Tuesday 13th October 2015

Lotus Elise Sport 135: PH Fleet

Been a while since we heard from Danny and his Lotus; if there hasn't been much driving it's not been a quiet time for the Elise...

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Hands up; I've not been the best father for S614 SEL. Not neglectful, I hasten to add, but I've always had that niggling feeling that we've not spent enough quality time together. And so, like the typical guilty parent, I've tried to alleviate my conscience by spending money on it instead. Last winter was no different, which is why you're currently reading the first update on my Elise in almost a year.

It was last November when I dropped it off at Analogue Automotive. The plan was to combine an offer of shelter over the winter with a list of jobs that could help fill any downtime in the workshop. With only a loose spring deadline, the work could be tackled piecemeal in around other cars.

Of course, it didn't quite work out like that. The ramps remained busy all winter. Three months turned to six months. Six months became nine months, and by the time I got round to heading down to Petersfield to pick it up, September was looming fast.

When I first bought S615SEL, five years ago, it was HGF that caused the most sleepless nights. Yes, those three little letters hanging spectre-like over every K-Series engine. As it turns out, though, the engine has barely missed a beat, and instead it's the surrounding infrastructure in which cracks have developed. I'm being harsh, though. Yes, there have been bills, but the amounts are probably pocket money to anyone owning a Porsche of a similar age, and for an 18-year-old car, that has spent the last five years living outside, I've got to admit it's done bloody well really.

For all the work I've had done, two ticking time bombs still required defusing. Making a constant whine behind my right ear, the fuel pump was never far from my mind. Coupled with that was the radiator; the cooling system on the Elise has never been its strong point, and as mine was still running the original part complete with plastic end caps, I really was asking for trouble.

So, with half an eye on some engine work further down the line, I thought it wise to try and leapfrog the next big bill and sign-off on this pre-emptive maintenance. Thus a new all-alloy radiator was installed - a clam-off job - and a new fuel pump fitted. This is also labour-intensive, as the fuel tank has to be dropped out. The rest of my list consisted of minor jobs - silly, little things that I should probably do myself, such as respraying the mesh grills and removing and cleaning the headlight covers - swapping tyres around, fixing the speedo, aligning the steering wheel and lubricating the gear linkage.

With almost parental dedication, I stalked Analogue's social media feed while it was gone. The reward was occasional glimpses of a headlight, or a rear wheel arch, lurking behind some beautiful S1 Exige or spanking new Zenos. It wasn't much, but just enough to provide some comfort.

It was a beautiful sunny day when I finally returned to collect it; the blue sky bouncing off the Quicksilver paintwork as it sat outside the workshop. Better still, we had some of the best roads in Sussex with which to reacquaint ourselves on the journey home to its newly rented garage. After such a long separation, it was like meeting all over again. Those things you take for granted as an owner, became fresh and exciting once again. Little things, such as how even the gentlest tug on the door feels like an enraged slam, the levels of contortion needed to get in the driver's seat with the hardtop fitted, and the tinkle of gravel peppering the tub when you brush the centreline on a corner.

And more significant aspects such as the clarity from the steering, and the way it responds to a delicacy and lightness of touch unheard of in anything modern, the linearity of the throttle response, the feel through the brake pedal and the complete absence of gadgets and distractions. It may no longer feel fast in comparison to today's metal, but it has the marvellous gift of multiplying speed; 50 along a country road feels like 70. 60 feels like 80. You are at the beating heart of every drive; sensing, evaluating, responding. It is a potent tonic to the staggeringly fast, but increasingly detached experience delivered by contemporary machinery. I think you could say it was a joyful reunion.

Just a few days after collecting my Elise from Analogue, I was delivering it to yet another industrial estate, this time the premises of Renovatio Automotive Detailing, purveyors of the SiRamiK coating you may have read about on the homepage recently. For the sales pitch check out Dan's story, but essentially the idea is to apply an extremely tough and durable coating that promises years of protection and shine for minimal elbow grease. Financially, I'm not really in Renovatio's target demographic, but as someone with more than a slight OCD tendency, and a reluctance to spend the many hours needed to do clean the thing properly, I definitely fit the personality profile. At around £1,500 for an Elise size car, it's bloody pricey. It's also a labour-intensive job, though, and that is a big chunk of the cost. Even so, to justify the investment involved, it's really going to have to impress long-term.

