Nathan Pitman

Just back from a weekend in Wales with an eclectic collection of cars. Snapped some ace photos of the Elise so here they are. :)

It was an ace weekend! I’ll have to post some photos of my Elise in the appropriate thread here. :)

From my experience of vehicles with much more power, you just end up at the end of an enjoyable road faster than you had hoped and spend a lot of time looking down at the speedo thinking “oh shit, I better back off”! For that reason, I’m not really after a power increase, just want to magnify all the ways the car connects with my senses. :)

Throttle response is noticeably improved and the induction kit gives a nice throaty sound in the cabin when pushing on. :) In theory this gives some extra horses but can’t claim it’s in any way noticeable! Lens cover fixed with adhesive tape, I’m not a fan of the screws either. My car is an early model so the lens covers are not 100% flush but I like the look as it mirrors what was intended by the designers. I think later models had a more significant recess making it easier to get a completely flush fit.

Bit of an update. I took some advice from Steve Williams and had some subtle fully reversible mods applied. 52mm Trophy throttle body (I still had the factory plastic one). Hurricane induction kit. Geo done and ride height dropped half a cm. Lens cover added! All original parts kept. :)

I think they are missing a trick by not doing anything to change exterior appearance on the non first edition model, esp given the power bump on the i4. So many more would be sold if they included something to differentiate the new from old. New alloys, interior trim options, carbon where there was once plastic etc I think the “other” sports car has some subtle visual differences that make it obvious to those that know that it’s a GTS.

I really struggle to see how Lotus can justify the £89,500 starting price for the new i4 SE when the “other” sports car in GTS configuration (4 litre flat 6) has identical performance (and a front boot) for £73,500. :? Obviously the automotive design of the Emira is a masterpiece, but 15k is a high premium to pay.

Thanks Justin and Tony for the replies. I believe that the previous owner fitted new Bilsteins, along with braided hoses and did a full overhaul in a number of areas so the car is really tidy. Guess I’m just keen to add some of my own touches. For what it’s worth went out for a blast today to remind myself of my cars characteristics and yes there’s not much to want in terms of performance even with the original K series. I would like to improve the sound though and was wondering if something like the Eliseparts sports induction kit would improve this without deviating too far from what was intended. On the point of the wheels, I think I have the OEM Rimstocks so I guess if I could find some sport 160 victory wheels and these are a touch wider, they would improve how the wheels look in the arches by definition, but again without deviating too far from stock. As you say, either way a proper geo set up by SW or BOT should then make sure everything is lined up as it should be.

Hi all! So, I’m considering some sensible (not outlandish) upgrades for my Elise S1 but I have no idea where to start. I enjoy spirited driving and have a bit of a thing for the hunkered down, full arches “race car look”. Right now my car is stock apart of a prodimex shifter fitted by the previous owner (which is lush). Im not looking to transform the performance but want to understand how suspension and track impact handling as well as what my options might be to improve engine/exhaust sound. I don’t want to change the power output specifically but if other upgrades designed to heighten sound or response have that impact, I’m good with it I’m also keen to replace the standard steering wheel for something that is more akin to the lovely wheel I had in the Exige 430 Cup if anyone has any suggestions. I have no desire to track the car so this is more about feel, sound and aesthetics (yes I’m a tart). Any advice much appreciated! By the way I’m based in Berkshire so my most local specialists are Steve Williams sports cars and Back On Track. Edit: just realised I should have dropped this in “Ride/Handling/Suspension/Brakes/Wheels/Tyres”. Could you move for me @Bibs?

The McLaren has a very different power delivery style but once you get used to that it’s an absolute rocket ship by comparison. Things I missed about the Exige in the early days were the low end torque and sound but as I got to know the 570 better I realised that I quite enjoyed the less anti-social sound track and the “wrap drive” feeling you get when the turbos kick in. Just like the Lotus it had its quirks but you learn to live with these and being the tart I am, it still gave me all the thumbs up, priority passes at junctions and petrol station conversations you could ever want. I’m planning to get back into a McLaren at some point when funds allow as they really are very special. If I had a chance to own my Type 25 Exige again I definitely would, do somewhat regret selling such a rare thing but the McLaren itch was one I had to scratch and I’m very glad I did. This was my hypothesis with selling the McLaren. Doing so gave me the funds to outright own two great (and very different) cars and this has worked out pretty well. I now have a Cayman R (2011) and the Elise (1999) which gives me a car for hoons and track days and another for Sunday morning drives and classic car rally events. I have a BMW i3s for everyday duties too. All very different but that does seem to keep me away from browsing Autotrader as much as I used to!

“Prior” generations, meant subsequent.

Elise S3 220 Cup felt very much more race car than the Elise S1 but there’s a lovely honesty about the OG which prior generations perhaps miss.

K series. Pretty unmolested though has a prodimex shifter which is lovely.

Enjoyed 18 months trouble free motoring in the McLaren and just fancied a change. Got a bit of an itch to scratch for a Porsche so bought a 2011 Cayman R and this wonderful little Elise. I had a series 3 Elise after the Evora (and then an Exige 430 after that) but always wanted an S1. This one’s a keeper. Hang on… I said that about the last car I bought too. 🤣

It’s been a while! First landed here with my Lotus Evora 400 in 2018. Been out of Lotus since 2022 when I swapped to a McLaren but back now in a Lotus Elise S1.