Well Pesky has got me wondering…and hopefully Tim Marra wont read this as he will cringe…BUT…how much would a FULL respray cost on an Exige and how ‘deep’ do you have to go so that no one would be able to tell that it had been resprayed?
Its just that ive got Tim’s immaculate Exige, currently in Quartz, but ive always hankered for a Chrome Orange Exige and just wondered first of all how much a respray would cost and secondly, if it would be a travesty respaying an already immaculate car?
No, not really. I prefer originality myself…to a point e.g. wheels, colour, retaining the ‘right’ engine etc. but re-spraying in an original colour available at the time fits the bill. I like CO but have never had the b@lls to get it myself.
But it’s your car after all, & if you like it, go for it
A mate owns a Lotus approved body shop and to do a full colour change to a car (that’s everywhere not just a blow over) is �3500. Repaints of existing colour where the clams can stay in place etc is about �2K
If you want a “proper job” ie all panels off/doors stripped down, you should be budgeting for anything between 3K & 5K, depending on paint colour/change.
Yes I think so too, but being a perfectionist surely the factory would do the best possible job AND it might add to its resale value the fact that it has been back to Hethel for the respray???
OR will I be stuffing the resale value by changing it from its original colour?
Yes I think so too, but being a perfectionist surely the factory would do the best possible job AND it might add to its resale value the fact that it has been back to Hethel for the respray???
Sorry to dissillusion you, Jules, but the factory will definately not do the best possible job.
Also, as has been said on here many times, body/paint condition is not the most important factor to consider when buying an S1 in particular.These cars are made to be driven (hard, but supported by top class mechanical maintenance), not stuck in a garage only to be brought out to be polished when it�s fine weather.Get the fookin thing on track, & give it some stick
There are plenty good bodyshops around that will do a much better job than factory… especially if you have a good chat to them and build a wee bit of relationship… also with exige being a little bit ‘special’ they will often take extra care… of course they need to be good in the first place.
Any way yes a FULL respray i would say would cost you 4k and that would do every where, full removal of pannels! Try Heaton Park for a quote Julian, they are an offical Lotus approved body shop! Are you planning on selling your exige? if not don’t worry about resale. Lets face it you loose money on cars fact! so enjoy your special car while you have it! As after all mate you will never own a car like a S1 Exige again!
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