Alpine A110 owners
Discussion
khart said:
Hi. I test drove a pure and it was amazing. I picked up an S on Thursday and have just come back from a spirited drive... I have had 3 Caterhams and 2 Lotus and this is as good. The S has all the options I wanted on a pure. It definitely handles flatter and feels quicker. They are both fantastic cars.
16 years of 7 ownership here so that’s good to hear 
The fascinating thing about the Alpine is that yes the standard car would be a better ‘daily’ than the S, however the S doesn’t necessarily make the better Sunday morning car does it ? Which is unusual isn’t it, I can see why some may prefer the attributes of the stock car and likewise I can see why the focus of the S may appeal to some too.
I remain a bit torn having never driven the S, but what appeals to me is that it appears to be ‘dipping its toe’ into the realms of more focused stuff from say Lotus but in a far more useable package.
That said the prospect of all that compliance from the standard car has huge appeal given my enjoyment is on UK B roads ... and nuggety Highland single track stuff !!!!!!!
Simon Owen said:
Interested to hear views from S owners and how stiff the car is and how they deal with UK blacktop ?
The used market is tricky at the moment and a few nice spec S’s out there.
My gut says non S but the original EVO review sounds pretty compelling !! Is it really that bad or is it just ‘compared’ to the non S Alpine ?
Trying to test drive one but struggling due to lock down !!!!
I wonder if you can go ‘backwards’ with the Life kit ????
I’ve owned an S since March and have covered just over 3k miles since then. I too was torn between a spec’d up Pure or the S and in the end I went for the S on the basis it had all the options I wanted as standard plus I loved the orange detailing and in the scheme of things it wasn’t that Much more cost wise. I had previously had an Exige 240pp and an Elise S Cup so I was used the the firmer ride so don’t find that a big issue, but it is fair to say it is less ‘compliant’ than the standard car. Rightly or wrongly I was also had the thought that having bought a Pure that I might always be wondering “what if I’d bought the S?” The used market is tricky at the moment and a few nice spec S’s out there.
My gut says non S but the original EVO review sounds pretty compelling !! Is it really that bad or is it just ‘compared’ to the non S Alpine ?
Trying to test drive one but struggling due to lock down !!!!
I wonder if you can go ‘backwards’ with the Life kit ????
If it wasn’t for lockdown And working form home I would quite happily run it as a daily, indeed I gave up my company car to buy it.
Whatever you decide you won’t be disappointed, they are great cars, even the wife likes driving it which couldn’t be said for the Lotus’....not sure that’s a good thing though
Happy hunting.
There really isn't a way out for you Simon - you just have to drive both. I don't think most of us who have driven both would argue that one is "better" than the other - they are just different and, depending on your personal preferences and the track/non-track you are going to do you might prefer either.
bcr5784 said:
There really isn't a way out for you Simon - you just have to drive both. I don't think most of us who have driven both would argue that one is "better" than the other - they are just different and, depending on your personal preferences and the track/non-track you are going to do you might prefer either.
Ha yes indeed that is the case, my local dealer has a very nice S in stock .... but I can't get in the thing 'cos of the current circumstances. No rush really, I can wait, well at least until I need to make that decision on my GR slot 
Funds will not allow both in the fleet so I think the Alpine has the edge at the moment !!!!!
( Yeah I know they are very different but I like both .... eeek )
Simon Owen said:
Ha yes indeed that is the case, my local dealer has a very nice S in stock .... but I can't get in the thing 'cos of the current circumstances. No rush really, I can wait, well at least until I need to make that decision on my GR slot
Funds will not allow both in the fleet so I think the Alpine has the edge at the moment !!!!!
A dilemma I'm also considering! I could probably stretch to both but wondering if I'd get use out of both certainly not enough to justify the price tag of both. Thinking I'll also go the Alpine route and look for a good GB270 or Forester STI as the second car! Mind you...SWMBO will need something as well and she'd not be comfortable in either of those. Maybe a Fiesta ST?Funds will not allow both in the fleet so I think the Alpine has the edge at the moment !!!!!
