Five50 Posted August 4, 2018 Report Share Posted August 4, 2018 Hi All Wondered if there are any views on this - do the upgrades to the original V6 Cup over the standard V6S (two way Nitrons, some weight reduction etc, not sure what else aside from elec cut out) make the car stack up over later models if you want a 50/50 road and track car? Or do people generally end up upgrading / replacing the parts incl suspension anyway, in which case it may make more sense to start with a newer car even say a 350 or V6s? Are the later v6 Exiges any more / less reliable? That something came out of 'motorsport' is not that big a deal for me. Also not that worried whether the car has the electric cut out. Would like something with better suspension than a standard V6S. Budget for this car doesn't stretch to a 380 or 410/430. Anyone familiar with V666 Cup (2013), currently for sale, with KT410 kit? Would welcome any thoughts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GFWilliams Posted August 4, 2018 Report Share Posted August 4, 2018 Personally I’d start with a 350 or newer for the gear linkage if I were doing it again... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tex Posted August 4, 2018 Report Share Posted August 4, 2018 The V6 Cups had an official 1,110kg weight and the 360 Cup and current 350 1,125. As already mentioned a 350 is a better base for many reasons, more probably the most is they are good value to buy secondhand. I think one of the best combos would be a 350 upgraded to a Komotec 460 and if you can stretch some light weight components, Nitrons and a brake upgrade Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Five50 Posted August 4, 2018 Author Report Share Posted August 4, 2018 Thanks guys. Would you expect a V6 Cup to have motorsport gear linkage cables from the factory, or would you expect them to melt on track until upgraded? The V6 Cup does have the Nitrons and two piece discs as standard so there is less upgrading required. Is the 350 benefit mainly the cosmetics of the exposed linkage or where there other minor upgrades? Assume that some of the weight saving on the 350 is the non glass engine cover and (I think) a lighter AC system? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharky Posted August 4, 2018 Report Share Posted August 4, 2018 There are many small tweaks that make it worth having a later car if it's an option. Reality is Nitrons or Ohlins are going to set you back 3.5k. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BfranklynV6 Posted August 4, 2018 Report Share Posted August 4, 2018 Are they actually needed, rather than just desirable? As in, a V6s with a good geo, brake pads and fluid upgrade, some ZZRs - how much slower would that be on track than the same car but with Nitrons....? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharky Posted August 4, 2018 Report Share Posted August 4, 2018 I'd tend to agree, certainly to start with. I know plenty of very handy drivers make them perform very well on standard suspension with some tweaks to the geo. The geo tweaks are next on my list. I'd like to get to nitrons one day, but certainly don't feel the immediate need. I came from previous Lotuses all with Nitrons. While you can't beat a stiff car for the track, I'm enjoying the road manners with what seems like very little compromise on track. 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schnitzel Posted August 4, 2018 Report Share Posted August 4, 2018 I purposely went for a V6 Cup. I did test drive a 350, and it just didn't excite like the Cups do. I driven 2 and now own one of them because the the rawness, and all the additional bits they have over standard car. I've added a 2bular tweaked the suspension to my liking. It also has a second set of forged alloys for extra lightness. with no sound deadening, a louder exhaust and all the Cup bits, it really is very special. I've seen V666Cup for sale, and it looks ok. Mileage is good, and with the 410 kit it will breath better. They only made around 120 Cup cars, but you state you're not fussed by that. Perhaps an earlier V6 and then modify. All depends on what kind of experience you want. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Five50 Posted August 4, 2018 Author Report Share Posted August 4, 2018 Thanks Schnitzel - I am interested in the objective aspects of the Cup cars - hence the question. Re Motorsport - I just meant that where it was made / finished is otherwise not a big focus for me, although I understand that it can be an attraction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stubox Posted August 4, 2018 Report Share Posted August 4, 2018 I went to a Cup V6 from a V6s. Cup better in every area relevant to performance / handling. An original v6 cup looks something of a bargain compared to later models. Just add power upgrades as required. Quote Black n gold Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alias23 Posted August 5, 2018 Report Share Posted August 5, 2018 What are you using the car for? Weekend sunny drives on the road and maybe a track day now and again... or mainly track focused doing 8-12 days or more a year? The Cups are good but I wouldn’t get too hung up about them vs a well upgraded V6S. The 350 has the better gear linkage and would be my preference should I be starting again... but equally don’t have any serious issues with them or 380s on track. Quote www.alias23.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tex Posted August 6, 2018 Report Share Posted August 6, 2018 The V6 Cup and Cup 360’s were quicker than the V6S and with the 360 even more so with a high flow air filter and Sports Exhaust. 