S2 -v- S3 front end differences

[ardee_selby]

These two pictures show the difference between, what I believe is, an S2 and an S3 nose.

Are there any other differences apart from the lip on the intake aperture?

i.e. Could an S2 body be used as donor for, say, a mid front-end repair section for an S3?

Cheers - Richard

[Famous Frank]

Richard, the single biggest difference is the distance between the right headlight pod and the bumper versus the left headlight pod and the bumper. On the S1/S2 front nose the mold was manufactured with a malady many people have never noticed. The distance between the right headlite pod and the bumper is substantially shorter than the distance between the left headlite pod and the bumper. You can easily see it if you know what you are looking for. The right side is approximately 3/8ths to a half inch shorter than the left side. This also makes the bumper fit differently.

A side item is when looking to purchase an S1/S2, if the distance is equal, you know right away the front clip has been replaced sometime in the vehicles past. It's then time to start looking for more signs of past damage.

Famous Frank

[Elanintheforest]

It's no wonder you're Famous, Frank !! I'd never noticed this on my 3 perfect examples, but looking at them now, it is obvious!!

Mark

[Famous Frank]

Mark, I'm impressed with your three perfect examples. Three Diamonds in the rough! Fantastic!

Famous Frank, well maybe "soon to be Famous!" or "someday Famous maybe!"

[ardee_selby]

Richard, You can easily see it if you know what you are looking for. Famous Frank

Hi Frank,

Thankyou. If it had escaped Marks' well trained eye...I wouldn't have stood a chance!

By the same token, and having now aired it on here, anyone looking at an S3 will check those areas to see if an S2 front had been grafted on!

Thanks again - Richard

[Elanintheforest]

Strange but I did check my S3 and sure enough, he has his right eye lifted up to the correct position. It's so obvious now looking at the photos of S2s.

I don't have a very good eye for detail, Richard. I tend to be 'big picture', and with many defects or anomalies, my brain tends to gloss over the problem that then lets me not worry about it. It means that I've strolled through life not concerned about the little stuff, which is just fine and dandy!

It did lead to a few issues when I was working at business consultancy, but when I cocked up the detail, I would just point to the bigger picture, which usually got The Board more excited.....whist peeing off some of my colleagues!

Mark

[ardee_selby]

It did lead to a few issues when I was working at business consultancy, but when I cocked up the detail, I would just point to the bigger picture, which usually got The Board more excited.....whist peeing off some of my colleagues!

Mark

Sorry, Mark, but that reminds me of the parable "The Owl & the Centipede"

A wise old owl was sitting in the shade of a palm tree, out of the suns very harmful rays.
He suddenly heard a strange sound "Ouch, oootch, oooo" and "That smarts"
He looked own and saw a centipede walking on the very hot sand.
"Hoooot. What's the matter Mr. Centipede" said the wise old owl.
"It's the sand...it's so very hot it's burning my feet" came the reply.
"OK" says wise old owl "Here's what you do. Raise yourself onto your hind legs, thus solving 98% of your problem!"
Centipede says "Many Thanks" and gives it a try, but finds his rear feet are burning more.
"OOOOOOCHHHH!" "OOOOOOTCH! "ARGHHHHHH!"
"Good grief. What is it now?" says the owl and centipede explains.
"OK. Try this. Stand on one foot. That'll solve 50% of your remaining problem"
"Ah. Right...thanks" says the centipede and stands on one foot.
So there he is, hopping about, and this time screaming in absolute agony.
"Oh, FOR GOODNESS SAKE, WHAT IS IT NOW?" bellows the owl.
"Well....." explains the centipede, still hopping about.
"You're beginning to try my patience" says the owl. "Why don't you turn yourself into a butterfly so you can raise your remaining foot off the ground. That will effect a 100% cure of your problem.
"Oh thankyou, thankyou" says Mr. Centipede. "One question, though...how do I turn myself into a butterfly?"
The owl loses it at that point and says "LISTEN! I'm here to set the broad policy objectives. It's up to you to implement the detail.
Now S*D off!"

Richard

[Jeff@Jae]

Ron Hickman told me the S3 body shells were the very best of all the Elans and that includes the S4s. They spent a great deal of time perfecting the molds and laminates when doing the S3 and he said the layup was also superior. I believe that because the S3 cars (both coupe and roadster) have the smoothest bodies and almost never display the stress cracks and sunken panels of the S1/S2/S4 cars. Unmolested S3s anyway.
Not only the headlamp cutouts uneven on the S1/S2 but the rear wheel area above the rear wheel arch is completely different from the left side to right side. That's why tire fitting on those cars is always critical on the left rear (port side).

[gjz30075]

Just reviving this old thread for clarification. Ardee didn't specify which picture is what for what Series but looking
at Elanintheforest's pics, I'm guessing the nose with the lip is an S2 and no lip is an S3?

I'm asking because I may be needing a front clip for my S3 36/5727. Its current nose has no lip but
rh side pod is closer to the bumper than the lh one, by 1/4 inch or so. Could this be the wrong nose (clipped
in the past, maybe?).

Ray at RD has a nose section he says is for an S1/S2 and its hard to tell from the pics whether it has a lip
or not. However, he says its good for up to 26/5810, but I think that's verbage from the Parts list.

Bottom line question: should my VIN fall in the range of having the 'closer to bumper' rh pod? Or is this
all fixed for all S3 cars?