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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum
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Weekend Car ?
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02-25-2008, 10:34 AM | #23 | |
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Wouldn't disagree with the Bernard recommendation though!!!
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02-25-2008, 10:49 AM | #24 | |
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I am tempted by the comments that the VX is an easier drive, because of the 2.0 litre engine, but I have a feeling that if I got a VX I would always regret it every time I saw an Elise on the road. |
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02-25-2008, 12:32 PM | #26 |
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Of all the cars I've had, the only one I actually miss and wish I still had is my 1997 R-reg Elise Mk1, in regular 1.8 Kseries form with 118bhp-ish. It wasn't the fastest thing in the world (although a 6sec 60 time wasn't bad at all) but the way it made every time I drove it an experience is something that transcends outright speed or power.
I learnt the Nurburgring in that Elise - yes it's mid-engined, and therefore will snap into oversteer a lot less progressively than our BMWs for instance, but the limits of grip are higher, and more importantly the level of feel about what the car is about to do is higher. In the wet, it can be a handful but that's mainly down to the tyres more than anything. I never found the car dangerous to drive, and that's because of the tactile response you get when driving. Have been thinking about getting another one - seen one on the approved Lotus site (only way to go IMO) 2003/53 Elise 135 Touring + Sports packs, 17k miles, full service, £17995 However, have bought something else in recent days.......
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02-25-2008, 01:03 PM | #27 | |
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A fast Coupe??? |
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02-25-2008, 01:05 PM | #28 | |
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E92 fan I'm intrigued as to what toy you've just bought to follow an S1 Elise...! Only thing I'd disagree with in your post is about using a main dealer - you pay well over the top for very little benefit, providing you are prepared to get to know about the cars and the community....and I woould expect anyone on here to be more than prepared to do that!!!!
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02-25-2008, 01:16 PM | #29 |
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Mid Life Crisis
Do you think the title is more appropriate now
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02-25-2008, 01:38 PM | #30 | |
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02-25-2008, 01:59 PM | #31 | |
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Having said that, if I had a large enough garage, I would probably change to something like an elise or VX220. Money no object, it would have to be an Atom. Just like a bike, but different.
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02-26-2008, 03:09 AM | #32 | |
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...well...£1200 would have bought you a full Nitron set up.... I hear what you are saying, and sure it offers some peace of mind....however, so long as you investigate the car thoroughly before you buy it then you really dont need to pay main dealer prices.....after all, the £2k 'ish premium will pay for a lot of repairs/upgrades
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02-26-2008, 10:38 AM | #33 | |
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I'm going to arrange a test drive with my local dealer and see if I really want one. |
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02-26-2008, 12:07 PM | #34 | |
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In fact performance is very good even much lower down the rev band. It's true about the handling - they tend to have a bit of a dead feel to the steering - but they do handle. Unfortunately a lot have been written off or badly damaged by youngish drivers for whom it is their first RWD car and who don't know how to drive one. |
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02-27-2008, 05:12 AM | #35 |
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If you like silver then this looks like a good buy....
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/369247.htm and a good example of what you can get for the money.
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02-27-2008, 07:27 AM | #36 |
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I think NFS has already made his mind up, there seems to be a Lotus theme running through his posts
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02-27-2008, 09:27 AM | #37 | ||
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It's similarly quick in terms of acceleration to the 330i, but has a totally different level of steering and cornering feel. The VX220 is still in the back of my mind, but I think I've narrowed my options down to that or the Elise. Anything else which would be sufficiently different to the 330i would either be too slow, or too expensive. The level of connection and involvement in the drive is superb. The 330i felt somewhat numb by comparison. |
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02-27-2008, 09:32 AM | #38 |
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.....bug has bitten.......
Glad you enjoyed it...the warnings obviously prepared you well! As for the silver one, its like mine, an S2 longtail. IMO the best looking as the non "squared off" roof works better....but its all personal taste of course. If you want the short roof version then you need to be looking at mid to late 2002 cars. One advantage with the short roof is that you can buy and use a hardtop a lot easier...but then, who buys an Elise to use a hardtop...??? What engine was in the one you drove?
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02-27-2008, 09:44 AM | #39 | |
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I test drove an 02 plate sport tourer with the 135 engine upgrade (and the short roof). Lovely rorty exhaust note. Hard to believe that it could come from a 1.8 litre rover engine. The car pulled really well up to 70mph and I was pleasantly suprised by the ride (which was not much worse than the 330i) and the noise levels (not to noisy to chat too the passenger although cruising at 70mph was quite loud). I obviously only got a bare impression of the handling, but the steering was lovely, fabulously direct. Brake feel was also amazing having come straight out of a heavily servo-assisted BMW. Having said that, they take some getting used to in terms of confidence levels. I was initially slightly intimidated by the car, having expected something a little more extreme. However, I think it would be very easy to live with. Dealer price was a bit on the high side, but then that covers a 12 month warranty and their profit and overhead. Need to think a bit now. |
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02-27-2008, 10:38 AM | #40 | |
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I hope that the dealer wasnt a Lotus dealer with that stunning prodcut knowledge.... You've certainly "got" the Elise thing - great, isn't it?! The S1 is a bit more raw, but as you say the S2 is very "liveable"... Look forward to reading updates, and if you are really serious about purchasing let me know and I'll see what can be found...
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02-27-2008, 10:52 AM | #41 | |
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The dealer is a 'proper' lotus one, so depth of product knowledge is obviously not that great. They were a also a little bit vague about the extent of the 135 upgrade, suggesting that it was 'something to do with the cylinder head' and that there was also a sports exhaust and some sort of brake upgrade that went with it. To be fair, they sell and service Lotus but they are really a multi brand sports car specialist. Just got some insurance quotes which are a little worrying though. £1300 a year I think you are right that I would want the 135 now though. |
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02-27-2008, 11:05 AM | #42 | |
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Can't be £1300 a year on insurance?! I paid only £860 a year for mine (three years ago) but I was 25/26 with only 1 year no claims bonus, living in Central London... Anyway, if you want to know more in depth detail about the 135 conversion, you need to contact Bell & Colvill on 01483 281000 (www.bell-colvill.co.uk) who are the most knowledgable Lotus dealer on the planet (IMO) Oh, and ps... see if you can find a 111R to try - although beware because once experienced, you won't have anything less...!!!!
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02-27-2008, 11:25 AM | #43 | |
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Either way I need to stop and think now, because I don't need another car. It might need to wait until bonus time next year |
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02-27-2008, 11:49 AM | #44 |
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If you do go down the route of getting a 320D and start looking for a weekend car pop down/up to the Ariel factory in Somerset and get Tom to take you out for a spin.
I'm just in the process of selling mine to someone for the same price i paid for it a year ago. Insurance was about £240 fully/comp , never needed to change tyres and even though the car has been tracked the brake pads are not even half used due to the weight. The only cost was a full service which was about £540. It's an amazing car on so many levels to drive. My new Atom 3 300 is due late March early April and i might try to pop over to one of the meets with it so i could take you out for a spin. http://www.arielmotor.co.uk/ |
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