3.6 secs to 60 mph As mentioned though for the same initial purchase a 350 is likely to be the better mule Car for upgrading , not least because it is newer and also less likely to have had much track use and a much improved gear linkage amongst a number of improvements I guess in all these matters it will depend on what you pay for the car and whether you prefer the look of the older Cup cars. I actually think the V6 look is altogether an aesthetically better and more complete road look than 350’s, 410’s, 430’s and 380’s Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stubox Posted August 6, 2018 Report Share Posted August 6, 2018 V6 Cups came with baffled sumps , properly stripped interior and nitrons already set up. Plus Russ and team carefully set up the gearshift cables. I’d still be hunting one down as preferred V6 model. still think the 380 cup’s best looking one of the range tho. Quote Black n gold Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C1RVY Posted August 8, 2018 Report Share Posted August 8, 2018 V6 Cups do have that little something special over the 350 cars there’s no doubt. They do seem to have a bit more fizz about them somehow Gearshifts work fine but may need the upgrade of an oil cooler to help them work on track. Also - some of the details are nicer on the original Cups - must be a motorsport thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJW Posted August 8, 2018 Report Share Posted August 8, 2018 Have a look at lap time comparisons here Quote Previously owned :Exige 380, Exige 350, Evora 400, Exige V6S, Esprit GT3, 2-11 SC, Evora S, Elite 501 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gashead1105 Posted August 16, 2018 Report Share Posted August 16, 2018 If I were in the market for one, I'd buy this - got the updated gear shift too: https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/lotus/exige-s3/lotus-exige-3-5-vvt-i-s-2dr/8955311 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
550superfast Posted August 16, 2018 Report Share Posted August 16, 2018 25 minutes ago, Gashead1105 said: If I were in the market for one, I'd buy this - got the updated gear shift too: https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/lotus/exige-s3/lotus-exige-3-5-vvt-i-s-2dr/8955311 I saw that one too - looks a nice car. You should chop in the 400 for it.... Quote https://www.youtube.com/user/400superamerica Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gashead1105 Posted August 16, 2018 Report Share Posted August 16, 2018 3 minutes ago, 550superfast said: I saw that one too - looks a nice car. You should chop in the 400 for it.... No chance I'm afraid Gary, 400 is the daily driver at the mo and my last V6 was bad enough at setting off my tinnitus. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilT Posted August 16, 2018 Report Share Posted August 16, 2018 32 minutes ago, Gashead1105 said: If I were in the market for one, I'd buy this - got the updated gear shift too: https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/lotus/exige-s3/lotus-exige-3-5-vvt-i-s-2dr/8955311 it is nice and I was told that actually there are only 49 of these, #50 wasn't built? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vd9 Posted August 16, 2018 Report Share Posted August 16, 2018 1 hour ago, Gashead1105 said: If I were in the market for one, I'd buy this 2 years old car with 4K miles vs brand new one in your spec - I'd pick Sport 350 any day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bravo73 Posted August 16, 2018 Report Share Posted August 16, 2018 2 hours ago, vd9 said: 2 years old car with 4K miles vs brand new one in your spec - I'd pick Sport 350 any day Older (limited) Cup vs new, standard car though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vd9 Posted August 16, 2018 Report Share Posted August 16, 2018 36 minutes ago, Bravo73 said: Older (limited) Cup vs new, standard car though Just the fact of being one of the many "very special limited edition" Lotuses does not really make it any special in my eyes, however I also do understand that other people may have different opinion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gashead1105 Posted August 16, 2018 Report Share Posted August 16, 2018 Its not the same as the usual special edition though, the cup 360s were still made by Motorsport (I think). Also, that's one of the semi-unicorn cup 360s with the revised gear linkage. Should still have a year left on the warranty too. Hold that for 2/3 years, track it like mad and you'll lose very little - do the same to a 60k Sport 350 and you'll lose 15-20k. Personal experience. I thought hard about chopping in my (one off) V6 when it was c 18 months old for the Essex Blue 360 Cup that B&C had, which Mark ended up buying. Should have done it but the 20k cost to change was out of my reach. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vd9 Posted August 16, 2018 Report Share Posted August 16, 2018 @Gashead1105 I do believe that it is not really an endless process for (in many cases fairly non special) cars to appreciate in price year after year after year - historically getting 10% pa return is a rather hard work and not just a matter of sitting with the "right" V5C or real estate. Hence I'd not bet on the value going up side of it. Even if so, would not that make the owner feel a bit uneasy about tracking it actively? Anyway, it is the right of people to do what they want with buying cars and I do understand there is likely to be someone with 60k sitting and waiting and sharing your point of view on this matter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seriouslylotus Posted August 16, 2018 Report Share Posted August 16, 2018 3 hours ago, Gashead1105 said: . Should still have a year left on the warranty too. No 360 cup was a Motorsport product so came with 12 months factory warranty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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