Hiya chaps,
Luckily, none of the local dealers got their hands on the car because I somehow beat them all to it.
Been after one for about 6 months, Had an S1 Elise for nearly 3 years but always wanted to join you lot and get an Exige.
I admit it was a bargain and also got a good p/x for the Elise so Im pretty happy.
I was shocked when saw the advert and even more shocked when I went to see it. Its only got 6300miles and felt like new to drive. Loads of history with it. Had it HPI’d and ok.
Dont think Id find another one.
Nice one Robbo
nice one robbo. Don’t worry, if i were ready to buy one myself i would have raced you to it. Seems like a steal. BTW - has it got central locking?
Cheers lads.
Unfortunately it hasnt got central locking!!!
I hear its an option on the new VX220 turbo though.
Off to my local Vauxhall dealer to have it fitted then…
I dont think so.
But it has got a front spoiler!!!
Pretty confident that my �23-24k budget should get me a belter in Sept…
snap … but for me its october.
Nice one robbo it looks like you got yourself a sweeeeeet deal.
Picked up the car last Saturday!
All I can say is Why didnt I buy one sooner???
Feels so much better and different to the Elise.
Cant believe how much of a buzz it gives you driving it even over the Elise which as you all know is just as excellent in its own ways.
Still shocked I got my hands on it before the local dealers but Whales have got enough of their own at the moment…
At a lot more money as usual.
Only dissapointing thing is the fumes coming into the car when you drive with the windows open.
Tried sealing the back screen already which has helped but still comes in.
It has the 190 upgrade and the breather kit and catch tank and have been told by a local dealer that the smells may be coming from the breather pipe coming out the bottom of the catch tank. Depending on where its pointing!
Any ideas.
PS - What an ace car! Cant stop smiling
Robbo
If its petrol smell check the breather pipe from the fuel filler neck - there was a recall as that pipe splits and that will give you fumes in the cabin ( I had the same problem …)
Equally the air flow around the car does pull fumes in the cabin, but usually more an exhuast smell …
An oily smell will be the catch tank vent - something you have to get used too when you thrash it
Cheers Andy,
Its had the recall done on the ECU but as far as I can tell the one on the fuel pipe may not have been done.
Peter Smith sports cars, Nick Whales and also the factory service dept have all done work on the car. I havent spoke to the factory yet but will do. Peter Smith mentioned about the recall a couple of weeks back and said they would do it no problem if it hadnt been done so I’ll probably call them.
To be honest I’ve been really impressed with the help from both Peter Smith and Nick Whales service departments over the last few weeks when I enquired on the history of the car.
Better than I had from Whales when I had my Elise!!!
The fumes are more exhaust / oil rather than petrol but I’m definately going to get the recall done anyway.
Thanks for the help, I let you know the outcome.
Robbo
Might be worth checking the cam cover gasket - replaced mine last night after getting burnt oil smells in the cabin with the window down. My gasket was shot - i tried tightening the original one but that made it worse. Bolts need torquing to 10Nm in the correct sequence.
Cheers, Tim
Hi Robbo,
as you can see, there are different reasons why there are fumes in the cabin of an Exige when the windows are open.
First why? because when the windows are open, there is a low pressure area just outside of the windows, so air is going to come out and it has to come it from somewhere.
Air comes into the cabin through the front: air vents (cold, good) AND holes/bad sealings around the oild cooler pipes (hot, not good, but no fumes)
…and from the back: holes in the firewall (handbrake cable, brake piping, easily accessible taking passenger seat off, central plastic and plugging them), and the one I discovered last: through the sides at the back of the speaker mounts. If you take the spekaer panel off, look at where the seatbelt tensioners are and deeper there, there should be an horizontal panel blocking the airway to the engine. In my case one of them was (purposefuly) broken off, I had to re-seal it.
The thing is that the Exige is not very well sealed or insulated. I guess Lotus never thought it was important. It is up to us to seal it then.
As a result my car is now cooler and quieter
Uldis
Thanks Lads,
You lot arent half helpful.
Owe you all a drink.
Timbo, Ive tried the Cam cover already as I was told by a couple of people that they are prone to leaking and drips fall straight onto the manifold causing oil smells.
But its as dry as a bone, The whole engine bay it pretty immaculate to be honest so first sign of any drips and I should be able to spot them hopefully.
Uldis, I too have found big gaps behind the seat belt / speaker fixings. Its had harnesses fitted and the plastic does look like something has been removed or broken off.
Id like to see what holes I can seal though as I use the car everyday to drive to work. The noise doesnt bother me, The louder, the better I say but people will start thinking Im a bit wierd if everyday when I get to work I smell of oil, petrol and exhaust fumes!
Oh well Its fine if I keep the windows shut and put the cold!!! blower on
I’ll see what I can find.
Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.
All I can say is,
Brill Car, Brill people
Cheers Lads, I’ll keep you posted.
PS - Im in Club Lotus and usually go to some of their monthly meets etc but just wondered if any of you lot ever meet up at shows or arrange general get togethers.
Smiling Robbo