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Lotus in the Peak
26th - 28th June 2026

Help In Deciding On A S1 Or S2


AlanS1

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Posted

I live over the hill in Coalville

I work in Coalville.

 

Small world.

 

I need to get rid of the GBS Zero before i am in a position to buy. Hopefully be able to have that up for sale this weekend. Should help with the Kit Car show at Donington on the 24th & 25th August.

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Posted

Am new to MLOC, but I bought a S2 R about 10 months ago and haven't regretted it for a second.

No understeer problems and the 2bular exhaust with Hurricane induction make a fantastic sound track.

I also concur with Hammered: it is fantastic on the second cam :)

Posted

Is the close ratio a 5 or 6 speed?

I am guessing the S1 111 close ratio is to keep it on cam?

 

When upgrading a VVC do people generally get rid of the VVC? (they do this on some ford ST170 engines)

 

Just trying to find out which engine model works best for upgrades as well.

 

Not seen many S1 111 for sale at the moment either.

 

The s1 111S has the 5-speed close ratio 'box, but it's not to "keep it on cam". The K-series VVC mechanism is different from the 'yota in that it is constantly variable - no step change here, just bags of torque low down compared to the standard K.

 

Also, you won't see that many for sale. They only made about 1100 in the first place, and after 13 odd years quite a few will have gone abroad / made into race cars / been written off / been converted by the likes of Dan. There can't be too many standard(ish) s1 111S's left.

 

Plus, of course, because they are the best variant of the Elise out there, we tend to hang on to them :P

 

(but I might be slightly biased...)

Posted

 

Plus, of course, because they are the best variant of the Elise out there, we tend to hang on to them tongue.png

 

(but I might be slightly biased...)

 

That's not what you said to me at Chatsworth... harhar.gif

Posted

 

Also, you won't see that many for sale. They only made about 1100 in the first place, and after 13 odd years quite a few will have gone abroad / made into race cars / been written off / been converted by the likes of Dan. There can't be too many standard(ish) s1 111S's left.

 

The S1 111S remains the most popular elise car on mainland especially in France where engine mod/tune up are forbidden. By offsetting the cam set up and fitting freer ansilaries, the torque and power goes up rather well making the car a good track car.

 

The thing people do in the uk is start with a std S1, take it to people like ES motorsport and get them to swap the powertain for a vvc 2nd generation. This may sometime make more sence as the price tag difference between a s1 111S and a s1 is greater than the engine swap.

Posted

Thank you all for all your information.

After visiting a local Car/bike event last night (Ashby Folville) i have decided that i 100% prefer the look of a S1. There was a great example there last night. They look better than i ever remember. I do not mean any kind of disrespect against the S2.

 

The only other issue is that someone has mentioned to me about a VX220. (Sorry for bringing one of these cars up) Have any of you had any experience with one? I have never actually seen one in the flesh.

 

I will probably still go for a S1 anyway, but i would be a fool not to even enquire.

 

I am also still waiting for the Haynes manual for the Lotus Enthusiast to arrive, so what versions of the S1 are there?

What are the differences between them? Is there a web page that shows all of them?

 

Thanks

Posted

Vx 220 is basically a S2 with different clams and engine...

 

 

S1 to go for would be a sport160.

Posted

Vx 220 is basically a S2 with different clams and engine...

 

 

S1 to go for would be a sport160.

 

Any reason why a Sport 160 over the others?

Posted

My beloved GBS Zero has now sold.sad.gif

 

But it now means i can now look seriously for a replacement. smile.png

 

Ideally around 9k

 

Anyone know of any sorted S1's for sale?

Posted

This website gives you a bit of info on all the Elise variants:-

http://www.elises.co.uk/models/index.php

You should be able to get a tidy one for 9K I reckon. I've not read through your entire thread but if not said already then the chassis is the key thing that needs to be right regardless of which model you go for. If your new to Lotus ownership then it will also be well worth having a specialist look over any prospective purchase or I'm sure they'll be plenty of us on here willing to give a second opinion if needed.

Good luck with your search!

Posted

I have had a long conversation with the guy and i am planning on going to have a look tomorrow. It has had all the recommended work carried out.

 

If it is what he says i maybe returning back with it.

 

Insurance wise, who are the better companies for Lotus owners?

Posted

it is strange how tastes vary, and even how it changes for owners, i have had an s1, was standard when i got it then had it modified to 160 ish bhp, ported head, throttle body, etc.

then had a standard S2 in blue, now have the s2 111s variant in black, for me the s1 now looks very dated in design, great car but dated in looks. I now think the s2 looks much sharper and better on the eye. again all about taste. I would never own a yellow car myself, but some people love em. Then again i might love the s1 again next week.

Acehole

Posted

Insurance wise, I'm with CCI and they've been great for me especially with trackday cover thrown in but of late they have refused to insure certain people / cars.

This thread gives some background and a few names of other insurers out there:-

http://www.midlandsl...__hl__insurance

 

Don't know anything of the car although it looks to have an old MLOC sticker in the rear window and sounds like it should be in a good state of repair.

One thing I would just say is it has harnesses combined with standard seats (no harness holes). Many people happily use this set up but without harness holes in the seats there is the risk of the harnesses sliding off your shoulders in an impact, just something for you to be aware of.

Good luck tomorrow!

 

Paul Matty look to have a nice low mileage standard S1 for a bit more money?:-

http://www.paulmatty...il.aspx?id=3066

 

and there's these ones on seloc:-

http://classifieds.s...zure-blue-1998/

 

http://classifieds.seloc.org/ads/lotus-elise-s1-2/

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