Lotus Hardtops S2 replacement front clamo

Lotus Hardtops S2 replacement front clamo

Author
Discussion

hethel8

Original Poster:

15 posts

139 months

Tuesday 6th January 2015
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Hi Guys,

I recently put my S2 into the garage for a service. I was put out to say the least when they told me that one of the mechanics had taken it out for the check run and had crashed it.

The front clam is completely destroyed along with carbon aero parts and damaged wheels.

The garages insurance assessor has told me about replacement clams made by Lotus Hardtops. Whenever I hear the words aftermarket panels, I get the shivers. Are these clams as good as they claim? The car had a recently changed original and I think I should be getting an original replacement.

Any Thoughts or experience of these clams guys?

Cheers

Simon

Edited by hethel8 on Tuesday 6th January 21:56

badgerade

658 posts

198 months

Tuesday 6th January 2015
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Can't remember his username, but the guy behind lotus hardtops is on here.. I've seen the hardtops on a vx and they are well put together. Also heard very good things about the vx clams so I'd see no reason why the lotus equivalents would be any different.

Defcon5

6,178 posts

191 months

Tuesday 6th January 2015
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His name is Jon, and is Fridaypassion on here.

His stuff is top notch

grumpy

966 posts

241 months

Tuesday 6th January 2015
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I think there's a long wait for an original I seem to remember a problem something to do with a dispute between Lotus and the contractor that was making them, so it may be your only option if you want the car back in a hurry, at least that was the situation a while ago.

As for a test run, why if it was only a service? Assuming there wasn't a problem with the car when you took it in why would they need to drive it? And the old chestnut of "bedding in the brakes" is a load of bks. A jolly for the grease monkey more like. I know I'd be seriously pissed off.

grumpy

966 posts

241 months

Tuesday 6th January 2015
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And pop over to SELOC they will know a lot more than me.

kambites

67,543 posts

221 months

Wednesday 7th January 2015
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Check what the waiting list from Lotus is for a real one. It's hugely erratic; when I needed a new one a few years ago I only had to wait two weeks but some people have waited months.

If the lights need replacing (which they probably will if the car went head-on into something), the repair will be the best part of £10k (mine was over £7k a few years ago for just the clam, lights, painting and geo) so depending on what type of S2 it is, they might even decide to write it off if you insist they use a genuine Lotus clam. Whether that would be a good thing or a bad thing rather depends on your attitude to repaired cars, I suppose.

cjm

516 posts

268 months

Monday 12th January 2015
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Which model of S2 do you have? I know a body shop that has a new S2 clam.

hethel8

Original Poster:

15 posts

139 months

Monday 12th January 2015
quotequote all
Hi Guys,

Thanks for all the advice and taking the time to help.

The insurance guys have agreed to a new original clam, I'm pleased to say.

The Lotus Hardtops items do look great and if I need to change the front again, I will certainly consider one.

Kind Regards

Simon

SCEL1SE

307 posts

190 months

Tuesday 20th January 2015
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Issue you have with a lot of these aftermarket clams is that, they are not crash tested! This could cause Issues If an accident where to occur!

Defcon5

6,178 posts

191 months

Wednesday 21st January 2015
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The clam offers no protection at all though, regardless of who made it

fridaypassion

8,545 posts

228 months

Wednesday 21st January 2015
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Sorry I've only just seen this. Let me know if you struggle with the clam from Lotus I think the delivery times are a bit hit and miss at the moment. We can deliver within a few days.

As for crash protection given that the clams we make are a lot stronger than the flimsy original ones I dont think thats an issue.

We dont reproduce crash boxes for this reason and would always recommend an OEM.

Stephanie Plum

2,781 posts

211 months

Wednesday 21st January 2015
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SCEL1SE said:
Issue you have with a lot of these aftermarket clams is that, they are not crash tested! This could cause Issues If an accident where to occur!
What?