I’ve had my Cup (Road) for 3 months now. I only bought the car as a track ‘toy’ with the intention of trying to hone my driving skills and to date I’ve had three superb days at Snetterton, Cadwell and Croft. I have Cadwell coming up on the 26th of this month, followed in July by another Croft excursion, then a three day driver training trip to The Ring, then Brands then Donnington (phew)!
Thing is, whilst I’m learning the car and having a total ball, I’m not too clued up on matters servicing, tuning etc. I’d like to talk to a repoutatble and recommended outlet about brake upgrade option and other bits and pieces.
Can anyone recommend a decent tuner who can also service the car and give me some options on brake upgrades, advice on how to use the adjustable suspension, and sell and fit a Momo steering wheel etc etc?
I’m based on the Herts/Essex border, about 30 miles north of London, although I’m happy to travel to use the right outlet.
thats ok if you want to spend top dollar. Imo I think they are expensive.
Buy a Momo yourself �95 this way you can have which ever one you like, and get a kit from Brooke K in bister.
As for brakes, I think most people will agree that the spider wheel is a bad design and brakes with these wheels on seem to get hotter then with other wheels.
So my advice would be buy some forged wheels, not only are they very light which will help in every thing they also keep the brakes cooler.
As for brakes, this depends on what you have to spend, either go for the full lotus kit at �1600 plus fitting or fit Elise parts 295 AP disks and some rs42 pads this will be ample.
Plans, Lakeside & Sinclaires are all within what I would call a reasonable distance - but don’t discount taking it back to the factory - to the Motorsport Division for both regular servicing and upgrades.
Trolling the threads here, your local Lotus club and SELOC will provide the best info on what can be done and who can undertake it.
In terms of testbeds, its worth looking at what the Lotus on Track guys are doing to their cars for racing, and seeing what works and what doesn’t.
Plans are really the best. You get what you pay for. They do this day in day out. They know their stuff and are very close to lotus so they often have some “new bits” from Lotus before they are available.
Plans make a lot of money from hearsay and forums.
when you say you get what you pay for they are only selling parts you can buy off the shelf like any one else.
They push Lotus parts most of the time anyway.
I have never heard them say buy Nitrons or other 3rd party stuff.
Graham is in this to make money like any other business.
for service work and fitting parts I would always go to Simon at Brooke K as its cheaper per hour and just as good.
Plans seem to have a very good rep on here and seloc but I have spoken to other motorsport people and they do not give them such good praise.
My advice is if you do go to Plans get a quote for the job in hand, as a lot of people I know end up with a bigger bill than first thought, So get a fixed job price for any work you want doing.
You pays your money and you takes your choice.
Somebody was asking for advice. Various people gave advice.
You chose to give your advice and contradict someone elses’s advice.
I have spent a lot of money at plans and am very satisfied with the advice and service I got.
I didn’t say “Plans are great” but please don’t listn to the previous poster as he doesn’t know what he is talking about ?
This is my opinion which I believe is what was asked for.
You can buy your bits on the internet and fit them your self if you think it’s the best way.
You obviously have an axe to grind with Plans. Do you think Lotus aren’t in it for the money ?
Gyrock wanted some advice.
I gave him my “opinion” as others did before me.
I didn’t rubbish any previous posters. Gyrock I am sure will read all the comments and make up his mind which direction he wants to take.
I don’t believe other people can do “All the things” Plans can do.
I am expressing my opinion. We are not in a court of law here and I don’t have to answer to you.
When I wanted some major upgrades done Like Gyrock I asked for some advice and was given lots. I investigated what was suggested and decided to go with Plans. Other people who had had a lot of work done recomended Plans.
I was simply saying that I think they are the best option available.(IMHO) I think no one on this forum can give a 100% definitive answer that can stand up to cross examination. If that were needed we would havbe very few posts. Just the ones stating absolute facts. Boring !
I think Gyrock wanted to hear other peoples experiences so he can investigate further.
You said some pretty daming things about plans. Are they true ?
I have not said I was happy or unhappy with the work Plans have done on my car.
Plans do a good job and my advice was get a firm quote for any work you want doing.
I thought some charges were a bit over the top when I had work done, and also while i was there some one else got over charged and Graham was very firm that the new price is paid when the guy asked for a discount because it was above the quote, there was none.
I would use Plans again but i would have a price in writing before hand.
My dilemma is that whilst I’m loving the car and learning about weight dynamics, car behaviour etc and improving my own skills, I’m not a natural when it comes to the fineries of what brake system works best, how to adjust suspension and ECUs etc etc
I’m happy to pay well provided I’m happy that I’m receiving service, expertise i.e an overall quality product.
On the basis of the above responses, Plans appear to fit my needs. I shall be calling them shortly to arrange for me to take my car up for an initial discussion. And I’ll keep you posted!
My Exige S was at Plans yesterday for its 9k service.
I’d booked it in 3 weeks ago as they were very busy. Phoned on Monday of this week to reconfirm and there was a slight hiccup as somehow my booking had been mislaid but, no problem they said, as it was booked in for Thursday we’ll do it.
They did the 9k service, had time to discuss with me the options for changing the pads and a few other issues, attended to the extra bits I’d asked them to look at, fited new pads and 048s and the car was ready by the end of the day. I said I couldn’t get there before about 8pm to collect but no problem as they’d leave the keys with security. Got there about 7:30 to find John was still there (personally I think he sleeps there ). He ran thorugh what they’d done and even though the car wasn’t dirty when I dropped it off they’d even cleaned it for me.
The bill was as I expected and I can’t fault what they’ve done. Very pleased.