v6 for a S1 (Exige kit) Elise

[Junior Ciao]

Hi vee'ers,

Currently enjoying the cult status of the Renualt v6 (ph 1 2002), power and comfort, likeing it very much. But deep in my heart always have a soft spot for the Lotus Exige s1 or s2. Recently a client of my mechanic got one 98' s1 elise covered in exige body kit ready to let go, in fairly reasonable price. I want to hear your comments or advice? Driving style, comfort level, performance...etc. Please chip in your valuable opinion, should I or should I not pull the trigger!

Thanks.

Ciao [smilie=thanks.gif]

 

[sammyturbo]

I went from a Clio to a Elise S1 with a vhpd k series and absolutely love it ! It's faster corners better and brakes harder but then the Clio was never bought for that was it

In all seriousness there are a few draw backs getting in and out is one build quality ( everything rattles) and reliability can be an issue if not looked after properly !

Try it out and I reckon you will be hooked ! Any info on the car your looking at?


EDIT - Try looking on SELOC for more information.

 

[sammyturbo]

Any chance to post a pic

 

[Alpineandy]

You probably know this already but I'll say it anyway. Although the K-series can be OK, once the head gasket goes then it'll likely (not all but most) go again and again.
Some cars have been very well looked after and done big mile without an issue but others have had the water low - HG go once and no matter what they do it repeats the trick. It is hit and miss as others have had it once then no problem since. Just repeating the experience of a friend with a machine shop.

I gather the Elise is a bit 'buzzy' for motorways but the Vee isn't exactly quiet.

IIRC no sound system.

I've only driven one once and the handling was A+. Like a go-kart.

Like the Vee, check carefully for accident damage.

 

[sammyturbo]

I would disagree with your opinion on the head gasket if the job is done properly using uprated gaskets and remote thermostat it will be better than when it left the factory but heads gasket is one of the main issues that the K series suffers from.

They do come with a stereo too

 

[stu1318]

I would disagree with your opinion on the head gasket if the job is done properly using uprated gaskets and remote thermostat it will be better than when it left the factory but heads gasket is one of the main issues that the K series suffers from.

They do come with a stereo too

thats true about the gasket i bought a mgf 1.8 k series last year with the head gasket gone, got the head skimmed and the new uprated gasket set, and hopefully wont have another problem with it

 

[v6Max]

We had 2 S1, 1 S2 and S1 Exige and then later an S2 Exige Cup on the fleet when I was involved with Track-Club so that's where my comments are coming from...

All the K series variants will either have had or will need the HG, you can fit the Freelander gasket and IIRC upgrade the head/block dowels and once done it should remain reliable.

The Toyota engined versions are more reliable although the early S2's we had all experienced some oil starvation and needed accumsumps to solve this, although bear in mind this is in the context of them being used on track.

As track-day cars they are great things - an Elise + Exige body kit != Exige however. The S1 Exige was a step up from the S1 Elise for example although you're unlikely to find the car being the limiting factor on track. Even a slightly tired Elise will get away from a standard v6 and on the limit the Elise is a tad more easy to control (although not as easy as some may have you believe).

Upgrades are plentiful and range from proper, sensible stuff through to vanity oriented things, there's more expertise out there compared to the v6 market and that expertise spans the different sorts of use you're likely to want from the car. They're a heap more common than the v6 and if individuality is part of your reasoning then it's not a brilliant choice especially on track-days where they're nearly as common as Lotus 7 clones.

From a running cost point of view - they paid their way on the fleet coming in only slightly above the Roadsport we ran (which was stupidly cheap).

Whenever I consider admitting defeat on the v6 (which is fairly often these days) - the Elise or VX220 is what I think of as buying with the proceeds of any v6 failed project fire sale...

On that note - have you thought about the VX220? - The N/A version has a heavy but more reliable than K series engine in it, was built by the same people in the same factory and can take advantage of more or less all of the Elise upgrades. The Turbo version is a nice bit of kit and you'd spend many thousands trying to buy an Elise with equivalent power, you could also argue that they're more "unique" than the Elise and the initial price of entry is cheaper.

Just re-read your OP:

Comfort is not really their strong point although this depends on which seats are fitted. They are impossible to get in and out of without a certain amount of contortion and to be fair it's best to keep the roof off and just stand on the seats unless you've found you can post yourself through a letterbox in which case you'll be fine.

On the road they're noisy, hot and you will hear all manner of creaks/groans and the sound of debris hitting the underside of the car but on the other hand the Evora is the thing you should be looking at if you're after a "cruiser" - the Elise is a light(ish), track oriented car and that's reflected in non-existent carpeting/sound deadening and the normal compromises you'd expect for a car that needs to handle well.

