S1 vesus S2 Elan M100

[donsalter]

What are the pros and cons of OWNING / DRIVING each of the above and does any one know how many of each still remain on the road ?

Curious

Don

[Europatc]

Not a lot Don
When Bugatti took over Lotus ownership they found that they had a number of Isuzu engines left. They used them in the M100. Each was given a number. I think one of the differences was they changed the rear wishbone design and one or two other features and put a cat on it which reduced the performance a tad but a part from that not a lot
Apparently the most over engineered Lotus produced to date
I would think from an investment point of view the N/A would be a good bet as they did not produce many.
all the best
Stuart

[Neil & Linda Exley]

The S2 is fitted with a catalytic converter that reduces engine performance slightly.

Neil

[Nyloc 1]

There are lots of changes to the S2 over the SE, including different(bigger) alloys, cat converter, improved hood, galv rear wishbones, redesigned centre console & window switch positions. I remember at the relaunch Lotus listed numerous changes.
Both versions are so old now that price differentials are due to condition and mileage. The S2 as standard is about 10bhp down on the SE, I owned an SE before my current S2 and didn't feel it was significantly faster.
N/A versions were rare but not very sought after throughout their production or now.
I believe the total build was around 4200 with 800 being S2 versions. (The 800 is correct, not sure about the overall total)

[Europatc]

Don
now that you own one you may find this site useful it has everything you have ever wanted to know its dedicated to M100'S

http://forum.lotuselancentral.com/index.php
happy motoring
Stuart

[JohnB]

What are the pros and cons of OWNING / DRIVING each of the above and does any one know how many of each still remain on the road ?

Curious

Don

Hi Don.
Have a look at this website. 2 links, one for SE and one for S2.
https://www.howmanyleft.co.uk/vehicle/l ... anufacture
https://www.howmanyleft.co.uk/vehicle/lotus_elan_s2

[G_Reaper]

I just thought I would chip in, I have owned a number of SE and 3 x S2 Elans so far.

I would say the plus points for the S2 are

1) Hood
2) Galvanised rear wishbones
3) Improved gear cables
4) 16 inch Alloy wheels
5) Ltd Edition status

Negative points for the S2 are

1) Harder ride
2) Cat saps power
2) Cheap center console
3) Rattles alot more due to firmer ride

Plus points SE over S2 (in my opinion)

1) All the ones I have owned feel better screwed together
2) More comfortable ride and seats
3) No cat converter

Minus points against SE V S2

1) Wishbones non galvanised tend to rot if not treated with Dinotrol from new.
2) Original gear cables problematic

An interesting point for me is that when the SE was introduced a part of the maintenance program involved chassis and running gear Dinotrol treatment which cost extra and I think was a once a year treatment for a set number of years from new. Because the treatment cost extra not all owners did it. I dont think this treatment was specified at all for the S2. I have come accross quite a few S2 Elans where the chassis are suffering now.

I recently sold my S2 and switched back to a well sorted SE with a Dinotrol treated chassis S2 wheels which I feel is a better alround car (marginally).

Just my opinion.

Cheers Mike

[donsalter]

Thank you all for your replies. Having briefly owned an SE which was recently ,written off (driven into when parked and damage to off side rear) , by my insurance company as repair costs exceeding value I bought an s2 . whilst this is subject to a dispute with the seller in terms of description of the vehicle it appears to be a better vehicle. Had only 3 owners and because of this seems to have been better looked after. Heater works better alarm has 2 keys hoodfits better nothing that you would but in an advert but it makes the car more useable . in terms of driveability both seem very similar although notice the s2 much quieter with the hood down as less rattles and a standard exhaust rather than a boy racer back box on the SE. The SE had a turbo booster which made it much faster than the s2 but as the dispute I have with the seller of the s2 is regarding chipping which was stated in the advert but now believe this to be incorrect I am looking forward to a resolution of this dispute so I can compare the performance of each vehicle. Incidentally I bought the s2 because it had upgraded brakes and was chipped which I intended to take off and transfer to my SE which I had been offered to buy back from my insurance company however this was sold to Penrith mike at the Christmas party so keeping the s2. Thanks for your replies incidentally I have owned most sports cars during the last 40 years of motoring and can say without dought these Elans are in a league of their own and am REALLY surprised how cheap they are when you take into account the performance,driveability and general fun. Wish I had bought one sooner cheers Don

[G_Reaper]

I forgot to say in my plus and minus lists I was comparing the later SE with mid production S2 to be fair on both type of car.

Cheers Mike