Decisions, decisions.
Discussion
Thinking of joining the Elise clan (now convinced Mrs S to swap the M3 for something fun!
Started off thinging of a cheapish S1 but following a trip to the dealers (and Mrs S struggling a bit with the extra height on the S1 sill) now pretty sure it'll be an S2.
So.... is the 111s worth the extra dosh? Doesn't seem much in the performance stats on paper but that's probably not the whole story and 35hp on something weighing 750kg has to make a difference?
Testing both on Saturday, but its not always clear from a test drive.
Difference is about £2500 (but Mrs S would be happy about the aircon!) Also 111s has a hardtop which could be sold, what would that fetch? £700?
Started off thinging of a cheapish S1 but following a trip to the dealers (and Mrs S struggling a bit with the extra height on the S1 sill) now pretty sure it'll be an S2.
So.... is the 111s worth the extra dosh? Doesn't seem much in the performance stats on paper but that's probably not the whole story and 35hp on something weighing 750kg has to make a difference?
Testing both on Saturday, but its not always clear from a test drive.
Difference is about £2500 (but Mrs S would be happy about the aircon!) Also 111s has a hardtop which could be sold, what would that fetch? £700?
Smartie said:
Thinking of joining the Elise clan (now convinced Mrs S to swap the M3 for something fun!
Started off thinging of a cheapish S1 but following a trip to the dealers (and Mrs S struggling a bit with the extra height on the S1 sill) now pretty sure it'll be an S2.
So.... is the 111s worth the extra dosh? Doesn't seem much in the performance stats on paper but that's probably not the whole story and 35hp on something weighing 750kg has to make a difference?
Testing both on Saturday, but its not always clear from a test drive.
Difference is about £2500 (but Mrs S would be happy about the aircon!) Also 111s has a hardtop which could be sold, what would that fetch? £700?
If it's ardent Red you have my Money !
Boggy
I've had both a normal S2 and now have an S2 111S. A lot depends on what type of drive you wish. If you are going to track or not.
Is the 111S an 04 spec or not. ( Does it have electric windows etc.. )
The 111s is better for long runs down the motorway, they have more noise protection. But they dont have a close ratio gear box, but thats ok because of the extra power. This also helps you have a lower rev range for down the motorway so the engine producess less noise.
I found the original S2 to have a whine from the gear box, more when it was without load. But had a better idle ticker. ( Check the "calling s2 111s owners" thread. )
If you are tracking then the standard may be better because of the close ratio box. You can always add a bit more power later if you wish, when you are more used to the car.
Also a good 111r may not be much more. This gives you more power and abs. But depends on the money you have to play with.
If you are going to track it, and add extras, then the basic S2 may be better because it has more options for upgread than the vvc 111S engine.
Hope this helps, and you soon become an owner.
Pete
Is the 111S an 04 spec or not. ( Does it have electric windows etc.. )
The 111s is better for long runs down the motorway, they have more noise protection. But they dont have a close ratio gear box, but thats ok because of the extra power. This also helps you have a lower rev range for down the motorway so the engine producess less noise.
I found the original S2 to have a whine from the gear box, more when it was without load. But had a better idle ticker. ( Check the "calling s2 111s owners" thread. )
If you are tracking then the standard may be better because of the close ratio box. You can always add a bit more power later if you wish, when you are more used to the car.
Also a good 111r may not be much more. This gives you more power and abs. But depends on the money you have to play with.
If you are going to track it, and add extras, then the basic S2 may be better because it has more options for upgread than the vvc 111S engine.
Hope this helps, and you soon become an owner.
Pete
If you cant stretch to the 111R, then definetly get the 111S. If you get the standard one, you will just crave the extra power. Its not so bad up to 70mph, but after that it will feel like you have put the brakes on when compared to your old M3. A 325 would make mince meat of you after 70 and that will anoy you a lot !
Do get Air-con though. A must for de-mist.
Do get Air-con though. A must for de-mist.
PB9 said:
Just a quick one smartie,
Did you ever work up in leeds ?
Not sure if you are the same person, we had a smartie in the office, initials "DJ"
probably not him,
Pete
No not me, my first name is Martin which my wife has twisted over time into Smartie!
Thanks all for the thoughts - car is eassentially a toy (but not much tracking really) - used to have a 2.0XE westfield and I'm trying to replace it, but also want something Mrs S can go to work if if needed and also need to take my 19month old daughter in it occassionally. will be 95% road use though.
111s i'm looking at is a 52 plate car with 32K miles and £18600 as a Lotus main dealer.
I also did not realise the gear box issue until I read it on seclo no long ago.
The S2 standard has the close ratio box.
The S2 111S does not, not sure if its the same box as the old S1 box or just a different set of cogs.
I guess with the extra power in the VVC the longer ratios just help keep the noise down and mpg up for the 111S.
The S2 standard has the close ratio box.
The S2 111S does not, not sure if its the same box as the old S1 box or just a different set of cogs.
I guess with the extra power in the VVC the longer ratios just help keep the noise down and mpg up for the 111S.
there have been 3 boxes available
S1 - wide ratio - very long 5th - geared for about 175mph in top
S1 111S/S2 std - CR box - geared for about 140mph in 5th
S2111S - is in between the 2 - about 150-55mph in 5th
for higher powered Elises 160bhp> I think the S2111S box is great for road use myself...I tried all 3 when I had a TT230 Elise..and even with that power, 5th gear on the std S1 WR box was very dull from 70mph in 5th
S1 - wide ratio - very long 5th - geared for about 175mph in top
S1 111S/S2 std - CR box - geared for about 140mph in 5th
S2111S - is in between the 2 - about 150-55mph in 5th
for higher powered Elises 160bhp> I think the S2111S box is great for road use myself...I tried all 3 when I had a TT230 Elise..and even with that power, 5th gear on the std S1 WR box was very dull from 70mph in 5th
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