Lotus 340R Feedback Please
13 February 2004, 09:17 PM
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Lotus 340R Feedback Please
Hi,
Can i have some feedback regarding the Lotus 340R
Have you owned, traveled in one ? Seen one round a track ?
Just want an Idea of what they are like to own ?
Are you selling one ??
Let me know, The more information the better !
Cheers Chaps !
Can i have some feedback regarding the Lotus 340R
Have you owned, traveled in one ? Seen one round a track ?
Just want an Idea of what they are like to own ?
Are you selling one ??
Let me know, The more information the better !
Cheers Chaps !
13 February 2004, 10:08 PM
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If you were to get one, just don't prang it or get caught in a gravel trap. Any damage to the body, and you're talking circa £9K to repair it!!
14 February 2004, 11:57 AM
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Well, Called the Insurance company this moring and nearly fell over when they gave me a quote....
30 Yrs old Full NCB Good Area 4000 Miles per year
EX'S £820
Years Insurance £1450
Thats over 3 times more than my Boxster 'S'
30 Yrs old Full NCB Good Area 4000 Miles per year
EX'S £820
Years Insurance £1450
Thats over 3 times more than my Boxster 'S'
14 February 2004, 12:32 PM
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Thats because a lot have had minor prangs that cost ££££ to fix, and theres a rumour that its £££ labour to change the battery etc. Its not the cheapest car to maintain! and since almost all of them are 190 BHP option, and the 1st outing of the 190 guise, a few owners completed the R+D .....
Great car mind
Great car mind
15 February 2004, 03:19 PM
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Originally Posted by Wish
Made my mind up ..... Now looking for one.
Anyone know of any for sale ?
Anyone know of any for sale ?
http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www...&search=SEARCH
Last edited by Skittles; 15 February 2004 at 03:24 PM.
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15 February 2004, 07:09 PM
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Does seem like a mad thing to buy with it being a grand of labour to get the body off to change the battery, still you could always do it yourself if required, it can't be that difficult! Plenty of competition though Lotus, VX220 turbo, Ariel, Caterham etc.. etc..
15 February 2004, 08:19 PM
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Fantastic looking (and sounding!) car - certainly one of those cars u just have to drive. Saw one on the A4 a few mornings back, driver dressed up like an arctic explorer
- he must have been absolutely freezing!
Check out http://www.340r.net/
Saw one on autotrader a while back for £19K which did get me thinking. Looks like prices have risen a little since then though.
Good luck
- he must have been absolutely freezing!Check out http://www.340r.net/
Saw one on autotrader a while back for £19K which did get me thinking. Looks like prices have risen a little since then though.
Good luck
15 February 2004, 09:06 PM
#12
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The stories about the battery are true. I also remember Evo mag having a minor off resulting in a slightly cracked front end and over $9000 to fix. Makes Scooby plastic seem cheap. Great looking and fantastic to drive, but the same thrills can be had elsewhere for much less cash. It would be a heart over head purchase, but if that's what you want and can afford it, have fun.
17 February 2004, 01:09 PM
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Wish
Doesn't sound right to me, its only a tuned up K series, even an R500 caterham doen't need rebuilds that often. The K is not the most reliable engine around (understatement ??) and the 340R does have lots of costs associated with getting the body off to access anything mechanical/electrical, still if can live with these then has to be a future classic IMHO
Try looking/asking at http://www.british-cars.co.uk/ under the 340R section or in elise general.
Also try http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/list, there's one 340R for sale
Rgds
Neil
Doesn't sound right to me, its only a tuned up K series, even an R500 caterham doen't need rebuilds that often. The K is not the most reliable engine around (understatement ??) and the 340R does have lots of costs associated with getting the body off to access anything mechanical/electrical, still if can live with these then has to be a future classic IMHO
Try looking/asking at http://www.british-cars.co.uk/ under the 340R section or in elise general.
Also try http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/list, there's one 340R for sale
Rgds
Neil
17 February 2004, 06:17 PM
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Wish
I ran one for a year and a half, bought it new in Dec 2001. If you have a chance to own one go for it, its a mental car for lots of reasons.
Looks the boolox, if you think a scoob can attract attention you've seen nothing, everyone talks to you about it, old blokes wave, kids talk, this can wear thin tho.
No heaters aint a problem, you get air ducted from the rad to the foot wells, just hat, jacket and gloves in winter and your sorted.
Yes the battery thing is a problem, but most used cars now have the race battery fitted which will come out through the access hatch, if its still original the top shell can be removed by any competent person in about 2 hours, some of the 340 lads can remove it and refit it in 2 hours, dealers will charge a fortune to do it tho.
I've been out with Mellow when he had his P1 and its not a kick in the pants as fast, although your drive will put a bigger smile on your face, slower through the corners, not ultimatly on track but more tricky on the road.
Best bit is fuel comsumption, i used to stick a tenner in it and drive for hours, I recon it would do 30mpg on a blast, 40+ running around.
