SE V S2

[mvf906]

can someone tell me the diffence between the SE & S2 ?, I've only seen an S2 in pics and it looked the same apart from a different dash badge and an inch bigger wheel (I know size isn't everything ) or is there more ?

[Gary]

S2's are newer than SEs (S2's started in 94 I think). There are only 800 S2s. Lotus claim that there were over 100 improvements over the SE in the S2, some while back we did try and identify them all. Here are some :

Stiffer suspension
Bigger Wheels
Better Gear Cables
Built in alarm/immoboliser
One key fits all locks (SE has seperate door key and ignition key)
Headlight warning buzzer
Wider range of colours available

[rip]

Galvanised wishbones (SEs are mild steel)
Handbrake lever which drops when on
No armrest storage (because reviewers don't seem to understand where to put their arm when changing gear)
Calypso Red stays red (On SEs it fades to pink)
S2s have O2 sensors & catalysts
Revised roof (which still leaks)
Revised interior
Daylight-backlit fun boy 3 dials (to stop them steaming up - didn't work)
Revised PAS (for more feel)
Revised centre console with re-located window regulators
Revised rear suspension upper link arms

[dapinky]

Slower - (10BHP less)

[Marcus_uk]

Handbrake lever which drops when on

ooo..how do you make it do that?

[Gary]

Handbrake lever which drops when on

ooo..how do you make it do that?

It just does. Put the handbrake on, and the lever just drops out the way as though it wasn't on (must admit I thought it was broken to start with!)

[Gary]

Name the 100 Improvements that make the S2 better than the SE!

and also see this :

[Paul.P]

Name the 100 Improvements that make the S2 better than the SE!

and also see this :

I would say that document is very contentious, having read quite a bit on the subject, it would appear that Buggati ( who owned Lotus at the time ), needed to raise some cash quickly, & after realising what parts they had got ( best part of 800 cars ! ), decided to produce the S2, unfortunately quite a few of the suppliers were no longer around, so new ( or different ) parts had to be sought, & a lot were not of the same quality that the SE were, as the point of the exercise was to raise funds, not to produce the highest quality car. Now im not saying the S2 is a bad car, because it isn't, but i reckon this thing about 100 improvements is an absolute load of tosh, there might well of been 100 different things, but i'm pretty sure most of them were forced upon them for one reason or another, & were not improvements, reckon i counted about a dozen actual improvements.

[Dave Eds]

Daylight-backlit fun boy 3 dials

Wrong - late SEs' had this.

[saska]

Handbrake lever which drops when on

ooo..how do you make it do that?

It just does. Put the handbrake on, and the lever just drops out the way as though it wasn't on (must admit I thought it was broken to start with!)

It does have the threaded hole in the lever arm and an accompanying stop underneath to make it act 'normally' AKA stay up.
I used it with a bolt and locking nut on the underside since the drop down behaviour would seem odd to other people driving the car -- principally management herself ;)

[rip]

Daylight-backlit fun boy 3 dials

Wrong - late SEs' had this.

Didn't know that.
I know this doesn't help though because mine still steam up even with the lights on.

[mvf906]

so basically, some bits bolted on to sell the last few engines, cat at a cost of 10bhp slower, ac on a rag top, white dials for those with impaired vision and a floppy handbrake, I think i'll stick to my slightly pink friend

[rip]

White dials? Nah.
I don't think AC was standard on an S2. It was available on some SEs though.

[Gazza]

Handbrake lever which drops when on

ooo..how do you make it do that?

It just does. Put the handbrake on, and the lever just drops out the way as though it wasn't on (must admit I thought it was broken to start with!)

It's the same handbrake used in the Esprit. Location is by the drivers right foot and blocks the doorway. So being able to lower the handbrake when on makes it easier to exit an Esprit.

Gary, also thought the bloke selling my S2 was pulling my chain, as i'd had a SE for 7 years before.

Gazza