Fitting S2 - second hand a bad idea?

[KevD]

Hi Folks,

after a super rainy trip to skye I'm convinced that fitting S2 bilsteins onto my s1 is the next step, just need a bit more comfort and a bit less crashing through potholes that are unseen.

Spotted a set of second hand ones up for sale, mixed mileage 2x 6000miles, 1 x 400miles, 1x 1000 miles ( I've no idea how you would change individual dampers at random intervals like that)

How difficult a job is it to do? I know I'll need to buy the adapter plate as well. Is 2nd hand a bad idea or a suitable way to save a little cash when I'm stretching to buy the full kit new? push comes to shove I could just wait a few months and build up a better bit of cash.

Kev

[Edin430]

I know you mean the ones on pistonheads and in my opion, they are overpriced at £300 for a mixed set. I'd expect them at £200 at most.

as for the how - all information here http://wiki.seloc.org/a/Suspension_upgrades

[mwmackenzie]

Very easy to change! 2 bolts each shock although you'll also need a fitting kit from Elise Parts or Elise Shop to get the ride height sorted.

Mark

[Rich H]

2 bolts per rear bracket, 2 bolts per shock.

Not hard to fit but you need a geo after!

[Edin430]

[campbell]

Yup, if you have reasonable instructions available, the correct fitting brackets to adapt them to the S1, a tube of Duralac anti-electrolytey thingy, and the right spanners / sockets, this is the kind of job even I would attempt now! Having done it with Robin's help and supervision, and having switched dampers over on various occasions before and since, I'd say get on with it.

A new set of S2 bilsteins is probably around £600 or so, therefore a low mileage set would be maybe £300 for the risk, but I agree if it's a non-matched set then get a bit more off.

I have a non-matched pair on the front now after a N/S failure, although the mileages are probably fairly similar actually as the "new" one was secondhand from the most kind AJT on here

btw, Bilsteins are absolutely brilliant. You will wonder why Lotus ever went near Koni...

[KevD]

after checking with my insurance I've offered the guy £250 but had no response yet, will call him on monday.

The lotus centre are offering sets for £350 stating that each one has had 100 miles approx but they've got 10 full sets so I don't trust the mileage - why would they have so many low mileage sets available?

Insurance stated that they'll cover it without an increase as long as I get them professionally fitted so might get Ally at SLS to do it, if he ever sends me the receipt for the last service!

Kev

[campbell]

Rightly or wrongly I took the view that Lotus supply the Bilstein set as an approved S1 replacement part.

[Corranga]

The lotus centre are offering sets for £350 stating that each one has had 100 miles approx but they've got 10 full sets so I don't trust the mileage - why would they have so many low mileage sets available?

Insurance stated that they'll cover it without an increase as long as I get them professionally fitted so might get Ally at SLS to do it, if he ever sends me the receipt for the last service!

Kev

You might want to check these are the right parts!!!

We just picked up a described as nearly new / very low mileage set from the Lotus Centre for 350. I can confirm they were pretty damn new looking, with only some workshop dust on them. The reasoning I ws given was that they get new Exiges from Lotus and race prep them so on go Nitrons or similar

BUT

These were S2 Exige and therefore S2 Toyota Bilstiens (we fitted them to Ericas VX220)

I'm sure that to fit to an S1 you want K-Series S2 Bilstiens. Check before you buy?

Chris

[mwmackenzie]

The lotus centre are offering sets for £350 stating that each one has had 100 miles approx but they've got 10 full sets so I don't trust the mileage - why would they have so many low mileage sets available?

Insurance stated that they'll cover it without an increase as long as I get them professionally fitted so might get Ally at SLS to do it, if he ever sends me the receipt for the last service!

Kev

You might want to check these are the right parts!!!

We just picked up a described as nearly new / very low mileage set from the Lotus Centre for 350. I can confirm they were pretty damn new looking, with only some workshop dust on them. The reasoning I ws given was that they get new Exiges from Lotus and race prep them so on go Nitrons or similar

BUT

These were S2 Exige and therefore S2 Toyota Bilstiens (we fitted them to Ericas VX220)

I'm sure that to fit to an S1 you want K-Series S2 Bilstiens. Check before you buy?

