lotus elan m100 review

Should I worry about buying a classic with the changes to grades of fuel? Persistent stalling and poor starting, especially on non-turbo cars, can often be traced to the rotor arm inside the distributor, which can work loose. But once road testers got their hands of the Elan, and the scale of its dynamic proweess became apparent, you could hear the collective sighs of relief. The prongeron needs to be removed in order to access the oil pick-up, too – if yours shows evidence of recent removal, ask the vendor why it was done. How to value your classic for insurance purposes, Classics insurance for 17,18,19 & 20 year olds, Insurance when your classic isn't roadworthy, It's FREE to list your car on Honest John Classics, Hiring rather than buying? Check also that the skid guard beneath the radiator is present and correct – heavy damage here should set alarm bells ringing. So, the M100 was naturally frontwheel drive, with a transverse-mounted engine and fi ve-speed gearbox, plus power steering, all wrapped in a slippery wedgeshaped body. All of the parts needed are still available to buy new fro Lotus too. Factor in handling that, to quote period press reports, was too flat, grippy and predictable to be any fun – especially compared to the rear-wheel drive Mazda MX-5 launched around the same time – and the case for the M100 looks shaky.

Check also that the skid guard beneath the radiator is present and correct – heavy damage here should set alarm bells ringing. • Interior: the interior can also give problems, while it also doesn’t take much to start looking tatty.

Check that yours have either been replaced or that the originals have been suitably rust-proofed.

Not only does it look unique, you also never see it on the roads, so, you’ll be delighted to know that you’ll be the only one driving that car. Can you help me trace the history of a Rolls Royce classic? But to dismiss it as a niche bagatelle – something to choose only if you absolutely, positively MUST be seen as slightly left field at all times – is to sell it woefully short.

Of more concern potentially is suspension that’s out of alignment; this is guaranteed to lead to wayward handling and uneven tyre wear. Persistent stalling and poor starting, especially on non-turbo cars, can often be traced to the rotor arm inside the distributor, which can work loose. The result was

And since you can pick up a low-mileage minter for less than £6000, they represent spectacular value for money, too. • Cam angle sensor: there’s just one weak spot with the Isuzu unit, the Cam Angle Sensor, which fails and causes the fuel-injection system to malfunction. Of these series 1 cars, you have a choice between the 130bhp naturally aspirated Elan, or the more lively 162bhp Turbo SE model – capable of a sub-7.0 second 0-62mph time.

• Suspension: the Elan’s suspension is as tough as the rest of the car, with springs and dampers generally not causing any problems. Is your car suffering from a smoky exhaust?

And make sure the pump’s inertia switch has not been inadvertently tripped. CTRL + SPACE for auto-complete. Not only does the Elan M100 use an Isuzu-sourced engine, it is – whisper it – front-wheel drive.

And since you can pick up a low-mileage minter for less than £6000, they represent spectacular value for money, too.

Supe... Lotus Elan+2S, 1970. If Ant can get the engine and suspension back to glory, then Mike is convinced that … After a limited run of cars, the tooling and licence to build the Elan was sold to Kia, who also built a version for local markets. Write CSS OR LESS and hit save. Not only does the Elan M100 use an Isuzu-sourced engine, it is – whisper it – front-wheel drive. Not for nothing has the M100 often been likened to a British bulldog.

This is called a ‘prongeron’ and cars left the factory with a sticker affixed to it declaring ‘Do Not Jack’ for a reason: jacking damage here is a clear indication that a car has either been maltreated or maintained by a garage that isn’t a Lotus specialist. Poppycock. Has the opinion-dividing Lotus Elan M100 finally come of age?

– and the case for the M100 looks shaky.

The most obvious difference is the different taillights, designed by Kia, in place of the Renault Alpine rear lights of the original Lotus car.From 1996 to 1999, Kia Motech (Kia Motor-technology) produced the car (in Ansan, South Korea) as the Kia Elan for the Korean market, using a 151 hp 1.8 L T8D engine instead of the Isuzu 1.6 Turbo unit.

They’re strong, so should only need replacing if vandals have struck. Using the 4XE1 Isuzu Engine, a SOHC(The DOHC Variant was used on the Elan), 12-Valve, 1588 cc engine as the base(This engine would later be found in the Isuzu Impulse and was earlier found on the Gemini), Lotus re-routed the Intake Plumbing, improved the engine suspension, a new exhaust, and major modifications to the ECU to improve power and boost response.

Last owner 16 years and just 3 owners before. NEC classic motor show 2020 postponed due to Covid 19 concerns, Classic car auction house Coys goes into administration, Sell Your Car On Honest John Classics For Free. • Corrosion: some cars will show signs of corrosion on the rear suspension wishbones, and because this tends to occur on the top face, it’s difficult to spot as the vehicle sits so low.

In many ways, the M100 Elan is the roadster that time seems to have completely forgotten about. Introduction The M100-Series Lotus Elan represented the light at the end of a very long tunnel for its maker. Evidence of moisture on the dipstick and/or the presence of a mayonnaise-like substance on the underside of the oil filler cap often mean that the cylinderhead gasket is on its way out.

Although replacement is relatively straight forward, a larger impact might have caused damage to the bumper, which is much more serious to fix.

In truth, the Elan M100 is an absolute blast to drive. The M100 Elan was conceived as a mass-market car and in particular one that would appeal to US buyers.

After decades of rear-driven Elans, this smacked of heresy at the car’s 1989 launch, and although Lotus stood stubbornly by its decision throughout the M100’s life, it can surely be no coincidence that every other Lotus since then has been rear-driven. A front-wheel drive Lotus? How much should I pay for a classic MGB (rubber bumper)? There’s no telling how much the Value might increase. Most replacement spares and parts aren’t especially expensive, but even seemingly small issues can take a long time to fix. Lovely example in rare monotone Carnival Red.

Very impressive? Our guide will save you money. Lotus said they’d hoped it be in production by 2013.

It was to be powered by a 4.0 V6. Sometimes the engine warning light illuminates when this happens, but not always.

Its opinion-polarising styling and perceived dynamic weaknesses have further conspired against it over the years. Indeed, just to break even the firm would have needed to sell twice as many cars each year as it actually did. Feel free to stare at the pictures for as long as you want.

• Remap: many owners have chosen to upgrade their engine by having the ECU remapped, to take power up to anywhere between 175bhp and 210bhp or so, with no ill-effects. Poppycock.

The M100 was light and stiff, thanks to a composite structure and steel backbone – much like the original Elan – and the double-wishbone suspension offered unparalleled grip and composure.

Almost all the production cars ended up being turbocharged SE versions, though some 130bhp non-turbo models were sold. The window regulators are a simple DIY job, if you have plenty of time and a modicum of mechanical skill. I’d assume only the Esprit is on the cards now. The choice of front-wheel drive is unusual for a sports car, but according to Lotus sales bumf, “for a given vehicle weight, power and tyre size, a FWD car was always faster over a given section of road.

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