Alpine A110 owners
Discussion
Maxym said:
Interesting. I'd never mess around with springs, dampers and stuff. One, I can't be arsed and two, it has to be declared to insurers. I think most people are like me. Even on here. 
Indeed. Re suspensions, I testdrove the S version, the ride is firm but not unduly so for the roads I drive on in Switzerland, France and Italy, and in my opinion suits the character of the car. If I want to waft around in a ballistic sofa, I'll take the Tesla instead Maxym said:
Interesting. I'd never mess around with springs, dampers and stuff. One, I can't be arsed and two, it has to be declared to insurers. I think most people are like me. Even on here.
I’m not sure about that. Life110 has sold lots of their spring sets. But if it’s not for you, no problemPersonally, I’ve fitted the springs, then the S ARBs, then switched to AST Track suspension. Didn’t affect my insurance one jot (got to have some benefit at my age!)
Michael_B said:
Indeed. Re suspensions, I testdrove the S version, the ride is firm but not unduly so for the roads I drive on in Switzerland, France and Italy, and in my opinion suits the character of the car. If I want to waft around in a ballistic sofa, I'll take the Tesla instead
I've not tried an S, but the Pure is still firm. It's just not punishing like some sports cars can be.worldwidewebs said:
Maxym said:
Interesting. I'd never mess around with springs, dampers and stuff. One, I can't be arsed and two, it has to be declared to insurers. I think most people are like me. Even on here.
I m not sure about that. Life110 has sold lots of their spring sets. But if it s not for you, no problemPersonally, I ve fitted the springs, then the S ARBs, then switched to AST Track suspension. Didn t affect my insurance one jot (got to have some benefit at my age!)
I also think the spring rate on the standard car is fine, but the dampers are garbage. They're enough because the car is so light, but moving to any proper damper (AST, Nitron, R53, Ohlins) with a similar spring rate is just so, so much better.
I generally let Pooky at Life110 do things for me. I know the list of clients he works with as a consultant and let me tell ya, if it's good enough for those guys it's more than good enough for me!
leglessAlex said:
Same. Even at only 34, there's minimal impact on having all my mods declared. Wheels, brakes, suspension, aero kit, engine map.
I also think the spring rate on the standard car is fine, but the dampers are garbage. They're enough because the car is so light, but moving to any proper damper (AST, Nitron, R53, Ohlins) with a similar spring rate is just so, so much better.
I generally let Pooky at Life110 do things for me. I know the list of clients he works with as a consultant and let me tell ya, if it's good enough for those guys it's more than good enough for me!
And I'd quote you, WWW, at the same time if I knew how.I also think the spring rate on the standard car is fine, but the dampers are garbage. They're enough because the car is so light, but moving to any proper damper (AST, Nitron, R53, Ohlins) with a similar spring rate is just so, so much better.
I generally let Pooky at Life110 do things for me. I know the list of clients he works with as a consultant and let me tell ya, if it's good enough for those guys it's more than good enough for me!
Good to hear x2. Way back I fitted some Bilsteins to my 993 C2 and I had the ride height lowered a fraction, like about 2 cm. LV called that 'lowered suspension' and charged me more. Disgusted, I didn't renew with them. I've been put off tinkering around ever since.
Maxym said:
leglessAlex said:
Same. Even at only 34, there's minimal impact on having all my mods declared. Wheels, brakes, suspension, aero kit, engine map.
I also think the spring rate on the standard car is fine, but the dampers are garbage. They're enough because the car is so light, but moving to any proper damper (AST, Nitron, R53, Ohlins) with a similar spring rate is just so, so much better.
I generally let Pooky at Life110 do things for me. I know the list of clients he works with as a consultant and let me tell ya, if it's good enough for those guys it's more than good enough for me!
And I'd quote you, WWW, at the same time if I knew how.I also think the spring rate on the standard car is fine, but the dampers are garbage. They're enough because the car is so light, but moving to any proper damper (AST, Nitron, R53, Ohlins) with a similar spring rate is just so, so much better.
I generally let Pooky at Life110 do things for me. I know the list of clients he works with as a consultant and let me tell ya, if it's good enough for those guys it's more than good enough for me!
Good to hear x2. Way back I fitted some Bilsteins to my 993 C2 and I had the ride height lowered a fraction, like about 2 cm. LV called that 'lowered suspension' and charged me more. Disgusted, I didn't renew with them. I've been put off tinkering around ever since.
I mean, yes, it's going to be more than insurance on a standard car, of course. But this isn't bangernomics, and I'm not trying to run the car on a shoestring as I'm sure you're not either! A couple of hundred more a year is a price I'l gladly pay to have the car I want and for it to all be above board.
a_dreamer said:
Gonna see if I can test drive a new one tomorrow. Excited and really becoming more tempted to get one and not even driven one. I'm not certain whether I will have it for a while or if it will be a partnered one with a dealer. Anything I should try to do in it to help me make a decision?
Thinking of going for the entry level one, but is there benefit in spending up?
Try both "comfort" and bucket seats. If the buckets fit you/your other half, then they will actually prove both more comfortable and more supportive. While an extra 50bhp might seem like a good idea (it's certainly not a bad one!) don't dismiss the base car as slow. It certainly isn't. I've been toying with a remap for years, but never felt I needed it.Thinking of going for the entry level one, but is there benefit in spending up?
When driving put the gearbox in manual mode for at least some of the time. It's good as an auto - but even better when driven in manual on twisty B roads.
7en said:
leglessAlex said:
I also think the spring rate on the standard car is fine, but the dampers are garbage. They're enough because the car is so light, but moving to any proper damper (AST, Nitron, R53, Ohlins) with a similar spring rate is just so, so much better.
Do any of these damper options offer a similar spring rate as the base car?If someone really liked those traits of roll and softness there's not really any reason a better damper can't be paired with standard spring rates.
I wasn't an enormous fan of the roll, so I went to Life110 springs and then on to ASTs which I believe are slightly closer again to the S rate than the Life110 springs are. They don't feel it, however, with the improved damping quality.
My AST Track setup with S ARBs is fantastic on track and way more compliant on the road than the standard S setup. People get hung up on spring rates without understanding what the whole package does. I'm no expert in this stuff, which is why I go to people like David Pook, who is! (I am assuming anyone who is looking at changing A110 suspension knows David's background)
Bonjour!
New owner of Alpine A110 PE No. 897 here. The car is in Alpine Blue.
After 13 years of ownership of a Lotus Elise S1, I wanted a car that is still light, small, and fun on mountain roads, but also has some GT touring qualities. As an engineer with an interest in technical solutions, I wanted a mid-engine layout, aluminium construction, and double wishbone suspension to keep that fundamental connection with the Lotus. That’s why I haven’t even looked at Caymans.
The aim is to enjoy the car for the next few years and do longer road trips that I never managed with the Elise. I want to take the car to Le Mans Classic, drive the Pyrenees, Route Napoléon, and the French Alps. And what better car to discover French back roads in than the little blue Alpine?
In the first week of ownership, I took the car to Lake Como for the Concorso d’Eleganza, then drove back home to Austria via the San Bernardino Pass.
First impressions: the ride and suspension are excellent. For what I need, I would only adjust the geometry, but the supple ride is great for motorways and broken tarmac on bumpy mountain roads.
I also like the gearbox because the ratios are short and usable even at legal speeds. With some other modern sports cars, you are basically stuck in 2nd gear all the time on mountain passes, so there is not much point in having a manual gearbox in that case.
Anyway, I think I am going to keep the car stock because there is not much that needs changing. With the PE, you already get big brakes, forged wheels, bucket seats, and the sports exhaust, so you already have everything. For me, there is no need for more power. I think the car is already too fast when pushed properly on real roads. It is certainly much faster than the Elise from A to B.
Dynamically, the only thing I don’t like is the steering feel. It is a touch too light for me and lacks texture.
Other things I want to understand are why fuel pumps and alternators fail, and whether there is something I can do to prevent this. That is important when you plan to use the car for long European trips.
But for now, I am very happy with the car.
New owner of Alpine A110 PE No. 897 here. The car is in Alpine Blue.
After 13 years of ownership of a Lotus Elise S1, I wanted a car that is still light, small, and fun on mountain roads, but also has some GT touring qualities. As an engineer with an interest in technical solutions, I wanted a mid-engine layout, aluminium construction, and double wishbone suspension to keep that fundamental connection with the Lotus. That’s why I haven’t even looked at Caymans.
The aim is to enjoy the car for the next few years and do longer road trips that I never managed with the Elise. I want to take the car to Le Mans Classic, drive the Pyrenees, Route Napoléon, and the French Alps. And what better car to discover French back roads in than the little blue Alpine?
In the first week of ownership, I took the car to Lake Como for the Concorso d’Eleganza, then drove back home to Austria via the San Bernardino Pass.
First impressions: the ride and suspension are excellent. For what I need, I would only adjust the geometry, but the supple ride is great for motorways and broken tarmac on bumpy mountain roads.
I also like the gearbox because the ratios are short and usable even at legal speeds. With some other modern sports cars, you are basically stuck in 2nd gear all the time on mountain passes, so there is not much point in having a manual gearbox in that case.
Anyway, I think I am going to keep the car stock because there is not much that needs changing. With the PE, you already get big brakes, forged wheels, bucket seats, and the sports exhaust, so you already have everything. For me, there is no need for more power. I think the car is already too fast when pushed properly on real roads. It is certainly much faster than the Elise from A to B.
Dynamically, the only thing I don’t like is the steering feel. It is a touch too light for me and lacks texture.
Other things I want to understand are why fuel pumps and alternators fail, and whether there is something I can do to prevent this. That is important when you plan to use the car for long European trips.
But for now, I am very happy with the car.
MinusOne said:
Other things I want to understand are why fuel pumps and alternators fail, and whether there is something I can do to prevent this. That is important when you plan to use the car for long European trips.
Congrats on the car!With regards to the fuel pumps, I think it's heat that kills them, but definitely double check. If yours has been replaced under recall it's very unlikely to fail, I don't think I've heard of many/any failing post recall.
It's interesting hearing your thoughts coming from an Elise, I must admit, coming from an Evora GT410 I thought the damping was trash in the A110 in comparison, and I think the car is massively improved with a set of higher quality dampers, I use ASTs.
MinusOne said:
Bonjour!
New owner of Alpine A110 PE No. 897 here. The car is in Alpine Blue.
After 13 years of ownership of a Lotus Elise S1, I wanted a car that is still light, small, and fun on mountain roads, but also has some GT touring qualities. As an engineer with an interest in technical solutions, I wanted a mid-engine layout, aluminium construction, and double wishbone suspension to keep that fundamental connection with the Lotus. That s why I haven t even looked at Caymans.
The aim is to enjoy the car for the next few years and do longer road trips that I never managed with the Elise. I want to take the car to Le Mans Classic, drive the Pyrenees, Route Napoléon, and the French Alps. And what better car to discover French back roads in than the little blue Alpine?
In the first week of ownership, I took the car to Lake Como for the Concorso d Eleganza, then drove back home to Austria via the San Bernardino Pass.
First impressions: the ride and suspension are excellent. For what I need, I would only adjust the geometry, but the supple ride is great for motorways and broken tarmac on bumpy mountain roads.
I also like the gearbox because the ratios are short and usable even at legal speeds. With some other modern sports cars, you are basically stuck in 2nd gear all the time on mountain passes, so there is not much point in having a manual gearbox in that case.
Anyway, I think I am going to keep the car stock because there is not much that needs changing. With the PE, you already get big brakes, forged wheels, bucket seats, and the sports exhaust, so you already have everything. For me, there is no need for more power. I think the car is already too fast when pushed properly on real roads. It is certainly much faster than the Elise from A to B.
Dynamically, the only thing I don t like is the steering feel. It is a touch too light for me and lacks texture.
Other things I want to understand are why fuel pumps and alternators fail, and whether there is something I can do to prevent this. That is important when you plan to use the car for long European trips.
But for now, I am very happy with the car.
Congratulations!New owner of Alpine A110 PE No. 897 here. The car is in Alpine Blue.
After 13 years of ownership of a Lotus Elise S1, I wanted a car that is still light, small, and fun on mountain roads, but also has some GT touring qualities. As an engineer with an interest in technical solutions, I wanted a mid-engine layout, aluminium construction, and double wishbone suspension to keep that fundamental connection with the Lotus. That s why I haven t even looked at Caymans.
The aim is to enjoy the car for the next few years and do longer road trips that I never managed with the Elise. I want to take the car to Le Mans Classic, drive the Pyrenees, Route Napoléon, and the French Alps. And what better car to discover French back roads in than the little blue Alpine?
In the first week of ownership, I took the car to Lake Como for the Concorso d Eleganza, then drove back home to Austria via the San Bernardino Pass.
First impressions: the ride and suspension are excellent. For what I need, I would only adjust the geometry, but the supple ride is great for motorways and broken tarmac on bumpy mountain roads.
I also like the gearbox because the ratios are short and usable even at legal speeds. With some other modern sports cars, you are basically stuck in 2nd gear all the time on mountain passes, so there is not much point in having a manual gearbox in that case.
Anyway, I think I am going to keep the car stock because there is not much that needs changing. With the PE, you already get big brakes, forged wheels, bucket seats, and the sports exhaust, so you already have everything. For me, there is no need for more power. I think the car is already too fast when pushed properly on real roads. It is certainly much faster than the Elise from A to B.
Dynamically, the only thing I don t like is the steering feel. It is a touch too light for me and lacks texture.
Other things I want to understand are why fuel pumps and alternators fail, and whether there is something I can do to prevent this. That is important when you plan to use the car for long European trips.
But for now, I am very happy with the car.
Great photo.
I agree that the steering is too light and lacks the feel of the Elise. But the Lotus steering is an extremely high standard which very few cars can match.
why did I not find this before.....i was looking to get a Cayman GT4 then drove one of these and was instantly converted
very usable with all the tech you need with apple car play, cruise control etc.
bought this back in October 25 from a lovely chap in Devon. retired doctor.
used it up until nov 25, then it was tucked away until may on the trickle and sorn.
what an absolute joy to own and drive. pretty rare and gets lots of nice comments about the colour. always someone asking at a petrol station
it's a quick car with the re map and bags of torque. they are so light they just take off down the road
Alpine a110 pure 2022 with some Life 110 upgrades:
Life 110 paddles
Life 110 4 wheel geometry
Tuned to 300PS (RCS Tuning with Dyno print)
Life 110 rear carbon spoiler
K-Tec exhaust (saving of 10 kilos in weight)
Life 110 carbon exhaust surround
Personalised number plate
Life 110 Panel sports filter
hoping to get it to Europe soon down to the black forest and alps.
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https://forums-images.pistonheads.com/61749/202605...
very usable with all the tech you need with apple car play, cruise control etc.
bought this back in October 25 from a lovely chap in Devon. retired doctor.
used it up until nov 25, then it was tucked away until may on the trickle and sorn.
what an absolute joy to own and drive. pretty rare and gets lots of nice comments about the colour. always someone asking at a petrol station
it's a quick car with the re map and bags of torque. they are so light they just take off down the road
Alpine a110 pure 2022 with some Life 110 upgrades:
Life 110 paddles
Life 110 4 wheel geometry
Tuned to 300PS (RCS Tuning with Dyno print)
Life 110 rear carbon spoiler
K-Tec exhaust (saving of 10 kilos in weight)
Life 110 carbon exhaust surround
Personalised number plate
Life 110 Panel sports filter
hoping to get it to Europe soon down to the black forest and alps.
https://forums-images.pistonheads.com/61749/202605...
Edited by DasChin on Tuesday 26th May 11:57
I was washing the car yesterday and while doing the windscreen noticed the attached.
The speaker on that side had been intermittently sounding distorted for a while but was in one piece until yesterday as far as I can tell. I had a look and what looks to be a magnetic metal disc is held in place with sticky tape, it looks to have come unstuck, shifted onto the speaker magnet and popped the cover off.
I reassembled it but it is making "broken speaker" noises to add to the one on the passenger side which has been doing it for a while, just before the 3 year initial warranty period is up.
The speaker on that side had been intermittently sounding distorted for a while but was in one piece until yesterday as far as I can tell. I had a look and what looks to be a magnetic metal disc is held in place with sticky tape, it looks to have come unstuck, shifted onto the speaker magnet and popped the cover off.
I reassembled it but it is making "broken speaker" noises to add to the one on the passenger side which has been doing it for a while, just before the 3 year initial warranty period is up.
Martyn P said:
footsoldier said:
So new cars don t have the issue, and replacement windscreens don t crack again?
My car is new only 700 miles. Apparently replacement glass won t crack. Seems Alpine are using old glass at the factory!If anyone has any stories or insight on the current status of this issue please let me/us know.
PHusername said:
Has anyone else had a replacement windscreen crack? It's likely when mine was replaced the first time (2021) they used another original windscreen. It's virtually invisible for now, so if water can't get in (no idea...), I'll claim on my insurance for a new one & keep doing that every 3 years or so.
If anyone has any stories or insight on the current status of this issue please let me/us know.
Quoting myself to maybe answer my own question. I reached out to the only Renault service manager in my country that seems to give a damn about our cars. He says: "The issue isn’t the glue, it’s the clearance between the screen and body. When the windscreens are replaced, they fit 6 foam spacers to stop any further issues with windscreen cracks".If anyone has any stories or insight on the current status of this issue please let me/us know.
From this I deduce they didn't know about, or didn't use, the foam spacers when mine was replaced in 2021. I will check with the installers before they do the job to find out.
PHusername said:
PHusername said:
Has anyone else had a replacement windscreen crack? It's likely when mine was replaced the first time (2021) they used another original windscreen. It's virtually invisible for now, so if water can't get in (no idea...), I'll claim on my insurance for a new one & keep doing that every 3 years or so.
If anyone has any stories or insight on the current status of this issue please let me/us know.
Quoting myself to maybe answer my own question. I reached out to the only Renault service manager in my country that seems to give a damn about our cars. He says: "The issue isn t the glue, it s the clearance between the screen and body. When the windscreens are replaced, they fit 6 foam spacers to stop any further issues with windscreen cracks".If anyone has any stories or insight on the current status of this issue please let me/us know.
From this I deduce they didn't know about, or didn't use, the foam spacers when mine was replaced in 2021. I will check with the installers before they do the job to find out.
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