A Few Questions About My S2 Exige
Discussion
Hi all
Well had the Lotus for a week now, and am continuing to enjoy every second of being in it...although at present that doesn't amount to much, due to a 75-hour working week (just this week, thank God) and very naff weather.
A few questions have popped up in the last few days however, that I hope someone can help me with.
1) Is it normal for the cabin to get quite hot after the car has been running for a while? Air-con makes a bit of a difference, as does opening the windows, but without these factors the cabin really can become a little uncomfortable.
2) How does the engine take to the fact that it is 'exposed' to the elements - a simple metal grill/mesh is all that stands between any rain/snow/etc that may descend upon the car?! The previous keeper of the car has assured me that this isn't an issue, but it does seem a little odd to me - I can actually see wiring within the engine unit that I wouldn't have imagined would appreciate a good UK-style soaking! I have no garage to park the car in overnight, although I will invest in a car cover should I see the benefit of one.
3) How much do services cost on the Exige (S2) typically, at a Lotus main dealer? The car has covered just over 9,000 miles and I'd quite like a service for my own peace of mind.
4) The fuel gauge seems to have a mind of it's own. The level of fuel displayed can often vary from one minute to the next, sometimes by as much as half a 'unit' on the digital readout. Whilst I appreciate that gauges often read slightly different according to speed, pitch/roll of car, etc, I am not used to the variations being so large.
5) I find the car steams up quite a lot when left in unfavourable weather. One morning this week I found a lot of condensation in the cabin, and the headlights were both fogged up until the car had warmed up. I don't mind this particularly, as long as it is typical of the car.
These are just a few issues that I have thought about recently. They're not all especially important, although I would like to know that the car is as it should be.
Regards,
Adam
Well had the Lotus for a week now, and am continuing to enjoy every second of being in it...although at present that doesn't amount to much, due to a 75-hour working week (just this week, thank God) and very naff weather.
A few questions have popped up in the last few days however, that I hope someone can help me with.
1) Is it normal for the cabin to get quite hot after the car has been running for a while? Air-con makes a bit of a difference, as does opening the windows, but without these factors the cabin really can become a little uncomfortable.
2) How does the engine take to the fact that it is 'exposed' to the elements - a simple metal grill/mesh is all that stands between any rain/snow/etc that may descend upon the car?! The previous keeper of the car has assured me that this isn't an issue, but it does seem a little odd to me - I can actually see wiring within the engine unit that I wouldn't have imagined would appreciate a good UK-style soaking! I have no garage to park the car in overnight, although I will invest in a car cover should I see the benefit of one.
3) How much do services cost on the Exige (S2) typically, at a Lotus main dealer? The car has covered just over 9,000 miles and I'd quite like a service for my own peace of mind.
4) The fuel gauge seems to have a mind of it's own. The level of fuel displayed can often vary from one minute to the next, sometimes by as much as half a 'unit' on the digital readout. Whilst I appreciate that gauges often read slightly different according to speed, pitch/roll of car, etc, I am not used to the variations being so large.
5) I find the car steams up quite a lot when left in unfavourable weather. One morning this week I found a lot of condensation in the cabin, and the headlights were both fogged up until the car had warmed up. I don't mind this particularly, as long as it is typical of the car.
These are just a few issues that I have thought about recently. They're not all especially important, although I would like to know that the car is as it should be.
Regards,
Adam
fishtek69 said:
Hi all
1) Is it normal for the cabin to get quite hot after the car has been running for a while? Air-con makes a bit of a difference, as does opening the windows, but without these factors the cabin really can become a little uncomfortable.
That is normal although if you have got aircon make sure you keep the windows shut otherwise the a/c won't work as well as it should.
2) How does the engine take to the fact that it is 'exposed' to the elements - a simple metal grill/mesh is all that stands between any rain/snow/etc that may descend upon the car?! The previous keeper of the car has assured me that this isn't an issue, but it does seem a little odd to me - I can actually see wiring within the engine unit that I wouldn't have imagined would appreciate a good UK-style soaking! I have no garage to park the car in overnight, although I will invest in a car cover should I see the benefit of one.
Not an issue as far as I'm aware, and I have not come across any problems that have arisen from this (yet)!
3) How much do services cost on the Exige (S2) typically, at a Lotus main dealer? The car has covered just over 9,000 miles and I'd quite like a service for my own peace of mind.
Ranging in price from £350 (std service) up to £609.
