Stage 1 exhaust

[batster]

Advice needed please - I pick up my Exige S on Saturday and am toying with idea of getting the dealer to fit the Stage 1 exhaust to it to make it sound better.

IS this worth it and if so how much should it cost? They have quoted me £650 incl vat and fitting. Another dealer told me previously they were a waste of time.

Am put off a Stage 2 because it is over legal noise limit apparently and the track where I will take the car most often (Bedford) are very strict on noise and I believe Stage 2 would fall foul of their requirements. Dealer quoted me the same price for the Stage 2 as for the Stage 1.

Thanks

Batster

[minidiva]

Hi Batster

I have a Stage 1 on my Exige. It doesn't sound as amazing as the Stage 2, but then you don't have the noise level problems with it. I have been thinking lately about getting a Stage 2 as it does sound awesome, but I think I'm going to stick with the Stage 1 as it's does sound quite nice really, especially when it's nice & warm!
I'm not sure how much louder the Stage 1 is to the standard one - not massively, but certainly noticeable - I wouldn't have a standard exhaust now I'm used to the Stage 1.

In terms of costs - I got quoted recently the following (not including fitting)
Stage 1 - £250
Stage 2 - £320
(from memory, may be a few quid out)

So if you've been quoted £650 for a Stage 1, they're charging £400 fitting - that sounds like a bit of a p1ss take if you ask me.

[GTRene]

Personaly I would not put a stage 2 under the car, because of the nice but loud noise and trackdays and neighbours...
The Exige S is to new I gues to get any good comments about a exhaust? I even don't know how it sounds standard?! I saw one Totally Black Exige s last week with a dealer, and it looked sooooo nice also black wheels...
So I should wait a moment...maybe there are other or better ways? because you already have a different exhaust on your car its a bit bigger I gues...so they could be right about the stage one because thats for the Exige standard...and the S already has a better flow I gues..?
Maybe best thing for the moment...get a sportcat or decat pipe then the sound improves already...fit also a induction kit to get more sound in the cabin? and by then you maybe have anough sound to pleases you?
GTRene

[S Works]

I wouldn't bother mate - having driven an S this week I think the pipe that it comes with sounds great. Too loud and you'll not hear the supercharger whine

[batster]

Thanks S Works

Think I will wait for the 1000 mile service and then see if I still want one!

This is going to be my first taste of Lotus ownership so pretty excited...will let you have my initial views after saturday.

[S Works]

As a first taster you've picker a blinder mate. In 2 and a bit years with the brand I've yet to experience a better factory car. It's got it's foibles, but overall it's a really great car. Enjoy it!

[speedyellow]

The 240R came standard with the stage 1 system and after lots of track days and road miles I do beleive it's one of the best compromises between getting a better sound and not getting you kicked off track days or deafening you on the motorway.

I had a stage 2 on my previous standard S2... loved it some of the time, hated it at others... used to find myself changing down to 5th on the motorway sometime to get out of the drone point when stuck in a line of traffic.... it's just too loud of everyday really... unless your name is twinpipe that is....

[chris_n]

S Works said:

I wouldn't bother mate - having driven an S this week I think the pipe that it comes with sounds great. Too loud and you'll not hear the supercharger whine

Completely agree. Had a Stage 1 on my old Exige 'cos it needed it. When I drove the S I thought it sounded great so am taking delivery of mine exactly as it comes out of the factory. I might consider intakes and exhausts after living with it a while but right now can't see the need.

[wantalotus]

Just fitted stage 1 to my 111R, different kettle of fish I know, but my 10p worth is.

sounds great over the original, not too loud, but noticable, where as the original just did not get heard. It appears more free flowing, and as such seems a bit more free reving( but this my just be me looking for improvments).
I do not know if the exhaust is different on the S, I might expect it to be, but a Stage 1 from Lotus for the R is £235, so the fitting is a bit steep. We (me + Mr Fish) fitted mine in what should have been 20 mins, but turned out to be 1 1/2 hours inc stops for brews and swearing when I dropped it onto my swede. Have a nice shiner now!!!

IMHO it sounds great.

either way you'll just love it.

[s,one]

Can you fit an ITG to a supercharged car?. If so that would be my first move, sounds fantastic from inside the cabin even with the std exhaust. If you can't fit one just ignore me, most do!

[GTRene]

ITG? what is that you mean induction kit? inlet filter stuf? if thats what you mean, then yes you can put a open filter to such car...the Bemani car had a very big one
GTRene

[jfrf]

650 is taking the p*ss.
i think castle lotus who are a main dealer supply and fit it for 399

[Janitor]

Interesting... I'm battling the Stage 1 / Larini / Milltek upgrade demons on my 1 month old 111R at the mo, but my biggest concerns are warranty based

Firstly, am I right in thinking only 'Officially Lotus recognised / approved' systems keep the warranty intact? Secondly, does it have to Dealer fitted as to not invalidate said 24 month waranty?


Whilst at my Dealership a couple weeks ago, they said for instance that Lotus 'recognise' Pipercross induction (and possibly ITG soon) so they're 'approved', but did I also read somewhere recently that these are now being brought into question..? I guess this will have similar effect on pipes. Lotus Stage 1 & Stage 2 may not fall under this query though being, well, Lotus products..?

[beachbum]

My understanding is that anything non Lotus brings a certain amount of doubt into the bits covered by the warranty. i.e. If your engine start to show problems and it can be even slightly linked to some non-lotus add-on, then there will at the very least be a discussion as to whether the warranty still covers the issue.