No more K?

The_Rossatron · Post by **The_Rossatron** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 12:29 am

Looks like thats the official end of the K series in the Elise then.

Shame that the range starts at nearly 30k and the rumoured 140bhp car will probably weigh in at the same as the R.

Post by **simon** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 12:33 am

The rumoured 140bhp car is also rumoured to cost £27k

Also, the new supercharged Exige Cup can cost up to £50k

Post by ed » Thu Nov 10, 2005 10:02 am

Do you think this will help the 2nd hand rover engined market?

The_Rossatron · Post by **The_Rossatron** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 10:13 am

ed wrote:

Do you think this will help the 2nd hand rover engined market?

Do you mean for the Elise or just in general? I have people telling me that whereas I was thinking the other way, but if you cheapest new Elise is suddenly £27,995 then it may help their residuals. Also, what insurance group is the 111R in anyone?

Post by ed » Thu Nov 10, 2005 12:03 pm

I was thinking about the elise.

I believe the 111r is a 20.

jj · Post by jj » Thu Nov 10, 2005 12:16 pm

Do you mean for the Elise or just in general?

From what I have seen the Rover market (things like 25s / 75s etc) is, erm, shafted.

I dont think it affects, say, me much as most of the folk who would likely buy a used S1 for 10large are not going to be also looking at 20k S2s.

But I would have thought it would make people who would have bought a 23k 111s s2 new go after used examples as 23 to 28k for the next new model is a fair jump.

Meenrod · Post by **Meenrod** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 11:33 am

Hi all,

This is my first post, just bought an Elise last week. As it happens, I bought a new 111S, and purposely didn't go for a similar priced used 111R. I think the Toyota engined cars aren't as well suited to city centre driving, (well not Edinburgh anyway) and as that is where I am communting to I wanted a K-series engine. I think the demise of the K-series will have a positive impact on the residuals of Elises with K-series, simply because at the end of the day, it was (and is) a great, lightweight engine, well suited to the car. If Rover hadn't gone under would Lotus have replaced them with a Toyota engine? I don't think so.

Although, I could be wrong!

Meenrod

Post by **simon** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 2:06 pm

Actually, I believe they would've been forced into replacing the K as it doesn't conform to some Euro standard or something, despite the lower emissions than the yota one.

mac · Post by **mac** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 3:06 pm

The K was killing the popularity of the elise in europe, bit to delicate for their liking and not enough BHP.

I don't think it would have cut the mustard stateside either

Mac

Post by **Shug** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 3:08 pm

Indeed - and we won't go on about the woeful build and reliability record of the engine....

But I'm sure you'll be very chuffed with it - the 111S engine is definately the best standard K and seems not to suffer from the swiss cheese casting of the standard heads... (ask me how I know

)

But nobody buys Elises for residuals (hopefully) Fact is, the market doesn't care what engine is best for whatever style of driving, if it's discontinued, it's old - therefore less desirable. Sadly, that's how the trade works.

All the more excuse to keep it for many years to come!

Post by **simon** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 4:39 pm

Lets face it, 111R residuals ain't exactly wonderful as they're now down to the low £20ks for high milers so if you're that worried about it, you shouldn't buy a car full stop.

I'd agree with you Shug about the 111S but the one thing I think it really needs is the standard gearbox. As it is, it's not much quicker than a std S2 but with the same gearbox the extra 40bhp should make it a good bit faster.

The_Rossatron · Post by **The_Rossatron** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 5:05 pm

simon wrote: I'd agree with you Shug about the 111S but the one thing I think it really needs is the standard gearbox. As it is, it's not much quicker than a std S2 but with the same gearbox the extra 40bhp should make it a good bit faster.

Does the S2 111S not have the close ratio box that the standard S2 has?

Meenrod · Post by **Meenrod** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 5:30 pm

I thought the 111S has a closer ratio box than the standard car?... At least that's what the dealer told me!

Post by **simon** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 5:35 pm

The_Rossatron wrote: Does the S2 111S not have the close ratio box that the standard S2 has?

No it's got longer gearing so the power difference isn't as noticeable as it really should be. I think it's because Rover would only sell the VVC with the gearbox it has. I dunno how much a close ratio 'box would be but I may look into it one of these days. It'd certainly help me stay ahead of G at KH unless I get myself some LSS/Nitrons first

The_Rossatron · Post by **The_Rossatron** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 6:54 pm

True Lotus logic

S1 - standard ratio box
S1 111s close ratio box
S2 - close ratio box
S2 111s standard ratio box