Loosing coolant - replace radiator?

[Mikie711]

I have never sent a set back, but then I have never run a car for more than a year with them on

[T6 KFR]

I certainly didn't appreciate they needed an annual service, thats a hassle i could do without each year plus that extra cost ontop of the cars service etc....

Ill reconsider then : thanks for that feedback.

[Mikie711]

You don't need to send them in every year. Nitron recommends that you do but they would wouldn't they. So you could wait two years then send them in to maintain the one year rolling warranty.

"Nitron warrants all its products and accessories against design and material defect for a period of 2 years from date of purchase. Uniquely, Nitron offer a rolling 12 month parts and labour warranty on all shocks that are serviced by a Nitron Approved Service Centre."

[Dominic]

Woody did not use his car much, and one of his nitrons apparently sprang a leak with the car sitting on the drive way. I have no doubt that they are good on track and road.... just maybe not so on the driveway.

[Mikie711]

The problem is that your are very limited by what is available. Cheap and cheerful are GAZ, AVO or Protech. OEM is bilstein, Koni or Ohlins. Good aftermarket are Quantum or Nitron. Both of these are aimed squarely at the trackday/race markets and not really at the road market although Nitrons street series is more of a road shock than the NTR.
All that said the difference between Nitron NTR and even the best billies has to be experienced. They are so much better in every way, just ask Mike, who has bought the 260 Elise, about the ride quality.
I guess it depends what you want, if it's fit and forget then Billies or maybe the street series from Nitron (don't know enough about them). Else it's a toss up between Ohlins, if you can stomach the cost, Nitron or Quantum all of which will need TLC throughout there life time but not necessarily annually.

[T6 KFR]

In a nutshell i want very little to worry about and as my car doesnt get used alot it may be better to stick with OEM. I liked the idea of upgrade but it sounds like it would cause extra concern in long-term.

Although will i have the elise in 2 years. Knowing me ill have changed to something else .

[C7Steve]

In a nutshell i want very little to worry about and as my car doesnt get used alot it may be better to stick with OEM. I liked the idea of upgrade but it sounds like it would cause extra concern in long-term.

Although will i have the elise in 2 years. Knowing me ill have changed to something else .

Kevin, you answered your own question. OEM Bilsteins are what you need.

Lotus know a thing or two about car handling.


Steve.

[Dominic]

For Bilstien refurb....

David Masters
Workshop Manager
ThyssenKrupp Bilstein GmbH
Unit 3 Swannington Road | Broughton Astley | Leicestershire | LE9 6TU | England
Phone:+44 1455 283407

[Mikie711]

In a nutshell i want very little to worry about and as my car doesnt get used alot it may be better to stick with OEM. I liked the idea of upgrade but it sounds like it would cause extra concern in long-term.

Although will i have the elise in 2 years. Knowing me ill have changed to something else .

Kevin, you answered your own question. OEM Bilsteins are what you need.

Lotus know a thing or two about car handling.


Steve.

Steve the Elise was built to a price hence it came with Koni's originally, then Bilseins, when Lotus want really good handling they don't use Bilsteins. They use Ohlins and now with the V6 Exige they also use Nitron as their first rung of the upgrade ladder.
When I had the blue S1 I changed the red Koni's to Billies and was very disappointed with the end result. All fitted by MMC but just not the improvement I was expecting given that everyone says they are so good. So not really a fan of the Bilstein set up, think it is still to stiff and crashy. And they are not that cheap certainly in th emid range price wise.

[T6 KFR]

In a nutshell i want very little to worry about and as my car doesnt get used alot it may be better to stick with OEM. I liked the idea of upgrade but it sounds like it would cause extra concern in long-term.

Although will i have the elise in 2 years. Knowing me ill have changed to something else .

Kevin, you answered your own question. OEM Bilsteins are what you need.

Lotus know a thing or two about car handling.


Steve.

Perhaps i have , but I'm hoping the fellow SE folks can steer me in the best direction to get the most out of my elise R.

I have no issue with the cars handling on existing suspension although compared to my last exige it feels very "light" at the front end.

[martins]

I have a paid of front Bilsteins off my Exige lying in the garage gathering dust if you want to fit for the time you have your away being refurbished. Or you could just try them out and see what you think. Let me know...Martin.

[T6 KFR]

I have a paid of front Bilsteins off my Exige lying in the garage gathering dust if you want to fit for the time you have your away being refurbished. Or you could just try them out and see what you think. Let me know...Martin.

Pm sent