Chris

Elise parts do a fitting kit for eithe K-series or yota shocks for the S1

[KevD]

I Found another set of bilsteins for less on seloc privately so emailed about it.

I was going to steer clear of the lotus centre - are they quality of the ones you got ok? I didnt understand how they could have several sets of bislteins all low mileage just lying about but if they are upgrading exiges that

http://www.eliseparts.com/products/show ... er-mounts/ Is that the correct mounts? It states only for the k series, is there a seperate one for the toyota models and would the toyota elise damper mounts suit the exige bilsteins as well?


This is why folk like me normally just pay garages to do th mechanical thinking for them but it's a learning curve for someone more used to ohms amps and volts

[Corranga]

Elise parts do a fitting kit for eithe K-series or yota shocks for the S1

Is that a new thing then...
Found them here.
http://www.eliseparts.com/products/show ... er-mounts/

Only mentions Mk2 Elise Bilstein from Toyota 111R but I'd presume the Exige to be the same size (but better sprung?). I reckon a VX owner on here fitted 111r shocks on his car recently, and as I know Exige shock fit...

I'd recommend the Lotus Centre parts, they looked to be in more or less as new condition, no rust / scrapes or anything, just a bit dusty.

Surely that would make a pretty decent bargain for nearly new Bilsteins on an S1, especially Exige parts which are presumably better than the Lotus upgrade / K-S2 Elise parts I have on mine..?

Also note that most of the time, I don't know what i'm talking about

Chris

[Baggy]

I'd recommend buying new.

Billys don't have a great rep for lasting that long. have a look on the SELOC techwiki for details. Also the alloy spring retainer collars corrode really badly due to sacraficial corrosion caused by them being dissimilar metals (to the point where they have been known to fail) so wouldn't buy them unseen. mine have been on my car for two years and the collars look awful.

B&C do a S1 kit with springs, dampers and the correct brackets for about £500 which because of B&Cs rep you could easily argue is a lotus approved replacement.

I believe the dampers and springs supplied by B&C for the S1 are different part nos to standard S2 sets. maybe it's just the springs. I can look out the part nos of the shocks and springs tonight if you like and post them up so you at least know which ones you're looking for. I think the spring retaining collars also have a protective coating/change in material.

If you do buy second hand you also need to consider what ride height you are looking for and buy the appropriate brackets.

[KevD]

I'm trying to buy a set of S2 K series with 12,000 miles.£200. Guy is upgrading to Nitrons ( he's been on SELOC a while and seems decent enough) there's some slight rust at the top, he's emaililng me close up pics. I'll post them up and if there's doubts I'll stop being tight and buy a new set in a few months time. He wants cheque/bank transfer rather than paypal but seems genuine enough.

I've got a B service, Mot, belt change and insurance renewal all required around the turn of the year so I'm being tight to save cash for that lot.

I would go for the ebay ones if it was someone else selling them - the lotus centre have such a bad rep on pistonheads and SELOC.

Only do 5-8,000 miles a year so if I get 3 years out of a second hand set I'd be happy - I take the point that you don't want to cut corners have it rust to failure on such a critical item.

Add to add, thanks for help/comments so far, I'll try not to dither as much once I buy a set

[smee]

I'd recommend buying new.

Billys don't have a great rep for lasting that long. have a look on the SELOC techwiki for details. Also the alloy spring retainer collars corrode really badly due to sacraficial corrosion caused by them being dissimilar metals (to the point where they have been known to fail) so wouldn't buy them unseen. mine have been on my car for two years and the collars look awful.

B&C do a S1 kit with springs, dampers and the correct brackets for about £500 which because of B&Cs rep you could easily argue is a lotus approved replacement.

I believe the dampers and springs supplied by B&C for the S1 are different part nos to standard S2 sets. maybe it's just the springs. I can look out the part nos of the shocks and springs tonight if you like and post them up so you at least know which ones you're looking for. I think the spring retaining collars also have a protective coating/change in material.

If you do buy second hand you also need to consider what ride height you are looking for and buy the appropriate brackets.

Is there still a SELOC group buy on these? I got mine for £360 inc fitting kit from B&C new a couple years ago, was a long wait though