Speed wise they're faster than a v6 0-60, I seem to remember even the first S1 Elises posting 5.8 to 60 for example and as I said above it will outhandle the v6 and inspire more confidence (unless it's wet and you've put R888 on it (never again))

 

[Alpineandy]

using uprated gaskets and remote thermostat it will be better

'Better than the factory' isn't that big a sales point . But yes it does improve the reliability greatly, but not completely.
So you have to make sure that if it has gone in the past, it's been done to the higher spec.

 

[itz_baseline]

We had 2 S1, 1 S2 and S1 Exige and then later an S2 Exige Cup on the fleet when I was involved with Track-Club so that's where my comments are coming from...

Off topic but.....Max, I was one of the original members of Track-Club with my brother (he blew up your Mi16 205 when he changed from 2nd to 1st gear when he was aiming for 3rd!). Just wondered whatever happened to the company? Did it evolve into something else or was it just not viable to run any more?

 

[k1ano]

Good read Max, I too considered a VX220 turbo, I think Glenn also bought one after his Vee ... storming cars ...

Martin

 

[Junior Ciao]

Guys, thanks! Your response and advice are useful. I haven't seen the car yet, my mechanic needs the arrange the meet with the current owner. Sorry guys, I dun have any pic yet!

I've driven the S2 Elise once, basic rover -k series, with nothing modified, very direct response since there is no power steering, its a small engine, felt underpower but the weight compensate that.

Can't wait to see the Exige in flesh, I am sold halfway by the look of it, other half will be based on the condition and performance...who knows, I might not like the rawness of it, but isn't that the same as a Vee? hmmmm!!!

:approve:

 

[sammyturbo]

Let us know what engine is in it and what state of tune its in

 

[v6Max]

We had 2 S1, 1 S2 and S1 Exige and then later an S2 Exige Cup on the fleet when I was involved with Track-Club so that's where my comments are coming from...

Off topic but.....Max, I was one of the original members of Track-Club with my brother (he blew up your Mi16 205 when he changed from 2nd to 1st gear when he was aiming for 3rd!). Just wondered whatever happened to the company? Did it evolve into something else or was it just not viable to run any more?

Lol - I remember you 2 only too well! That was at Bedford but you didn't destroy the car, popped some coolant hoses and the logger showed you'd got 9500RPM out of the engine - how that didn't result in total destruction I'll never know.

The company is still running and I speak to Stephen every now and then. They're doing the same things as before but now spend a huge amount of time supporting people racing in the Elise championship. The fleet looks nothing like it did when you guys were members and after 2 or 3 years of trying to get reliability (from machinery and staff) it got sorted out.

They're involved with Matt from Tour-De-Force as well now with some crossover work going into engine development for the Elises/Exiges.

It was just bad timing for me really and my geographic location made it even tougher - it was "fun" sometimes but the 23 hour, 700 mile roundtrip days started to take their toll.

 

[jamiev6clio]

I have two mk1 v's at the mo 5 in total and I have 3 elises. As I deal in elises have had them all Audi engine, Type r, VX220, s1 exige all of them. And I can tell you the V6 is like a brick compared to them, I do a fair few trackdays and wouldnt even think about taking a v6 on track.

The comment near the top regarding once a head gasket goes it wil go again is rubbish. Its the other way around the are less likely to go, the new headgaskets are better with metal dowls.

Sammy turbo hi! We have spoken a few times before. Norlog/160 at phoenix.

 

[sammyturbo]

Ha ha small world eh! did not realise you had a V6 [cmilie=iconcheers.gif]

 

[Junior Ciao]

Trackdays are not my proirty or even considered of having the Elises or Exige, then should I not bother with the Lotus and just maintain the Vee? I want it to one car for life, as a classic, v6 seems rare and harder to find, better choice of future classic? Agree!

 

[sammyturbo]

I ain't tracked mine yet and use it ads my daily driver so it can be done! And mine is as impractical as you can get !

 

[jamiev6clio]

Trackdays are not my proirty or even considered of having the Elises or Exige, then should I not bother with the Lotus and just maintain the Vee? I want it to one car for life, as a classic, v6 seems rare and harder to find, better choice of future classic? Agree!

Hi Junior

An exige kitted elise will never be classic its not factory. In that case stick with the v6 or get a sport 160 elise (rare) as me and sammy have or get a lotus made s1 exige (rare).

Sammy I have two mk 1's at the moment my 5th v6 iv owned, I do have a soft spot for the clio's.

 

[jamiev6clio]

I ain't tracked mine yet and use it ads my daily driver so it can be done! And mine is as impractical as you can get !

You should of done the norlog trackday with us last Monday! Your is patical it has a boot!

 

[Junior Ciao]

Jamiev6, good point that you menioned.