Exige S specification
Discussion
Ohlins are worth about 2 seconds around Hethel in a NA S2 but they will not help you on a ferry as ride height can't be changed in two minutes but no worries on the train. Depends on your level of experience but if you are trying to save cash you can always upgrade them in a year or so.
Stage 2 exhaust is very loud and will kick you off most track days and make your ears bleed on the motorway, had one on my S2 and as much as I loved the sound I'd never do it again as too much of a pain on track and commuting to places like Spa. So I'd hold off.
My 240R doesn't have an LSD or the traction control and the only time you miss it is coming out of a very tight 2nd gear corner, but feeding the power in works if you can control the urge to bury the throttle. The Lotus LSD I drove in a 240 Cup was agressive and had a tendency to push the nose wide if you got on the power early (normal for LSD's) and took away some of the adjustability of the car but if you get it absolutely right would be quicker. The traction on the S is supposed to solve this anyway, so I'd forget it.
Hope this helps
Stage 2 exhaust is very loud and will kick you off most track days and make your ears bleed on the motorway, had one on my S2 and as much as I loved the sound I'd never do it again as too much of a pain on track and commuting to places like Spa. So I'd hold off.
My 240R doesn't have an LSD or the traction control and the only time you miss it is coming out of a very tight 2nd gear corner, but feeding the power in works if you can control the urge to bury the throttle. The Lotus LSD I drove in a 240 Cup was agressive and had a tendency to push the nose wide if you got on the power early (normal for LSD's) and took away some of the adjustability of the car but if you get it absolutely right would be quicker. The traction on the S is supposed to solve this anyway, so I'd forget it.
Hope this helps
Depends on you really - unless you're really seriously into your track work I would question the need for the supersports pack and LSD. I have ordered my S without either of these.
I worked on the basis that I can always change suspension later if I really want to, and for a lot less money than the price of the supersports pack (OK SS pack includes lighter wheels as well but can mere mortals really notice any difference from these?)
With regard to ferries, not absolutely sure but my previous standard ride-height Exige actually had good ground clearance and never once scraped the front splitter on any kind of speed bump or ramp in my ownership, so would imagine you'll be alright on that front. Plus every time you mess around with ride high you should really get the geo checked - can you really be bothered?
Also think carefully about the stage 2 exhaust as it will be over the noise limits for most track days. Delete those items and you'll be well under 40k. Bargain!!!
Definitely go for A/C though - it's essential IMHO. As for lifestyle paint - why not!
Go for it!
Chris
I worked on the basis that I can always change suspension later if I really want to, and for a lot less money than the price of the supersports pack (OK SS pack includes lighter wheels as well but can mere mortals really notice any difference from these?)
With regard to ferries, not absolutely sure but my previous standard ride-height Exige actually had good ground clearance and never once scraped the front splitter on any kind of speed bump or ramp in my ownership, so would imagine you'll be alright on that front. Plus every time you mess around with ride high you should really get the geo checked - can you really be bothered?
Also think carefully about the stage 2 exhaust as it will be over the noise limits for most track days. Delete those items and you'll be well under 40k. Bargain!!!
Definitely go for A/C though - it's essential IMHO. As for lifestyle paint - why not!
Go for it!
Chris
Hi Colin,
There have been loads of posts on this:
I went for:
Graphite Grey
Sports Pack
Aircon (It will get very hot in there in summer)
Harnesses
Stage 2 Sports exhaust (Note: the special one for the S is not available yet) see: www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=257413&f=15&h=0
IMHO:
Touring packs are expensive and don't contain anything you really need - I wouldn't get either of them.
Supersport pack is too expensive at £2500 (It doesn't include Ohlins!!!!!!) - Ohlins are £1400 + fitting (Get use to the car first and then decide if you want the Ohlins) Also, re getting on a ferry etc. - I don't think the adj sus will go much higher than normal , Lower and harder yes.
Amourfend - Spoils the look of the car and is the same price as a front clam re-spray
LSD - : ref Speedyellow's comments
Hope this helps,
Joe
There have been loads of posts on this:
I went for:
Graphite Grey
Sports Pack
Aircon (It will get very hot in there in summer)
Harnesses
Stage 2 Sports exhaust (Note: the special one for the S is not available yet) see: www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=257413&f=15&h=0
IMHO:
Touring packs are expensive and don't contain anything you really need - I wouldn't get either of them.
