The most original S1 Elise?

[I WISH]

I have an Elise S1 which I bought new in 1998 (Aluminium Silver with Red leather). It has covered 19k miles and is COMPLETELY standard. When I say completely I mean it has the original plastic window winders, original exhaust and even the front tyres have been on since new (rears replaced at 12K miles with P Zeros as per original equipment).
Has anyone else got an early (composite discs, aluminium engine cover etc) that is absolutely standard?
I was just wondering how many untouched examples of this car ther are around.
(P.S. This is my first ever posting on the forum!)
Cheers everyone

[boobles]

Beleive it or not but there are quite a few "original" examples out there with silly low mileadge & completely standard.

[porteouz]

Not sure but i certainly wouldnt feel confident cornering with the original front tyre's.

[Ikemi]

Welcome to the madness that is PH and the Lotus forums

Can't be as bad as mine tyre wise ... The previous owner decided that Pirelli P-Zeros at the back and P6000s (Ditchfinders!) at the front would be a good mix! I'm just working my way through them as fast as possible so I can change to Yokohama's all round!

Edited by Ikemi on Wednesday 8th August 22:36

[jondude]

Bought a 1998 S1 18 months ago with 26,000 on clock, absolutely bog standard -even has a Pioneer TAPE/radio player. Some lass almost fainted when she saw that and said she would refuse to drive in a car with such an ancient system. Standard exhaust - does have aluminium window openers, though.

Feckin' ace!

• Come to think of it, I don't know what brakes I have...they look like two discs on each wheel, amd the calipers are grey??? I know a mate took a look and said ' bloody hell, you even got new brakes at that price!!'.

Maybe he meant pads, or didn't realise the low mileage probably meant they go an easy life.

[fleetelise]

I'm not entirely sure that driving around on 9 year old P-Zeros would be my cup of tea, nice to hear there are standard cars about though

[bogie]

jeez...im sure if you are a car collector then its something to be proud of....but if you want to use it as intended then please get rid of the tyres, suspension etc and replace with something modern and get out and enjoy it ! ...its probably bordering on lethal to drive right now ! ...rubber generally lasts about a year on the shelf or 8-10 heat cycles.......

[Esprit]

Sounds like my old Elise when I bought it. I've done the induction/exhaust, toe links, brake lines and gear linkages to it since I had it, but I sold it with all the accompanying OEM parts.

One of the mintest in the country

[crackthatoff]

Ahh so you have found the forums then your now a piston head !!!
See you soon .

[I WISH]

I've taken on board what some have said about antique tyres! Actually ... I was thinking about getting a set of Yokohamas anyway .... on a set of different rims. Anyone got any wheels for sale ... prefereably black alloy?

[crackthatoff]

I WISH said:

I've taken on board what some have said about antique tyres! Actually ... I was thinking about getting a set of Yokohamas anyway .... on a set of different rims. Anyone got any wheels for sale ... prefereably black alloy?

Just ordered some locking wheel nuts so don't even think about it !!!
t,v,r can get your old ones sprayed pretty cheap think he said round about 50 quid a corner

[porteouz]

I WISH said:

I've taken on board what some have said about antique tyres! Actually ... I was thinking about getting a set of Yokohamas anyway .... on a set of different rims. Anyone got any wheels for sale ... prefereably black alloy?

It would be a shame to take the original alloys off such an original car!

[TitaniumTim]

Hi, this seems like a suitable thread for my first forum contribution. I also have a completely standard S1 Elise (with the exception of the stereo and some drilled disks) with black plastic window-winders and no mods to the engine/exhaust etc. I even have a similar tyre combination to Ikemi; with P-Zeros at the front and P-6000s on the rear!

I too am trying to wear out the tyres ASAP and get some Yokos; nearly 9,000miles since I bought the car in February, and still a perma-grin from ear-to-ear.

PS. While I'm here I'd like to say thanks to everyone who posts on here. You're advice and tips on these forums were essential reading before I took the plunge with my first Lotus.

[bogie]

I take it you are driving it pretty steady in the wet then - the combo of P-Zero and P6000 dosent bear thinking about ! ..just wait until you get some proper rubber on there, it will be like a different car

[S Works]

Don't 'wait' to get rid of shitty tyres. It really is a false economy. Get some Advans on there asap and get it geo'd and as bogie says, you'll find it's like a new car.

[shangani]

Titanium Tim - 1 post in 76 months. Begone with you laugh:

Only kidding - good name too. As others have said about the Pirellis - get rid of them. Once they get really hard - which yours will be, they will last forever, but will have very little grip. Good for going sideways, but not safe in the wet or under braking. If you wait for them to wear out, it will be a long wait at this stage.

[fatwomble]

TitaniumTim said:

Hi, this seems like a suitable thread for my first forum contribution. I also have a completely standard S1 Elise (with the exception of the stereo and some drilled disks) with black plastic window-winders and no mods to the engine/exhaust etc. I even have a similar tyre combination to Ikemi; with P-Zeros at the front and P-6000s on the rear!

I too am trying to wear out the tyres ASAP and get some Yokos; nearly 9,000miles since I bought the car in February, and still a perma-grin from ear-to-ear.

PS. While I'm here I'd like to say thanks to everyone who posts on here. You're advice and tips on these forums were essential reading before I took the plunge with my first Lotus.

Bloody hell, forget the most original elise, you win the prize for 1st post after 76 Months

[bogie]

P6000 arnt even an Elise tyre so technically your insurance could be invalid if you do prang it...you probably have the cornering ability of an old Volv0 340r as they were std fitment

[andy_s]

TitaniumTim said:

Hi, this seems like a suitable thread for my first forum contribution. I also have a completely standard S1 Elise (with the exception of the stereo and some drilled disks) with black plastic window-winders and no mods to the engine/exhaust etc. I even have a similar tyre combination to Ikemi; with P-Zeros at the front and P-6000s on the rear!

I too am trying to wear out the tyres ASAP and get some Yokos; nearly 9,000miles since I bought the car in February, and still a perma-grin from ear-to-ear.

PS. While I'm here I'd like to say thanks to everyone who posts on here. You're advice and tips on these forums were essential reading before I took the plunge with my first Lotus.

Tim, please stop all that chatter, we can hardly get a word in edgeways....

[Esprit]

bogie said:

P6000 arnt even an Elise tyre so technically your insurance could be invalid if you do prang it...you probably have the cornering ability of an old Volv0 340r as they were std fitment