God I love / hate window shopping for cars!
Simon Owen said:
Funds will not allow both in the fleet so I think the Alpine has the edge at the moment !!!!!
( Yeah I know they are very different but I like both .... eeek )
While they are different, unless you will actually use the back seats or need 4wd on occasion, I suspect you will tend to use both in the same way. They are both sensible enough to be used as everyday cars. Even as holiday cars (2 up) the extra luggage and oddment space of the GR (and much lower purchase cost) is countered by the greater refinement, comfort and economy of the Alpine. ( Yeah I know they are very different but I like both .... eeek )
bcr5784 said:
Simon Owen said:
Interested to hear views from S owners and how stiff the car is and how they deal with UK blacktop ?
Not an owner but have had an S as a courtesy car and did well over 100 miles in it and have driven another on track. The S certainly isn't bone shakingly hard compared with some other sports cars - but it is noticeably more fidgety than the standard car. For me it loses quite a bit of what makes the standard car special. I think the Matt Prior video comparing standard with S with Life110 has it spot on S vs standard (not driven a Life110 personally) https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-video/video-alpine-a... I can't really see the point of starting with an S and putting Life 110 bits on - it's a very expensive way of going about it and I don't think the engine upgrade is worth much. Much better to start with a Pure and put Life110 or even S suspension on it imo.Simon Owen said:
The fascinating thing about the Alpine is that yes the standard car would be a better ‘daily’ than the S, however the S doesn’t necessarily make the better Sunday morning car does it ? Which is unusual isn’t it, I can see why some may prefer the attributes of the stock car and likewise I can see why the focus of the S may appeal to some too.
I remain a bit torn having never driven the S, but what appeals to me is that it appears to be ‘dipping its toe’ into the realms of more focused stuff from say Lotus but in a far more useable package.
That said the prospect of all that compliance from the standard car has huge appeal given my enjoyment is on UK B roads ... and nuggety Highland single track stuff !!!!!!!
You can find a small review about our A110 Legende Life110 here: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...I remain a bit torn having never driven the S, but what appeals to me is that it appears to be ‘dipping its toe’ into the realms of more focused stuff from say Lotus but in a far more useable package.
That said the prospect of all that compliance from the standard car has huge appeal given my enjoyment is on UK B roads ... and nuggety Highland single track stuff !!!!!!!
This is my impression about the S after testdriving the A110S / A110 Premiere Edition / A110 Legende / A110 Legende with Life110 springs & geo.
The S is a nice car and has indeed less roll and more grip. It's better on track then the normal "standard" A110, but even so the S it's still not the best track weapon on a high speed track (it's also not the purpose of the A110). The A110(S) is certainly very fun at track, but if you want a track weapon A110 then you need to switch the complete suspension and tyres...and then you have another car and not a A110 anymore. I already feel that the A110S loses a some of the A110 magic & feel and what makes this car unique and different then others (something the Life110 cars still retain).
If you like the A110 and use it mainly for track or weekend fun then indeed get the S. As a daily it can be a bit hard for some...but it's not too hard in my opinion. The S just loses a bit the typical A110 feel and for a lot of daily usage I think the Pure or Légende is the better choice. If the Alpine was our track/weekend car, then maybe we would have gone for the S also. But the Alpine in our garage is way more then a weekend/fun car and it's also the daily of my girlfriend.
Edited by Franzino on Sunday 22 November 16:16
Simon Owen said:
Cheers, agree on cost point. seems a daft suggestion but low £50's Legende vs low £50's S is interesting when looking at availability !! Actually prefer seats in the Legende but would like the lightweight wheels, exhaust and brakes so not a common spec.