4) The fuel gauge seems to have a mind of it's own. The level of fuel displayed can often vary from one minute to the next, sometimes by as much as half a 'unit' on the digital readout. Whilst I appreciate that gauges often read slightly different according to speed, pitch/roll of car, etc, I am not used to the variations being so large.
Perfectly normal!
5) I find the car steams up quite a lot when left in
unfavourable weather. One morning this week I found a lot of condensation in the cabin, and the headlights were both fogged up until the car had warmed up. I don't mind this particularly, as long as it is typical of the car.
Probably nothing to worry about but just get your dealer to check the seals around the headlamps as sometimes they are not always as 'tight' as they should be!
Adam
I hope this helps!
>> Edited by L100NYY on Wednesday 17th August 08:58
Glad you are enjoying the car.
Yes the cabin does get hot, especially on a spirited run but thats why you have air con.
My car lives outside at the moment but will have a garage soon. I'm not bothered about leaving it outside although there a re a few metal parts in the engine bay which have a bit of rust on them. I would get a cover for the winter.
Services - no idea as mine is only on 5000 miles so has only had the feee aftercare service so far. Yours sounds like its due one now anyway (every 9,000 IIRC)
The fuel gages are not that great but they are super accurate compared to the early Stack units on the S1. Dont worry about it.
I have never had any problems with steaming up on mine but put both the air con and re circulation on and it should clear pretty quickly.
Isnt it about time you changed your profile pic to one of the new car?
Yes the cabin does get hot, especially on a spirited run but thats why you have air con.
My car lives outside at the moment but will have a garage soon. I'm not bothered about leaving it outside although there a re a few metal parts in the engine bay which have a bit of rust on them. I would get a cover for the winter.
Services - no idea as mine is only on 5000 miles so has only had the feee aftercare service so far. Yours sounds like its due one now anyway (every 9,000 IIRC)
The fuel gages are not that great but they are super accurate compared to the early Stack units on the S1. Dont worry about it.
I have never had any problems with steaming up on mine but put both the air con and re circulation on and it should clear pretty quickly.
Isnt it about time you changed your profile pic to one of the new car?
Davey S1 said:
Glad you are enjoying the car.
Yes the cabin does get hot, especially on a spirited run but thats why you have air con.
My car lives outside at the moment but will have a garage soon. I'm not bothered about leaving it outside although there a re a few metal parts in the engine bay which have a bit of rust on them. I would get a cover for the winter.
Services - no idea as mine is only on 5000 miles so has only had the feee aftercare service so far. Yours sounds like its due one now anyway (every 9,000 IIRC)
The fuel gages are not that great but they are super accurate compared to the early Stack units on the S1. Dont worry about it.
I have never had any problems with steaming up on mine but put both the air con and re circulation on and it should clear pretty quickly.
Isnt it about time you changed your profile pic to one of the new car?
It is about time, yeah. I've not had a chance to take any good pics of the car yet - or even wash the thing - but I've updated the profile with a pic I took of it on my phone a couple of days ago.
I'm glad the car is not untypical of others like it, in respect of the quirks I mentioned. They don't really bother me as long as I know they're 'normal'.
I shall get the car booked in for a service ASAP, and I imagine as it's the first service it will be a £350 jobbie.
One other question everyone; how did you go about securing adequate breakdown cover? Is there a special company or organisation I should be dealing with here, or is it sufficient to simply alert the AA/RAC that I have an Exige and that it might require a low-loader if help is ever needed?
Cheers for everything so far all! I can't wait to have a better play in the car next week when I have a bit more time off work.
Regards,
Adam
Answer to your breakdown cover. The AA have 'Lotus Assist', just branded for lotus I suppose. Had to call out when dropped keys and they had to be
re-programmed to turn off the immobiliser (muppet) and the guy just did it on his laptop and I was away in 15mins. Got a quote from somewhere else and was about £30 for the year!
>> Edited by slooptheloop on Wednesday 17th August 17:02
re-programmed to turn off the immobiliser (muppet) and the guy just did it on his laptop and I was away in 15mins. Got a quote from somewhere else and was about £30 for the year!
>> Edited by slooptheloop on Wednesday 17th August 17:02
i noticed the heat for the first time the other day, as i closed the windows whilst goign through the tunnel.
Personally i dont have aircon, but find the windows solve the problem for me.
you dont have to have the car serviced at a main dealer.
I get mine done by an independent, yet my local dealer has no problems doing warranty work still.
