently modified it over the years it’s at about 180BHP flywheel which is about as far as you can go on the VVC and standard cams. It’s extremely fast with the std close ratio box even if it’s a bit low geared. Mine will rev out in 5th which is quite entertaining. Best mod of all for me is the Quaife ATB diff. totally transformed the car, it does the most sublime donuts without any negative impact on the handling, highly recommended. I can even do donuts inside my garage. 
Replacing the ancient MEMS engine management with an Emerald system should be well up the shopping list as well.
It’s much better for getting the best out of any other engine mods that you might do.
Lovely car, enjoy it in good health.
Might impressive garage space! A diff is on my list for sure. Thanks for the tip in management Replacing the ancient MEMS engine management with an Emerald system should be well up the shopping list as well.
It’s much better for getting the best out of any other engine mods that you might do.
Lovely car, enjoy it in good health.
keo said:
I like that! Enjoy op. Funny I have been thinking of going the other way (from a Lotus to a Caterham) but I took mine out Sunday and I really enjoyed the lotus. Yeah the 7 might be more out and out fun. But the Lotus has got to be a better overall package I’d of thought.
The 7 is more of a pure toy I think. It is a bit more fun but it has to be on a track or in the right conditions. It feels a much older design (it is) than the Elise as well. Right managed a decent 60 miles today!
So proper conclusions... Steering is insanely good, it's actually quite freaky to start with you can literally feel everything and because it's so light it takes a while to understand there is a ton of grip. Although it weighs a good 200kilos more than the caterham it in some way feels lighter. I suspect this is due to the suspension setup so it feels like it floats.
Because of that floating sensation it really can be pedaled down a road rather quickly. But unlike the caterham where you can bully it about you can't do that in the Elise you need to be more precise... I like this!
Engine wise - that little K series is a hoot, it's got more midrange than the sigma in the caterham but at the top end the caterham was more savage but that was most likely the crazy cams it had.
Only way I've got it to go to go sideways is just lifting off and being a bit brutal with your inputs. So it's more of a needling threading car.
Gearshift and placement to the steering wheel is magic and the pedal weights are beautiful.
Only gripe I've got so far are the seats are a bit slippy and it really doesn't stop like I'm used to....
As a roadtrip car the motorways would be a little chore (it's doing 3.6k at 70) but worth putting up with as once you're there in smooth tarmac it would be the b
ks.
So proper conclusions... Steering is insanely good, it's actually quite freaky to start with you can literally feel everything and because it's so light it takes a while to understand there is a ton of grip. Although it weighs a good 200kilos more than the caterham it in some way feels lighter. I suspect this is due to the suspension setup so it feels like it floats.
Because of that floating sensation it really can be pedaled down a road rather quickly. But unlike the caterham where you can bully it about you can't do that in the Elise you need to be more precise... I like this!
Engine wise - that little K series is a hoot, it's got more midrange than the sigma in the caterham but at the top end the caterham was more savage but that was most likely the crazy cams it had.
Only way I've got it to go to go sideways is just lifting off and being a bit brutal with your inputs. So it's more of a needling threading car.
Gearshift and placement to the steering wheel is magic and the pedal weights are beautiful.
Only gripe I've got so far are the seats are a bit slippy and it really doesn't stop like I'm used to....
As a roadtrip car the motorways would be a little chore (it's doing 3.6k at 70) but worth putting up with as once you're there in smooth tarmac it would be the b
ks.
Put the roof on for the first time today....makes the Caterhams seem like a folding metal hardtop off an SL 🤣. But overall impressed how it feels like inside with the roof on. Actually quite relaxed.
Whipped all the wheels off today, loads of new arms and bushes but the main wishbones themselves are a bit tired so that's a job over winter.
Brakes have managed to come back to me a bit as well, they need a refresh but they'll do for Brands Hatch in the next couple of weeks.
One thing is it is suspiciously fast.... I know the gearing is short but defo feels punchier than 143bhp...
bencollins4 said:
Lovely - the best colour for an S1!
You’ll get used to the roof - it’s only a few minutes effort after a few goes. I actually find it easier than a Caterham roof, at least one that doesn’t stretch enough in winter! I quite like it with the roof on - feels like a mini Le Mans racer to me
albeit louder than with the roof off!
Regards it feeling fast, it’s about 700kgs, as you know, and with the short gearing and the sensation of speed you get in an S1, it’s plenty! Similar power to weight as a modern 300bhp hot hatch.
If feels quite a lot quicker than my 310R. I know gearing helps there though but that car was still 200kilos lighter and supposedly had 10bhp more You’ll get used to the roof - it’s only a few minutes effort after a few goes. I actually find it easier than a Caterham roof, at least one that doesn’t stretch enough in winter! I quite like it with the roof on - feels like a mini Le Mans racer to me
albeit louder than with the roof off! Regards it feeling fast, it’s about 700kgs, as you know, and with the short gearing and the sensation of speed you get in an S1, it’s plenty! Similar power to weight as a modern 300bhp hot hatch.
Well not actually managed to do much driving as currently feels like I should be concentrating more on my Ark build and locating various animal species for the journey....
