A few Elise 111R questions

[ehasler]

I would do a search of the forum, but the search facility is disabled at the moment so apologies if these questions come up all the time

What insurance companies are best/cheapest for insuring an Elise? Trackday cover would be a plus, as would not needing a Tracker (cheapest quote so far is from Privilege, but they state that a Tracker has to be fitted).

The 111R seems to be fitted with Yoko Advan Neova AD07 tyres, but I can't find these for sale anywhere - are these available from dealers only, or are there any alternatives which are just as good? The only tyres I can find from the usual online places in Elise size are Bridgestone RE040. Is this a good replacement?

Also, how useful is aircon? I've got it in my Tuscan, and it's a godsend even with the roof off due to the amount of heatsoak you get off the engine, but I wouldn't think an Elise would have this issue. Is it worth having?

Finally, are there any "must have" options over and above the Touring and Sports packs?

[tuscan_thunder]

Can't really comment on the specific 111R questions, but Elephant seem to be top dog (or indeed, Elephant) for insurance. They were £500 cheaper than anyone else for me and they don't require a Tracker.

[minidiva]

In my opinion you definitely need aircon. you're sanwiched between the radiator and the engine and it can get quite warm & humid. I find the windscreen mists on the inside quite a lot, especially setting off in cold / damp weather so aircon cuts the de-misting time by loads which means you don't have to wait an age before being able to start driving. That's in my Exige anyway!

[shnozz]

eh up Ed

Try Competition Car Insurance for cover. 4 free trackdays with approved providers (quite a comprehensive list though...). Also the cheapest quote I received. Only downer is that I have been advised that come renewal they will only give me the TD cover if I forfeit the windscreen cover...

[TonyHetherington]

Hi Ed!

Thinking of changing, are you?! I thought you had a deposit down for a new Tuscan?


I can't answer 111R specific questions (I have a 111S) but, like above, I agree about aircon - I find it VERY useful - both in winter and summer. It can get humid and horrible in the cabin and so I would highly recommend!

Hopefully one of the 111R drivers will be along in a minute to answer the specifics

T

[ehasler]

TonyHetherington said:

Hi Ed! Thinking of changing, are you?! I thought you had a deposit down for a new Tuscan?

Nope - the car isn't for me

Thanks for the advice so far - just got a quote from Elephant, and they're coming in slightly cheaper than Privilege, with no tracker requirement.

Does anyone know if it's possible to add aircon to a car once it's been built? There's a car which looks ideal at the dealer, except it doesn't have aircon.

[TonyHetherington]

It is possible but it's a very expensive retro fit and ultimately not worth it.

There's alot of 111R's around at the moment so if the spec's not right, continue looking!

[shnozz]

Ed, try a few specialist brokers and you are more likely to find track cover included. At £150 approx per TD if you get 4 included thats £600 worth of insurance so even if its a slightly higher premium....

[rixge]

Didn't bother with a/c in my 111R, to be honest I've not found it too hot, if i do , the window comes down or the roof comes off. Had the touring pack fitted , carpets etc. Had the stage two fitted by the dealer and am very pleased with it. Had a problem over Xmas with the immobiliser and alarm, which was rectified by the dealer.

[jfrf]

from my experience, aircon isnt a necessity. just an expenisve overpriced luxury if you have money to burn. im sure it works great though

just wind down the window or take the roof off
the uk is hardly a hot country anyway

i alos find demisting is great on my non aircon car

[Mrs Fish]

James here:

Aircon is worth it for reasons said. I insure through AON and get some cheap track days. I have changed the exhaust and induction, ITG and Quicksilver Supersport, makes a big difference to feel.

The only let doen is the cam change which is too high for useful use on the public road, ie you are waiting for the change.

I am intending to fit a 280 bhp supercharger which also drops the cam change so job done.

[Towzer]

I find aircon a godsend, particularly in slow moving traffic. Although I have the touring pack and aircon I don't know whether I'd got for the touring pack again?

Phil

[rpm100]

hi, I ain't got a 111r just a base s2. May i say that I havn't got aircon and find that in most conditions (unless it's -degrees)when traveling for over 30 mins you need to open the window to let a bit of cold air in, no problem unless you have that summer rain (which aint too uncommon) then you best be wearing your speedos for you either get really hot or wet.

I would certanly consider it on my next elise, but is that not going against our colins deign and engineering philosophy?

Come on then you geeks who knows how much an aircon system weighs in an elise? my guess is 25kg all in.

[GTRene]

In the early days I always said the same, aircon? naaaaaaah its weight...but I go often to a sauna and when you go home still steaming the windows get misty! and a simple blower is not fast anough, so aircon is safe for a clear sight in those and dampie conditions also when in traffic and standing still in the heat! you not use it every day or even weeks...but often anough it is a blessing, clear windows in seconds! all around(at least in the cars I drive) not experienced in lotus aircon though...
So not a real need, but safe and fast demist indeed
GTRene

[bjc388]

Everyone has an opinion and everyone probably has their own solution to deal with a humid cabin or misted glass ... all I can say is that air-con gets a from me ... especially on occasions when having the roof off or leaving the window ajar is not what you really want ... simply press the blue button and you bathe in fresh air that's been dehumidified and chilled ... nice

[stuart1969]

would recomend aircon, P.S. I had a Tuscan and dont miss it, in fact i do but if i bought one it would only be because i could have a Lotus too.
One car!!!!!no choice in my book, so much more rewarding and with better real world pace ( not to mention confidence in the chassis dynamics)

[bob_defly]

Aircon = Yes, definitely!

Try Autotorque for insurance, no tracker required and only £25 per trackday.

[bogie]

I dont have aircon (pre-aircon car) but wish I did...when I used to commute in the car, turning up in the summer with a shirt n tie on dripping with sweat wasnt too pleasurable....although the journey there was

just get the aircon - as for the tyres - dealer only...Id get the wider Exige rims and then you have a large choice of rubber - you can run A539s in the winter and A048s for ultimate summer grip/trackdays etc

Insurance company wise - theres some big lists if you do a search over on www.seloc.org...but try Adrian Flux (good for modded cars - im with them), Esteem (official Lotus club jobbies), CCI (competition car insurance - good for limited miles and track cover)

The other half had a Tuscan until a couple of months ago (got a Saggy on order now) ...I used to like swapping cars with her in the summer...so I had the air-conned Tuscan to go to clients in and she could pose around with the roof off on the Elise

[gooby]

What a bunch of wimps. No air con. No Need. No roof.

[beachbum]

No aircon, No Touring pack. = Less weight.

If you want weight and luxury, get a Boxter.

The only time the roof is on mine, is if its chucking it down with rain, or the roof is already wet from recent rain.