We also looked a the A110S (we bought new back in the days), but when I asked Alpine...we could not get the Légende seats in the S. For us the Légende seats were a must (two different drivers with two different seating positions). Then I testdrove the S and found the upgrade not that special (for the extra price increase). But when you can get both for the same price and like the S and the Legende seats are not a real must have, then get the S. We got a Légende with bigger brakes, sport exhaust and the light Fuchs wheels. So the most sporty Légende and indeed not the most common spec 
khart said:
Hi. I test drove a pure and it was amazing. I picked up an S on Thursday and have just come back from a spirited drive... I have had 3 Caterhams and 2 Lotus and this is as good. The S has all the options I wanted on a pure. It definitely handles flatter and feels quicker. They are both fantastic cars.
Nice...bcr5784 said:
While they are different, unless you will actually use the back seats or need 4wd on occasion, I suspect you will tend to use both in the same way. They are both sensible enough to be used as everyday cars. Even as holiday cars (2 up) the extra luggage and oddment space of the GR (and much lower purchase cost) is countered by the greater refinement, comfort and economy of the Alpine.
The Alpine is a great road trip car 
Franzino said:
bcr5784 said:
Simon Owen said:
Interested to hear views from S owners and how stiff the car is and how they deal with UK blacktop ?
Not an owner but have had an S as a courtesy car and did well over 100 miles in it and have driven another on track. The S certainly isn't bone shakingly hard compared with some other sports cars - but it is noticeably more fidgety than the standard car. For me it loses quite a bit of what makes the standard car special. I think the Matt Prior video comparing standard with S with Life110 has it spot on S vs standard (not driven a Life110 personally) https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-video/video-alpine-a... I can't really see the point of starting with an S and putting Life 110 bits on - it's a very expensive way of going about it and I don't think the engine upgrade is worth much. Much better to start with a Pure and put Life110 or even S suspension on it imo.Simon Owen said:
The fascinating thing about the Alpine is that yes the standard car would be a better ‘daily’ than the S, however the S doesn’t necessarily make the better Sunday morning car does it ? Which is unusual isn’t it, I can see why some may prefer the attributes of the stock car and likewise I can see why the focus of the S may appeal to some too.
I remain a bit torn having never driven the S, but what appeals to me is that it appears to be ‘dipping its toe’ into the realms of more focused stuff from say Lotus but in a far more useable package.
That said the prospect of all that compliance from the standard car has huge appeal given my enjoyment is on UK B roads ... and nuggety Highland single track stuff !!!!!!!
You can find a small review about our A110 Legende Life110 here: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...I remain a bit torn having never driven the S, but what appeals to me is that it appears to be ‘dipping its toe’ into the realms of more focused stuff from say Lotus but in a far more useable package.
That said the prospect of all that compliance from the standard car has huge appeal given my enjoyment is on UK B roads ... and nuggety Highland single track stuff !!!!!!!
This is my impression about the S after testdriving the A110S / A110 Premiere Edition / A110 Legende / A110 Legende with Life110 springs & geo.
The S is a nice car and has indeed less roll and more grip. It's better on track then the normal "standard" A110, but even so the S it's still not the best track weapon on a high speed track (it's also not the purpose of the A110). The A110(S) is certainly very fun at track, but if you want a track weapon A110 then you need to switch the complete suspension and tyres...and then you have another car and not a A110 anymore. I already feel that the A110S loses a some of the A110 magic & feel and what makes this car unique and different then others (something the Life110 cars still retain).
If you like the A110 and use it mainly for track or weekend fun then indeed get the S. As a daily it can be a bit hard for some...but it's not too hard in my opinion. The S just loses a bit the typical A110 feel and for a lot of daily usage I think the Pure or Légende is the better choice. If the Alpine was our track/weekend car, then maybe we would have gone for the S also. But the Alpine in our garage is way more then a weekend/fun car and it's also the daily of my girlfriend.
Edited by Franzino on Sunday 22 November 16:16
Franzino said:
Simon Owen said:
Cheers, agree on cost point. seems a daft suggestion but low £50's Legende vs low £50's S is interesting when looking at availability !! Actually prefer seats in the Legende but would like the lightweight wheels, exhaust and brakes so not a common spec.