I would recommend one. Mine unfortunatly was written off by my brother, I still miss the car, if not to open the garage door and look at.
I could go on for hours, the best way is to try and join the yahoo 340r group, these lads know everything, i'm a memeber but you need a car to join, if your really serious I could try and get you in. If you want to have a chat about the cars 190 conversions, UCR box, things to look for i'll be happy to have a chat with you.
I'll dig some pic's out.
Skip.
I ran one for a year and a half, bought it new in Dec 2001. If you have a chance to own one go for it, its a mental car for lots of reasons.
Looks the boolox, if you think a scoob can attract attention you've seen nothing, everyone talks to you about it, old blokes wave, kids talk, this can wear thin tho.
No heaters aint a problem, you get air ducted from the rad to the foot wells, just hat, jacket and gloves in winter and your sorted.
Yes the battery thing is a problem, but most used cars now have the race battery fitted which will come out through the access hatch, if its still original the top shell can be removed by any competent person in about 2 hours, some of the 340 lads can remove it and refit it in 2 hours, dealers will charge a fortune to do it tho.
I've been out with Mellow when he had his P1 and its not a kick in the pants as fast, although your drive will put a bigger smile on your face, slower through the corners, not ultimatly on track but more tricky on the road.
Best bit is fuel comsumption, i used to stick a tenner in it and drive for hours, I recon it would do 30mpg on a blast, 40+ running around.
I would recommend one. Mine unfortunatly was written off by my brother, I still miss the car, if not to open the garage door and look at.
I could go on for hours, the best way is to try and join the yahoo 340r group, these lads know everything, i'm a memeber but you need a car to join, if your really serious I could try and get you in. If you want to have a chat about the cars 190 conversions, UCR box, things to look for i'll be happy to have a chat with you.
I'll dig some pic's out.
Skip.
17 February 2004, 06:34 PM
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Cheers Skip,
Already a Member.... And thanks for the feed back
Did you track yours ?
I will do more miles on the open road that the track but would like to know what differences you came up with ?
Already a Member.... And thanks for the feed back
Did you track yours ?
I will do more miles on the open road that the track but would like to know what differences you came up with ?
17 February 2004, 06:51 PM
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Hi Skippy hope you are well, met you when Chris P1 went pop in Germany.
I am seriously considering buying one to replace my S2 Elise, I think they look fantastic.
The only thing I have found is they are not amazingly quick, I honestly think I would want to put a Honda power plant in to get that kick.
I am seriously considering buying one to replace my S2 Elise, I think they look fantastic.
The only thing I have found is they are not amazingly quick, I honestly think I would want to put a Honda power plant in to get that kick.
17 February 2004, 09:05 PM
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I owned one for six months - not impressed:-
-Not much quicker on the road than a standard Elise as the K series engine has been stressed too far and has no torque/too high gearing;
-Don't use the standard tyres in the damp/gravel etc. Dump them;
-Costs are too high;
-Far too much heat on the legs in summer and too little in winter;
-Too heavy; and
-No roof.
It looks great though but if you buy one, make sure that it has a race battery fitted as these can be changed without taking the body off.
Overall, buy a 111S instead as its much more useable.
-Not much quicker on the road than a standard Elise as the K series engine has been stressed too far and has no torque/too high gearing;
-Don't use the standard tyres in the damp/gravel etc. Dump them;
-Costs are too high;
-Far too much heat on the legs in summer and too little in winter;
-Too heavy; and
-No roof.
It looks great though but if you buy one, make sure that it has a race battery fitted as these can be changed without taking the body off.
Overall, buy a 111S instead as its much more useable.
18 February 2004, 05:55 PM
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Type R
Nice to hear from you again.
I agree, honda power is the route, it has been done, Blink? motorsport do the conversion.
Do you have the Type R still ?
AR
Intresting comments, I agree with it needing to be driven, but get it on cam and its noticeably quicker than a S2, less so than a 111. I used to rally and love the cammy feeling of the car.
Std tyres do need care, I swapped for some Yoko advan things, just not the same tho, i'd rather have the right tyres and be careful when conditions don't suit. But that goes for any car really, just understand the limits of the car.
Costs too high? I bought mine for 24.5k, used it a year and a half, one service (£120), bit oil, tyres I got for £200, insurance £600. When the insurance settled they paid 24k. I recon that car cost me under 2k for a year and half motoring including depreciation, insurance, I recon thats cheap fun.
Heat on the legs just means disconnecting the pipe off the rad (not hard).
Too heavy? How come? Is heavier than your westies etc, but at nearly 300bhp per tonne its no fatty.
I do however agree, the 111 is the better option if you want a car to use, I wanted a car i'd watch the weather all day at work, then dive out like a kid to get my car out, or wake on a sunday morning at 7 see its sunny, smile, grab the keys and go. Its part of what makes the car special.
I never tracked mine so can't comment on this, I know lots that do, all these people rate them, some of these owners have pukka race cars etc and love to get the 340 on track.
