Elise 2003 111S-S2 - Identification
Discussion
Hi Folks, I'm still searching for a 111S hopefully black with hardtop, getting a bit despondant with the constant trawl, anyway i'm looking for feedback on how to ID one without driving it,(or getting in it )i'm sure the 1st letter and four VIN numbers will give it away but not sure what they will be on an S2 -03 plate.
The Last S2 I went to see (which leads me to tell of an unpleasant experience) didnt have VVC on the cam cover which I expected to see, but the guy did take me for a spin,I'm not faint hearted (being used to driving 1Litre sports bikes)but he scared the sh*t out me, I thought this guy is either very skillfull or very lucky.I'm not keen on flooring someone elses pride and joy and would rather they took me on a test, it lets me concentrate on other things rather than watching the road. well I was interested and said i'd be back the following day after an HPI check. the guy offered to guide me back to the motorway via a B-road (the same one he took when on the test drive)I followed on my bike and gave him some distance when nearing a bend, when I was in the apex of the bend looking through the exit,I was gobsmacked, the car did a 360 spin and left the road ripping through the grass into these small tree's.
The tree's were bending over and lifting the car as it corkscrewed in stages till it was 10-15 feet off the ground before making a descent onto the white lines in the middle of the road it landed on all fours with a shower of blue broken body parts raining down from the trees and scattered over the road.I parked the bike up and ran to help,
The guy was unconcious,and after some 1st aid he came round as we waited for the services to arrive. He was ok and later signed himself out of hospital.
The car was a write off but the chassis seemed intact and the doors opened and shut as new.It was a horrific looking crash, but had it been one of your Euro Hatches i doubt if the guy would have been so lucky.
I'm impressed at the strength of the Elise.BEWARE of a test drive with a stranger! If any one can give me some VIN info I'd be much gratefull.
Many thanks, Anders
The Last S2 I went to see (which leads me to tell of an unpleasant experience) didnt have VVC on the cam cover which I expected to see, but the guy did take me for a spin,I'm not faint hearted (being used to driving 1Litre sports bikes)but he scared the sh*t out me, I thought this guy is either very skillfull or very lucky.I'm not keen on flooring someone elses pride and joy and would rather they took me on a test, it lets me concentrate on other things rather than watching the road. well I was interested and said i'd be back the following day after an HPI check. the guy offered to guide me back to the motorway via a B-road (the same one he took when on the test drive)I followed on my bike and gave him some distance when nearing a bend, when I was in the apex of the bend looking through the exit,I was gobsmacked, the car did a 360 spin and left the road ripping through the grass into these small tree's.
The tree's were bending over and lifting the car as it corkscrewed in stages till it was 10-15 feet off the ground before making a descent onto the white lines in the middle of the road it landed on all fours with a shower of blue broken body parts raining down from the trees and scattered over the road.I parked the bike up and ran to help,
The guy was unconcious,and after some 1st aid he came round as we waited for the services to arrive. He was ok and later signed himself out of hospital.
The car was a write off but the chassis seemed intact and the doors opened and shut as new.It was a horrific looking crash, but had it been one of your Euro Hatches i doubt if the guy would have been so lucky.
I'm impressed at the strength of the Elise.BEWARE of a test drive with a stranger! If any one can give me some VIN info I'd be much gratefull.
Many thanks, Anders
You can get the information on VIN numbers from this document
http://www.grouplotus.com/media/car/doc/Elise%20mo...
For a 2003 111S, VIN character 4 = J & VIN character 10 = 3 & the serial number should be 2677 or later.
Hope this helps
http://www.grouplotus.com/media/car/doc/Elise%20mo...
For a 2003 111S, VIN character 4 = J & VIN character 10 = 3 & the serial number should be 2677 or later.
Hope this helps
The engine in the S2 111S doesn't have "VVC" on the cover (at least mine doesn't) and that wouldn't be a good way to check anyway because I think the covers are interchangeable.
If you're looking at photos the most obvious identifier is from the back. The 111S has a three piece diffuser (the 120bhp car's is single piece) with the exhausts mounted above it, either side of the number plate (the Toyota engined car's are mounted below the diffuser.
The other obvious difference is the wheels. The 111S has 8 spoke wheels (the standard car 6).
