Lotus Elise Brakes

Author
Discussion

DAKA

Original Poster:

4 posts

116 months

Wednesday 10th September 2014
quotequote all
Hi,

I have fallen in love with a car I would like to buy however I am concerned about the brakes.

3-5 mile test drive at speeds up to 80 but I was only passenger.

when I looked around the car after the test drive I noticed that the discs were not all shiny.

there was also a sound of scraping occasionally when braking at slow speeds.

all four discs showed signs of very light rust on the surface, the sort of rust that my car would scrape off while reversing out the drive.

the car has only done 100 miles in last two years , it was MOT in may 14, no advisory on brakes.

The owner said he would take it to Kwickfit (did the MOT) and ask them to re run the MOT brake test.

he says that lotus brakes need to be warmed up

he says that the pads take a long time to dry and they washed the car 2 weeks ago.


do I buy or walk away ?

(Lotus Elise S2 2002 £10 000 72000 miles)

DAKA

Original Poster:

4 posts

116 months

Wednesday 10th September 2014
quotequote all
grumpy said:
The brakes on an Elise are no different to a "normal" car, apart from the fact that it doesn't have a servo so you need more apply pedal pressure. They do not need warming up.

A scraping noise could mean metal on metal.

The rust should disappear after a few miles. If it doesn't it could mean siezed calipers or pitted or worn discs.

Edited to say washing the car will make no difference to the barkes that would be noticed after two minutes let alone two weeks.

Edited by grumpy on Wednesday 10th September 19:18
Thanks Grumpy.

Im pleased I asked.

DAKA

Original Poster:

4 posts

116 months

Wednesday 10th September 2014
quotequote all
Thanks Skaffen , feeling happier now.

DAKA

Original Poster:

4 posts

116 months

Thursday 11th September 2014
quotequote all
Thanks Vxah and Chris, all being well I will be back soon as a new owner with lots of numpty questions .