Lotus 3-Eleven
Discussion
Munkeyfeet said:
Did you find out the running in process from Jamie?
Weather is raining today and then sunshine for pretty much the next week - hoping i can put a huge dent into the 1000 miles during that time.
Mick - how are you finding the 380? I thought it was an epic car but i just couldn't get on with the seats, 20 mins test drive and it hurt which was a shame.
Jamie / Miguel at B&C have asked that I bring the 3-Eleven to them at 600 miles so I'll do that. It's booked in with them for 15th April. Weather is raining today and then sunshine for pretty much the next week - hoping i can put a huge dent into the 1000 miles during that time.
Mick - how are you finding the 380? I thought it was an epic car but i just couldn't get on with the seats, 20 mins test drive and it hurt which was a shame.
I'm off to the Nurburgring in my other car on Monday so I'll put the Lotus away until this first service.
mickv said:
I'm seriously impressed with it. Absolutely love the way it feels to drive and the noise it makes is addictive. And that's whilst running in. Funny that you mention the seats - I find them uncomfortable too. Didn't test drive one for more than 15 mins and realised they weren't great but assumed I'd be able to get it sorted.
Bought a Morfit lumbar support which has helped but now thinking of changing to Tillett B5 as recommended elsewhere on here. Just need to work out where I can try them first.
Please post a pic of your 380 if you can Mick. Would love to see it. Bought a Morfit lumbar support which has helped but now thinking of changing to Tillett B5 as recommended elsewhere on here. Just need to work out where I can try them first.
Completely agree on the seats. I was undecided between the sports and carbon buckets but eventually picked the latter since the Lotus (3-Eleven's) philosophy is "...then add lightness". Fine in theory but it's like sitting on a plank! Maybe a small cushion is in order, especially for longer trips
Edited by baronbennyt on Wednesday 5th April 20:51
Munkeyfeet said:
Well what a day, picked the car up at Hoffman's this morning around 10:30 and spent most of today running it in. Ended with 140 miles on the clock and I am absolutely in love.
The feedback is like no other as is the grip levels, extremely smooth on the road.
Also never had so much positive attention in a car - from thumbs up to people of all ages making a comment.
Excellente The feedback is like no other as is the grip levels, extremely smooth on the road.
Also never had so much positive attention in a car - from thumbs up to people of all ages making a comment.
Please post a pic when you can.
Munkeyfeet said:
Guys what product are you using for your leather? Want something to keep them supple but not make them shiny.
Bought some swissvax opaque detailer for the Matt black parts (though you guys are probably all carbon) but unsure on what's best for the leather.
Hope you guys are managing to get out in this weather.
Managed another 150 miles today
I have alcantara buckets in the 3-Eleven so can't recommend a leather care product I'm afraid. The problem for me is I have to stand on the driver's seat in order to get in and out of the car so I'm getting paranoid about marks. Bought some swissvax opaque detailer for the Matt black parts (though you guys are probably all carbon) but unsure on what's best for the leather.
Hope you guys are managing to get out in this weather.
Managed another 150 miles today
Taking the 3-11 to storage tomorrow and swapping it for the 12C for my trip to the Nurburgring.
Munkeyfeet said:
How was it on the drive home?
Now past 550 miles so 50 more and I can rev her a little higher.
Nice drive to Goodwood today - will be doing that a few more times over the next few days.
I've now done 750 miles in the 3-Eleven! First Service was a formality, but I'm not counting my chickens after the McLaren 12C spilled its coolant all over the Nurburgring...I'm next at the Ring on 1-3 May so I may have to take the Lotus if they can't fix the Mac in time...Now past 550 miles so 50 more and I can rev her a little higher.
Nice drive to Goodwood today - will be doing that a few more times over the next few days.
maxgas said:
Shame about your car spilling its fluids, hope you managed to get some laps
in before it did this? I tried a Mclaren at Dunsfold once and the guy said it was the
quikest car they had, so I thought great . I gave it some welly coming onto the straight
and not much happened , tried it again and still the car accelerated but not that
quickly. I was thinking this is crap or they have forgotton to switch some settings off,
we pull over, switch everything on and off. Adjust settings, go out again - same thing!
The guy gets on the radio and states that the mclaren has broken! Not very impressed
to say the least and thefe was me thinking that ferraris were un reliable!
What has happened to Mclaren ?
Liking the Lotus Display , not sure you will need all that info but looks good!