Supersport pack is too expensive at £2500 (It doesn't include Ohlins!!!!!!) - Ohlins are £1400 + fitting (Get use to the car first and then decide if you want the Ohlins) Also, re getting on a ferry etc. - I don't think the adj sus will go much higher than normal , Lower and harder yes.
Amourfend - Spoils the look of the car and is the same price as a front clam re-spray
LSD - : ref Speedyellow's comments
Hope this helps,
Joe
Sounds fantastic Colin, maybe you better add other stuf afterwards...then you don't have to pay for the stuf you don't realy want...?
I'm sure parts can be ordered afterwards when you have the car...because when one of those parts in the lets say touring pack is broken or damaged? and you need a new part? sure you can order only that part what you need?!
So wait till you have the car...drive and enjoy...then feel what you mis about the car or drivers pleasure...then order that part to complete your budy/mate/soul
Have fun driving...
GTRene
I'm sure parts can be ordered afterwards when you have the car...because when one of those parts in the lets say touring pack is broken or damaged? and you need a new part? sure you can order only that part what you need?!
So wait till you have the car...drive and enjoy...then feel what you mis about the car or drivers pleasure...then order that part to complete your budy/mate/soul
Have fun driving...
GTRene
Couldn't agree more.
I've gone for the 'Blank Canvas' with A/Con and Black paint. Give it a few months and possibly change exhaust. A few more and have a look at suspension (if required). Maybe even treat myself to a bit of custom trim (big tart, I know).
Half the fun of ownership is the knowledge that these cars can be fiddled with well beyond anything I've owned before.
I've gone for the 'Blank Canvas' with A/Con and Black paint. Give it a few months and possibly change exhaust. A few more and have a look at suspension (if required). Maybe even treat myself to a bit of custom trim (big tart, I know).
Half the fun of ownership is the knowledge that these cars can be fiddled with well beyond anything I've owned before.
emenel said:
Couldn't agree more.
I've gone for the 'Blank Canvas' with A/Con and Black paint. Give it a few months and possibly change exhaust. A few more and have a look at suspension (if required). Maybe even treat myself to a bit of custom trim (big tart, I know).
Half the fun of ownership is the knowledge that these cars can be fiddled with well beyond anything I've owned before.
Is your car from Wilson's ?
Boggy
Easy to fit - Lights are £50 from the parts department and the wiring loom is already there so I've heard. The Exige S grill is mesh and is just cut around them. Plug a play.
I thought about doing this but will see how the car looks without them first.
Note: They only come on with main beam!
I thought about doing this but will see how the car looks without them first.
Note: They only come on with main beam!
boggy said:
Couldn't agree more.
I've gone for the 'Blank Canvas' with A/Con and Black paint. Give it a few months and possibly change exhaust. A few more and have a look at suspension (if required). Maybe even treat myself to a bit of custom trim (big tart, I know).
Half the fun of ownership is the knowledge that these cars can be fiddled with well beyond anything I've owned before.
Is your car from Wilson's ?
Boggy
No, Dream Machines in Sussex. Why, have Wilson's got one that matches the spec?
emenel said:
Couldn't agree more.
I've gone for the 'Blank Canvas' with A/Con and Black paint. Give it a few months and possibly change exhaust. A few more and have a look at suspension (if required). Maybe even treat myself to a bit of custom trim (big tart, I know).
Half the fun of ownership is the knowledge that these cars can be fiddled with well beyond anything I've owned before.
Is your car from Wilson's ?
Boggy
No, Dream Machines in Sussex. Why, have Wilson's got one that matches the spec?
Yep but I think it's sold already, I'm hoping to go for Black with Zorst, Air cond, Sports pack & have the mirrors done in Yellow
How much was your's then ?
Boggy
boggy said:
Couldn't agree more.
I've gone for the 'Blank Canvas' with A/Con and Black paint. Give it a few months and possibly change exhaust. A few more and have a look at suspension (if required). Maybe even treat myself to a bit of custom trim (big tart, I know).
