Hi, I’m looking at buying 220S Sport (2008) with the plan of doing quite a few track days. Is there anything that I need to check? Any problems that are normal that need to be looked into or anything that I need to make sure has been done? (Is from dealer).
Would also be interested in peoples ideas on running costs?
I have looked around for buyers guides but not really found much that gives many details. If you can point me at one then thanks. Sorry if others have asked the same questions before.
If you are buying from a reputable dealer/specialist you should be OK. Always a good idea to post up the reg number of any prospective purchase - always somebody who may know the car
If the car is a standard 220s & you are planning trackdays parts will need ‘upgrading’ in the following order
Brakes - std brakes will be cooked in 5 laps - uprated pads & fluid will be a good start
Handling - stiffer, adjustable anti roll bar - check eliseparts
Setup - get the car professionally geo’d - depends where you live for the best options
You can do all of the above for around �700
You may be able to do a ‘deal’ on essential changes/upgrades as part of the purchase price.
Running costs are pretty good - servicing is around �250 every 6000 miles. Track running costs are much higher - expect around 10 mpg and new rear tyres every 3000 miles
I am sure that the rest of the boys will be along soon with pearls of wisdom !!!
The only thing i can add really is that i recently bought a Exige 220 S Touring which i noticed had a small chip on the nearside of the windscreen which (apparently) could not be repaired… Just over �1100 to replace. I gave it back to the dealer to resolve - lesson learned - check the windscreen
Would the insurance not have covered a replacement??
Anyway - Welcome
Is the car you’re looking at White by any chance? There were quite a few ex-lotus experience day cars that are coming through dealers recently… Silverstone and somewhere up north I think?
I suppose it’s inevitable for someone to mention the intercooler issue before long so I will - the standard intercooler on the 220 is rubbish. Three main issues - 1) It’s mounted directly above the engine, 2) it doesn’t get enough air and 3) it has very poor efficiency.
In real terms what this means is after a lap or two (yes, 1 or 2) you’ll feel the power start to dip away as the engine retards its ignition timing to guard against the addtional intake heat, which it can’t help.
For me at bedford this resulted in lap 1 and 2 pulling about 125 - 130 down the back straight (south west circuit) and then in subsequent laps pulling 115 - 120. Very noticable.
Easily sorted by either (a) a different intercooler and bigger scoop (ideally) or (b) chargecooling.
Lots of discussion about this on here, and it seems that either of these are really needed if you want to hike the power up to 240/260 etc.
Also - you may want to look out for cars with ‘supersports pack’ as these have a few useful track extras which would give you a starting point;
adjustable front ARB
1 way adjustable bilstien shocks with height adjustment
seats with harness holes (v nice, useful)
harness bar
rear shear bar (although I think these were standard on all recent cars)
lightweight forged wheels (yum)
this is all over and above the usual ‘sport’ spec, but in the cars with the later dash (airbags) the supersports pack changed I think.
“For me at bedford this resulted in lap 1 and 2 pulling about 125 - 130 down the back straight (south west circuit) and then in subsequent laps pulling 115 - 120. Very noticable.”
Finally an honest Exige S owner that experiences the effect of heat soak and admits it on a forum.
It really is that noticable though… The engine just feels strangled when the retarded ignition really kicks in and it must be playing merry hell with the exhaust gas temps too. V bad news.
The Forge does make a noticable difference to the in-gear pull especially after a long 3rd gear run and then into 4th - without it the car bogs down terribly, almost like a big turbo spinning down during the gear change.
Thanks for the responses, out of interest what sort of cost is it to sort intercooler issue?
Spoke to dealer about running costs and they said they have not had many issues, the odd gear boxes but tyres were the biggest cost!!
The cheapest route is to simply replace your intercooler with as mentioned the Forge item, CN’s supply then as do seriously lotus or you can go direct to Forge.
They are usually around the �500 - �600 mark.
Yup, gearboxes are only ok up to about 270/280hp (tried and destructed by many on here)
Tyres
Tyres are (should be, if you’re doing things correctly) a special LTS compound version, only available through lotus dealers and lotus parts suppliers. A048s don’t last long but they are bl00dy sticky.
I think I’ve heard of less than 5 people who have upgraded to Forge or the Pro Alloy Charge Cooler.
The majority of owners are in denial or simply don’t realise how bad the cooling is. Its good that CN is offering the 260 upgrade as that sounds like a winner for everyone.
[quote=blacktoy]“For me at bedford this resulted in lap 1 and 2 pulling about 125 - 130 down the back straight (south west circuit) and then in subsequent laps pulling 115 - 120. Very noticable.”
Finally an honest Exige S owner that experiences the effect of heat soak and admits it on a forum. [/quote]
[quote=blacktoy]I think I’ve heard of less than 5 people who have upgraded to Forge or the Pro Alloy Charge Cooler.
The majority of owners are in denial or simply don’t realise how bad the cooling is. Its good that CN is offering the 260 upgrade as that sounds like a winner for everyone.
[quote=blacktoy]“For me at bedford this resulted in lap 1 and 2 pulling about 125 - 130 down the back straight (south west circuit) and then in subsequent laps pulling 115 - 120. Very noticable.”
Finally an honest Exige S owner that experiences the effect of heat soak and admits it on a forum. [/quote] [/quote]
So we’ve done a great job so far on how good a 220s is !!! and not really answered any of the relevant newbie questions
To summarise - Crap brakes, crap handling, crap intercooler, great tyres that have crap wear rates, should add - crap exhaust before someonelse does, crap rear wing that flaps about and produces no real useable downforce !!!
All this has got me thinking of chopping in for an GT3 !!!
I believe the forge benefit is mainly anecdotal as no real comparison has been done. Nor do i think has there has been anyone who’s had just the forge fitted without other mods
To be honest if i could afford it i would have the Komotec conversion done,proper intercooler can uprate to over 300 bhp,bosch pumps extra rads etc,no pishing about.
I believe the forge benefit is mainly anecdotal as no real comparison has been done. Nor do i think has there has been anyone who’s had just the forge fitted without other mods [/quote]
Lots of comparisons have been done on lotus talk mainly with the RLS intercooler tho. I also fitted my Forge over 2 years ago with no other mods whatsoever at the time. Im also sure Boothy got his done without anyother mods at the time.
I fitted my forge with no other alterations. Standard 220.
It really does make a difference and this is not me justifying the cost to myself. I don’t give two hoots if anyone ‘believes’ me or not - I KNOW it makes a difference.
Anecdotal ???
If anyone can,t tell the difference between a heatsoaked 170 bhp car and a 230 bhp
Forge equipped car , then maybe take up knitting or something!!!
And I too fitted the forge BEFORE any other power mods
