Exige S2 Roof Off

[ruadh08]

OK, I know a few of you guys have done it, but what exactly is involved, and how easy is it to live with on a daily basis?

Is it easy to clip the hard top on and off, and if you were going for the soft top conversion, what is involved?

Photos please if available,

Thanks in advance,

[meatball]

Its the same process as the S2 hardtop......5minutes max!
Soft-top conversion involves attatching 4 brackets/doodahs......no problemo!

[tut]

And why do you wish to know, may one ask?

tut

[ed]

http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f157/ho ... ige-27090/

Simples!

[alicrozier]

I did this Paul. As mentioned, pretty much the same as removing an Elise hardtop - 5 mins.

I bought a soft-top (ebay), wee inserts (Bell & Colvil) and did the conversion no problems.
I've tended to leave the hardtop on most of the time - primarily as I've had nowhere convenient to store it. (The wife didn't agree it would look good hung on the living room wall)

Soft-top was great for frolics and when on still gives extra headroom over the hardtop (useful for us lanky chaps wearing crash hats). Obviously soft top goes on and off just like an Elise (S2 short tail).

[dezzy]

I've taken the roof off the Exige a couple of times now. Once last summer and the other time was just a couple of weeks ago to go for a wee blast and visit Mr.ExigeKen (who has a soft top conversion on his Exige, coincidently!). I think it takes a bit longer than 5 mins to take the roof off with a standard allen key. Perhaps if you have one with a screwdriver style handle, it might be a bit quicker. Probably 10 - 15 mins to put it back on again and make sure it's fitted correctly.

There should be instructions in your handbook that came with the car for hard top removal. There's a specific order you're supposed to fit it back on in.

I did really enjoy having the roof off, but happy to leave it for the odd special occassion when the sun is shining and there's not a cloud in the sky. Just don't think it looks right with the soft top on. Although I think it looks okay with roof off and it is fun to do some roofless driving, the Exige just looks so much better with its roof on (especially the one with the extended roof scoop! Wish I had one!).

D

[meatball]

I assume Dezzy gets paid by the hour! 5 min I tell you! hehe

[ruadh08]

And why do you wish to know, may one ask?

tut

Just a passing interest.....................................................................

[tut]

Bollocks......as you well know I was not born yesterday.

tut

[Stewart]

I was considering this but soft tops seem to make silly money on the Bay.

I understand that you need the small plastic grommets for the two thin support bars (that go into the new holes) but what I am unsure of is do you need two new brackets to fit on the door pillars to take the soft top cant rails? The link to Lotus Talk is clear on this.

Thanks

[Edin430]

Nope, just the grommets everything else is there already.

I'll have a soft top to sell next week which won't be going for silly money as it needs a lack of Renovo (it's faded browny/grey) so can PM me if anyone is interested

For anyone needing it part numbers for the grommets are

A116B0182F and B117B0480K

Think it works out under a tenner for the 4 bits needed (3 grommets and 2 spacers (the spacers sit in behind the grommets to make the roof bars a bit tighter)).

[Stewart]

Ah, ok that makes sense.

Ali, how did the AC cope with the heat on FF7 with the soft top on? Not sure it it's a case of TADTS but my AC is perhaps a wee bit wheezy. It definitely works but obviously it hasn't been that warm yet this year to test it and I wouldn't imagine a black canvas roof will help it much

[alicrozier]

Ah, ok that makes sense.

Ali, how did the AC cope with the heat on FF7 with the soft top on? Not sure it it's a case of TADTS but my AC is perhaps a wee bit wheezy. It definitely works but obviously it hasn't been that warm yet this year to test it and I wouldn't imagine a black canvas roof will help it much

Dunno, had the roof off the whole time...

Actually the only time I had the aircon on was with the roof off at Ledenon - waiting in the pitlane, fecking roasting.

[dezzy]

I assume Dezzy gets paid by the hour! 5 min I tell you! hehe

Actually, I round up to half days . . . so that would be a half day I'd charge you sir

[neil]

Not sure it it's a case of TADTS but my AC is perhaps a wee bit wheezy. It definitely works but obviously it hasn't been that warm yet this year to test it and I wouldn't imagine a black canvas roof will help it much

Your aircon might just need recharged or you might have the dreaded cracked pipes - it should keep you pretty cool if its working okay. If you're getting a soft top get the insulated one - should keep you warmer in winter and cooler in summer