Elise S2 - Is HGF still an issue?

eidolon

eidolon

eidolon

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On Saturday I went to test drive an Elise at my local Lotus dealership. Unfortunately there wasn't time to drive the 111S and the 111R so I just went out in the 111R for now (and booked a test drive in the S for next week)

It's now Monday and I'm still lost for words, I was absolutely blown away with the handling of the Elise, it was able to take corners that defy the laws of physics, I simply cannot comprehend how a car can grip quite so well.
The performance as you'd expect was fantastic but I've owned and driven plenty of fast cars so that was nothing new, the handling however was out of this world.

I'm now sat here wresting with myself as I was all set to get the VX220 turbo but the idea of an Elise has opened my eyes to the fact that maybe I don't need that sort of power, I'm thinking that maybe I could have more fun in a lower power car like the 111S? (and save my licence at the same time - it's far too easy to misbehave in the 111R)

I'm slowly coming around to the idea of the 111S, on paper it's got enough power to still be fun but the one thing that is concerning me is the possibility of HGF. Is it really that much of a problem or is it just the usual "a mate of a mate knew a guy who once had HGF in his Rover 200 so it must be true"
Even if the HG did blow, what would the damage be? Surely it can't be all tha t expensive to replace and I'm sure you could get other mods done at the same time if it did go (gotta look on the bright side of these things) What can be done to minimise the risk of HGF?
 
I think Lotus worked wonders with the K series engine in the Elise. Pretty sure they dont suffer from HGF.. Looking at around £500ish maybe more maybe less. Could get some nice head work done once the head is off ;)
 
eidolon said:
Is it really that much of a problem or is it just the usual "a mate of a mate knew a guy who once had HGF in his Rover 200 so it must be true"
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The latter.

What can be done to minimise the risk of HGF?
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Buying an S2 Elise - they don't have K-Series lumps (do they? Or am I being a pleb?)

Anyway...Letting the engine warm up fully, not revving the nuts off it from cold and letting it cool down are vitally important to maintaining the K-Series.

Moreso is getting someone who knows the engine to maintain it. A lot of mechanics don't follow the correct steps (especially while filling/draining) resulting in shoddy work.

HGF isn't the problem. Liner drop is the problem, of which HGF is a symptom.

*n
 
VX220's are ugly cars - in fact a VX220 could be the best performing car on the planet but the fact that its made by Vauxhall (well makes me doubt that) and the fact its ugly would deter me from ever having one.

Lotus all the way.
 
Ditto Noxis' post.

Also, as long as you look after the engine there will be no problems. Change the coolant as regularly as you change the oil, too. Most of the bugs were actually ironed out during the later revisions of K-series - especially those inherited by Lotus. I've taken a tour around the Lotus factory in Norfolk and they literally strip the engines down as soon as they get them, modify them, then rebuild them.
 
Noxis said:
VX220's are ugly cars - in fact a VX220 could be the best performing car on the planet but the fact that its made by Vauxhall (well makes me doubt that) and the fact its ugly would deter me from ever having one.

Lotus all the way.
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How is it made by Vauxhall???

Yes S2 Elises do still suffer from HGF...

Steve, I went out in a 2.2 yesterday with Nitrons, 16/17" alloys (Exige Setup) and Toyo R888 semi slicks. The level of grip was absolutely sublime, every bend just 20mph faster with ease.
 
Don't let HGF put you off an Elise. It's rare and if you take out an AA parts & labour warranty (a shade under £60), this covers you up to £500 which is the majority of putting an HGF right.
 
Noxis said:
VX220's are ugly cars - in fact a VX220 could be the best performing car on the planet but the fact that its made by Vauxhall (well makes me doubt that) and the fact its ugly would deter me from ever having one.

Lotus all the way.
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Ugly in your opinion

IMO the VX220 is far more attractive than the S1 / S2 elise :) And the badge really dosent bother me because im not a badge snob :p
 
Sam said:
Ugly in your opinion

IMO the VX220 is far more attractive than the S1 / S2 elise :) And the badge really dosent bother me because im not a badge snob :p
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Actually I'd go so far as to say its SO ugly its beyond opinion and moving into the realm of fact :p . FACT .

Elise has so much more cred and presence on the road. Its a moot point.
 
james.miller said:
i think the elises look....girly compared to a vx220. It's only the extige models that i really like the looks of.
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This man has it in 1, i would LOVE a S1 / S2 Exige but id prefer a VXR 220 ;)
 
A friend bought a 111s new not lon gago, he did loads fo research and decided it was the best one for him, no problems at all.

Him and a mate bought them together, think they got 2 of the last 5 111s ever to be made :)
 
Noxis said:
Actually I'd go so far as to say its SO ugly its beyond opinion and moving into the realm of fact :p . FACT .

Elise has so much more cred and presence on the road. Its a moot point.
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Sorry...I just refuse to believe anything an RX-8 owner says about a cars' looks.

*n
 
Noxis said:
VX220's are ugly cars - in fact a VX220 could be the best performing car on the planet but the fact that its made by Vauxhall (well makes me doubt that) and the fact its ugly would deter me from ever having one.

Lotus all the way.
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Coming from the owner of a blob on wheels....
 
well, as much as you disagree with it nathanE, its hard to take a comment like that seriously when he has an rx-8. I dont know many people who'd rate an rx-8 over a vx-220 in the looks department lol
 
So what? He didn't even mention his RX-8 so what does it matter? I have a Clio... and I'm sure most of the people here have equally boring cars. It doesn't mean you can't appreciate a good looking car when you see one... I think the VX and Elise are both almost equally stunning cars.

Somebody has already made the point that it is all down to opinion/personal preference. Apparently those two twits missed it.
 
NathanE said:
:rolleyes:, the both of you.
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Roll your eyes all day if you want buddy, fact is he is making such a distinct statement about a car (which is by no means ugly), whilst ignoring the fact that he drives a true butters car, one that is truly fugly.
 
it matter quite a lot lol. everybody can have their opinions, but when you own a car that lets face it, is ugly in just abotu everybodys eyes, only to call the vx220 ugly which isn't, according to a lot of people, you're gonna get some stick.

at least they didnt resort to calling him names :confused: its all in jest
 
NathanE said:
So what? He didn't even mention his RX-8 so what does it matter? I have a Clio... and I'm sure most of the people here have equally boring cars. It doesn't mean you can't appreciate a good looking car when you see one... I think the VX and Elise are both almost equally stunning cars.

Somebody has already made the point that it is all down to opinion/personal preference. Apparently those two twits missed it.
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So you resort to personal attacks on members for making our own valid opinions?
 
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