Anyone with an S1 111S or Sport 160?

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StuC
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Anyone with an S1 111S or Sport 160?

Post by StuC » Wed Apr 17, 2019 11:41 am

Hi all,

I'm new to the forum but have had a couple of Lotus cars over the last few years - an S2 Elise SC and then an S2 Exige S.

After some time away from Lotus, I've decided to come back. It's funny how they do that...

I've got a notion on an S1 variant this time, in search of a more theatrical experience, for want of a better phrase. I think a standard car will be too much of a performance drop compared to my previous two, and I'm wondering about a 111S or S160, however rarely they seem to come up for sale. Obviously I'm aware these will also represent a performance drop but with the slightly lighter weight I'm hoping it won't be unacceptable.

I've never even sat in an S1, of any kind, and I wondered if there was anyone out there (near-ish Edinburgh) who'd be willing to let me see round their car and have a bit of a chat about their ownership experience.

I'd be very grateful for any help you can offer. Feel free to PM me if you'd prefer.

Many thanks
Stuart

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C7Steve
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Re: Anyone with an S1 111S or Sport 160?

Post by C7Steve » Wed Apr 17, 2019 12:07 pm

Hello Stu,

Good to hear that your are coming back into the Lotus fold. I am sorry that I cannot really help you, but if you can get yourself up to Knockhill tomorrow afternoon or evening, then there is a good chance that there will be a few S1 cars or a few people who have had one previously that you could talk too. I will be in the Yellow Exige V6, so feel free to come and say hello.

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=44294


Steve.

StuC
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Re: Anyone with an S1 111S or Sport 160?

Post by StuC » Wed Apr 17, 2019 12:17 pm

Hi Steve

Thanks very much for that.

Unfortunately I've got a couple of night shifts coming up so I won't make it to Knockhill tomorrow. This is exactly the sort of thing I'll be signing up for when I finally get one again though. Enjoy the event!

Stu

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graeme
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Re: Anyone with an S1 111S or Sport 160?

Post by graeme » Wed Apr 17, 2019 12:57 pm

I can't see past this beauty at the moment:

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds ... 00/9558960

I miss that lumpy idle so much!

It pains me to say it, but the 111S is the better car (CR box, VVC torques etc), but for pure character a Scandal S160 is hard to beat!
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Dominic
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Re: Anyone with an S1 111S or Sport 160?

Post by Dominic » Wed Apr 17, 2019 1:07 pm

Hi Stu,

I have a S1 Sport 135, with circa 150 bhp. Not too near Edinburgh, (Milton of Campsie), but you are welcome to come over and see that / pax if you want. The 135s came from Lotus with around 145 bhp, and a close ratio gear box, so performance is not too different to the 160. Just a different delivery and character. The lighter weight of the S1s help a little with their power deficit to the S2s. Also makes for different handling characteristics. Drop me a PM if you wish to arrange to pop over.
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StuC
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Re: Anyone with an S1 111S or Sport 160?

Post by StuC » Wed Apr 17, 2019 1:54 pm

That scandal green one does indeed look amazing. Realistically though I'm probably after a more subtle colour - my Exige was saffron yellow and it certainly attracted a lot of attention!

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Re: Anyone with an S1 111S or Sport 160?

Post by Corranga » Wed Apr 17, 2019 7:06 pm

I have a standard car that has been breathed upon slightly over the years, stage 1 head, valves etc, plus some other bits including a close ratio box and I guess probably making similar power to the 135. K-series tuning isn't horrifically expensive, and plenty will already be modified - perhaps offering a cheaper route into a car that isn't quite as rare as the limited run models.

I'm also not that close to Edinburgh, but if you plan to find yourself around Dundee at any point, you're welcome to come and see mine too.
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Re: Anyone with an S1 111S or Sport 160?

