Part of my decision to get myself a Series 1 Lotus Elise was driven by all the journalists chat about how good they are to drive and it hasn’t disapointed. They’re as good as they say they are! I love it, nothing I have ever driven has steering weight and feel like it. That alone will inevitably be the reason I end up getting another one day. I have also very much enjoyed working on the Elise, the design and assembly and overall simplicity of everything just makes it nice to pull apart and put back together. Over the last 2-3 years though, I haven’t had many opportunities to drive it, partly down to having an offspring and partly as I have been enjoying driving my Classic Mini when I get time. I am also looking to move house and finding somewhere that already has garaging for three cars is proving difficult but both our Mini’s are forever cars so something has to give. Unfortunately it just doesn’t make sense right now to keep the Elise.
Contact details: noisymini@hotmail.com or call/message 07863117450
The advert you’ll find on Pistonheads:
Lotus Elise, 1998 early lightweight model, exceptional condition, well cared for example including full suspension refresh and more.
Full service history including all MOT’s, receipts for parts and servicing with Lotus Specialists going back to the first owner. Including the original purchase invoice for £23850 from Frosts in Shoreham, dated 18/8/1998. Also the original Lotus Elise folder complete with original contents including maintenance record booklets stamped up to 2017. 4 Previous owners. Owned by myself since February 2018. I have kept all receipts for parts and servicing and documented all works on my website noisymini.com. I have never tracked the car and it is understood that previous owners have not either (previous owners active on SELOC forum). Other than the day I bought it, I have never used the Elise on wet roads. I have always garaged it and hibernated it over winter. Given the overall condition I would say this has generally been the case for its whole life.
Please visit my website noisymini.com and click on ‘All Series 1 Elise’ for a full history of my ownership and work carried out by myself during the last 6 years. I am a car obsessed mechanical engineer and have very much enjoyed the time spent caring for and improving the Elise. If I could, I’d keep it but I will be moving house and one less car to complicate the move and the need to free up the cash means it’s time for a new owner to enjoy the Elise.
Details
Series 1 Lotus Elise
First registered in August 1998
57000 miles
MOT Sept 2025
Titanium Metallic Silver
Original red leather seats
Two sets of keys and alarm fobs
1.8 16 Valve K-Series engine
Genuine Lotus hardtop
Early model with blue glue, boot bag and aluminium engine cover. These are known to be the lightest of all Series 1 cars.
Engine Specs
1.8 K Series DVA 135 Kit – Piper 270 Camshafts and vernier pulleys
MLS head gasket
52mm throttle body
Bespoke induction setup with ITG Maxogen 3 layer filter (OEM Air Box and K&N filter included)
Hanger 111 stainless steel Signature exhaust
VVC 160 exhaust manifold with ground back internal welds
Dyno’d at 140bhp
Original catalytic converter fitted
PRT thermostat relocation kit with silcone hoses
New exhaust manifold heat shielding
Bespoke alternator heat shield
Polyurethane engine steady bushings (upper and lower)
Suspension
Full suspension refresh with full alignment and cornerweight adjustment
Wishbones stripped and painted
Steel chassis suspension inserts cleaned and painted
Original aluminium uprights blasted and re-anodised in red then clear coated in POR15 clear coat
Elise Parts wishbone spherical bearings
Elise Parts supplied Delphi ball joints
Elise Parts wheel bearings
Elise Parts track rod ends
New ARB drop links
New bolts/nuts/washers throughout (mix of stainless, 8.8 and 12.9 grades where necessary)
Steering rack rebuilt with Elise Parts inner joint cups
Steering rack raiser plates Stainless steel camber and caster shims
Elise Parts nylatron roll bar bushes
Eliseparts uniball rear toe links
Nitron dampers
Full wheel alignment and cornerweight adjustment
Wheels & Brakes
ROTA Slipstream wheels with Lotus centre caps and spoke decals
Elise Parts Ultimax Discs & Carbone Lorraine RC5+ Sintered Metal Pads
Elise Parts supplied Goodridge stainless braided brake lines
ATE TYP 200 brake fluid
Other Improvements/Modifications/Parts
Exige headlight covers
Driving light covers
Smoked front, rear & side indicators
Carbon fibre radiator surround cover
Carbon fibre side scoops
Carbon fibre wiper motor cover
Elise Parts stone protectors
Front splitter
Extended 6 fin rear diffuser
S2 Engine Cover
S2 Wiper Arm
Rear lift/jack blocks fitted behind undertray
Alpine Radio / CD player
OMP flat bottomed steering wheel (original Lotus leather wheel included)
Maintenance / Servicing Carried Out
Timing belt and water pump replaced 1300 miles ago
New brake master cylinder
New Varta battery fitted May 2024
New clutch slave cylinder
Inlet manifold gasket replaced
Old IAT coolant drained, fully flushed and replaced with modern longer lasting Millers OAT coolant
Gearbox oil changed
Elise Parts clutch slave cylinder support bracket
Clutch pedal trunnion
Elise parts gearbox linkage bushes
Genuine Bosch lambda sensor
NGK spark plugs
CL RC5+ pads fitted 400 miles ago
Also Included
Hardtop storage bag
Rear window bag
Shower cap waterproof cover (windscreen/roof/doors)
Quality fitted indoor cover, fleece lined with embroidered Lotus logo
Original Lotus rollbar cover
Original soft top
Please take the time to visit my website (Google ‘noisymini’) where you will find full details and many pictures of almost everything I’ve done with the Elise.
The car is currently SORNed as I don’t intend to drive it now. I will tax it for any potential buyers so it can be driven. Test drives will be with myself driving, I’m happy to take any direction from a buyer to check anything, I am not in a position to risk the car being driven by someone else.
Please contact me to arrange to see the Elise or to ask any questions. I am usually free evenings and weekends but work odd hours at times and can work from home so it’s possible I could be available during weekdays.
I am located near Battle, East Sussex, TN33.
Please email me at noisymini@hotmail.com or call/message 07863117450
Price: £21450
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