Independent are much cheaper at 100-180 pounds usuallly
Personally i dont have aircon, but find the windows solve the problem for me.
you dont have to have the car serviced at a main dealer.
I get mine done by an independent, yet my local dealer has no problems doing warranty work still.
Independent are much cheaper at 100-180 pounds usuallly
I have had my S2 a week now... love it.. havt had any steaming up issues, and I have a garage to keep it in.. I have 2 questions for you guys though..
1. I have armourfend on the car and the edges are dirty - is that typical ?
2. I plan to track the car 'at some point' and its a touring pack car, does the lack of the performance pack twin oil coolers cuase me an issue ?
Thx
Jon
1. I have armourfend on the car and the edges are dirty - is that typical ?
2. I plan to track the car 'at some point' and its a touring pack car, does the lack of the performance pack twin oil coolers cuase me an issue ?
Thx
Jon
I have armourfend on mine and its ok after 4 months. It can peel and discolour so keep an eye on it and if it get sworse take it back. It should look good for years before it starts to fade or peel
Lack of the oil coolers isnt a massive problem unless you are tracking the car regularly. When you are on track just make sure you limit the time you are driving hard to 10 - 15 minutes max.
Always have 1-2 cool down laps and then allow the car to cool down for a while.
You could also change the oil to a race formula for higher tempratures. Silkolene is highly recommended. I'm afraid I cant remember the grade of oil you will need but have a search on SELOC for Oil Man. He is a supplier and will sort you out and should give you a SELOC discount as well.
Good idea to change oil after every 2-3 trackdays
Make sure you do get it on track. They are just awesome. Cant wait to get mine back out.
Lack of the oil coolers isnt a massive problem unless you are tracking the car regularly. When you are on track just make sure you limit the time you are driving hard to 10 - 15 minutes max.
Always have 1-2 cool down laps and then allow the car to cool down for a while.
You could also change the oil to a race formula for higher tempratures. Silkolene is highly recommended. I'm afraid I cant remember the grade of oil you will need but have a search on SELOC for Oil Man. He is a supplier and will sort you out and should give you a SELOC discount as well.
Good idea to change oil after every 2-3 trackdays
Make sure you do get it on track. They are just awesome. Cant wait to get mine back out.
jfrf said:
i noticed the heat for the first time the other day, as i closed the windows whilst goign through the tunnel.
eh? you closed the windows to go through a tunnel??
you should have slowed down dropped into second and made good use of your right foot and listen to the noise!
like so
www.pistonheads.tv/clip438
A Few Answers...
1) The Air con on my S2 Exige is great. Dealt with the heat this summer in the south of Europe no problem I would say keep the windows shut and in a shirt you will feel cold with it on a medium power setting.
2) While touring one night it had one of the heaviest down poor I had seen in a long time. Car was fine the following morning when we started her up.
But normally the car over nights it in the garage. I think if I was going to leave her out all the time I would think of a sort of shower cap to cover that part of the car.
3) I can't remember what mine cost. I take it your car is still in Warranty so I would do some ringing around your main dealers for prices. I would also look on various Lotus Club website to see who does the best prices in your area but most of all who is fair and does a good job.
4) The variations are more due to the fact its reading a small fuel tank compared to a large tank and that why you will notice it more.
5) Use the aircon to de-mist the car, it works very quickly instead of the hot air blower. But Yes I have found that in hot & humid weather it will mist up quick that I thought it would. but regarding the lights, Every type of car I have seen with this type of perspecs covers does the same.
PS your car looks good.
1) The Air con on my S2 Exige is great. Dealt with the heat this summer in the south of Europe no problem I would say keep the windows shut and in a shirt you will feel cold with it on a medium power setting.
2) While touring one night it had one of the heaviest down poor I had seen in a long time. Car was fine the following morning when we started her up.
But normally the car over nights it in the garage. I think if I was going to leave her out all the time I would think of a sort of shower cap to cover that part of the car.
3) I can't remember what mine cost. I take it your car is still in Warranty so I would do some ringing around your main dealers for prices. I would also look on various Lotus Club website to see who does the best prices in your area but most of all who is fair and does a good job.
4) The variations are more due to the fact its reading a small fuel tank compared to a large tank and that why you will notice it more.
5) Use the aircon to de-mist the car, it works very quickly instead of the hot air blower. But Yes I have found that in hot & humid weather it will mist up quick that I thought it would. but regarding the lights, Every type of car I have seen with this type of perspecs covers does the same.
PS your car looks good.
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