£10k Elise?

[woody]

- Behind the rear grilles it should be black, this is silver behind there - should it? I've never seen any black there, but not completely up on 135's.
- There should be a plastic trim round the outside of the rear wheel arches, almost meeting the diffuser and going round to about 11 o'clock. - not with those early 135/standard Elise wheels
- Near side has black stone guard film, Offside has clear or no film. - true, at least the driver's side has seen paint.

Anyway, 160ies are better, ain't they Campbell

If you've an Evora and possibly something else, I'd be tempted to go S1 as the compromises don't matter so much with a third car and being honest, I still prefer them over the S2, especially with the removable rear window. I'd be tempted to judge purely on the condition of what is available in your budget thought, an Elise is an Elise and it's the experience that matters.

[campbell]

Anyway, 160ies are better, ain't they Campbell

I still shake my head at the trick Lotus missed with 160s!!

For exclusivity, they might just pip the 135.

For drama, they definitely do

Put a CR box in one and you might just convince me...

And Woody, I can't wait til yours is back on the road!

[woody]

Anyway, 160ies are better, ain't they Campbell

I still shake my head at the trick Lotus missed with 160s!!

For exclusivity, they might just pip the 135.

For drama, they definitely do

Put a CR box in one and you might just convince me...

And Woody, I can't wait til yours is back on the road!

I had a drive in a 135 recently.... Very nice it was too. Not sure the close ratio box was all that though, but then it may just be me being used to a standard box and higher revs available. Was into 4 th where 3rd would have sufficed. Wasn't anything of any consequence though, even if Dom did feel a little off after the trip.

It may just be weeks away. engine and lower final drive but same gear ratios box sitting in the vicinity of the car now.

[campbell]

A lower FD...so will that slightly lower all the ratios then?

[know nothing about gear engineering faction]

[Gooldie]

I still shake my head at the trick Lotus missed with 160s!!!

What do you mean by that? A 160 is probably above budget, but are you saying they are to be avoided?


http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3925417.htm

[woody]

A lower FD...so will that slightly lower all the ratios then?

[know nothing about gear engineering faction]

Yes. The same FD as a 135 close ratio box.

[woody]

I still shake my head at the trick Lotus missed with 160s!!!

What do you mean by that? A 160 is probably above budget, but are you saying they are to be avoided?


http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3925417.htm

They're special but mis-understood. They have a certain idle and engine character quite unlike a factory 4 pot; the cam timing and map could be hugely better, but then you loose the character. Also have a standard ratio box where some feel the close ratio box would be better suited. Looks wise, 160 hands down for me.

That one is on the cheap side for a 160 now.

[campbell]

Good summary by Woody. Reasonable summary of a 160 too :

A 160 truly is special but perhaps for specific tastes only. The crazy racecar idle is certainly a sense of occasion and the overall cosmetic package is good, as Woody says.

I loved the rims, I loved the midlifecrisisspec colour option (krypton green I think they called it), I loved the fact it came with sports suspension (albeit Konis again...), and I loved the rarity value. If I hadn't already had an S1 in my possession I may well have bought one. But might have hated it

Stu Pollock has one. Get a look at that.

[robin]

Slightly off topic, but if all you do is lower the FD of a standard ratio box you've gained nothing much other than worse fuel economy on the motorway. The RPM distance between gears is what makes an impact on acceleration, albeit relatively small. The only time this isn't true is when you exactly hit the rev limiter when it's time to brake - in that sole case you'll have fully utilized the power band.

I recently switched back to my original S1 standard ratio gearbox in EGOR and on track at Oulton Park it made no noticeable difference - made a big difference on the motorway though!

Cheers,
Robin

[Stu160]

I would go for the 160, the most special S1 made.
Mine is now back to standard spec, and I am loving it............

Stu

( what about a VX and a nice holiday with the change??)

[Dominic]

£10K will buy you an early std. tourer S2 with a good whack of miles on it but i think it'd be fairly tired.

I think (and I may be wrong) that 10K will buy you a pretty nice S1 which if you're only going to use rarely may deliver a more exciting experience (and thats coming from a 100% S2 man).

I did notice this the other day:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3965628.htm

Best of the S1's (imo), you'll certainly lose nothing on it and it would be awesome for weekend blasts.

That's what I'd go for!... obviously! (although IMHO, the Sport 135'99 is the best (nicer wheels and a few minor spec changes))

If you want a wee run in mine, give me a shout!

[Dominic]

That S1 135 doesn't look right to me, Pictures 4 and 5:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3965628.htm
- Behind the rear grilles it should be black, this is silver behind there
- There should be a plastic trim round the outside of the rear wheel arches, almost meeting the diffuser and going round to about 11 o'clock.
- Near side has black stone guard film, Offside has clear or no film.

That says to me it has been painted (which isn't always a bad thing) but i'd want to know history (and why they did a half arsed job of not putting the trim back on and stone guard).

Time for me to stop being such a geek

PS- I'm a little biased and have never been in any other Lotus, but I loved my S1 135 and wouldn't think twice about having another

The black trim around the wheel arch was only on the '99 model (as yours - now mine ), to accommodate the slightly wider wheels.

The black stone guards are an after market add on. The standard ones are clear, but go yellowish over the years. I changed mine (for new clear ones) last year. I was tempted to go down the black route, but decided to keep it looking standard!

So, there you go, I have out geeked you!! I'll have my anorak back now please

[Dominic]

Is that correct about the 145bhp?

It was also rumoured that Lotus played down the badging of this particular edition so as not to deflect attention from the soon-to-be-launched 111S with 143bhp from the much-awaited K series VVC engine.

From what I have read in my research, the Sport 135 left the factory with nearer to 145bhp.

[dirkpitt]

That S1 135 doesn't look right to me, Pictures 4 and 5:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3965628.htm
- Behind the rear grilles it should be black, this is silver behind there
- There should be a plastic trim round the outside of the rear wheel arches, almost meeting the diffuser and going round to about 11 o'clock.
- Near side has black stone guard film, Offside has clear or no film.

That says to me it has been painted (which isn't always a bad thing) but i'd want to know history (and why they did a half arsed job of not putting the trim back on and stone guard).

Time for me to stop being such a geek

PS- I'm a little biased and have never been in any other Lotus, but I loved my S1 135 and wouldn't think twice about having another

Had a pax lap of doms 135 at Knockhill last time I was there and it was awesome, think that might have quite a bit to doms driving though, the idea of an s1 is appealing, cheaper, classic looks and have never scratched that s1 itch.

i would have to agree..also had a pax with dom and the 135 s1 and it was very good, light, handle sweety...fun at taylors , doesnt cost the earth and would give you the best buck for performance and driving experience around IMHO...then you can drive home, no drama's

make's me think how good would a 190 sport turn out ...something i would seriously just hand over the exige to get

[campbell]

A 135 and a 190 are entirely different propositions, Leigh, and for starters the 190 really is essentially a race car with requisite K engine rebuilds etc.

The 160 probably does a fair job of creating the drama of the 190 but with the useability and domestication of a 135.

All a big generalisation of course!