We also looked a the A110S (we bought new back in the days), but when I asked Alpine...we could not get the Légende seats in the S. For us the Légende seats were a must (two different drivers with two different seating positions). Then I testdrove the S and found the upgrade not that special (for the extra price increase). But when you can get both for the same price and like the S and the Legende seats are not a real must have, then get the S. We got a Légende with bigger brakes, sport exhaust and the light Fuchs wheels. So the most sporty Légende and indeed not the most common spec Well not at the moment anyway !!!!!!
Simon Owen said:
Lack of LSD ?
Another question of curiosity really ... all recent RWD cars we have run have/had LSD's. Just wondering if owners have noticed any downsides to the Alpine set up without for road use. Is the electronic trickery so good these days you just don't notice or need it ?
It does work very well. Even on a skid pan (ESC off) it does feel like an LSD. Impossible to say if it is as good as a real LSD - but traction really isn't a problem and you don't get the unpleasant noisy and jerky intervention you would get in (say) a Cayman (without LSD) in low grip situations.Another question of curiosity really ... all recent RWD cars we have run have/had LSD's. Just wondering if owners have noticed any downsides to the Alpine set up without for road use. Is the electronic trickery so good these days you just don't notice or need it ?
bcr5784 said:
It does work very well. Even on a skid pan (ESC off) it does feel like an LSD. Impossible to say if it is as good as a real LSD - but traction really isn't a problem and you don't get the unpleasant noisy and jerky intervention you would get in (say) a Cayman (without LSD) in low grip situations.
Correct...Guys, having owned and lived with cars for a while now can you relate to the comments made by EVO a few years back ... they were on Buttertubs Pass, a particularly challenging gnarly B road in the north.
Comments were made about “big dips bring the sound of light contact, wheels rubbing in the arches and the front being distracted by certain combos of bumps”.
Is this a slight compromise to the soft set up or have you just never noticed it ? I love challenging B roads and fast single track in the Highlands where you can really push on at sensible speeds and would have thought the non S Alpine would be in its absolute element ?
Cheers.
Comments were made about “big dips bring the sound of light contact, wheels rubbing in the arches and the front being distracted by certain combos of bumps”.
Is this a slight compromise to the soft set up or have you just never noticed it ? I love challenging B roads and fast single track in the Highlands where you can really push on at sensible speeds and would have thought the non S Alpine would be in its absolute element ?
Cheers.
Simon Owen said:
Guys, having owned and lived with cars for a while now can you relate to the comments made by EVO a few years back ... they were on Buttertubs Pass, a particularly challenging gnarly B road in the north.
Comments were made about “big dips bring the sound of light contact, wheels rubbing in the arches and the front being distracted by certain combos of bumps”.
Is this a slight compromise to the soft set up or have you just never noticed it ? I love challenging B roads and fast single track in the Highlands where you can really push on at sensible speeds and would have thought the non S Alpine would be in its absolute element ?
Cheers.
Never grounded or rubbed anything and while I may not be as fast as the Evo journos, I have driven in spirited fashion on bumpy B roads with dips and crests (plenty near me). Ground clearance - and the ability to handle speed humps, car park ramps and sloping drives is especially good. Comments were made about “big dips bring the sound of light contact, wheels rubbing in the arches and the front being distracted by certain combos of bumps”.
Is this a slight compromise to the soft set up or have you just never noticed it ? I love challenging B roads and fast single track in the Highlands where you can really push on at sensible speeds and would have thought the non S Alpine would be in its absolute element ?
Cheers.
Edited by bcr5784 on Sunday 29th November 13:59
bcr5784 said:
Never grounded or rubbed anything and while I may not be as fast as the Evo journos, I have driven in spirited fashion on bumpy B roads with dips and crests (plenty near me). Ground clearance - and the ability to handle speed humps, car park ramps and sloping drives is especially good.
Agree with the above. It will be perfect for what the OP describes. Edited by bcr5784 on Sunday 29th November 13:59
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