Scottish Elises

Ok, this has probably been mentioned loads of times but i can't see it anywhere.
S2 Exige 55

1) Need new wiper blade but Halfords don't stock anything at all, any ideas, best place, version, type etc.

2) Also tire presures for everyday road use. Just checked and they appear to be at 21 all round (except for a wee bitty flat at the bottom ) I'm on 048's.

3) Scottish weather and using it all year the 48's aren't going to be best choise me thinks for wet, greasy roads. Would like a new set all round general purpose, including wet etc. F1's? Anyone got preferences for best all rounder. I'm not gonna be trackin it so super sticky is not required.

4) There was mention of a guy called Ali, who used to work for Lotus but opened his own garaage near Ikea in Edinburgh, anyone got details for this. Thought about Lotus main dealer but prefer supporting the private guys if ok.

Thanks in advance for this,

chas
Need a

Use the search button!!

Wiper:
http://www.scottishelises.com/phpbb/vie ... ight=wiper

http://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/produc ... 706&page=1

Tyres:
ExigeKen and a few others have bought toyo T1r's for their exige.
I have them on my S1 as well.

Ali's name on this is als 3dr
http://www.scottishelises.com/phpbb/pro ... file&u=163

Superb, thank you.

Big for the aero blade from autobulbsdirect.

I'm a reasonable newbie to the 48s and I've found them fine in the wet so far. I just take it nice and easy when it's wet, although I know they're supposed to be a nightmare in standing water.

Pressure-wise, most people go for 24psi rear and 22psi front. That's what I've been running and it seems to be working well so far.

As Ross says, a lot of people prefer the Toyo T1Rs for winter use. However, having had a chat with the guys at Lotus the other week when I was down there, they strongly recommend not changing the tyres. They say that it can really change the handling of the car. They said that around 6 months was spent developing the suspension and handling specifically for the 48s and changing the tyres technically requires a change in setup of the suspension as it will change the handling. I don't know enough about it to argue against this advice, so I'm taking their advice and sticking with the 48s for the moment. Perhaps one of our resident gurus can elaborate on the tyre change and its impact on the handling?

For independent garages to work on the car instead of Murray's, your choices are Ali (SLS) as Ross mentions, Dan at Jude Performance in Newcastle (http://www.judeperformance.co.uk) and I think a few people use a place called Falkland Performance in Glenrothes.

D

Im quite happy with my 48s in the wet so far...when you get a dry patch youre glad youve still got them on i tell you...!

Mmm then the 48's will stay. Just worried about it when the guy i bought it off said he had aquaplaned on run home in wet once, never checked to ask how bad the rain was etc.
I'll just keep the other car now instead of selling it and use it for winter use and use Loti in Dry.

Thanks for the tyre pressures, i'll just have to figure out how to get one of the caps off as it's stuck on !

Chas

I am surprised that Lotus would "strongly advise" against changing the tyres, especially when you can get LTS spec A039s in S2 Exige sizes that wont have you aquaplaning across ruts on motorways.

If their reasoning is that the car wasnt designed to run on other tyres, you are not going to be driving to the limits of the cars suspension if you have on other tyres, as it will be wet

i am no guru just speaking from my experience

I suppose i have aquaplaned several times. Since you're always really focused driving the car anyway, it didnt bother me, and it was part of the driving task to keep it under control.

I think it would be a different story, though, if I was frequently forced to aquaplane in rush hour traffic. (my routes to work dont have much traffic)...

Im happy to just slow right down in unexpected bad conditions and turn the music up and ride it out... I pay attention to the forecasts, and take the barge when its doubtful... luxury of an £800 second car...

Horses for courses...

jj wrote:I am surprised that Lotus would "strongly advise" against changing the tyres, especially when you can get LTS spec A039s in S2 Exige sizes that wont have you aquaplaning across ruts on motorways.

If their reasoning is that the car wasnt designed to run on other tyres, you are not going to be driving to the limits of the cars suspension if you have on other tyres, as it will be wet

i am no guru just speaking from my experience

Im with you JJ having aquaplaned at high speed on the motorway not pleasant.

ExigeKen wrote:

jj wrote:I am surprised that Lotus would "strongly advise" against changing the tyres, especially when you can get LTS spec A039s in S2 Exige sizes that wont have you aquaplaning across ruts on motorways.

If their reasoning is that the car wasnt designed to run on other tyres, you are not going to be driving to the limits of the cars suspension if you have on other tyres, as it will be wet

i am no guru just speaking from my experience

Im with you JJ having aquaplaned at 70 mph on the motorway not pleasant.

Surely that was 70mph Ken?

RDH wrote:

ExigeKen wrote:

jj wrote:I am surprised that Lotus would "strongly advise" against changing the tyres, especially when you can get LTS spec A039s in S2 Exige sizes that wont have you aquaplaning across ruts on motorways.

If their reasoning is that the car wasnt designed to run on other tyres, you are not going to be driving to the limits of the cars suspension if you have on other tyres, as it will be wet

i am no guru just speaking from my experience

Im with you JJ having aquaplaned at high speed on the motorway not pleasant.

Surely that was 70mph Ken?

thanks Rob