Central London 111R Queries

Recently acquried a 111R. I live in central London (W2 Paddington) and had a couple of queries, especially to those in my position (ie also living in or close to central london):

1) Where do you get your car serviced? Merrits in Amersham were very good (where I bought the car) but wondering if there was anywhere closer to home recommended. If not, other recommendations or comments on Merrits servicing would be appreciated.

2) Where do you get your car washed? I live in a flat so can't drag a hose out. I do use a bucket and rag for getting bird crap off asap etc, but for the big clean its a bit difficult. There is a hand wash place with hose jet spray near me. They spray what seems to be wax from a dispenser before rubbing the cars down with chamois, after washing the car with soap and rinsing with the jet spray. Should that be ok or any reason I should watch out for those hand wash outlets? ANything I need to watch out for regarding the soft top? (The reason i know how they wash the cars is I took my old car there before I flogged it, and they did a good job).

3) How often should I take her out of town to stretch her legs, and any roads easily accessible to do this? Have been obviously getting out of London streets (ie down M40) to enjoy her but thinking in the long term when work etc means I don't drive her as much as I'd like ie on long drives etc.

Cheers for the comments

Tah

Stephen

[bing]

Same position mate, I'm about to pick up my 05 111r this week.. I called HR Owen in North Acton and they have a Lotus Service center....

PS do you have a cover or Harp-top I'm abit worried about leaving it outside!!!!

[Anatol]

If you really love the car, try waterless cleaning of it, by hand, yourself. The products at go-waterless.co.uk are genuinely amazing - and I run a bodywork repair and maintenance business, so that's high praise.

If you can wrangle a trade account out of them, the prices fall dramatically if you're prepared to place a reasonable size order.

Tol

[DPR]

Servicing:

Steve Williams in Maidendhead
Lakeside Engineering, Addlestone, Surrey
Maybe Sinclaires in Romford?

[petestorey]

Try Barry Ely in Leytonstone, on the tube and he's very good, though his place does look like an olde-worlde village garage. Probably why I like it really! www.barryelysportscars.co.uk
Pete

[schew111r]

Thanks for the replies.

Bing, have a good time picking your car up. They're brilliant!!
Brings a smile to my face everytime I sit in her (and drive her). STill haven't quite mastered the art of getting in to the 111R though - look a bit of a spanner as always seem to knock one knee on the steering wheel. I'm looking for a hard top at present for next winter but depending on where you live (I have a couple of convetibles down my road with softies) there doesn't seem to be much trouble with having just the soft top option and I park her in W2/W9.

Have decided I'm gonna have to invest in a watering can and one of those mitts and give her a good clean myself outside my flat or head to my parents or sister's place further out of London to give her a good clean once a fortnight. From some of the other forum posts I've seen I take it the concensus is jet wash is bad unless you angle the jet at 45degress otherwise it pushes the dirt into the paintwork and scratches the car.

Cheers

Steve

[kevin ritson]

I've always cleaned mine with a bucket and sponge, never seen the benefit of a hose.