According to Renovatio, my car's paint was well looked after and in decent nick for its age. But, clapping eyes on it for the first time after the treatment was genuinely impressive. It really was a sight to behold. And when we rolled it out of the workshop into the sun, it was like staring directly at bare bulb. I actually had to squint. You're probably expecting me to say it looked like it had just rolled out of the factory, but I honestly doubt it looked anywhere near this good back in January 1999.

Time to get out there, then, before the gritters start prowling, and see if it can stay looking this good without turning into a detailing nerd.

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Fact sheet
Car: 1998 Lotus Elise Sport 135
Run by: Danny Milner
Bought: October 2010
Purchase price: £9,500
This month at a glance:Next question...

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Previous reports
For speed add lightness, to wallet in this case
Suspension fettling brings results, just in time for the alternator to go pop
Scottish road trip answers 'should I sell?' dilemma
Is it time for the Elise to go?
A cry of alarm from the Lotus - just drive me!
To Goodwood in the Elise
Why is the Elise slower on its new suspension then?
Nitron suspension upgrade for Danny's Elise
Elise shows its displeasure at winter weather
Pilgrimage to Hethel and a lap with handling guru Matt Becker
New wheels on and roof off; to Spa!
Pondering engine work now

 

[Scottie - NW]

£1500...not seen it but all these treatments remind me of Emperor's new clothes.

[bobbsie]

question i would ask is; did Danny shell 1500 of his own? or was this a promotion?

i'm interested in a ceramic coat (Gtechniq) for my car at a few hundred, but this sounds more ferrari territory.

[HeMightBeBanned]

"and for an 18-year-old car"

January 1999 to October 2015 does not make 18 years

Now stop being so precious, stop worrying about HGF and drive the damned thing! My '99 S1 has got 105,000 miles on the clock and it's still an absolute joy. If I get HGF, it's an opportunity to whip the head off and get some work done (bigger valves, port and polish...) to bump up the power and torque a bit more. A far better way to spend £1,500 than on some fancy washing up liquid

[mnx42]

HeMightBeBanned said:

A far better way to spend £1,500 than on some fancy washing up liquid

Haha!

[Itsallicanafford]

for £1500 i would want some form of forced induction included free with the car wash

[Scottie - NW]

Scottie - NW said:

£1500...not seen it but all these treatments remind me of Emperor's new clothes.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=1546038

Here is the thread to save anyone searching.

It appears the £1500 also include integrity removal.

[Danny Milner]

HeMightBeBanned said:

"and for an 18-year-old car"

January 1999 to October 2015 does not make 18 years

Now stop being so precious, stop worrying about HGF and drive the damned thing! My '99 S1 has got 105,000 miles on the clock and it's still an absolute joy. If I get HGF, it's an opportunity to whip the head off and get some work done (bigger valves, port and polish...) to bump up the power and torque a bit more. A far better way to spend £1,500 than on some fancy washing up liquid

Indeed, total brain failure there!

And your suggestion is next on the list.

[Danny Milner]

bobbsie said:

question i would ask is; did Danny shell 1500 of his own? or was this a promotion?

i'm interested in a ceramic coat (Gtechniq) for my car at a few hundred, but this sounds more ferrari territory.

No, I don't have that kind of money floating around. The coating was offered foc to see how it performs on a long term basis.

Sure it's out of my reach, but it's not ridiculous when you think you might spend a similar amount on a stereo upgrade or some carbon interior trim on a new performance car.

[thelawnet1]

Ooh another story about this car's snake oil rub-down.

Is this going to be a series?

[Orange Rocket]

There always has been and there always will be something that's just 'right' about the S1 Elise shape and size. Even though my preferred purchase choice would be an S2, I will always adore the S1. In Quicksilver it's even more lovely.






Maybe I'll have to reacquaint myself with the S1 classifieds...

[rog007]

HeMightBeBanned said:

"and for an 18-year-old car"

January 1999 to October 2015 does not make 18 years

Now stop being so precious, stop worrying about HGF and drive the damned thing! My '99 S1 has got 105,000 miles on the clock and it's still an absolute joy. If I get HGF, it's an opportunity to whip the head off and get some work done (bigger valves, port and polish...) to bump up the power and torque a bit more. A far better way to spend £1,500 than on some fancy washing up liquid

[Leggy]

Mmmmm me thinks this should have been under the promotions heading.......
Let's hear from someone who's stumped up the dosh.

Edited by Leggy on Tuesday 13th October 19:26