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Latest topics
Thinking of selling my S1 111s
Hi all. Have not posted on here for some time. This is going to be a bit of a rambling post, on a subject no doubt covered many times. I have owned my elise for 14 years now and loved every minute. She had 16000 miles on her when I adopted her. She now has 91k. Having done numerous euro trips and a few track days she has been very well looked after. A few careful upgrades and plenty of care and attention later, and I do not seem to be driving her much these days. Those that know me will know how much I care for this car. So to my dilemma. I plan on taking early retirement within the next couple of years and moving up to the peak district. I doubt my budget will stretch to a property with a garage. At present my daily drive is a van. When I move I do not like the idea of leaving my lotus parked on the road and logic says that a single car would be a better option for a newly retired person. I also plan on getting another dog so a hatch back would be the sensible option. I still enjoy my driving so want to retain a little bit of fun when it comes to " I cant call it a replacement car" for my lotus. Having done a bit of research, it would appear that a M135i would fit the bill. I don't think that I will be putting my elise up for sale till the spring. Even less the thought tyre kickers who fancy a bit of a spin. I will be looking for £13k If anyone on here knows of a potential buyer, then let me know. My elise has a full lotus specialist service history. She had a cambelt service less than a 1000 miles ago. Its hard to consider these things Greg
Caffeine & Machine
Just been down to Caffeine & Machine, near Stratford for some lunch. They've been open since October but I only just found out about them. http://www.caffeineandmachine.com/ Absolutely superb. My 99 Elise was one of the least interesting cars in the car park. Several other Lotus there, all newer, including an Elise S3. Were those anyone on here? Would be a great location for a South Midlands meet.
Thoughts on my new motor - NLC
Collected the Aston Vantage today. Drove it from Macclesfield to Buxton over the 'Cat and Fiddle' and then down the A515 to Ashbourne and then back home. So about 55 miles. Initial thoughts:
Ride quality is brilliant. Looking through the paperwork I've found out it actually has the 'sport pack' fitted which was an AM aftermarket upgrade. I knew it has the lightweight forged N400 wheels on but didn't realise it also had uprated Bilstein shocks and springs. OK on really bad surfaces it's a little bit harsh but otherwise it's great. Apparently the new(ish) Pilot Sport 4S tyres it has on also help a lot.
Steering is pretty direct. It's no Lotus but it goes where you point it and doesn't feel as heavy as it actually is - 1600kg!! Bit heavy at parking speeds but fine once you are rolling along.
Very quiet inside the cabin and comfortable too. I have the earlier seats as it's a 2006 MY car. The later ones were supposed to be an improvement but I like mine. I think they are slimmer which for someone skinny like me actually means they grip you better. Good driving position and very good visibility all round I reckon.
How you get it to do 0-60 in 4.9 secs I have no idea. It feels dead slow when you are starting off and the long accelerator and heavy flywheel mean it seems to take an age to wind up. It's actually very docile and easy to drive slowly. To get it to feel fast you need to get it over 3.5-4k revs and it then comes alive and starts feeling fast(ish).
Gearbox is pretty nice. A tiny bit notchy but overall it's good. Feels like it will get a bit smoother with technique as you get used to it. Clutch is heavy and hill starts are difficult - the smell of burning clutch was testament to this! The fact mine is biting quite high didn't help. I know it will wear eventually, just a matter of time.
Reverse gear is a nightmare! Far too high, why they set it up like this I have no idea! Apparently the technique it so not use the accelerator at all and let the idle control deal with the small amount of throttle needed.
I think the interior might have been worked on by someone from Lotus . A few creaks (moving leather) and a few rattles. On the way back the TPMS box fell out from behind the glove box and is now hanging down in the passenger footwell.
Oh and it is very thirsty. Speed limits were all 50mph on the way back, lots of cameras (some average speed), lots of other traffic, artics and the like. So it was really an economy run and it did an average of 23mpg
Overall it's a great GT car that looks and sounds awesome and feels pretty well screwed together. A lighter flywheel and a smidge more power would make it feel a lot quicker........
Meta Alarm System
Hi, could someone assist me please. I have a Lotus Elise (2001 model) which has an Meta Alarm System fitted to it (Model No M99T2M36T2). I have owned the car for 5 years and has hardly been used, hence why it has only 12,000 mile on the clock. Last year the alarm system went wrong and I was unable to start it. I am told it is the battery in the immobiliser which needs replacing. Two questions please:- 1. Where is the immobiliser situated. I am told it is behind one of the seats behind the panel, if so how do I get to it? 2. I am told the battery is a sealed component and the only way to get the alarm system working again is to replace the immobiliser and fobs? Can you still get replacement parts for Meta? Many thanks Jon
Europa S Owners.
Hello peeps, I was just wondering if there are any Europa S (2006 onwards) on MLOC? I've seen a few cars at LiTP and wonder what they're like to live with, what parts are tricky to get etc. Just idle thoughts you understand..... Many thanks, Kurt
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Esprit Esprit 1987-90
By: Gary Brooks · 02/04/18 -
S1 Elise Exige
By: Steve J · 18/09/05 -
Esprit Esprit 1976-77
By: Winners · 12/06/14 -
S1 Elise Standard
By: mr_p · 24/03/07
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