135R or 111S
Author
Discussion

malbon

Original Poster:

280 posts

292 months

Tuesday 30th October 2007
quotequote all
Just having a chat on the phone with a guy who is looking to buy a 135R - mine is for sale.

He's veering towards the 160bhp model as he thinks the extra horses will be more useful. I've owned a few S1 111's, driven an S2 111S and have had the legs on a few of them on runs - and im damned if the 156bhp S2 is quicker that the 135R/143bhp S1 !??

What says ?

kevin ritson

3,423 posts

258 months

Tuesday 30th October 2007
quotequote all
Blimey, you've owned pretty much every variant, if anyone should know it's you tongue out

It's the two extremes, isn't it? I don't have the luxury of two cars so a 111S is perfect for me, whereas if I only did 5,000 miles a year and most on track it would be a 135R.

malbon

Original Poster:

280 posts

292 months

Tuesday 30th October 2007
quotequote all
That was my way of thinking as well Kevin when buying. The VVC engine is probably a bit stronger but the 135R's CR box negates the difference in bhp IMHO. Even the 111R didn't feel tons quicker to me and thats a 60bhp advantage. Only after 80mph have I ever felt they had the legs on me.

Anyway...<shrugs shoulders>..just thought id guage opinion !

fentuz

97 posts

232 months

Tuesday 30th October 2007
quotequote all
malbon said:
Just having a chat on the phone with a guy who is looking to buy a 135R - mine is for sale.

He's veering towards the 160bhp model as he thinks the extra horses will be more useful. I've owned a few S1 111's, driven an S2 111S and have had the legs on a few of them on runs - and im damned if the 156bhp S2 is quicker that the 135R/143bhp S1 !??

What says ?
Leave this guy with his illusions...

As you know (but not this guy) it's not the bulk power which is important but the ratio power to weight....

Lotusnick S2

251 posts

261 months

Tuesday 30th October 2007
quotequote all
fentuz said:
malbon said:
Just having a chat on the phone with a guy who is looking to buy a 135R - mine is for sale.

He's veering towards the 160bhp model as he thinks the extra horses will be more useful. I've owned a few S1 111's, driven an S2 111S and have had the legs on a few of them on runs - and im damned if the 156bhp S2 is quicker that the 135R/143bhp S1 !??

What says ?
Leave this guy with his illusions...

As you know (but not this guy) it's not the bulk power which is important but the ratio power to weight....
Then if you know any maths, the S2 111s is far faster than a 135R as its power to weight is far better wink

In real life, production Elises are fairly close up to 80-90 mph.

As everyone had said, the 111s is a great compromise, but if you want a track car for a few miles per annum and dont want to spend money on suspension/wheels then get a 135R.

Or get an 111s and fit an Ohlins/Nitron, buy an extra set of wheels and have the best of both worlds wink



malbon

Original Poster:

280 posts

292 months

Wednesday 31st October 2007
quotequote all
Haha...Now I can understand his thinking from the outset.

156bhp vs 135bhp in standard guise.

However...(Nick wink ) as Fentuz says its all about power to weight ratio.

The 111s is claimed to be 806 kgs whereas the 135R is claimed to be 720 kgs giving 197 bhp/ton vs 190 bhp/ton respectively. Add the CR box into the mixer and the better suspension and I wouldn't be putting good money on the 111s winning the fight !

This isn't a 'Which is better?' thread - just curious to get an impression from people who have driven the two !

When I was looking I drove them both and took the 135R as it felt and looked more special. However with the prices so closely matched looking back I would of tried to get as faster car as possible for my money - which I am still sure I did. (Jez F wouldn't sell me his Audi S1 at the time tongue out)

Anyway...carry on !

kambites

71,670 posts

252 months

Wednesday 31st October 2007
quotequote all
I was under the impression from what I've read that 135's usually actually generated significantly more than 135bhp anyway.

