S1 111s question

DavieK · Post by **DavieK** » Tue Oct 23, 2007 4:31 pm

While i still have the glimmer of hope of getting an elise again in the new year every now and again ill sit and look through the Ads.

Now the question is whilst looking i see the odd 111s marked down as a 98 car, is this correct ?

i always thought the 111s was 99-00 before the 160 took over from it

r055 · Post by **r055** » Tue Oct 23, 2007 5:00 pm

According to the elises.co.uk website the 111s was launched on the 8th March 1999...

http://www.elises.co.uk/models/111s/index.html

Baggy · Post by **Baggy** » Tue Oct 23, 2007 8:23 pm

Ref Service notes: Jan 99

VIN X5772 but they were still making standard cars too you just shouldn't find any 111s's with VINs preceeding that.

the 135s made in 98 were very similar visually to the 111s including 111s wheels.

DavieK · Post by **DavieK** » Wed Oct 24, 2007 11:07 am

Ah so that might be whats happening 135s advertised as 111s's ... although you would think people would know what they were driving ....

Ron · Post by **Ron** » Wed Oct 24, 2007 11:23 am

Just pm'd you about a 111S

Ron

craigs135s · Post by **craigs135s** » Thu Oct 25, 2007 4:18 pm

135's were 98 & 99. The first batch came with the normal wheels. Also wont have the 111s rear spolier.

Cheers
C

Post by **campbell** » Thu Oct 25, 2007 9:44 pm

You would be better off with a 135 sport.

[just being devil's advocate...both are pretty good, but fact is Lotus had to "reign in" performance quotes for 135 sport to avoid compromising sales of soon to be launched 111S]

elises.co.uk is certainly the place to go for the full low down on specs etc

Stewart · Post by **Stewart** » Thu Oct 25, 2007 11:40 pm

campbell wrote:You would be better off with a 135 sport.

Baggy · Post by **Baggy** » Fri Oct 26, 2007 2:43 pm

Nah....

steve_weegie · Post by **steve_weegie** » Fri Oct 26, 2007 3:10 pm

Wanna bet.......

r055 · Post by **r055** » Fri Oct 26, 2007 4:29 pm

NAH...

steve_weegie · Post by **steve_weegie** » Fri Oct 26, 2007 4:36 pm

r055 wrote:
steve_weegie wrote:Wanna bet.......
NAH...

Very sensible... A man who knows the odds of success

r055 · Post by **r055** » Fri Oct 26, 2007 4:50 pm

steve_weegie wrote:
r055 wrote:
steve_weegie wrote:Wanna bet.......
NAH...
Very sensible... A man who knows the odds of success

DavieK · Post by **DavieK** » Fri Oct 26, 2007 10:14 pm

Ive seen quite a few 135s for sale also but again im not sure if they are true 135s of standard with a tune up.

dont want to end up traveling loads of miles to see something thats not what it is advertised as.

Post by **campbell** » Fri Oct 26, 2007 11:29 pm

Even a std S1 with a 135 head - or similar - will be worth a look.

Mechanically, the 135 Sport is very similar to the S1, differing only in 135 CNC machined head courtesy of Janspeed, and a close ratio gearbox. Although it was demo'd by Lotus with their Sports suspension, this was NOT standard with the car.

The nice seats and unique paintwork are a bonus, but not essential to the driving enjoyment!

Since the 135 was launched, just weeks before I had to finalise the order for my new S1, I wanted one. Couldn't afford the price hike though. Over the years I've done all that I can to mine to get it sympathetically close to 135 spec, or better...with the exception of CR box which I don't want due to m-way miles I often do. I am VERY happy with the final result.

Indeed, you could simplify your search by finding a quality standard S1, then exchange the head with help from Sabre Heads and make some improvements to brakes and dampers (braided hoses, Pagid RS4-2 pads, EBC discs, and S2 Bilstein kit from Lotus or Steve Butts). Et voila - the S1 as it was always meant to be

Campbell