Hi Everyone!

I just traded in my Mk1 Elise for a 3 year old vRS diesel estate. Am I insane? Given the audience on this forum, I'm hoping for a lots of 'You did the right thing'.

So a few quick questions.

1. The previous owner had a tow bar, I told the dealer to take it off. Problem is that now I have a big hole in my bumper. Any ideas short of replacing the bumper to get around this. I doubt they put back in the internal bumper - I wonder if that's a problem? Should I just stick the towbar back on? Life in the Elise was all about weight reduction - towbars seem to weigh a ton.

2. How on earth do you get the power down in the wet? I just end up with a dashboard full of flashing lights. I'm guessing that my tyres (dealer changed to new cheap ones - thanks) are rubbish. What is the ideal vRS tyre?

3. So that little bit of grey fabric (suede?) at the front of the seats - whats the best way to clean it?

Other than that, seems like a very good car. Can't wait to try it on around Goodwood. Hi everyone!

PS. Can anyone explain why I bought a red one?

Mark

I recently had a S2 Elise as a second car and to be honest didn't rate it at all so IMHO you've made a good move to start with.

Weight reduction - Forget it, it's no Elise and never will be.

Bumper - Yep, new one I think.

Tyres - Michelin Pilot Sport 2's are about the best I've found as an all rounder.

I think I'd stick it back on, people are are a little more respectful when parking behind you when you have a big lump of metal between your bumper & their's!

Enjoy your car Running mine on Versteins, best rating of all the normal branded tyres in the wet but only around £80 each fitted, they hang on very well in normal spirited driving but they struggle on track.

I'd say you made the wrong decision...

But welcome, regardless!

the grey suede, alcantara, i've got some car upholstery cleaner, in an aerosol can with a brush built into the top, that cleaned mine of brilliantly

as for tyres, another vote for the verdestein ultrac sessantas

Hi Everyone!

2. How on earth do you get the power down in the wet? I just end up with a dashboard full of flashing lights. I'm guessing that my tyres (dealer changed to new cheap ones - thanks) are rubbish. What is the ideal vRS tyre?

Mark

The make of tyres does help, but in my experience traction in the wet is always an issue. You end up having to drive accordingly ... the problem of so many torques! The traction control (ESP) actually does help rather than just flash the light as it would appear. Traction is even worse with the ESP off.

2. How on earth do you get the power down in the wet? I just end up with a dashboard full of flashing lights. I'm guessing that my tyres (dealer changed to new cheap ones - thanks) are rubbish. What is the ideal vRS tyre?

Clutch control helps

Another vote for the Pilot 2's

as for tyres, another vote for the verdestein ultrac sessantas

And another

I've gone from: esprit gt3, esprit v8-gt, elise s2, golf gti (mk5) and will order my vrs estate 2.0tfsi in the next few weeks.

Family pressures mean no time to enjoy my toys and no spare cash either plus my criteria for space has changed significantly (2yr old plus baby #2 due this week).

There is nothing on the market that has the combination of space, performance and value that you get with a vrs. And i mean NOTHING - believe me - i've tried!

I came from a Smart Roadster which is even smaller than an Elise so can relate to your reasons for getting a sensible but fast family car! Mine is running on Michelin Pilot Exalto's which are a verson of the Pilot range meant to give improved wet handling over the Sports, you'd probably need to be on a track to notice the difference though! Im a Michelin fan though so would recommend a Michelin tyre of sorts, I had a set of Michelin Premacy's last for 20k miles on a 3.0 Audi A4 Quattro and they gripped briliantly! Worth the extra money for the exta mileage in my view.

As for wheel spin, its what you get from a powerful FWD car! I spin up in 2nd sometimes, but think this adds to the fun!!