But I've still managed a bit of plagerism in the meantime, I've got a slightly damaged driving light and I'd rather spend the money for a new one on chassis mods so stole Mark Tickles light cover idea!
I've also removed the front plate - god it looks so much better. There will be a sticker going on before anyone moans. Just a shame we have to have one as the plate really ruins the design in my opinion.
I also all being well will see my lovely SL go tomorrow to a nice chap so I'm using some of that money to purchase some new dampers and tyres.
Damper wise I've gone for the NTR40 Fast Road Nitrons
These should hopefully be quite an upgrade on the knackered Konis plus be a little better for the occasional track day.
Tyre wise think I'm gonna go for a Nankang NS2R as I need something that will also work in the wet.
But I've still managed a bit of plagerism in the meantime, I've got a slightly damaged driving light and I'd rather spend the money for a new one on chassis mods so stole Mark Tickles light cover idea!
I've also removed the front plate - god it looks so much better. There will be a sticker going on before anyone moans. Just a shame we have to have one as the plate really ruins the design in my opinion.
I also all being well will see my lovely SL go tomorrow to a nice chap so I'm using some of that money to purchase some new dampers and tyres.
Damper wise I've gone for the NTR40 Fast Road Nitrons
These should hopefully be quite an upgrade on the knackered Konis plus be a little better for the occasional track day.
Tyre wise think I'm gonna go for a Nankang NS2R as I need something that will also work in the wet.
911Spanker said:
Joehow said:
911Spanker said:
The Nitrons are good but I couldn't stand the ride quality on those springs. Way too stiff for me given the ste roads we have!
Yeah I might go down a tiny bit in lbs but the vastly improved damper overall should help. te roads we have!I ended up going down to 300/375 which are still stiff but work much better and I am much happier.
911Spanker said:
Yep, see what you think. I am a fair bit softer than 400/475 and it's still a bit hard riding.
Saying that, I think it is a great compromise for road and track.
I think I got used to a GT3 with basically cup car suspension on so I'm a bit warped. My Caterham has the 'road suspension' on and I found that got a bit flustered when you cracked on a bit. I think that was as probably poor OEM damper quality though Saying that, I think it is a great compromise for road and track.
Popped down to see the lads at Tyrepoint in Maidstone for new tyres this morning. Plumped for a set of Nankang NS2Rs as I know they're a decent half way road and track tyre.
The old Yokohama tyres had plenty of tread but a 2013 date stamp meant they were ditch finders.. so bad in fact the car was trying to rotate in the wet today on the way there at barely walking pace.
Also ordered a load of new bolts for when the Nitrons turn up.
Finally I'm 6ft and the steering wheels is close to my knees so ordered a 30mm spacer to fit.
The old Yokohama tyres had plenty of tread but a 2013 date stamp meant they were ditch finders.. so bad in fact the car was trying to rotate in the wet today on the way there at barely walking pace.
Also ordered a load of new bolts for when the Nitrons turn up.
Finally I'm 6ft and the steering wheels is close to my knees so ordered a 30mm spacer to fit.
So after reading many horror stories about the footwells rotting in S1s i set about cutting out the nasty rubber underfloor mats to see how much pain I (my wallet) was going to be in.
This is what we found... Annoyingly scratched a little of the Ali with the Stanley knife. So a few marks but nothing like as bad as I have seen.
So I set about cleaning up as best as I could for now - and it hasn't come up too badly considering. I'll be treating it and following the SELOC guide in September as part of a few other bits that need doing.
So what about the tyres?!.... So initial impressions of the NS2Rs is that the car has had a huge step up in grip, particularly at the front end where the 195 for the Nankang is a lot wider than the 195 on the Yokohama. Obviously new rubber helps but the width is noticeable to the eye as well.
Got a bit of a longer drive tomorrow to meet up with some mates and then it's Brands Hatch time on 14th.
Only gripe so far is the exhaust a Janspeed item with silencer is a bit raspy for my liking so may look to swap that out.
This is what we found... Annoyingly scratched a little of the Ali with the Stanley knife. So a few marks but nothing like as bad as I have seen.
So I set about cleaning up as best as I could for now - and it hasn't come up too badly considering. I'll be treating it and following the SELOC guide in September as part of a few other bits that need doing.
So what about the tyres?!.... So initial impressions of the NS2Rs is that the car has had a huge step up in grip, particularly at the front end where the 195 for the Nankang is a lot wider than the 195 on the Yokohama. Obviously new rubber helps but the width is noticeable to the eye as well.
Got a bit of a longer drive tomorrow to meet up with some mates and then it's Brands Hatch time on 14th.
Only gripe so far is the exhaust a Janspeed item with silencer is a bit raspy for my liking so may look to swap that out.
Met up with a few caterham pals tonight... strangely although obviously bigger Elise doesn't seem too big.
Annoyingly a truck dropped something off the bag and it smashed into the front clam on the M25
Car is far from perfect up front but that was a bit sore.
On the journey up also got stuck on the bridge, car does not like sitting in traffic at all!
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff