Elise S1 Millennium Edition, 1 owner from new...
Discussion
Just for the record, this is the state my wishbones and manifold & heatshield are currently in ...
(damn you, autofocus)
Looking forward to seeing what they're like in a couple of weeks.
Certainly liked the look of this shiny thing which will be fitted
(damn you, autofocus)
Looking forward to seeing what they're like in a couple of weeks.
Certainly liked the look of this shiny thing which will be fitted
Edited by moribund on Tuesday 22 April 22:06
It certainly is, and that's my Larini manifold hanging off it. I saw the same silver wishbones, hopefully mine will look just like them by the end of the week - can't wait
They've told me they've steam cleaned the underside as well and it's come up like new. They were surprised how much is still original underneath given the age and miles. Probably going to need to replace the wheel bearings next, they're 14 years old too.
The bodywork will have to wait until next year now. I'm going to be all spent up after this!
They've told me they've steam cleaned the underside as well and it's come up like new. They were surprised how much is still original underneath given the age and miles. Probably going to need to replace the wheel bearings next, they're 14 years old too.
The bodywork will have to wait until next year now. I'm going to be all spent up after this!
Blinking hell, what did you do to the poor thing? (I'm guessing from your profile that you raced it to within an inch of it's life 
)
Yes, this car is a keeper for me. That's why I'm prioritising hardware over cosmetics right now - the cosmetics will only get tatty again when I use it...
)Yes, this car is a keeper for me. That's why I'm prioritising hardware over cosmetics right now - the cosmetics will only get tatty again when I use it...
Edited by moribund on Wednesday 30th April 18:18
Had the car back a bit over a week. Looks like this underneath now which is a massive improvement. Ready for the next 14 years!
Managed an evening dales run to try it out, feels pretty good although I have to say to day the difference isn't like night and day. I guess the dampers would have to be swapped too for the full as-new sensation.
Managed an evening dales run to try it out, feels pretty good although I have to say to day the difference isn't like night and day. I guess the dampers would have to be swapped too for the full as-new sensation.
This one?
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/l...
For me this is my favourite colour, but then I've always liked blue. Titanium would be my second choice, then Black, Azure and Purple.
I prefer the dark colours to the more sporty red etc, I think the Atlantis Blue highlights the curves really well. Shows chips though!
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/l...
For me this is my favourite colour, but then I've always liked blue. Titanium would be my second choice, then Black, Azure and Purple.
I prefer the dark colours to the more sporty red etc, I think the Atlantis Blue highlights the curves really well. Shows chips though!
Just seen your profile, looks like you only have an S1 to get to complete the set! What's drawing you to an S1 after an S2 if you don't mind me asking?
Had a ride in a VX220 on Thursday, back to back with mine. Was amazed how quiet and civilised it was and it gave me pause for thought about mine. I've since decided that more raw is good, a weekend car needs to be a contrast to the daily driver...
Had a ride in a VX220 on Thursday, back to back with mine. Was amazed how quiet and civilised it was and it gave me pause for thought about mine. I've since decided that more raw is good, a weekend car needs to be a contrast to the daily driver...
Time for another update...
It sailed through it's MOT - I should coco, given what I've spent on it.
I entered another Bolton-Le-Moors Car Club autosolo - and was the fastest clubman!
Well chuffed, it's the first one I've won. Don't be fooled by the humble cars making up the competition, those hatchbacks are very fast round the cones in the right hands.
Then this morning went for a dawn drive with a friend in his 911.
The weather wasn't great, but just dry enough for me to leave the roof off. Had a fantastic drive, managed to avoid hitting any of the abundant wildlife but also found my brake lights were not working
Spent an hour this afternoon removing the brake light switch, dismantling it, cleaning it and re-fitting it. More skinned knuckles but saved £10 as it all works again now!
It sailed through it's MOT - I should coco, given what I've spent on it.
I entered another Bolton-Le-Moors Car Club autosolo - and was the fastest clubman!
Well chuffed, it's the first one I've won. Don't be fooled by the humble cars making up the competition, those hatchbacks are very fast round the cones in the right hands.
Then this morning went for a dawn drive with a friend in his 911.
The weather wasn't great, but just dry enough for me to leave the roof off. Had a fantastic drive, managed to avoid hitting any of the abundant wildlife but also found my brake lights were not working
Spent an hour this afternoon removing the brake light switch, dismantling it, cleaning it and re-fitting it. More skinned knuckles but saved £10 as it all works again now!
While the sun has been out and my MG ZT 260 has been for sale I've been using my Elise as a daily with no issues at all ... then this morning 30 minutes before the MG was collected by it's new owner the Elise dumped a 2 foot by 3 foot puddle of hydraulic fluid on the road.
I suspect the clutch but as the clutch and brakes share the same reservoir and as the engine bay is a very hot place I'm not going to drive it anywhere and am going to try and get the car recovered to a garage on Monday.
Doubly annoying as now I have no car at all, and I'm also booked on the PH Classics Trackday on Friday.
Hope I get it fixed by then!
I suspect the clutch but as the clutch and brakes share the same reservoir and as the engine bay is a very hot place I'm not going to drive it anywhere and am going to try and get the car recovered to a garage on Monday.
Doubly annoying as now I have no car at all, and I'm also booked on the PH Classics Trackday on Friday.
Hope I get it fixed by then!
Now fixed and back home, hopefully all set for the trackday on Friday!
Also this evening had a look at why my passenger window has started rattling. Turned out to be an easy fix. The rubber had come off the rear channel. Took the door panel off and the rubber slotted straight back in and seems to be staying put - pleased with that result for 10mins work.
Also this evening had a look at why my passenger window has started rattling. Turned out to be an easy fix. The rubber had come off the rear channel. Took the door panel off and the rubber slotted straight back in and seems to be staying put - pleased with that result for 10mins work.
In the end the car performed faultlessly at the trackday
The days was run by MotorPunk and if they do it again next year I'll be first in the queue. It attracted an amazing/bonkers array of cars and a really nice bunch of owners.
The Elise was just fantastic on track. The balance was perfect and it sounded great.
MotorPunk trackday, August 2014 by giveitfish, on Flickr
A couple of pics stolen from MotorPunk:
And here's a short vid (with terrible sound, sorry) of me catching then following PH'er Benjj in his E12 M535i
The days was run by MotorPunk and if they do it again next year I'll be first in the queue. It attracted an amazing/bonkers array of cars and a really nice bunch of owners.
The Elise was just fantastic on track. The balance was perfect and it sounded great.
MotorPunk trackday, August 2014 by giveitfish, on FlickrA couple of pics stolen from MotorPunk:
And here's a short vid (with terrible sound, sorry) of me catching then following PH'er Benjj in his E12 M535i
Have not used the Elise much recently, instead I seem to have put 7000 miles on my Scirocco in under 5 months.
It gets out for the commute sometimes but somehow me having time for a recreational drive and the weather being worth the effort does not seem to have lined up for me of late. I'm beginning to think sod the risk of ice and the pain of washing it, I'm just going to drive it about in the rain for a while just to enjoy it again.
In the meantime I thought I'd have a play with my SLR and light painting. Need to practice some more, and boy does it hightlight the stone chips
Light painting attempt by giveitfish, on Flickr
It gets out for the commute sometimes but somehow me having time for a recreational drive and the weather being worth the effort does not seem to have lined up for me of late. I'm beginning to think sod the risk of ice and the pain of washing it, I'm just going to drive it about in the rain for a while just to enjoy it again.
In the meantime I thought I'd have a play with my SLR and light painting. Need to practice some more, and boy does it hightlight the stone chips
Light painting attempt by giveitfish, on Flickr Been using the Elise for the odd commute and run over the winter, but nothing very interesting.
Entered the Mini Miglia again on Saturday. Had a great drive in the country getting the car very very muddy in the process and had a go at the Autotests too.
Check out this video, this little Imp was properly flying - https://youtu.be/mkGflc_pScY
The day was not entirely without incident, two of the tests were very rough and left my passenger side mudguard hanging off each time, plus taking off the rally plate at the end of the day removed yet more paint.
I think that's the tipping point now. I'm really going to have to get it resprayed then be a bit more careful with it. Got a quote today of a minimum of £2k so will have to think about it.
In the meantime it also needs the fuel pipes looking at. Brimming the tank leaves a puddle on the floor and left-handers make the car stink of petrol.
Entered the Mini Miglia again on Saturday. Had a great drive in the country getting the car very very muddy in the process and had a go at the Autotests too.
Check out this video, this little Imp was properly flying - https://youtu.be/mkGflc_pScY
The day was not entirely without incident, two of the tests were very rough and left my passenger side mudguard hanging off each time, plus taking off the rally plate at the end of the day removed yet more paint.
I think that's the tipping point now. I'm really going to have to get it resprayed then be a bit more careful with it. Got a quote today of a minimum of £2k so will have to think about it.
In the meantime it also needs the fuel pipes looking at. Brimming the tank leaves a puddle on the floor and left-handers make the car stink of petrol.
Overdue an update!
Pure Speed (formerly Pure Lotus) had a look in my engine bay. The petrol leak was due to totally perished filler and breather pipes. They were completely buggered! On top of that the oil-filled engine mount was leaking too.
Parts duly ordered ... only to find the mount is out of stock with Lotus. So we wait ... and wait ... and wait. After almost 4 weeks, I was starting to worry I was going to miss the MotorPunk trackday I'd booked on the 1st of May. In desperation I started ringing around other specialists and with massive relief found that Foulds Motors in Honley had a shelf full of the things.
Fixed just in time for a superb day out at Blyton Park.
MotorPunk trackday 2015 by giveitfish, on Flickr
Next stop ... Le Mans!
Pure Speed (formerly Pure Lotus) had a look in my engine bay. The petrol leak was due to totally perished filler and breather pipes. They were completely buggered! On top of that the oil-filled engine mount was leaking too.
Parts duly ordered ... only to find the mount is out of stock with Lotus. So we wait ... and wait ... and wait. After almost 4 weeks, I was starting to worry I was going to miss the MotorPunk trackday I'd booked on the 1st of May. In desperation I started ringing around other specialists and with massive relief found that Foulds Motors in Honley had a shelf full of the things.
Fixed just in time for a superb day out at Blyton Park.
MotorPunk trackday 2015 by giveitfish, on FlickrNext stop ... Le Mans!
Thanks for the kind words guys. I need them right now. The ratio of days out driving vs. days off the road needing repairs is skewed the wrong way this year.
It spent the sunniest days of this year awaiting parts, now this morning it failed it's MOT on emissions - but only just. So I dump a bottle of injector cleaner in the tank and go for a 30 mile blast, then back for a retest with my fingers crossed. But the emissions were still no better, and then while the tester was holding the revs and watching the computer screen there was a big cloud of steam and water all over the floor.
Bugger. Looks like the head gasket has gone. There's traces of gunk on the expansion tank cap, and after refilling the coolant and idling a couple of minutes it pushed water out again with the temp gauge just at 93 degrees. So the RAC were called and it was recovered back home.
It's booked in next week with an MG Rover specialist I trust from my time owning a ZT 260. He's seen more K-series head gaskets than I've had hot dinners. This engine has already been rebuilt once though, £2500 worth of worth of work 4 years/20k miles ago for the previous owner. Will it be fit for just a new gasket or is it going to be more serious than that?
It's now 2.5 weeks before departure for Le Mans...
It spent the sunniest days of this year awaiting parts, now this morning it failed it's MOT on emissions - but only just. So I dump a bottle of injector cleaner in the tank and go for a 30 mile blast, then back for a retest with my fingers crossed. But the emissions were still no better, and then while the tester was holding the revs and watching the computer screen there was a big cloud of steam and water all over the floor.
Bugger. Looks like the head gasket has gone. There's traces of gunk on the expansion tank cap, and after refilling the coolant and idling a couple of minutes it pushed water out again with the temp gauge just at 93 degrees. So the RAC were called and it was recovered back home.
It's booked in next week with an MG Rover specialist I trust from my time owning a ZT 260. He's seen more K-series head gaskets than I've had hot dinners. This engine has already been rebuilt once though, £2500 worth of worth of work 4 years/20k miles ago for the previous owner. Will it be fit for just a new gasket or is it going to be more serious than that?
It's now 2.5 weeks before departure for Le Mans...
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