Skip.
Nice to hear from you again.
I agree, honda power is the route, it has been done, Blink? motorsport do the conversion.
Do you have the Type R still ?
AR
Intresting comments, I agree with it needing to be driven, but get it on cam and its noticeably quicker than a S2, less so than a 111. I used to rally and love the cammy feeling of the car.
Std tyres do need care, I swapped for some Yoko advan things, just not the same tho, i'd rather have the right tyres and be careful when conditions don't suit. But that goes for any car really, just understand the limits of the car.
Costs too high? I bought mine for 24.5k, used it a year and a half, one service (£120), bit oil, tyres I got for £200, insurance £600. When the insurance settled they paid 24k. I recon that car cost me under 2k for a year and half motoring including depreciation, insurance, I recon thats cheap fun.
Heat on the legs just means disconnecting the pipe off the rad (not hard).
Too heavy? How come? Is heavier than your westies etc, but at nearly 300bhp per tonne its no fatty.
I do however agree, the 111 is the better option if you want a car to use, I wanted a car i'd watch the weather all day at work, then dive out like a kid to get my car out, or wake on a sunday morning at 7 see its sunny, smile, grab the keys and go. Its part of what makes the car special.
I never tracked mine so can't comment on this, I know lots that do, all these people rate them, some of these owners have pukka race cars etc and love to get the 340 on track.
Skip.
18 February 2004, 08:32 PM
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Skip
Thanks for your thoughts - very balanced.
340R's are not easy to sell. Like me you appeared to get out of yours well financially due to an insurance settlement. Lotus 338R now (max!)!
I found that the gearbox could'nt keep the car in the powerband on public roads - great on the track I would guess.
The 340R only meets is power to weight target in track trim when dry rather than wet. Also like all these lightweight cars, put an 85kg bloke in and the bhp/tonne falls off more than in an SL55 say.
True on Sunday @ 7am but when its raining at 11am and your far from home, the tyres are a pain!
Thanks for your thoughts - very balanced.
340R's are not easy to sell. Like me you appeared to get out of yours well financially due to an insurance settlement. Lotus 338R now (max!)!
I found that the gearbox could'nt keep the car in the powerband on public roads - great on the track I would guess.
The 340R only meets is power to weight target in track trim when dry rather than wet. Also like all these lightweight cars, put an 85kg bloke in and the bhp/tonne falls off more than in an SL55 say.
True on Sunday @ 7am but when its raining at 11am and your far from home, the tyres are a pain!
19 February 2004, 09:07 AM
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AR
I agree, I went on a prune and cabbage juice diet to get my weight down !!!
UCR box is supposed to be the bollox, better still a quaife 6 speed sequential !!!
Having said everything i'd agree, a 111's is what i'd buy now.
Also been honest these cars scare me now, my friend and boss was killed in his westie, police recon a normal car and he'd have walked away.
Skip.
I agree, I went on a prune and cabbage juice diet to get my weight down !!!
UCR box is supposed to be the bollox, better still a quaife 6 speed sequential !!!
Having said everything i'd agree, a 111's is what i'd buy now.
Also been honest these cars scare me now, my friend and boss was killed in his westie, police recon a normal car and he'd have walked away.
Skip.
19 February 2004, 10:25 AM
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Skippy got an S2 Elise now, considering dropping the K20 Honda lump in, sold my old car a year ago.
A piccie of what it does best
A piccie of what it does best
Last edited by Type R; 19 February 2004 at 10:27 AM.
19 February 2004, 11:57 PM
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Skippy,
I think the Elise (and derivatives) are a lot studier than caterfields and the like. IIRC the Lotus 7 design is around 50 years old, while by all accounts the Elise is quite strong with the driver surrounded by the alloy chassis, door bars and a motorsport rollover hoop. I guess you are still quite vunerable to other vehicles (especially SUVs) because of the low height, but I don't think they would have been able to meet stringent USA crash safety regs unless it was a strong design.
Cars like these may be a little scary, but I find they feel a lot safer than riding a sports bike (albeit not as much fun!).
Andy
I think the Elise (and derivatives) are a lot studier than caterfields and the like. IIRC the Lotus 7 design is around 50 years old, while by all accounts the Elise is quite strong with the driver surrounded by the alloy chassis, door bars and a motorsport rollover hoop. I guess you are still quite vunerable to other vehicles (especially SUVs) because of the low height, but I don't think they would have been able to meet stringent USA crash safety regs unless it was a strong design.
Cars like these may be a little scary, but I find they feel a lot safer than riding a sports bike (albeit not as much fun!).
Andy
20 February 2004, 01:16 AM
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SGT have one they are selling for an owner. 6k miles and aboot 21k they want for it I think. Or it might be 23k, can't remember. Nice motor tho.
This was from only 2 weeks ago so I expect they still have it.
This was from only 2 weeks ago so I expect they still have it.
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