Dead VX220

Take it easy out there guys :( The roads are getting greasier by the day. Winter is coming.

My 111R has RE040's :o:confused::o To be honest they have been awesome in the wet for me. Except for a small incident the other day where I aquaplaned going NSL up hill (easy to do) but managed to save it.

The VX isn't helped by its lead weight of an engine in the back. So when it does step out, you'll be damn lucky to save it :/
 
L0rdMike said:
You dont need to drive like a true Granny, just think about the cars balance and try looking/thinking in advanced.


Could this be because they are not in the right frame of mind for a MR car?
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maybe . 1 of them had one on throttle boddies and 1 have a 1.8t in them , so the power wasnt a problem maybe just not used to mr.
 
Bikerz said:
maybe . 1 of them had one on throttle boddies and 1 have a 1.8t in them , so the power wasnt a problem maybe just not used to mr.
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I'd imagine it probably was the MR configuration, with little in the way of driver aids, that caused problems moreso than the power. With FWD when you apply too much power you don't go anywhere, but with MR you go everywhere backwards :p
 
It's a General Motors engine I believe - iron lump in the turbo and 2L rather than the lighter ali one in the 2.2 NA. Could be wrong on this as I'm not an expert on the vx220
 
Trick said:
It's a General Motors engine I believe - iron lump in the turbo and 2L rather than the lighter ali one in the 2.2 NA. Could be wrong on this as I'm not an expert on the vx220
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They were both all-iron lumps, in both cars. Weigh a bloody ton (comparitively speaking) and don't suit the delicate and precise chassis at all :(
 
yeah i think your right. I was speaking to a guy who owns the 2.2 vx and he said its significantly lighter than the turbo model
 
Extended sub-frame, heavier engine, abs, airbag, bigger front wheels etc all added up for a heavier car than the s1 Elise (and even the s2) by quite a margin
 
The S1 really isn't that much lighter than an equivilent engined/trimmed S2. By the time a S1 has had all its recall work done it will weigh barely any less than an S2. The MMC brakes were the biggest factor and those were being replaced on warranty with iron discs by the end of the S1's lifetime.

On the contrary, S2 has lighter clams (made by machine, finer margins - whereas S1 were hand-laid fibreglass, quite a lot thicker).
 
NathanE said:
Nah the VX220 2.2L was about 900kg, and the VX220T 2.0L was about 950Kg. Not much in it really.
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The 2.2 weighs closer to 860-870kg with the turbo being 930kg-ish.

S2's certainly don't weigh much, if anything less than 850kg and S1s afaik are just under 800kg?

A NA vx220 is definately not significantly heavier than an s2 elise
 
S1's in their first incarnations could be as low as 650Kg. But after the MMC discs are replaced with iron and all the other recall work done they begin to pack on the pounds and get nearer 700Kg. Then the VVC engine and its CR box was heavier than the stock 118hp + LR box by about 30Kg. It all adds up. Plus Lotus was at this time focused on trim and option packs and special editions, which further increased weight in all but the least common S1's. An early S2 was around the 700 to 750Kg mark. Certainly not swathes more than an S1 like the SELOC community will make out. There was hardly anything in it. And at the same time the S2 was better built, more reliable and easier to use day to day. Don't mistake me for hating the S1. I love it. I will own one some day - a Sport 160 SVA.
 
Vertigo1 said:
Can't see how that's a write-off. Aside from the front nearside wheel and the rear bumper it looks remarkably intact.
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The buckled front wheel is a concern for the chassis. That could have easily ripped the wishbone straight out of the chassis causing irreperable damage.

Also the clamshells are worth about £3500 each and there is usually a 3-6 month lead time. No insurer will pay out ~£6000 for the clams + fitting labour + 3 months of hire car usage. The car is probably only worth about £10-15K
 
Sadly a few cars have been written off like this :( It's mid engined, RWD, lightweight and unless you are very quick and precise with your inputs, this can happen.

NathanE - the weight can vary, usually approx 850kg but based on the last time my one was weighed, when it comes back it should be just under 800kg. The Exige 240R in comparison is 930kg.

That will almost certainly be written off, purely because of damage to the underside. Any damage to the tub whatsoever cannot be repaired so it will be a total loss. Depending on the significance of any damage it will probably come back on the road though.
 
Muncher said:
NathanE - the weight can vary, usually approx 850kg but based on the last time my one was weighed, when it comes back it should be just under 800kg. The Exige 240R in comparison is 930kg.
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That's a racing car though. It has a full FIA roll cage and plumbed in fire extinguishing system, amongst other things. Not really a fair comparison. Eitherway it's power:weight is still higher ;)

I'm struggling to think of what things you removed to make up a 50-100Kg drop in weight. Short of completely stripping out the interior :confused: Please tell me? :)
 
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