I managed about 5 separate laps (which included 2 sighting laps) before the McLaren decided to dump its coolant all over the track. Luckily it did it just after I left the pits so I parked up very quickly indeed. Before it went pop, I have to say it was epic quick and I've driven some pretty fast road cars in my time, including a Porsche GT2 and Audi R8 V10. The 12C is due to be transported from a garage at the Nurburgring to McLaren Ascot tomorrow morning. Fingers crossed the diagnosis is not too grim and it can be repaired under warranty...in before it did this? I tried a Mclaren at Dunsfold once and the guy said it was the
quikest car they had, so I thought great . I gave it some welly coming onto the straight
and not much happened , tried it again and still the car accelerated but not that
quickly. I was thinking this is crap or they have forgotton to switch some settings off,
we pull over, switch everything on and off. Adjust settings, go out again - same thing!
The guy gets on the radio and states that the mclaren has broken! Not very impressed
to say the least and thefe was me thinking that ferraris were un reliable!
What has happened to Mclaren ?
Liking the Lotus Display , not sure you will need all that info but looks good!
I'm due to head back to the Ring on 1-3 May, so I might have to take the Lotus...
I'm tempted to take the 3-Eleven to the Destination Nurburgring event 1-3 May, if the weather is good. The only thing stopping me is the concern that it might not be able to drive down and up the large concrete ramps that lead down to and up from the Eurotunnel train. Has any PH'er had to drive a cup-type Lotus or any other particularly low car with a long splitter on and off the Eurotunnel? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Just finished cleaning the 3-Eleven after another long drive, this time through the Surrey Hills. Now up to 1,100 miles. After worrying I wouldn't put many miles on the Lotus I'm now concerned I'm putting too may on! Next on the list is: an alcantara steering wheel; front canards; and, paint protection film (ppf) for the roll hoop (the rest of car is already covered). First track day will be Castle Combe on 15 June with Bell & Colvill.
Munkeyfeet said:
Perfect weather for today.
Was going to pop down and have a watch but work didn't let up unfortunately.
How was the car on track? Perform well against the beetles, I mean Porsche's?
Brilliant day Porsche hunting! Shame you couldn't make it; it would have been nice to have met up. I might pop down to Goodwood again on Saturday to watch the Lotus track day. It depends if I have to pick up the McLaren from Ascot that day after its long repairs...Was going to pop down and have a watch but work didn't let up unfortunately.
How was the car on track? Perform well against the beetles, I mean Porsche's?
Took the Lotus to Goodwood motor circuit in Sussex today for its first track day (with Porsche Club GB).
It took me quite a while to get to grips with the 3-Eleven because it's so stiff and flat you don't receive telegraphs when you're close to running out of grip. I shouldn't have worried though; I was nowhere close to getting the maximum from the car! Plenty to look forward to then as I get to learn how to get the best from it on-track over the summer.
It took me quite a while to get to grips with the 3-Eleven because it's so stiff and flat you don't receive telegraphs when you're close to running out of grip. I shouldn't have worried though; I was nowhere close to getting the maximum from the car! Plenty to look forward to then as I get to learn how to get the best from it on-track over the summer.
mickv said:
Hi Benny
Car's looking great. How are you finding it on noise limits? Do you know whether it has the same exhaust as the Exige 380 or is it quieter (as might be expected for something that is very likely to fin itself on track now and again)?
Over on TLF, there's a 380 owner who had no problem passing a static limit at 4,500 rpm, which happens to be the point at which the exhaust valve opens, so assume he must have been just a nick under that. But the 380 is extremely loud on the go - the 311 obviously hasn't got you hung for noise at Goodwood though.
The static noise limit at the Porsche Club track day @ Goodwood yesterday was 105db. My 3-Eleven registered at 101db. Car's looking great. How are you finding it on noise limits? Do you know whether it has the same exhaust as the Exige 380 or is it quieter (as might be expected for something that is very likely to fin itself on track now and again)?
Over on TLF, there's a 380 owner who had no problem passing a static limit at 4,500 rpm, which happens to be the point at which the exhaust valve opens, so assume he must have been just a nick under that. But the 380 is extremely loud on the go - the 311 obviously hasn't got you hung for noise at Goodwood though.
Bell & Colvill have recommended that I only attend 105db track days so as to avoid any chance of not passing the noise test.
I might chance it @ Bedford with EVO magazine in July - static noise limit is 101db but it depends on how brave I'm feeling at the time!
Gassing Station | Elise/Exige/Europa/340R | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff