Golden Showers

General General Lotus Talk
1

Just had rather quick dash in the rain for 1st time - 1st 30 seconds were terrifying - next few hours - what a grin [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif[/image] [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif[/image]. Spent ages flying round country roads and getting mix of understeer if went in too fast and glourious back end breaking away when getting it right. HOW MUCH FUN ARE THESE BEASTS.Just bought some stuff that can on an advertising sheet from Lotus with the Club Lotus magazine. Nice (ish) Exige rocker valve cover to replace the Else one but absolutely hopeless stone chip protection set - basically clear helicopter tape for front nose under Lotus badge, front air dams and front clam infront of front wheels. Took ages caerfully following every instruction to the letter but it was impossible to get rid of air bubbles/creases - ended up taking them off immediately - my advise - don’t bother - I can see why Lotus were offerinhg them cheap (reduced from over �100 to about �50 if I remeber properly) Ah well s… happens.

2

Milesi also bought the same two items with the exact same opinions… how weird is that??I had been told, and had hoped, that the stone chip protector kit was a replacement for all the black vinyl bits that are already fitted (I expect to need a respray at some point and figured lets get em while they are cheaper (still @ �50 I thought thats a bit steep) someone else told me it was a sort of stick on nose-cover thing like you see on those 70’s USA highway boats… i thought well mmm… lets have a look. But when I got it I though foorken heck thats not very good is it ?? [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/blush.gif[/image] [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/mad.gif[/image] [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/frown.gif[/image] even if you put it on,… i can’t see it protectin’ many stone-chips… and what the foork am i supposed to do with that bit around the fuel filler [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/confused.gif[/image] ohhh and round the keyhole ??? ha !!! how could they try and sell this for �100… ahh I know plonkers like me n thee [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/wink.gif[/image] [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/wink.gif[/image]…

3

I put on a protective coating by a company called Armor Fend here in the US. I have been to several track events already and it has saved me NUMEROUS stone and debris chips and scratches. It has seperated slightly by the lower front spoiler. It is not that noticable and I would highly recommend it !! It was expensive but I had them put it on the rear spoiler and roof mounted air intake as well as extend the factory protective coat by the side air intake. They have all the patterns for the Exige so I am sure they would sell the cut outs to you. Not too hard to put on. I have photos if anyone is interested. The front of my car would have been blasted had I not done that. After several races, it still looks good enough for me to enter in The Greenwich Councours this coming weekend. Wish me luck. I want everyone here to see what they are missing and you guys have have at your disposal over there. Also entering my 340R. Not many over here…

4

I too was one planning on buying the rocker cover and chip kit…ArmorFend and Lotus are just reselling different grades of 3M film. Either way, a dealer should do it where you can direct them to get the thickness you want, cut it up for you and just cover the bits you want covered.There’s a dealer finder tool in the USA, but in the UK, but I guess you have to check out Armourfend, or invictashield.co.uk Note:Amourfend’s contract in USA terminated - http://www.armourfend.net/cgi-bin/public/view.cgi?template=layouts/template.tpll&display_results=yes&dis_pg=news

5

GuysArmourfend is available for the Exige in the UK - full protection costs around �1000 ($US 1600). In early 2001, I saw Armourfend being applied to an Elise at my local dealers, by Armourfend themselves, who had travelled 200 miles or so to do the job. I seem to recall that treatment for the front clam plus rear wing (fitted) worked out about �600.

6

I’m surprised that Armorfends contact has been cancelled!!! They are coming over tomorrow to redo a few section before the Greenwich Concours. I better hide my keys :slight_smile:… Any idea why? I have been talking with the President Joe Kane and he mentioned nothing at all??? Cost for mine by the way was about $900.00US

7

Quick update - The lovely people at Christopher Neil (Paul in parts) has now ordered me the clam shell protectors (about �7.00 a meter) and will refund the �60 for the cheap cellotape that was called stone chip protectors - good customer service I’d say.Pesky - having problems emailing you - can you send me an email off line so I can reply to it. I thank YOOOOU.