RobM77

35,349 posts

265 months

Wednesday 31st October 2007
quotequote all
I'm not sure this is the question you should be asking. The S2 111S is the 'comfort' version of the Elise, and the 135R is the 'sharpened handling' version, and any comparisions between the two cars should be centered around these facts.

Gooby

9,269 posts

265 months

Wednesday 31st October 2007
quotequote all
going cross country for a hard run, variants like the 135R and S1 S160 will kick the arse off nearly anything with wheels. You have to be bl00dy confident in a 135r because the suspension is very hard and can "skip" on rough roads.

The 111s is a great compromise, it is fast it is comfortable to do a long journey.

135r is a purists car

Lawrence5

1,254 posts

266 months

Wednesday 31st October 2007
quotequote all
160bhp gives you more pub bragging rights wink

my 135R with B & C backbox and piper 4 into 2 into 1 made 141bhp on the dyno. Have a K & N sucking in warm air which the guy estimated cost a few hourse power so I'd say 135bhp std is about right.


As Malbon says the 135R feels quicker due to the g/box........ 129lbft of torque @ 5000 too biggrin


http://www.dyno-plot.co.uk/dyno/dynoplot/id%3D330_...

cheekymonkey

1,139 posts

255 months

Wednesday 31st October 2007
quotequote all
IMO

111s - great all rounder
135r - marginally quicker on most tracks due to suspension / tyres etc

So little in it... it's down to driver preference & what it will be used for.

Lotusnick S2

251 posts

261 months

Wednesday 31st October 2007
quotequote all
malbon said:
Haha...Now I can understand his thinking from the outset.

156bhp vs 135bhp in standard guise.

However...(Nick wink ) as Fentuz says its all about power to weight ratio.

The 111s is claimed to be 806 kgs whereas the 135R is claimed to be 720 kgs giving 197 bhp/ton vs 190 bhp/ton respectively. Add the CR box into the mixer and the better suspension and I wouldn't be putting good money on the 111s winning the fight !

This isn't a 'Which is better?' thread - just curious to get an impression from people who have driven the two !

When I was looking I drove them both and took the 135R as it felt and looked more special. However with the prices so closely matched looking back I would of tried to get as faster car as possible for my money - which I am still sure I did. (Jez F wouldn't sell me his Audi S1 at the time tongue out)

Anyway...carry on !
135R at 720kg? biglaugh
The 806kg for the 111s is for the mod04 (electrics) cars the mod02 are at 760.
Use real numbers and the diff would be higher in favour of the 111s.

But that is not the point.
I used the maths to show the flaw in the thinking.

So apart from your dodgy numbers we agree blah

S Works

10,166 posts

281 months

Wednesday 31st October 2007
quotequote all
Pah, these bloody 111S drivers all think they're driving gods or something rofl

jb111s

393 posts

249 months

Wednesday 31st October 2007
quotequote all
Lotusnick S2 said:
malbon said:
Haha...Now I can understand his thinking from the outset.

156bhp vs 135bhp in standard guise.

However...(Nick wink ) as Fentuz says its all about power to weight ratio.

The 111s is claimed to be 806 kgs whereas the 135R is claimed to be 720 kgs giving 197 bhp/ton vs 190 bhp/ton respectively. Add the CR box into the mixer and the better suspension and I wouldn't be putting good money on the 111s winning the fight !

This isn't a 'Which is better?' thread - just curious to get an impression from people who have driven the two !

When I was looking I drove them both and took the 135R as it felt and looked more special. However with the prices so closely matched looking back I would of tried to get as faster car as possible for my money - which I am still sure I did. (Jez F wouldn't sell me his Audi S1 at the time tongue out)

Anyway...carry on !
135R at 720kg? biglaugh
The 806kg for the 111s is for the mod04 (electrics) cars the mod02 are at 760.
Use real numbers and the diff would be higher in favour of the 111s.

But that is not the point.
I used the maths to show the flaw in the thinking.

