Back in a Lotus!! S1 111S vs S160

[njllotus]

Good afternoon all,

After a 7 year absence and a period of BMW 330cd and E92 M3 ownership I am back on the hunt for an S1 Elise. I absolutely loved my old S1 and still to this day regret the day I sold it! I also enjoyed the odd night that I would pop down to Buckles for a catch up and a nosey at other members cars.

Anyway, the time has come again!! I am looking for something a bit special – a S1 111S or an Sport 160. It will not be my daily drive, but it will get used a lot more than the old blast out on a Sunday morning. I would also plan to get involved in the odd track day and European jaunt!

I have always found the forums an amazing wealth of knowledge and would be grateful if anyone could share their experiences of ownership of both cars.

I’d be grateful for any reply.

[softlips]

Both great but different cars - try a couple and see which you like.

I tried both and preferred the 111S, it had better seats, I liked the CR gearbox and was nicer to drive round town (S160 had very lumpy tick over). I like the power delivery of the VVC engine in the 111S. The S160 is rarer and tend to fetch more money, good ones should appreciate IMHO (although good 111S's fetch decent money - £14K for mine at Christmas).

[njllotus]

Thanks very much for your fast reply!!

I've heard the S160 is a bid lumpy on tick-over and that the 111S is more bearable when driving on a more regular basis. Is it correct that the S160 has a much shorter service interval?

I guess I will have to drive them to get the proper feeling.

Just trying to remember the pitfalls of Elises. I went through new floors, anti-tizz brackets, new suspension, induction kits, throttle bodies, starter motors etc etc on my old S1.....

Are there any specifics on the 111S / S160 to be aware of ?

Thanks again.

[chevronb37]

On the flipside, a nice lumpy idle can make every journey such a pleasure as well. Mine is typically VHPD rough but raises a massive grin every time I start it up and the garage fills with eye-watering fumes.

[Matt R]

I'm with Chevron, a lumpy rough idle can be a feature and elevate the car into an event, especially important if it's a second car.

I personally prefer the standard S1 over a 111s (its no faster in the real world) but a proper S160 has always appealed

[PaulT]

A de-catted 160 makes a boatload of noises that induce man-crises every time you change gear.

[Byron]

Scandal green sport 160 for me when my lotto numbers come in.

[njllotus]

Delighted to say I made a significant purchase last weekend - a black S160.....just 17k othe clock from new. Totally standard car apart from a hurricane induction kit.

Drove it all the way back from London with a massive beaming smile on my face. Spent the next day cleaning, polishing and going for little stints on my favourite roads...

Downside is that after 12 years, it's still on its original tyres which are a tad hard to say the least....will be making some purchases over the next few weeks to get myself back on Yokohama rubber.

The car is awesome, I love the lumpy idle...you were right.

Looking forward to seeing you all around.

Cheers

Nick

[Matt R]

The car is awesome, I love the lumpy idle...you were right.

Great stuff, enjoy it

[njllotus]

Here she is......pre-clean of course.....just done the deal.

[Matt R]

P-zero's - airfielddaytastic !

[Si_F]

Lovely looking S160 17k miles is just criminal, I hope you use it as intended.

[hesslenaylor]

Looks great, enjoy the car as intended, as said before.

[PaulT]

We all love 160s on here

[chevronb37]

That looks completely badass!