The VIN or a test drive is the only way to be sure though, short of taking the head off.
Don't worry if the engine sounds very "tappety" at idle when warm, some of the VVC engines do and it doesn't seem to mean there's anything wrong with them.
If you're looking at photos the most obvious identifier is from the back. The 111S has a three piece diffuser (the 120bhp car's is single piece) with the exhausts mounted above it, either side of the number plate (the Toyota engined car's are mounted below the diffuser.
The other obvious difference is the wheels. The 111S has 8 spoke wheels (the standard car 6).
The VIN or a test drive is the only way to be sure though, short of taking the head off.
Don't worry if the engine sounds very "tappety" at idle when warm, some of the VVC engines do and it doesn't seem to mean there's anything wrong with them.
Sorry to hijack this post but from that link to the Lotus web site it says that for the Exige S the 4th letter of the VIN should be a P. I have an Exige S and the 4th letter is a V and I have a new one on order which I collect in 2 weeks time that also has a V as the 4th letter. How can this be unless I am reading the link wrongly?
Anotherway to spot a 111s is to look at the engine. The intake plenum is cast metal rather than the plastic version on the standard car. Obviously like the wheels, diffuser, badges etc it could be put on a standard car that someone was trying to pass off as a 111s but I can't see anyone bothering to go to all that trouble.
Benmac said:
Anotherway to spot a 111s is to look at the engine. The intake plenum is cast metal rather than the plastic version on the standard car. Obviously like the wheels, diffuser, badges etc it could be put on a standard car that someone was trying to pass off as a 111s but I can't see anyone bothering to go to all that trouble.
There are lots of subtle differences with the 111S. The sound deadening is one - I can't imagine anyone would bother putting all that on!Hi guys, Thanks alot for all of your input,some obvious things i had overlooked (valve covers)that could easily be faked,I have seen the VVC logo on an S1, as you may tell I'm an Elise novice,researching and grasping for info has amost become an obsession, but armed with more info makes me more comfortable with parting with the cash, this forum has been a wealth of information.
I have the possibility of buying a cheaper car abroad and having it shipped to the UK with only having looked at photo's. Its the perfect spec, and colour but i'm now wondering which would be the safest way to do the money bit? any more input would be welcome.
Many thanks, Andersvan
I have the possibility of buying a cheaper car abroad and having it shipped to the UK with only having looked at photo's. Its the perfect spec, and colour but i'm now wondering which would be the safest way to do the money bit? any more input would be welcome.
Many thanks, Andersvan
CloverLoti said:
Hope you've not been looking at this lemon another ebay scam.
How long have you been looking? The car you're after is out there. Most of the 111S's that I've looked at also has 4 speakers (not sure if that was standard with the 111S or not).
I think it was, yes. 4 speakers, sound deadening (including on the air intake), full carpets, a different rear diffuser, leather trimmed door panels and electric windows.How long have you been looking? The car you're after is out there. Most of the 111S's that I've looked at also has 4 speakers (not sure if that was standard with the 111S or not).
Hi Cloverloti,
Another Lemon,
I did ask myself why I was the only one interested in this offer. Its funny how, when you know you should walk away from what seems a to good to be a true offer you always want to check it out further in the hope that it actually may be, it's human nature to hang around. What can you tell me about this Ebay scam? It seems they want paid by a 3rd party mediator, probably not someone of my choice, thanks again to this forum for confirming my suspicions.
I've been searching for about 3 months now but as I said before the last one I looked at was perfect, almost, barr the colour, untill it was written off! But, buying second hand you make do with the little things.
It would be good to get some feedback on this Lemon?
Anders
Another Lemon,
I did ask myself why I was the only one interested in this offer. Its funny how, when you know you should walk away from what seems a to good to be a true offer you always want to check it out further in the hope that it actually may be, it's human nature to hang around. What can you tell me about this Ebay scam? It seems they want paid by a 3rd party mediator, probably not someone of my choice, thanks again to this forum for confirming my suspicions.
I've been searching for about 3 months now but as I said before the last one I looked at was perfect, almost, barr the colour, untill it was written off! But, buying second hand you make do with the little things.
It would be good to get some feedback on this Lemon?
Anders
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