Half the fun of ownership is the knowledge that these cars can be fiddled with well beyond anything I've owned before.
Is your car from Wilson's ?
Boggy
No, Dream Machines in Sussex. Why, have Wilson's got one that matches the spec?
Yep but I think it's sold already, I'm hoping to go for Black with Zorst, Air cond, Sports pack & have the mirrors done in Yellow
How much was your's then ?
Boggy
I like the idea of the yellow mirrors. I was toying with the idea of getting the 'S' stickers done in yellow and the callipers. Another project for the future maybe.
Total cost is about £36.5k and should be with me in a couple of weeks (fingers crossed)
I did originally want the stage 2 but I've heard it can be a painful experience over long distances and I will be driving over 30 miles a day in it.
colin5577 said:
The idea of a suspension set up that could be adjusted not to shake the car to pieces on bad roads was appealing. But not unless it's quantifiably quicker at the same time once it's cranked up to '11'. Any idea what sort of improvement I might expect at the 'Ring? I've cracked 8 minutes there so I have a bit of an idea - but wonder if the circuit will actually be too bumpy to make the best of a stiff set-up. Then again, it's not ALL bumpy, so maybe it's quicker after all.
Umm..any ideas?
Youve cracked the 8 minutes on the Nordshleife?
then you must be a good driver or practizise a lot on that cirquit, I see on your profile you life in Germany?! near by? I was there but then on the Grand Prix to look, and in about 1 or 2 months going a few times to the ring to look and to drive a few laps myself(touring a bit) What car where you driving in when you cracked the 8min barier? can't be astandard Lotus Exige/Elise...you almost need some special car..or a GT3 or a BMW CSL
GTRene
colin5577 said:
The idea of a suspension set up that could be adjusted not to shake the car to pieces on bad roads was appealing. But not unless it's quantifiably quicker at the same time once it's cranked up to '11'. Any idea what sort of improvement I might expect at the 'Ring? I've cracked 8 minutes there so I have a bit of an idea - but wonder if the circuit will actually be too bumpy to make the best of a stiff set-up. Then again, it's not ALL bumpy, so maybe it's quicker after all.
Umm..any ideas?
Youve cracked the 8 minutes on the Nordshleife?
then you must be a good driver or practizise a lot on that cirquit, I see on your profile you life in Germany?! near by? I was there but then on the Grand Prix to look, and in about 1 or 2 months going a few times to the ring to look and to drive a few laps myself(touring a bit) What car where you driving in when you cracked the 8min barier? can't be astandard Lotus Exige/Elise...you almost need some special car..or a GT3 or a BMW CSL
GTRene
S Works said:
I wouldn't bother with anything other than the Sports Pack and Aircon personally, anymore and you may as well buy the used 240R which is for sale in the Classifieds at £39k.
For once at least Lotus has set the pricing for a new car that should help the residuals of the Limited Edition 240R!!! I hadn't realised just how expensive the S can get when you really spec'd them up towards 240R and Cup spec. £43k for the 240R new actually seems a bit of a bargin now...
here is a full lap around the ring in a Lotus Elise 160S don't know what a Exige S can do but the standard Exige have tested there in 8.32sec (192ps) according to their findings it realy have a bad cw! 0,42...even worse then my car 0,37 cw...a porsche carrera has only 0,29...but the carrera GT 0,37 has to do then with spoilers? the older S1 Exige had even 0,43
http://video.google.com/videoplay?doc
GTRene
http://video.google.com/videoplay?doc
GTRene
colin5577 said:
I may have to consider a 240. Any idea why the press loves the S but hated the 240?
Maybe the weight and the high price tag...
For the other you could look under faqs then RED motorsport... they do 240 Cup and race too also sell you a lot parts...they are not cheap, but I think they know what they do and you always can try to hassle with the asking price?
good luck
GTRene
Well I've now driven an 'S' to get an idea of what it's like compared to my 240R and other Cup240's I've driven....
Compared to the 240R here are my feelings...
1. First thing that hit me was the Exhaust was boomier but not a nicer sound
2. Trim felt very plain inside but I guess the 240R is love or hate with the yellow and black leather
3. Ride and handling was just like the S2 Exige I had before, a little underdamped over sprung for my liking
4. Performance, this is seat of the pants stuff... but upto 4k it feels the same as the 240R and Cup cars, over that upto the red line it feels smooth and linear, but lacks the kick in the back you get over 6K in the 240 cars, much more noticeable than the 23hp difference claimed. Throttle response wasn't as crisp as the manual throttle cars.
5. Cruising at 70-80 the 240R is the quietest of the three cars and the only one possible to really listen to the stereo without blasting it out (which is strange as the 240R doesn't have the touring pack sound deadening).
6. Steering feel isn't as meaty as the 240R but it has narrower front rims so that is to be expected and the turn in was much softer (front ARB was in the same position as my car).
7. Visually the colour coding was something I really wasn't sure about but in the flesh I have to say it does look good, could do with being the 1.5" lower like the Cup and R to finish the evil look.
For a fast road car I have to say I was very impressed and will say what everyone else has, this is what a normal Exige should be, however if the car was going to be heavily used on track (the reason I bought the 240r) then the pricing doesn't make sense for what you get. If you buy a basic car for road use and just add aircon it's good value, but as soon as you add all the bits for hard track use, stronger roll hoop, suspension upgrades, brakes, accusump, harnesses etc, you may as well buy a Cup240 or 240R as you'll never see the £40K plus back as people are always going to look at the base price when looking at used cars.
So basic S, wonderful after that a new or nearly new Cup or 240R looked to make much more sense to me.
Hope this helps and remember it's just my totally biased view of the car... but I had to drive one to find out!!! Oh and I really missed my rear view cam, kept looking at the stereo and seeing nothing, why they leave the rear view mirror fitted it beond me, it reduced forward vision and doesn't let you see anything....???
Compared to the 240R here are my feelings...
1. First thing that hit me was the Exhaust was boomier but not a nicer sound
2. Trim felt very plain inside but I guess the 240R is love or hate with the yellow and black leather
3. Ride and handling was just like the S2 Exige I had before, a little underdamped over sprung for my liking
4. Performance, this is seat of the pants stuff... but upto 4k it feels the same as the 240R and Cup cars, over that upto the red line it feels smooth and linear, but lacks the kick in the back you get over 6K in the 240 cars, much more noticeable than the 23hp difference claimed. Throttle response wasn't as crisp as the manual throttle cars.
5. Cruising at 70-80 the 240R is the quietest of the three cars and the only one possible to really listen to the stereo without blasting it out (which is strange as the 240R doesn't have the touring pack sound deadening).
6. Steering feel isn't as meaty as the 240R but it has narrower front rims so that is to be expected and the turn in was much softer (front ARB was in the same position as my car).
7. Visually the colour coding was something I really wasn't sure about but in the flesh I have to say it does look good, could do with being the 1.5" lower like the Cup and R to finish the evil look.
For a fast road car I have to say I was very impressed and will say what everyone else has, this is what a normal Exige should be, however if the car was going to be heavily used on track (the reason I bought the 240r) then the pricing doesn't make sense for what you get. If you buy a basic car for road use and just add aircon it's good value, but as soon as you add all the bits for hard track use, stronger roll hoop, suspension upgrades, brakes, accusump, harnesses etc, you may as well buy a Cup240 or 240R as you'll never see the £40K plus back as people are always going to look at the base price when looking at used cars.
So basic S, wonderful after that a new or nearly new Cup or 240R looked to make much more sense to me.
Hope this helps and remember it's just my totally biased view of the car... but I had to drive one to find out!!! Oh and I really missed my rear view cam, kept looking at the stereo and seeing nothing, why they leave the rear view mirror fitted it beond me, it reduced forward vision and doesn't let you see anything....???
Colin, further to speedyellow's comments, I really think you should consider this if you're thinking of spending 40k on an S (which you will need to in order to get the spec you want)....
www.pistonheads.com/sales/59116.htm
That car is a bargain vs. it's original price, barely run in and 6k discount.
www.pistonheads.com/sales/59116.htm
That car is a bargain vs. it's original price, barely run in and 6k discount.
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