Post by IanD » Wed Apr 17, 2019 9:34 pm

Dominic wrote:
Wed Apr 17, 2019 1:07 pm
Hi Stu,

I have a S1 Sport 135, with circa 150 bhp. Not too near Edinburgh, (Milton of Campsie), but you are welcome to come over and see that / pax if you want. The 135s came from Lotus with around 145 bhp, and a close ratio gear box, so performance is not too different to the 160. Just a different delivery and character. The lighter weight of the S1s help a little with their power deficit to the S2s. Also makes for different handling characteristics. Drop me a PM if you wish to arrange to pop over.
Wondered when you would pitch in with the 135 angle :)

Also think about an earlier S2, I had a 54 plate rover engines 111s which had relative comfort and handy stuff like dash vents for blasting heat out when roofless , easy soft top removal, electric windows and then a 54 plate Toyota 111r. Loved the feel of the rover engine plus non servoed brakes so much more, felt very different to 111r.
So think about a S2 111s and swap the gearbox out for a short ratio would be good if you don’t want full fat S1, worth at least considering compared to what you had.

But don’t have above or an s1 so can’t help you much...
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Re: Anyone with an S1 111S or Sport 160?

Post by StuC » Thu Apr 18, 2019 12:44 am

Thanks all for the advice and the kind offers.

Ian - I drove a 111R a few years ago and I must say I didn’t really get on with the power delivery. I’m aware there might be a similar story with the S160 but I’ve heard the 111S is more linear. Hadn’t really thought about modifying an S2 in such a way but it might be something to consider. Sadly I don’t have a garage and this might ultimately push me down the S2 path anyway, but I’m keen to explore the S1 option to start with.

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Re: Anyone with an S1 111S or Sport 160?

Post by campbell » Thu Apr 18, 2019 2:03 am

Welcome Stu.

An S1 is a special experience. In many ways. Not all of them positive though, sadly.

They need a lot of TLC and will often break. 20 yr old cars with 40 year old parts designs in places. Eg wheel bearings.

I ran one for 18 years. Loved it. 120k miles and all :-)

If you are dead set on one, you need to be handy with the Spanners ... and the classic-car problem solving.

You should also expect it to be off the road when you most want to use it Image

They are also not liked by insurers. Slightest whiff of bodywork damage and it’s Cat N write off.

Anyway if all that hasn’t put you off then enjoy :-)

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Re: Anyone with an S1 111S or Sport 160?

Post by Mikie711 » Thu Apr 18, 2019 7:39 am

campbell wrote:
Thu Apr 18, 2019 2:03 am
Slightest whiff of bodywork damage and it’s Cat N write off.

Campbell
That's true for anything in the Lotus stable under £25k and probably over that as well. The 111r I rebuilt from an accident damaged repairable had rear clam damage and a bent wishbone and was written off. Was an easy repair.
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campbell
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Re: Anyone with an S1 111S or Sport 160?

Post by campbell » Thu Apr 18, 2019 7:57 am

True, Mike.

And that reminds me that S2 clam shells may be as unobtainium as S1’s these days!

The insurer calc is a fairly simple economic cost-value one as I understand it. So maybe the escalating value of the increasingly rare S1 might help turn things around.

Anyway the fact remains they are a labour of love and any buyer needs to have their eyes open, and not just get carried away with the romance of it all :-)

S1 clams and doors for an S3 chassis? Now THERE’S a romantic notionnImage
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StuC
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Re: Anyone with an S1 111S or Sport 160?

Post by StuC » Thu Apr 18, 2019 4:27 pm

Sadly yes I have first hand experience with insurance and parts for these cars! Not something I ever wish to repeat.

I’ve bought a few used cars in my time but my experience with a spanner is fairly limited. The info I’ve had so far from here and elsewhere does suggest that an S1 would come with a fair bit more to consider. It’s certainly not something I intend to rush into.

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Re: Anyone with an S1 111S or Sport 160?

Post by campbell » Thu Apr 18, 2019 5:07 pm

The right one could be out there, Stu.

Take your time.

The odd one pops up here occasionally too. And we usually know its history. Warts and all. ;-)
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Re: Anyone with an S1 111S or Sport 160?

Post by ScottJ-PS » Fri Apr 19, 2019 7:25 am

I have a 53 plate S2, standard engine but as a Sports tourer has the close ratio box. It is plenty fast enough for me on real world roads though I have done 1 track day and found it too slow in amongst the SC and V6 cars .

The K series has plenty of low down torque and as the revs rise the close ratio box keeps you in the band .

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