I have been looking at s2 Exiges for a while but have slowly started falling for the S1, I’ve been told by dealers to stay away from them as they are silly expensive to run/service/etc. I live and work in London so the car would only be used on weekends for anything from pottering around to tracks and road trips. It will be parked on the street (quiet though). Has anyone owned an S1 in this situation? Are they really very unreliable and expensive to run? Am I daft owning one in London? Could someone give me a rough breakdown of costs of running a 190 S1 per year?
Just trying to get an idea, I am not expecting it run and cost the same as your average car before you think i am mental.
I have owned my 190 s1 for 24 months. I bought it with 3k miles on the clock and paid just under �300 for a C-Service and belt change when I picked it up (just to be safe). It was serviced last year for �160. Its due another service now and I expect to pay around the same �160(ish) figure. I put on 4 new R888 tires last year which cost �350(ish). 2 MOT passes at no extra cost and other than that it has been cost free apart from tax/insurance/petrol. I am up at the dizzy hights of just over 7k miles now and although it probably leads a more gentler life than many, it really is good fun.
ETA:
I forgot that I also paid for an Edward front splitter & rear diffuser, c/f scoops for the side air intakes, some ally tat for the interior, smoked headlight covers and a couple of perspex driving light protective covers. Gulp… how easy is it to forget spending money when it doesnt really need spending!!
just under �300 for a C-Service and belt change when I picked it up (just to be safe). It was serviced last year for �160. Its due another service now and I expect to pay around the same �160(ish) figure.
That’s some very good prices there - who does the servicing?
Wouldnt happy to be a dealer with a few S2’s in the back yard ?
Ive owned my S1 for several years and fastidiously maintained it. I have had no issues (touching wood as he types) with mine and specialist servicing costs are very reasonable - circa �200 and around 50% again if the C service and cambelt change.
There is a lot of talk about reliability but I personally haven’t experienced any of it. Consumables are relatively cheap and upgrades reasonable.
My only thoughts based on your location would be, would it remain unmolested on the street and in risk of being struck by lightening for blasphemy, its rawer nature makes it less of a pootle car compared to the S2. However as any S1 owner will tell you, take it down a back road for a blast or onto a circuit and the grin you’ll have is incredible - its still the car that gets the most attention.
Finally - S1’s are fairly rare and hold their value very well. S2’s… well take a look on Pistonheads and see the depreciation for your self…
never had any problems with a year and a half of ownership of my s1, cost me �360 for a C service and Cambelt change and and A Service at �140 that was it. Great car, it is just finding a nice one!!! wish I had never sold mine!
That’s some very good prices there - who does the servicing?
Next service (probably next week actually) will be done by Ali ( http://www.scottishlotusspecialists.co.uk/ ) who also services my 111R. The C-service 2 years ago and last years service was by Falkland Performance Centre ( http://www.falkland.co.uk/ ) Only reason for changing is to support Ali in his new business.
What should I look for or look out for when getting a ‘good’ S1?
The dealer was B&C and no they didnt have any in stock! I was told that due to the engine being race tuned (190) it would need a rebuild every 10k miles or so??? Thats why I initially shyed away from an S1.
On the other side… Owned for just under a year and the following:
New heat shields - �750
B Service, two new rears, tracking, window runner rubber & various - �900
Exhaust back box - �650 (fortunately warranty)
New shocks - @�400 iirc (fortunately warranty)
This is a 51 plate and had 22,000 on the clock when I bought it on the 190 vhpd…
And these are soon to follow I think:
steering rack - has developed play
respray - paint is blistering
engine rebuild - has done 25,000 after all
It is not a cheap car to run but then you know that when you buy it. I’m not complaining just saying that it might not be all smelling of roses. Still wouldn’t change her for the world.
every 10k … choke … surprised they told you that - wonder if they passed that news item on to the purchaser of the last S1 they had on their forecourt
Re looking for an S1 - best places are Pistonheads and of course expressing an interest on Exiges.com
As with all car purchases, look for a one lady owner, low mileage , bottom line is it should be regularly maintained (with all the paperwork) and in good condition. The amount you pay will reflect condition (they are all pretty much 2000 - 2001 cars), mileage, and any extras addded. A 190 over 177 adds a small premium but its down to preference as is colour choice. These cars can have several owners don’t let this put you off - it’s not every ones cup of tea and selling it as an every day car to the missus is likely to lead to a short ownership experience… .
As no doubt many here will say - dont worry about it having some track history - most will have probably seen a few track days in their lives with one owner or other. If it has been cherished and maintained the likelyhood is that it will run well and the owner will also have added a few nice upgrades… bottom line the service history will give you the servicing agents details to speak to if youre still worried.
My advice is only listen to those who have either owned one or maintained them - plenty of advice on various forumns from those who havent
If you’re in the surrey area Thursday evening, feel free to pop into the Jovial Sailor (Ripley) for a pint and chat - Lotus SELOC crowd monthly meet.
Yeah, Im in Reigate on the weekends but might be quite hard to get to ripley on Thursday.
How much is a rebuild?
Is it important to be mechanically minded, ie. do you guys carry out a lot of work yourselves? as i am really not (love taking stuff apart - rubbish at putting it back together)
Could anyone recommend any that are on the market at the moment… point me in the right direction maybe… I wont hold you liable if I buy it and the engine falls out…
OK so I live in London and have had my S1 for 4+ years so I guess I can comment.
From a costs perspective, when you factor in not burning money on buying performance cars every year or so anymore, I reckon the S1 has saved me loads of money
The problem is however the S1 does not like being in London and tbh I don’t really like being in it in London. Sitting in London traffic with a VHPD a couple of inches behind yer head in an airless 45 degrees will make you lose the will to live.
Don’t let that put you off though, just go into it with your eyes open. When it’s in its native environment on circuit or on a B-Road it makes it all worth it.
There is a yellow example on Autotrader at the mo… does anyone know the car???
I dont mind about the heat and noise… Ive been driving a mates caterham in London for a while and your legs burn, your face freezes rock solid and your ears bleed still love it though. Could the Exige easily overheat in the traffic?
Ive had a good look at your Exige on Pistonheads, its bloody nice. Im opting to go with a dealer so I can get a straight part ex at the mo as selling my TT is proving to be a right ****! How did the insurance company take it when you had the rebuild? I am quite young (22) so I think if its had a rebuild with the extras they will take me to the cleaners!
Engine rebuild will not make any difference. With Autotorque you tell them the value and just send them some pictures - thats it. For mods, some companies charge you abit more, others will not bother. It is different for each company, but generally if you stick toa specialist, then you’ll be fine.
CCC & A-Plan were also well priced for me.
I found that the specialists usually wont insure anyone under 25…especially when i say ‘yeh, the exige will be parked on the street…in London’ I get a long pause then they and im ! The insuarance on a standard 190 S1 is proving to be a lot cheaper than the S2 though!
Anyway, does anyone know the Yellow S1 on Autotrader??? I am going to see it this weekend and was wondering if there is anything that I should know about…or be weary of?
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