So apart from your dodgy numbers we agree blah
How come the 04 111s is so much heavier than the 02 ? I thought the only difference was the insulated soft top & newer seats ?

RobM77

35,349 posts

265 months

Wednesday 31st October 2007
quotequote all
jb111s said:
Lotusnick S2 said:
malbon said:
Haha...Now I can understand his thinking from the outset.

156bhp vs 135bhp in standard guise.

However...(Nick wink ) as Fentuz says its all about power to weight ratio.

The 111s is claimed to be 806 kgs whereas the 135R is claimed to be 720 kgs giving 197 bhp/ton vs 190 bhp/ton respectively. Add the CR box into the mixer and the better suspension and I wouldn't be putting good money on the 111s winning the fight !

This isn't a 'Which is better?' thread - just curious to get an impression from people who have driven the two !

When I was looking I drove them both and took the 135R as it felt and looked more special. However with the prices so closely matched looking back I would of tried to get as faster car as possible for my money - which I am still sure I did. (Jez F wouldn't sell me his Audi S1 at the time tongue out)

Anyway...carry on !
135R at 720kg? biglaugh
The 806kg for the 111s is for the mod04 (electrics) cars the mod02 are at 760.
Use real numbers and the diff would be higher in favour of the 111s.

But that is not the point.
I used the maths to show the flaw in the thinking.

So apart from your dodgy numbers we agree blah
How come the 04 111s is so much heavier than the 02 ? I thought the only difference was the insulated soft top & newer seats ?
Did things like aircon, electric windows etc become standard in '04? Also, is this including the hard top, which I think also became standard then...

kambites

71,670 posts

252 months

Wednesday 31st October 2007
quotequote all
RobM77 said:
Did things like aircon, electric windows etc become standard in '04? Also, is this including the hard top, which I think also became standard then...
I have MY04 111S without aircon but it does have electric windows and a hardtop. Better sound deadening too and maybe more air vents? Not sure.

Edited by kambites on Wednesday 31st October 11:38

RobM77

35,349 posts

265 months

Wednesday 31st October 2007
quotequote all
kambites said:
RobM77 said:
Did things like aircon, electric windows etc become standard in '04? Also, is this including the hard top, which I think also became standard then...
I have MY04 111S without aircon but it does have electric windows and a hardtop. Better sound deadening too and maybe more air vents? Not sure.

Edited by kambites on Wednesday 31st October 11:38
Sorry, yes, you're right - aircon was still an option on MY04 cars.

Beachbum

2,610 posts

262 months

Wednesday 31st October 2007
quotequote all
Electric windows actually weigh less than the manual version.

The biggest increase in weight is usally from insualton, whether that be the sound or heat variety. My 111R is most probably one of the lightest out there, not because I had anything removed, but because I didnt have the Touring Pack added. When I was talking to Dealers about it the estimates varied from 60-80Kgs, so even at just 60Kgs thats a significant differnece to a 840kg car. At the time of ordering my 111R, Lotus reconfirmed the order as it was the first order they had received without the Touring Pack requested. It wasnt long after that, it became standard anyway

Lawrence5

1,254 posts

266 months

Wednesday 31st October 2007
quotequote all
http://www.bell-colvill.co.uk/Lotus/Elise135r.htm

<<Weight:
Dry weight 710Kg
Kerb weight 757Kg (Including full tank of fuel) >>

That said look at the power curves above and consider the gearing..... know which I would (and did) choose wink

RobM77

35,349 posts

265 months

Wednesday 31st October 2007
quotequote all
As I said before, it's a bizarre comparison, as these two cars are at completely the opposite ends of the Elise spectrum. The 111S is intended as an everyday road car for someone that wants a bit more quiet, comfort and "any rev" driveability than the standard car provides, and the 135R is intended as a weekend and track day car. My 111S is perfect for my needs (everyday transport) - I have to say that the performance didn't even come into it for me - I bought it primarily for the sound deadening and driveability of the VVC engine.