Where can I get dampers for Elise S1?

[dave s1]

Hi,

Both of my front dampers have been rattling for some time now on my Elise S1, and one of them finally gave up last week when I drove over a big pothole!

Does anyone know where I can get new ones from other than from an official Lotus dealer? Tried a load of Koni distributors that I found on their website, but none of them could help.

Also...I'm guessing I should get 2 new front dampers now rather than just replacing the broken one?

Thanks!

[rfoster]

Might be a good time to upgarde to S2 suspension mate - much better ride with these. Try www.bell-colvill.co.uk, look in their online store section. Otherwise ebay is your friend for konis!

[Sam_68]

They are Lotus-specific, so whereever you buy them you will be paying for the Lotus part, but try Paul Matty Sportscars for a keener-than-main-dealer price.

[PB9]

I have some S2 dampers if you are interested, I think used ones go for about £250 for the set of 4. ( I upgraded to nitrons.. )

PM me is you are interested. ( Not checked your locations, I'm in leeds area. )

Pete

[S works]

Agreed, for the money and benefit, if you can afford it get the Bilsteins from the S2. Vastly better ride.

[Turnamere]

Steve B over on SELOC (can't get SELOC at work so can't dig out his e-mail) is another source of S2 suspension kits (dampers, springs and brackets) for the S1, selection of ride heights available, comprehensive instructions if you are competent with a spanner and helpful if you have any queries. About 1 week lead time. Otherwise classifieds here, SELOC, MLOC etc. Red KONIs renowned for only lasting about 25,000 miles.

[dave s1]

Thanks for your help all. Looks like an upgrade to S2 might be the way forward then.....

Do the S2 dampers drop straight in, or do I need some kind of adaptor kit to fit S1?

Cheers.

[turnamere]

A few main dealers are now carrying the kit but Steve Butts over on SELOC is the best source, drop him an email on:- [e-mail]. He supplies springs and dampers set to the ride height of your choice. Additional brackets are required depending on how low you want to go but they are included in his kits and reflected in the price although you are advised to source new bolts. He supplies full fitting instructions, provided you can get the car off the ground and wheel off it is a 2 bolt job per corner to replace. You should get the geo done afterwards since this will probably be affected, if it hasn't been checked for a while this on its own will transform your car. Loads of people run 110 mm front and 120 mm rear (the nose down attitude aids stability) but I went with 125/135 to deal with speed bumps, car parks and ferries. Delighted with the change, feels stiffer yet more compliant and definately quieter. About £540 iirc when I got mine and a great upgrade if you don't need the adjustability of Nitrons; at my level I'll rely on the Lotus test engineers chasis development.

[dave s1]

Cheers for your help mate.